The Hawai‘i Junior Golf Association has been supporting the Kiahuna Golf Course long before the organization hits the links in November. The Kiahuna Jr. Classic will be played Nov. 4 and 5 at the Kiahuna Golf Course, and there is
The Hawai‘i Junior Golf Association has been supporting the Kiahuna Golf Course long before the organization hits the links in November.
The Kiahuna Jr. Classic will be played Nov. 4 and 5 at the Kiahuna Golf Course, and there is a possibility the children of two of the golf course employees may find themselves in the middle of the action.
Stan Kua, a retired Kaua‘i police officer, and Robin Viquelia work part time for the golf course with one of their benefits being free golf for their children, states a press release from the course.
T.J. Kua, 16, is a student at Kamehameha Schools who last weekend topped the 15-18 Boys division in both the Day 2 play and combined 36-hole total competitions.
En route to this achievement, T.J. Kua tied the course record set by Casey Watabu.
“T.J. can hit a long drive,” Kua said. “He is a good golfer and this summer, he competed in tournaments in California and Nevada.”
Kua has two sons in the junior golf program and said he started to teach them golf when they were 4 years old.
“I think golf is a great way for me to teach my boys about life,” he said. “They have to work hard to develop skills, but still have sportsmanship and know the rules. Between school and golf, they’re never bored.”
Trevor Kua is a third-grader at Wilcox Elementary School. He too is described as a long-ball hitter. In his first tournament last weekend, he finished his Saturday round at 70 (41-21) on a 13-hole Stipulated Round, Par 52.
Robin Viquelia is another employee at the Kiahuna Golf Course whose children are participants in golf.
Many golfers on Kaua‘i have admired the effortless golf swing of his daughter Taylor, 11, who has won state and national tournaments.
“I love the game,” Taylor said. “I really want to play whenever I can.”
Robin’s son Jacob, 7, is also a golfer and a new member of the Kaua‘i Junior Golf program.
The Kaua‘i Junior Golf Program offers children an opportunity to learn the technical skills of the golf swing as well as the rules of the game, utilizing good sportsmanship and golf etiquette.
Junior golfers have local activities that build their skills. Golfers who want to increase their knowledge can enter tournaments in Hawai‘i and work their way up to national tournaments.
But entering and attending tournaments can be expensive so the Kaua‘i Junior Golf Program helps out the families of its participants financially.
“For every dollar a family collects and donates to Kaua‘i Junior Golf, the organization will match the contribution,” said Robin Viquelia.
Sandy Helmer of the Kiahuna Women’s Golf Club is currently collecting contributions for Kaua‘i Junior Golf to help the Kua and Viquelia families.
Helmer said checks should be made out to the Kaua‘i Junior Golf and can be dropped off at the Kiahuna Pro Shop. Those interested in donating may also call 742-1875.
