NAWILIWILI — Douglas Sears of Koloa finished with the best round in the 7-8 Boys division during the final round of the 2009 Hawai‘i Callaway Junior World Qualifier, Friday. Sears led the seven-player field in that age group with a
NAWILIWILI — Douglas Sears of Koloa finished with the best round in the 7-8 Boys division during the final round of the 2009 Hawai‘i Callaway Junior World Qualifier, Friday.
Sears led the seven-player field in that age group with a 68 (35-33), three strokes ahead of Christian “Pono” Yanagi of Hilo who finished the Thursday opening round five strokes ahead of Sears.
That reversal was enough to earn Sears second in the age group and one of four spots to the Junior World with a final total of 141 (73-68).
“There were a lot of other people golfing better than me,” the shy Junior Golfer said, accepting congratulations from fellow Kaua‘i Junior Golfer Reece Valencia, winner of the 10 Under Jr. Tees at last week’s Chica Ishii Tournament. Valencia just missed the cut at 156 (80-76), three strokes off Honolulu’s Taylor John McGerity who got the fourth berth at 153 (76-77).
Marlon Bottorff of Kihei, Maui, filled in the third berth of the 7-8 Boys with a 145 (70-75).
Milburn Ho of Honolulu was the sole 7-8 Girls player, earning a berth with a 36-hole total of 173 (89-84).
Taisei Negishi of Hilo carded a hole-in-one at the 132-yard No. 2 hole using his 9-iron off the red tees in the 11-12 Boys age group.
“When I hit the ball, I just thought it was going close to the hole, but when it dropped, everyone just went ‘Whoa!’ Negishi said, noting that this was his second career ace.
That feat on the final round earned him one of three spots in the division with a 149 (76-73). Other qualifiers included Donny Hopoi of Aiea (71-73-144) and Jino Sohn of Honolulu (75-71-146). Keegan Loo of Lihu‘e was the sole Kaua‘i Junior Golfer in that field, finishing at 155 (78-77).
Ayumi Sakamoto (79-79-158) topped the 11-12 Girls qualifiers followed by Hana Furuichi (80-80-160) and Mariel Galdino (83-78-161).
Justin Ngan of Kahului, Maui, topped the 9-10 Boys with a 129 (64-65) followed by a tie at 130 between Shon Katahira of Hilo (68-62) and Kyosuke Hara of Honolulu (62-68). Remington Bryan-Hirano finished at 132 (63-69) and Trevor Arashiro filled in the final slot at 135 (67-68).
Trevor Kua of Lihu‘e, the only Kaua‘i golfer in the 9-10 age group, finished at 139 (69-70).
Andy Okita (75-69-144) and Kalena Preus (68-76-144) shared the top spot for the 13-14 Boys age group. Richard Hattori (73-72-145), Rudy Cabalar Jr. (72-77-149) and Jared Flores (77-74-151) filled in the qualifying spots.
Pono Tokioka (79-81-160) topped the field of three Kaua‘i golfers in the field. Braeden Robley (88-80-168) was just a stroke ahead of Ken Miyata (82-87-169).
“I’m glad Pono did well
out there,” said Beth Tokioka who was part of Pono’s Friday gallery. “He’s right in the middle of the pack (24 golfers) and improving. He had a good game and was feeling good.”
The age divisions, pars and yardages for the tournament: 7-8 Boys and Girls and the 9-10 Girls — par 58, 2,410 yards; 9-10 Boys – par 62, 3,364 yards; 11-12 Boys – par 72, 6,042 yards; 11-12 Girls – par 72, 5,538 yards; 13-14 Boys – par 72, 6,563 yards, 13-14 Girls – par 72, 6,042 yards; 15-18 Boys – par 72, 6,969 yards; 15-18 Girls – par 72, 6,042 yards.
