Lihu‘e’s T.J. Kua sank his 3-foot par putt on the 17th hole to clinch the match against Tadd Fujikawa in the Governor John A. Burns Golf Challenge Cup at the Turtle Bay Resort. Kua, the freshman golfer for the University
Lihu‘e’s T.J. Kua sank his 3-foot par putt on the 17th hole to clinch the match against Tadd Fujikawa in the Governor John A. Burns Golf Challenge Cup at the Turtle Bay Resort.
Kua, the freshman golfer for the University of Hawai‘i and four-time Interscholastic League of Honolulu Player of the Year, helped this year’s amateur team retain it’s Cup, beating the professionals team, 12.5 to 11.5.
Heading into yesterday’s singles matches, the professional team held a 7 to 5 lead. Coming out firing, the amateur team took 7.5 out of a possible 12 points to once again win the Cup.
Yesterday’s matches proved to be another great match and tremendous battle between Hawai‘i’s best professionals, which included Ron Castillo Jr. of the Puakea Golf Course, and amateur golfers with the championship coming down to the final match between Kua and Fujikawa.
The Governor’s Cup is Hawai‘i’s version of the Ryder Cup, contested between the top 12 pros and amateurs in the state. Teams were selected on the basis of outstanding performances in designated tournaments throughout the year.
The first day’s format includes two 18-hole team matches, a four ball match (best ball) and a foursome match (scotch). Individual matches make up the final day.
Pros selected for this year were Andrew Feldman of the O‘ahu Country Club, Lance Taketa and Regan Lee. Kua’s teammates on the amateur team were Jonathan Ota, Alex Ching, David Fink and Brandan Kop.
