WAIKOLOA, Hawai‘i — Kenji Miyata of Kapa‘a and Pono Tokioka of Lihu‘e finished tied in the Boys 15-18 division of the 2012 Big Island Junior Classic Sunday hosted by the Hawai‘i State Junior Golf Association.
Playing a par 72 at 6,791 yards, Miyata held a one-stroke lead following the first round Saturday, the Kapa‘a High School golfer carding a three-over par 75 followed by Tokioka at 76.
The roles reversed in the final round Sunday when Tokioka ended with a two-over par 74 for a two-day total of 150. Miyata trailed Tokioka by a stroke at 75, finishing with a 150 under sunny skies and calm tradewinds at the Waikoloa Village Course.
Matthew Vanni, the third golfer in the field, was disqualified during the final round.
Minny Byun of Honolulu topped the Girls 7-10 division with a two-day 173 (87-86), just a stroke ahead of Kiersten Saludares of Hilo (86-88-174). The girls played a par 72 at 4,800 yards.
Titan Nicholaus Oshura of Kamuela carded a two-day 156 (78-78) to stay a stroke ahead of Isaiah Kanno of Hilo (77-80-157) and two strokes ahead of Jacob Kiyoshi Torres of Aiea, O‘ahu (76-82-158) for the Boys 7-10 division, playing a par 72 at 5,480 yards.
Play was tight in that division, the difference between Oshura and fifth place spanning five strokes.
Samantha Keppel of Honolulu topped the Girls 11-12 division with a two-day 158 (79-79) over the par 72, 5,480 yards.
Sara Keppel followed at 179 (90-89).
Kaelyn Uchida of Hilo carded her first hole-in-one on the par 3, Hole No. 12 en route to finishing with a two-day 188 (92-96).
PonoYanagi of Hilo came back to finish two strokes ahead of Acey Yanagishita of Honolulu Sunday to take the Boys 11-12 division with a two-day 160 (81-79). Yanagishita ended at 161 (80-81) over the par 72, 6,115 yards.
Shon Katahira of Hilo fired a three-under par 69 on the opening round en route to taking the Boys 13-14 division with a two-day 143 (69-74) over the par 72 course, which played 6,115 yards.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
