Sean Mamaclay finished one stroke over par on the Wailua back nine to card a 3-over par 75 to lead Kapa‘a to a 4-stroke win over Kaua‘i, Saturday. Kevin Wataya finished with a 2-over par 38 on the back nine
Sean Mamaclay finished one stroke over par on the Wailua back nine to card a 3-over par 75 to lead Kapa‘a to a 4-stroke win over Kaua‘i, Saturday.
Kevin Wataya finished with a 2-over par 38 on the back nine to finish with an 82 to help the Warrior team to its first win in the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation golf season.
The Warriors have been consistent strong No. 2 contenders throughout the season, and capitalizing on a team shuffle by Kaua‘i, closed the door on its win in the final regulation play of the KIF.
Kapa‘a finished with 334 strokes followed by Kaua‘i carding a 338 and Waimea rounding out the boys team effort on a 354.
Kaua‘i, which captured the KIF team title two weeks ago, shuffled its rotation to give the individualists an opportunity to play in team play, said Red Raider head coach Ipo Yoshioka.
In the remix, Eric Onodera paced the Red Raider team effort by shooting an 83 (42-41) followed a stroke back by Jordan Oda (42-42-84).
Allen Koerte finished two strokes off the Kaua‘i pace with an 85 (48-37) followed a stroke back by Kyle Furusho (41-45-86).
Cory Oride, who has been on fire since his No. 1 win in a recent Arizona tournament, continued to lead KIF play by shooting 3-under par on the back nine and an even par on the front to finish with a 3-under par 69 in individualist play.
“The next two weeks is about the KIF all-stars,” said Yoshioka during his team’s practice round, Thursday evening. “We already got the team title, but the next two qualifying rounds determine who makes states, and the KIF all-stars.”
Following Oride’s pace, Levi Miyashiro finished with an 80 (38-42) followed by Wiley Yoshioka carding an 81 (40-41) to round out the Kaua‘i individualist leaders.
“We would like to have four guys in states,” said Kapa‘a coach Fred Levinthol during a Thursday round. “But realistically, I think at least three of our guys have a good chance to make states depending on how they shoot during the qualifying rounds.”
Following the Warrior leaders, Aaron Belmonte finished with an 88 (43-45) and Justin Uegawa rounded out the team effort with an 89 (48-41).
Grant Paiste continued to set the pace for Waimea, finishing with an 80, helped by his 3-over par front nine showing. Justin Moriguchi followed eight strokes off Paiste’s pace at 88 (43-45). Jake Kuzen and Joshua Waalani Matsusaka followed with final cards of 92 (44-48) and 94 (46-48), respectively.
Cyrus Ogawa led the Kula Intermediate and High showing with a 79 (42-37), finishing off with a strong 1-over par on the back nine.
Eric Guyett continued his improvement, finishing Saturday’s round on a 90 (47-43) after breaking his first Under-100 KIF score a few weeks back.
Gabby Saiki, Kapa‘a’s No. 1 girls golfer, finished a stroke better than Kaua‘i’s Kelli Oride to lead the girls’ showing.
Saiki shot an even par 72 (36-36) to edge out Kelli who finished the front nine tied with Saiki at 36 apiece. Her final score was a 73 (36-37).
Kristy Rapozo filled in the third girls slot with a 95 (51-44) and Waimea’s Melissa Kagawa, rebounding from her volunteer stint at the Culinary Institute of the Pacific’s 6th Annual Spring Gourmet Gala Friday night, finished three strokes back at 98 (48-50).
Haime Arquette (69-65-134) and Alex Dorn (83-78-161) rounded out the girls.
The first of two qualifying rounds opens this Saturday at the Wailua Golf Course when the first group goes out starting at 11:30 a.m.
