LIHU‘E — Taryn Taguma, the program director for the Kaua‘i Junior Golf Association announced that three Kaua‘i Junior Golfers — Caleb Taba, 13, Ike Tydingco, 9, and Christopher Jobe, 14 — will be advancing to the Drive, Chip, and Putt regional qualifier that will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona in September.
The trio earned the privilege by taking top honors at the Kapolei Golf Club on July 17, Taguma said. The Kaua‘i DCP qualifier was held on May 28 at the Ocean Course Hokuala.
“My experience at the Drive, Chip, and Putt was exciting because when they announced my name as the First Place winner, I was totally surprised,” Taba said. “I enjoyed meeting other golfers my age from all around Hawai‘i.”
Taguma said there were eight Kaua‘i Junior Golfers who earned medals of honor in one or more categories at the Kapolei qualifier.
Tydincgo, who said he’s been golfing since age 2, earned qualifying honors by finishing first overall in the Boys 7-9 age group. He also finished first in Chipping, and third in Driving.
Alexander Pequignot, playing in the same Boys 7-9 age group finished second in Putting and third in Chipping.
Ayven Laguguen finished third in Chipping in the Boys 10-11 age group, and Jayden Munoz was third in Putting.
In the Boys 12-13 age group, Caleb Ito finished second in Chipping, and Adrian Smith was third in Putting.
Taba earned qualifying honors in the Boys 14-15 age group by finishing first overall and a second place in Driving. Jobe, finishing second overall, also earned qualifying eligibility after finishing first in Driving.
“DCP was absolutely amazing,” Jobe said. “Even though I got second place, I’m still very happy with my performance.”
On the girls’ course, Brooklyn Braun finished second in Chipping in the Girls 10-11 age group, along with Kailee Joseph who also copped silver in Chipping.
Sydney Ito, playing in the Girls 14-15 age group, ended with a third place in Chipping.
Drive, Chip, and Putt is a joint initiative founded in 2013 by the Masters Tournament, United State Golf Association, and The Professional Golfers of America. DCP is a free nationwide junior golf development competition aimed at growing the game by focusing on the three fundamental skills employed in golf. Participants who advance through local, sub-regional, and regional qualifying in each age and gender category earn a place in the National Finals which is conducted at Augusta National Golf Club the Sunday before the Masters Tournament and broadcast live by the Golf Channel.
“All of the golfers earning awards at the Kapolei DCP are members of the Kaua‘i Junior Golf Association,” Taguma said. “We are a nonprofit organization and our objective is to provide an environment where its junior members can enjoy the game of golf, and progress at his or her own rate while promoting and preserving the traditions and integrity of the game.”
