Juniors buffeted by winds, fast greens at Kiahuna

PO‘IPU — Kane Rogers of Honolulu carded a two-day total seven-over par to win the Boys 7-10 flight at the Fifth Annual Kiahuna Junior Classic, Sunday at the Kiahuna Golf Club.

Blasting through gusty trades and fast greens, Rogers carded the best score in the field with his 147 (74-73) at the final competitive event for players on Team Hawai‘i who are competing in the Asia Pacific Junior Cup, Nov. 11-14 at the Waikoloa King’s Course on the Big Island.

“Gusty winds were consistent throughout the two days of the event, making for challenging soring conditions,” said Parker Anderson, the Hawai‘i State Junior Golf Association Tournament Director. “Additionally, the fast Paspalum greens at Kiahuna Golf Club served as a true test of golf to the juniors.”

Lauren Yama of the Kaua‘i Junior Golf Association noted that wind conditions appeared stiffer on Sunday, and with the fast greens, was constantly monitoring the progress of the groups.

Following Rogers in the Boys 7-10 Flight, Ryker Moriwaki of Aiea finished with a 160 (79-81), just two strokes ahead of Andy Kang (77-85-162) of Honolulu.

Kaua‘i’s own Logan Gibson (85-94-179) and Justice Chatfield (130-125-255) rounded out the field.

Malia Nam of Honolulu topped the Girls 7-10 Flight on a 155 (74-81) followed by Aneka Seumanutafa of Kapolei (82-87-169).

Milburn Ho, getting a break when her ball rolled in and out of a bunker on one of the holes, filled in third place at 198 (99-99), the petite golfer literally running to keep pace with her foursome.

Allysha Mae Mateo of Mililani, in her second tournament on Kaua‘i, rounded out the flight at 199 (102-97).

Taisei Negishi of Hilo, Hawai‘i topped the Boys 11-12 Flight with a 153 (77-76) over Andrew Chin (83-81-164) and Kyle Suppa (81-86-167), both juniors coming from Honolulu.

Trevor Kua, tied for third after the opening round, Saturday, slipped to fourth (83-89-172) with Remington Hirano (91-91-182) of Honolulu rounding out the flight.

Justin Kurihara of Honolulu set the pace for the Boys 13-14 Flight with a 161 (84-77) followed by George Corpuz (89-79-168), seven strokes off the pace.

Kaua‘i boys Jamie Amimoto (99-96-195) and Jacob Dysinger (129-118-247) rounded out the flight.

Lisa Kang topped a field of three Honolulu girls in the Girls 13-14 Flight with a 160 (79-81) followed by Sarah Hasselman (81-85-166) and Keilyn Ing (89-86-175), this group teaming with the two girls in the Girls 15-18 Flight that was taken by Allisen Corpuz of Honolulu who finished six strokes ahead of Brittany Fan of Pearl City.

Corpuz carded a two-day total 153 (76-77), 13-over par while Fan finished with a 159 (79-80).

Jonah Fonacier of Mililani topped the field of six boys in the Boys 15-18 Flight with a two-day total of 155 (78-77), 15-over par, staying ahead of Zachary Braunthal of Honolulu who finished Sunday’s round just one stroke behind Fonacier at 78, but settling for a 163 (85-78). Jarin Harada (89-84-173), Trey Kidd (90-84-174), Reyn Morioka (92-91-183) and Nevin Yoshida (92-102-194) rounded out the flight.

With 16 juniors participating in the Atlanta Open in Georgia, Morioka was all alone in the Boys 15-18 Flight.

The Kiahuna Junior Classic is the final opportunity for players 13-18 to qualify for the Tournament of Champions to be played Dec. 4-5 on Maui.

Juniors 12 and Under have one more opportunity to qualify for the Tournament of Champions and receive Player of the Year Points at the Turtle Bay Resort, Nov. 20-21.

The Kiahuna Junior Classic also served as a qualifying site for juniors interested in competing in the United States Junior Masters, an internationally-recognized junior event played Dec. 20-22 in Ponte Vedra, Florida at the TPC Sawgrass course. Anderson said Kidd and Fan both qualified for this event, Sunday.

• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.