Pat Viernes, 52, outduels younger competition at Public Links Qualifier WAILUA – Pat Viernes hung in the background, practiced his putting and tried to stay loose. He was among the first finishers at Saturday’s United States Golf Association Amateur Public
Pat Viernes, 52, outduels younger competition at Public Links Qualifier
WAILUA – Pat Viernes hung in the background, practiced his putting and tried to stay loose.
He was among the first finishers at Saturday’s United States Golf Association Amateur Public Links Qualifier at Wailua Golf Course, and wanted to be prepared in the event of a playoff.
He needn’t have worried. The 52-year-old County of Kaua’i employee whacked the competition, winning the 36-hole qualifier by five strokes with a 147 (74, 73). In victory, Viernes outshot much younger, perhaps more athletic, competitors. He also secured Kaua’i’s only berth in the USGA Amateur Public Links National Championship July 9-14, in San Antonio, Texas.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Viernes said with a wide smile. “I tell you, it feels really good to come out here and beat these younger guys.”
Kapa’a High School’s Juston Thomas shot a 152 to finish second, and will be the first alternate. Clesson Pang will be the second alternate. He fired a 153. Casey Watabu took home third-alternate honors with a 154.
Viernes, a golfer for 21 years, was at least 25 years older than the runners-up.
“I felt good today,” Viernes said. “I didn’t sleep well last night, only two-and-a-half or three hours, but I drank a lot of juices and ate healthy foods.”
It paid off. In fact, if not for a bogey on the 18th hole of his second round, Viernes would have shot par – a 72.
“I was pretty upset about that,” Viernes said. “I was going to be really frustrated if I ended up losing or in a playoff because of that bogey.”
Viernes will be making his fourth Public Links National Championship appearance. The previous three, however, were on the strength of second- or third-place finishes in the Kaua’i qualifier.
“This was my first time as the medalist,” Viernes said. “I would have to say this is the top moment in my golfing career.”
He will be the lone Kaua’i representative in Texas. Until last year, the Garden Island sent three golfers to the national championship. Since the rules changes, however, the local qualifier has become more intense.
“I really want to go over and golf well,” Viernes said. “I’m going to be representing the island.”
With windy conditions and difficult pin placement, Viernes said he felt like “steady play” would give him a chance to be competitive Saturday. He said he hit the ball well off the tee all day, dropping into the fairway consistently.
Viernes bogeyed the third hole in both of his rounds. Other than that, he shot par on all the par-3s, birdied a couple of par-5s and managed the par-4s.
The trip to Texas will be Viernes’ first. Additional USGA rules changes mean he will have to fund his own travel. But the golfer said it’s all worth it.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Viernes said. “And it’s a reason to go to Texas. I’ll take that.”
Sports editor Jason Gallic at 245-3681 or mailto:kauaisports@pulitzer.net
