MAKENA, Maui—Joan Shimozaki of Kihei fired a final round 1-over-par 73 for a 54-hole score of 3-over-par 219 to win the Girls’ 15-17 age-division at Event No. 10 of the PGA Junior Series at the Makena Resort-South Course. Shimozaki, 16,
MAKENA, Maui—Joan Shimozaki of Kihei fired a final round 1-over-par 73 for a
54-hole score of 3-over-par 219 to win the Girls’ 15-17 age-division at Event
No. 10 of the PGA Junior Series at the Makena Resort-South
Course.
Shimozaki, 16, who won the Girls’ 15-17 age-division last year at
the same event held on the Big Island, turned down an opportunity to play in
the America’s Cup Matches in Colorado to defend her title here.
Maintaining
a strong defense, Shimozaki steadily increased her lead daily with the final
margin, 20 strokes, shattering the previous record for greatest margin of
victory, 12 strokes.
“Was it really 20 shots?” Shimozaki said in
amazement following her final round. “Wow! It feels great to defend my
titile. It was something I wanted to win.”
There were no Kaua`i
competitors in this age-division.
Grant Yasui of Waipahu who shared a piece
of the lead in all three days finished the job by shooting 77 for a 224 total
to win the boys 15-17 age-division by three strokes over Eric Fong of Waipahu
with Brandon Uchida of Mesa, Arizona finishing third at 228.
Nick Papoutsis
of Australia was the highest finishing international player, tied for fifth
place at 233 along with Kapa`a’s Juston Thomas.
Erick Wong of Lihu`e led a
five-way tie for ninth at 235 in that age-group with Landon Peeren, also of
Lihu`e ending the match with 350.
In the Girls’ 13-14 age-division, Lindsay
Hong of Honolulu opened with an even-par 36 on the front nine to shoot 77 for a
236 total and a 5-stroke win. Kiilani Matsuyoshi of Kapa`a finished fifth in
that age-division with a 244 with Jennie Pleas of Lihu`e finishing at
274.
Travis Toyama of Kaneohe shot a final round 77 for a 230 total to win
the Boys’ 13-14 age-division by one stroke over Lahaina’s Shaun
Felechner.
Chris Caycayon of Lihu`e led the Kaua`i finishers in that
age-group with a 79 final day round for a 237, fifth place. Stephen Peeren of
Lihu`e ended with 260, and A.J. Basuel of Kapa`a finishing at 264.
Points
are awarded to the boys and girls who finish in the Top 20 in the 15-17
age-division, and the top two point leaders earning a berth in the PGA Junior
Championships at the PGA National Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on
August 23-26.
The PGA Junior Series provides junior golfers with national
exposure as well as affordable playing opportunities in professionally
supervised events organized by The PGA of America. The Junior Series is
conducted by The PGA with additional support provided by PGA Professionals from
local PGA Sections.
