Kapa’a’s Juston Thomas and Kaua’i’s Lehua Wise won the KIF Poipu Bay State qualifying series on Saturday, but they aren’t the only golfers heading to the Hawaii Prince Golf Course, the site of the 2002 HHSAA State Championships. KIF Champion
Kapa’a’s Juston Thomas and Kaua’i’s Lehua Wise won the KIF Poipu Bay State qualifying series on Saturday, but they aren’t the only golfers heading to the Hawaii Prince Golf Course, the site of the 2002 HHSAA State Championships.
KIF Champion Kaua’i High will be sending five boys and four girls to the championships, not including the individual qualifiers who made it through Q-High School.
Thomas and Wise are the reigning champions of the 2002 KIF Golf seasons, and for good reason. Thomas shot a 69 in the first round, the lowest score of any KIF golfer on the season and at Poipu. He shot 70 in the second round, for a combined scored of 139.
Wise finished leagues ahead of the girl’s pack. Her 70 second round was the lowest score of any girl in the regular season, and her combined score of 142 shattered the field.
Red Raider Erick Wong followed Thomas with a 142, Allan Baab came third with a 150; and Bret Netzer and Billy Toy (heading to States as an individual qualifier along with Thomas) tied for fourth with a 151. Stephen Peeren (6th-154) and Abraham Akutagawa (10th-165) round out the Red Raider team qualifiers. Waimea’s Ashford Rita, at 7th with a 158, is the final individual boy golfer to head to Hawaii Prince.
For the girls, Wise was followed by Kimberly Yama, who shot a 164; Kiilani Matsuyoshi came in third with a 167; Mackenzie Ajimura notched fourth with a 169; Mary Akutagawa took fifth with a 173; and Robyn Caycayon will head to States with a sixth place finish and a 174.
Kapa’a’s Marisa Yamamoto (8th-190) is the only non-Red Raider to head to States. Shelcie Takenouchi (7th-183) and Claire Hirota (9th-191) round up the state qualifiers.
