Junior golfers pound through wind, rain at All Ages JTS final

LIHU‘E — Kane Rogers, tied for third after the opening round Saturday, roared back with a nine-stroke improvement to top the Boys 7-10 flight of the All Ages Junior Tour Series Kaua‘i championship Sunday at the Puakea Golf Course.

Rogers ended the opening round tied with Kaua‘i golfer Reece Valencia for third place at 88, but charged back for a 79 in windy and rainy conditions on Sunday to clinch the division with a two-day total of 167.

“Heavy morning showers did not prevent these juniors from teeing off on time,” said Parker Anderson, tournament director. “Wind and soft turf made for a long golf course which prevented the competitors from going low.”

Valencia slipped to a 93 to finish at 181.

Andy Kang, second place following Saturday’s round, finished with an 86 to end in a tie for second at 171 with Taylor John McGerity, Saturday’s leader at 81, who carded a 90 through the wind and soft ground from the rain.

Ryker Moriwaki (87-85-172), Acey Yanagishita (86-92-178), Min-Jae Kang (87-92-179), Rilen Loo (86-94-180), Valencia (88-93-181), Kona Kashiwagi (98-102-200), and Manoa Duke Buckman (105-99-204) rounded out the class.

Millburn Ho, second after Saturday’s round of 96, topped the field with an 86, Sunday to finish with a 182 for top honors in the Girls 7-10 class.

Samatha Keppel, holding the lead with a 94 following Saturday’s round, ended with a 90 for a two-day total of 184, two strokes off the pace.

Allysha Mae Mateo, experiencing her first tournament, rounded out the field at 196 (99-97).

“This is her first tournament, ever,” said Mateo’s mom, watching the Mililani girl save par on No. 10 with a strong short game following a bunker third shot.

“After this round, we’re going to see if she wants to play at the Kiahuna Golf Club, the site for the next (junior golf) tournament. But, it’ll be up to her.”

Sian Rogers had the best round for the Boys 11-12, Sunday at even par 72, but he couldn’t overcome his 83 on the opening day, settling for second at 155 in the division.

Shon Katahira (75-77-152) topped the division.

Keegan Loo, tying Katahira with a 77, Sunday, ended in third at 156, just a stroke back of Rogers, and typing Kyle Suppa (79-77-156). Trevor Kua (88-84-172) settled for fifth place followed by Remington Hirano (91-87-178) and Kainalu Gandia (94-90-184).

Kristeena Locke (77-82-159), Aiko Leong (84-77-161) and Annika Espino (87-91-178) filled in the leaders for the Girls 11-12 class.

Lion Ace Rogers (78-83-161) was followed by three Kaua‘i golfers, Bryden Salvador (87-85-172), Kenji Miyata (84-88-172), Jamie Amimoto (99-95-194) in the Boys 13-14 class.

Lisa Kang’s 77, Sunday, helped her capture the Girls 13-14 flight over Sarah Hasselman (79-82-161) and Brittany Fan (88-82-170). Kang finished with a 161 (84-77).

Jonah Fonacier (76-75-151) topped the Boys 15-18 division over Tyler Ota (72-79-151) and Wenhau Luo (72-79-151).

Reo Saito (77-75-152), Zachary Braunthal (80-73-153), Michael Fan (77-77-154), Scott Yamashita (81-73-154, Andre Bedard (78-77-155), Kalena Preus (80-75-155), Pono Tokioka (77-78-155), Trey Kidd (78-77-155), Gavin Shigesato (77-81-158), Kai Hayashida (82-78-160), Reyn Morioka (82-83-165), Cole Yamane (82-85-167), Braeden Robley (90-78-168), Nevin Yoshida (90-84-174), Schyler Murakami (89-86-175), and Gavin Yamamoto (83-95-178) rounded out that large class.

Allisen Corpuz, tied with Margaret Min at 77 following the opening round, shot a 74 to Min’s 79, Sunday to take the Girls 15-18 flight 151 to Min’s 156.

“These are some terrific kids,” Anderson said. “When I announced that the younger kids would go first on Sunday, Milburn Ho clenched her fist, pumped it and said ‘yes!.’ Any other kid would be groaning because it means getting up early.”

• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.