It’s been three years since the Kaua‘i High School girls golf team took home the state title with a 28-over-par 460 overall score. However, this time they took care of the home turf and won in their own back yard
It’s been three years since the Kaua‘i High School girls golf team took home the state title with a 28-over-par 460 overall score.
However, this time they took care of the home turf and won in their own back yard at Wailua Golf Course to win the HHSAA David S. Ishii Foundation 2004 Girls State Golf Championship.
Kaua‘i High School head coach Kelli Pleas sounded much like an extremely proud coach after the event.
“Our girls did a tremendous job and they definitely deserve that trophy,” Pleas said.
Meanwhile, Leilehua’s Britney Choy, who was the first round leader took the individual title with a three-over-par 147.
Back in 2001, the ladies in red won the state crown with the help of individual champ, Rachel Kyono, who was on hand to witness the festivities. She came back home from Pepperdine University, just in time to watch her former school do what her team had accomplished three years ago.
After the ceremony, Kyono got to hold the 2004 championship trophy and was reminded of the familiar feeling of the state’s top prize.
The Red Raiders not only claimed the team title, they also grabbed the most individual medals with three of the 15 top golfers coming from Kaua‘i High School.
Choy remained steady and snatched the individual title with a three-over-par 147. Only a sophomore, the OIA champ’s cool-mannered demeanor surely helped her when the times got tough.
Red Raider Jennie Pleas finished a close second, only two shots back with a five-over-par 149. The senior will be heading off to Reno to continue her golf career.
For Pleas and fellow Red Raiders Mary Akutagawa and Kimberly Yama, last year’s second place finish only fueled the fire for this year’s triumphant victory.
Waiakea’s Amanda Wilson entered the second round tied for second place along with Pleas. However, the BIIF champion wasn’t able to over take the Red Raider, as she finished four shots back of the leader with a seven-over-par 151.
Other golfers receiving medals were Hilo’s Whitney Ueno with a nine-over-par 153. Kamehameha’s Mari Chun, who was tied for the lead after the first round, slipped up and finished in fifth place, also shooting a nine-over-par 153. Baldwin’s Kelly Nakashima and Kaua‘i’s Miki Ueoka both shot nine-over par 153 and finished sixth and seventh respectively.
Rounding out the top 15 were Punahou’s Lindsey Hong (10-over-par 154), St. Andrews’ Rak-Kyung Oh (12-over-par 156), Moanalua’s Jackie Hilea (13-over-par 157), Sacred Hearts’ Kayla Morinaga (13-over-par 157), Kaua‘i’s Ki‘ilani Matsuyoshi (14-over-par 158), Waiakea’s Nicole Aoki (14-over-par 158), Roosevelt’s Xyra Suyetsugu (15-over-par 159), and taking home the last medal was McKinley’s Tiffany Takao (15-over-par 159).
The second round crowd were not only treated to “a beautiful day for golf,” according to tournament director Stephen Perry, but A‘iea’s Shari Horio made the day even brighter with a hole-in-one on the 17th hole.
