WAILUA — Pono Tokioka withdrew from the Kaua‘i Junior Golf Association Mitchell Ota Match Play Championship to give Kenji Miyata the third place of the 15-18 Boys division, Sunday at the Wailua Golf Course. Ron Peeren, tournament director for the
WAILUA — Pono Tokioka withdrew from the Kaua‘i Junior Golf Association Mitchell Ota Match Play Championship to give Kenji Miyata the third place of the 15-18 Boys division, Sunday at the Wailua Golf Course.
Ron Peeren, tournament director for the KJGA, said Tokioka, winning his division last year, had to catch a flight for a Mainland tournament and withdrew Saturday, advancing Reyn Morioka to the championship round, Sunday.
Tokioka is currently in Dayton, Ohio, participating in the United States Deaf Golf Association championships.
Tokioka’s withdrawl following a 3-1 win over Daniel Miller, Friday, moved Morioka to face Justin Uegawa, a recent Kapa‘a High School graduate, for the finals, Sunday.
Miyata finished in third place due to Tokioka’s withdrawl and Morioka was 6-5 over Uegawa for the title of the 15-18 Boys.
Na‘ea Oda of Kapa‘a, heading for the Coral Green event, Monday, finished 7-5 over Kawena Warren, a freshman golfer with the Waimea High School program, for third place in the Girls 13-18 division.
A pair of Kaua‘i High School golfers — Taylor Viquelia and Daezsa Tomas — battled for the title, Viquelia finishing 4-2 over Tomas for the Girls 13-18 title.
Bryden Salvador finished 3-2 over K.C. Loo for the title in the 13-18 Boys, K.C. Loo advancing following a 7-5 win over Michael Miller in the Friday quarterfinals and bettering Kainalu Gandia, 7-6, Saturday in the semifinals.
Jamie Amimoto, advancing to the finals with a 5-3 win over Keith Jose in the Saturday semifinals, finished 1 up over Gandia for third place in the Sunday finals.
Salisa Pegeder was a 7-5 winner over Samantha Nichols for the championship in the 11-12 Girls division.
Trevor Kua was a 7-6 winner over Rilen Loo for the title in the 11-12 Boys division. Reece Valencia, dropping 8-6 to Kua in the semis, finished 1 up over Logan Gibson for third place, Logan Gibson being bested by Loo, 3-2 in the semifinals.
Justice Chatfield withdrew from the tournament to give James Pratt third place in the 10 and Under division which was won by Christian Ganir 1 up over Mason Gibson.
Next on the KJGA calendar is the KJGA Summer Challenge at the Puakea Golf Course. Golfers ages 12 and under tee off on July 23. Golfers 13 to 18 years old tee off on July 24.
Visit www.kjga.org for more information.