WAILUA — Hawai‘i State Junior Golf Association golfer Kade Kikuchi struggled to fuel his competitive edge as a golfer during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Not able to hone his craft as a golfer, the soon-to-be Kamehameha School sophomore was forced to return home from O‘ahu to Kaua‘i and attend online classes.
Kikuchi will remain at home until his junior year.
Kikuchi, who golfs with his sister, entered his seventh year of competition in the HSJGA Match Play Championship July 8, which is held on courses throughout the state and benefits the Hawai’i Foodbank.
The two-week tournament has raised over $4,000 thus far.
For Kikuchi, it felt like the first step towards returning to normal.
“It’s difficult during this time because there aren’t many places that you can practice on and get better,” Kikuchi said.
“Life has been a struggle. I guess we have to do the best moving forward and strive to be great. We will continue to work hard and get there. We will play and get better every day.”
The players participated on various golf courses across Kaua‘i, and on other islands.
The results paid dividends for both competitors.
Kikuchi, 14, defeated Nikki Upson, 17, in a best of three series at Wailua Golf Course. In match 1 on July 5, Kikuchi won in 21 holes, and in match 2 on July 6, he defeated Upson 4 and 3.
Heiley Kikuchi, 12, defeated Brooklyn Cullen, 10, 9 and 8, on July 3.
The HSJGA was more than just a tournament, according to Kikuchi.
“It is nice to get back to competitive golf and see friends that I golf with,” Kikuchi said.
“I haven’t seen some people at the tournament for a couple of years now.”
Heiley Kikuchi attends Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School.
“It has been hard because there aren’t many open courses, and trying to get a tee time is difficult also,” she said.
Cullen, who travels to five to seven tournaments a year, admitted she was nervous competing against older players.
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Jason Blasco, sports reporter, can be reached at 245-0437 or jblasco@thegardenisland.com.
