POIPU — Kauai’s Jamie Amimoto fired the best round of the day Saturday, but Trevor Kua led the Kauai High School boys to a 20-stroke victory at the Poipu Bay Golf Course. Amimoto finished the opening day of Kauai Interscholastic
POIPU — Kauai’s Jamie Amimoto fired the best round of the day Saturday, but Trevor Kua led the Kauai High School boys to a 20-stroke victory at the Poipu Bay Golf Course.
Amimoto finished the opening day of Kauai Interscholastic Federation golf with an even par 72 (37-35), but due to a missed round during the qualifying, was set out with the exhibition round golfers, said Kauai High School boys golf coach Alton Amimoto.
Playing in strong Kona winds, but without the anticipated showers and rain, the Kauai boys stayed in control of the course.
“We were playing without Jamie, but Jeremy Felizardo stepped up, huge,” Coach Alton said. “He finished sub-100, and was excited and proud of that accomplishment.”
Led by Kua who carded a four-over par 76 (37-39), the Kauai boys finished at 339, a 20-stroke lead ahead of Kapaa who ended at 359, led by Sequoia Logan firing an 80 (40-40).
On the girls course, Kapaa’s Naea Oda fired the best round of the day at 81 (41-40).
Kauai’s Hiilani Alana, coming from the ranks of the KIF varsity girls paddling team, fired an 88 (43-45) to lead the Kauai girls to a team 278 over the Waimea girls who finished with 312 behind the 93 score of Kawena Warren (42-51) and Samantha Nichols (45-48).
“Kawena was hitting the ball really well,” said Jeannie Warren, Kawena’s mother who followed the foursome. “On the No. 4, her drive was nearly 300 yards. Coach wants her to come to more practices, but it’s kind of hard for her because she’s also doing track where she replicated her high jump from last year’s state meet.”
Juliette Cowell finished with a 126 (61-65) to round out the Menehune showing on the course.
Helping the Kauai team scoring, Janae Park fired a 94 (44-50) and Kiri Oshiro added 114 (53-61) with Dillyn Sakai rounding out the Red Raider girls at 96 (43-53).
Joining the field of women, Island School was led by returning golfer Kari Withworth who carded a 91 (45-46) and Salisa Pegeder who ended at 112 (55-57).
On the boys course, Wesley Carter-Fujinaka was the sole Menehune, carding a 104 (48-56).
Island School fielded three golfers, Jacob Dysinger (58-53-111), Michael Miller (43-46-89), and Adam Sclafani (45-45-90).
Kauai’s team effort was aided by Felizardo (43-52-95), Keith Jose (40-47-87), and Vance Tokita (49-51-100). Ian Castro (46-57-103) joined Jamie on the exhibition tour.
Following Logan for the Kapaa boys, Kainalu Gandia, rolling over from the KIF wrestling program, carded an 82 (43-46), two strokes off the Warrior pace.
Mitchell Alves (49-44-93) and Landen Ishida (48-60-108) rounded out the Kapaa leaderboard.
On the exhibition tour, Tyshawn Cain (47-44-91) and Zack Knight (59-61-120) represented the Kapaa boys.
KIF golf moves to the Kauai Lagoons Golf Club, Saturday with the first group teeing off starting at 12:30 p.m.
