After years and years of frustration from not winning one of the oldest golf tournaments in the country, Lihu‘e’s Jonathan Ota finally quenched his golf thirst. The 44-year-old Tip Top Cafe general manager claimed the 98th Manoa Cup yesterday, defeating
After years and years of frustration from not winning one of the oldest golf tournaments in the country, Lihu‘e’s Jonathan Ota finally quenched his golf thirst.
The 44-year-old Tip Top Cafe general manager claimed the 98th Manoa Cup yesterday, defeating O‘ahu’s Gary Kong, 2 and 1 in the 36-hole final at the O‘ahu Country Club.
After 18 holes, Ota led by one over Kong and through 25 holes, the match was all-square.
Kong went up by one after 27 holes and continued to lead through hole 29.
Ota tied the match up at the 30th hole, thanks to a birdie.
After a few more all-square holes, Ota climbed ahead for good at the 34th hole with another birdie.
The Manoa Cup is the oldest continuous golf tournament in Hawai‘i.
It’s behind only the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur and the Western Open as far as longest running events in the United States.
Travis Toyama defeated Jacob Low in last year’s final.
Guy Yamamoto was the last Kaua‘i golfer to win the cup.
Kaua‘i’s Deron Doi took the cup in 1991 and Yamamoto earned it the following year.
