LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i boy T.J. Kua and the University of Hawai‘i men’s golf team came up just short of a perfect birthday present for Stan Kua, Tuesday, at the Puakea Golf Course. “This would be a perfect birthday present,” Stan
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i boy T.J. Kua and the University of Hawai‘i men’s golf team came up just short of a perfect birthday present for Stan Kua, Tuesday, at the Puakea Golf Course.
“This would be a perfect birthday present,” Stan said while waiting on the University of Hawai‘i team to finish its final round of play. “Mom is out on the course, but I’m working.”
Stan is in charge of the golf carts at the Puakea Golf Course where the Kaua‘i Collegiate Invitational golf tournament was hosted.
T.J. Kua, tee-ing off under blustery conditions, continued his climb, finishing the final round with a six-under par 66 (33-33), tying Linus Vaisanen of the University of San Diego (32-34-66) for the second-best round of the day.
The top round went to Alexis Gemme-Piacente of San Diego who carded a seven-under par 65 (33-32) to lead a final-round comeback for the Toreros.
Four of San Diego’s five team players shot under-par games to lead the team to a final round 270, 14 strokes ahead of Hawai‘i who finished the round at an under-par 284.
The San Diego comeback resulted in its fourth title at the Kaua‘i Collegiate Invitational, San Diego overtaking Hawai‘i by just one stroke, 850-851 under hushed conditions as Hawai‘i, San Diego and College of Charleston players, coaches and supporters waited while scorekeepers posted the results.
Following Gemme-Piacente and Vaisanen, Grant Forrest posted a 69 (33-36) after finishing even par, Monday, Alex Ching, a Honolulu native and graduate of Punahou School, rebounded for a 70 (34-36) and Leon Knoll ended with a 76 (36-40) for San Diego.
“The golfers did just awesome, today,” said Cory Scoggin, first year head coach for San Diego. “It’s my first win, but the fourth for the team. I’m really proud of them.”
Following Kua’s lead for Hawai‘i, Tommy Yamashita finished even par (35-37-72), Henry Park (36-37) and Kaua‘i native Cory Oride (37-36) finished tied at 73 followed by Mike Koeneke (39-37-76).
“This was one of our better tournament plays, but unfortunately, we came up short,” said Ronn Miyashiro, Hawai‘i’s coach.
Following Monday’s play, T.J. tied his career-low with his five-under par 67, and improved by a stroke, Tuesday while Oride, a graduate of Kaua‘i High School, tied his career-low with his two-under par 70, Monday.
The College of Charleston, after posting an under-par 285 Monday, ended with a final-round 289 for a three-day 863 for third place in the tournament.
Utah Valley State University, led by Mason Casper (70-70-74-214), finished at 879 followed by Seattle University at 892 and North Dakota State University at 903.
T.J. was able to present his dad the honor of finishing first overall with a three-day total of 202 (69-67-66) followed by San Diego’s Vaisanen at 209 (75-68-66) and John Duke Hudson of the College of Charleston in third at 211 (70-70-71).
Nainoa Calip of the Hawai‘i program topped the individual competitors with a three-day total 212 (70-69-73) despite finishing one-over par, Tuesday.
