Justin Uegawa, a familiar name with the Kapa‘a High School golf team, teamed with Douglas Sears to finish in first place with a score of 15 at the Kaua‘i Junior Golf Association Divots-In-the Dark tournament, recently at the Po‘ipu Bay
Justin Uegawa, a familiar name with the Kapa‘a High School golf team, teamed with Douglas Sears to finish in first place with a score of 15 at the Kaua‘i Junior Golf Association Divots-In-the Dark tournament, recently at the Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course.
Ron Peeren, KJGA Tournament Director, said one older junior is paired with a younger junior, playing alternate strokes in the three-hole, two-person team format.
For the tournament, the No. 1, 2 and 3 holes at the Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course were lit up with glow sticks down the fairway, around the greens, and on the flagstick.
Teams play with a Glow-in-the-dark golf ball.
The 15 recorded by Uegawa and Sears was the top score in the tournament and is 3-over par on the regular scorecard, Peeren said.
Daezsa Tomas, a member of the Kaua‘i High School girls team, matched up with Christian Ganir to card a 15, settling in second place.
Reyn Morioka, another Red Raider golfer, paired with Justice Chatfield and finished two strokes back in a four-way tie at 17 and third place.
Kenji Miyata, another Kapa‘a golfer, teamed with Mason Gibson for fourth place, Kainalu Gandia paired with Keith Jose for fifth, and Island School golfer Daniel Miller teamed with Trevor Kua for sixth.
Red Raider Kai Adachi paired with Anthony Apalla to finish at 18, followed a stroke back by the teams of Bryden Salvador and Michael Miller and Matthias Davis and Trevor Kua.
Naea Oda teamed with Logan Gibson to finish at 20 and Braeden Robley paired with Salisa Pegeder to round out the leaderboard at 21.
Peeren said in addition to the Divots-In-the-Dark, a putting tournament was held for the KJGA newer members who played on the putting green with glow sticks outlining the holes.
The putting green is illuminated with fluorescent green, red, yellow and purple glow sticks, as the juniors putt with Glow-in-the-Dark golf balls.
Top score for the putting tournament was 45 for 18 holes of putting, which attracted a field of 40 juniors.
Kilikai Ahuna topped the putting with his sole 45, followed by Nathaniel Dama at 45. Kiri Oshiro and Braden Andrews tied at 49, followed by Joshua Miller and Tyra Oshiro netting 50 each.
Trevor Gilbert, Nick Esposo and Niki Upson ended in a three-way tie at 51 to fill the seventh through ninth spots, respectively.
Kukahiakea Brun, Taigo Morgado, Leleakea Anakalea filled another three-way tie at 53, followed by Jussten Solatre at 56.
Luigi Sgarbi, Marcus Robinson and Ilihiia Anakalea tied at 57 each, followed by another three-way tie between Andrew Cezar, Landen Turnbow and Braeden Yokoyama at 58.
Luke dela Pena, Tiana Albarado, Karmela Buenconsejo, Connor Mackenzie and Taylor Kusaka filled a five-way tie at 59 to fill the 21st through 25th spots, respectively.
Jaydon Kyono, Sabrina Murphy, Jordyn Kahananui and Spencer Gregory netted 60 each in another five-way tie, followed by Jayson Serrano and Kyra Robly following a stroke back at 61 each.
Isaac Vallance putted a 62, followed a stroke back by Naia Burkart at 63 with Katherine O’Neill finishing at 67.
Sweden Ernsdorf (68), Dylan Granato (69), Samantha Nichols (69), Chris Caspillo (70) and Alea Hardie (75) rounded out the leaderboard.
Peeren said the tournament was a big hit with the kids and prizes were distributed to the entire field in both tournaments.
Registration is currently being accepted for the 2011 Parent/Junior Fun Tournament scheduled for May 7 at the Wailua Golf Course.
Application forms are available by visiting www.kjga.org and is open to all ages and all levels. Deadline for applications is April 25.