Four Kaua‘i junior golfers have been selected for this year’s Optimist International Junior Golf Championship at Palm Beach Gardens in Florida, it was announced earlier this week. Lihu‘e’s Rae-Lyn Morikawa, Kelli and Cory Oride and ‘Ele‘ele’s La‘akeaikawaiola Warren are the
Four Kaua‘i junior golfers have been selected for this year’s Optimist International Junior Golf Championship at Palm Beach Gardens in Florida, it was announced earlier this week.
Lihu‘e’s Rae-Lyn Morikawa, Kelli and Cory Oride and ‘Ele‘ele’s La‘akeaikawaiola Warren are the four of 19 golfers selected from Hawai‘i. Golfers qualified by either competing in an official qualifying tournament, by submitting an at large application, or by receiving an exemption.
The competition, which will be held from July 21 to 29 at the PGA National Resort & Spa, features more than 750 golfers from around the world ages 10 to 18 years old.
Golfers ages 10 to 15 will play the first three days, in three age divisions each for boys and girls: 10-11, 12-13 and 14-15. The older golfers, ages 16 to 18, will have their turn July 26 through 29.
Aside from the competition, the golfers may participate in long drive and putting contest.
“I just like competing,” said Kelli Oride, 13, who’s lost count of just how many competitions she’s competed in this year.
She qualified for this tournament in June.
“I like the feeling of winning and how you have to keep focused on your playing,” she said.
Kelli hopes that by competing in many events, she’ll receive a golf scholarship and maybe more.
“Of course, it’s everyone’s dream to go pro,” she said. She and her brother, Cory, left last night for San Diego for the Junior World Championships.
Cory will also be celebrating his 16th birthday San Diego before they head to Florida.
Later this year, Kelli will play in the Mary Kay Golf Classic and Cory will play in the Hogan’s Cup.
Morikawa, 15, heads to Florida next week with her family. After the Optimist championship, Morikawa will compete in the Army tournament on O‘ahu.
Warren, 11, is an up-and-coming golfer. In the last tournament he competed, he was one of the golfers who had to compete in a playoff to see who would come out on top.
The players progress can be tracked online by visiting www.optimist.org/golf.
Past champions of Optimist-sponsored tournaments include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Craig Stadler, Amy Alcott, Brandie Burton, Nick Price and Lorena Ochoa.
Other past participants include Nancy Lopez, Davis Love III and Michelle McGann.
• Lanaly Cabalo, sports editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or lcabalo@kauaipubco.com.
