LIHU‘E — As practice began for seven of the eight Kaua‘i High School girls golf team members, coach Kellie Pleas told them a story. Kaua‘i High School girls golf had enjoyed the feeling of being state champions, the Red Raiders
LIHU‘E — As practice began for seven of the eight Kaua‘i High School girls golf team members, coach Kellie Pleas told them a story.
Kaua‘i High School girls golf had enjoyed the feeling of being state champions, the Red Raiders taking the top berth in 2001 behind the gold medal play of Rachel Kyono who also captured Top Individual honors at the state tournament that year.
Kyono, who went on to become installed as one of the Nissan Hall of Fame personalities, went on to play at Pepperdine University.
In 2002, the Red Raider wahine returned home with a fourth place state ranking, followed by a second place finish in 2003.
The setting is 2004, co-captain Kii Matsuyoshi feels that one of the biggest hurdles to overcome enroute to the state championship is Waiakea High School and the return of last year’s Top Individualist Kira Ann Murashige.
Coach Pleas continued with the story that brought the team back to 1979 when the state tournament was last played at the Wailua Golf Course.
Toyo Shirai addressed the boys’ team prior to the tournament then, telling them they could win. Shirai said there was no reason why they could not win.
The underdog Red Raider boys rose to the occasion, and pulled off an upset win for the state title.
As the girls mull the possibilities for state titles, the KIF Golf season will open this Saturday at the Wailua Golf Course when golfers from Kapa‘a, Waimea, and Kaua‘i high schools tee off starting at noon.
Kaua‘i will be the only school to front a girls team headed by co-captains Jennie Pleas and Kii Matsuyoshi.
Red Raider wahine golfers include freshman Miki Ueoka who brings eight years of junior golf experience, Mackenzie Ajimura, Shelcie Takenouchi, Mary Akutagawa, Kimberly Yama, and Claire Hirota, all of whom are familiar in the golfing circle.
Competing in individual play are familiar Waimea names Robyn Nakata and Sasha Figuera, Matsuyoshi adds.
At the end of the KIF season looms the state golf tournament which will be played at the Wailua Golf Course, and the challenge that the Red Raider wahine are looking towards.
