HONOLULU — Kade Kikuchi went up 4 and 3 over 20 holes with Niki Upson to win the Kaua‘i Boys 13-18 bracket during the Hawai‘i State Junior Golf Association (HSJGA) Match Play Tournament that benefitted the Hawai‘i Foodbank.
Kiara Johnson, playing in the Kaua‘i Girls 13-18 bracket, bested Jessica Hreljac, 4 and 3 for top honors in that class during the July 8 match.
Kade’s sister, Heiley, edged out Brooklyn Cullen, 9 and 8 in the Kaua‘i girls 7-12 bracket.
The Kaua‘i winners joined the field of 13 winners in various age divisions that competed during five weeks of golf to raise $6,500 benefiting the Hawai‘i Foodbank.
“Hawai‘i Foodbank is incredibly grateful for the donation from the HSJGA,” said Beverly Santos, the Hawai‘i Foodbank director of food drives and events. “Hawai‘i is experiencing some of the highest unemployment rates in the country due to the pandemic. In order to keep up with the increased demand in food, this generous donation from the HSJGA members and their families will help Hawai‘i Foodbank face the unprecedented challenge of providing food for people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing to meet the nutritional needs of the one-in-eight Hawai‘i residents who are already struggling with hunger.”
The HSJGA Match Play featured 120 junior golfers who participated from around the state in the first tournament of its type administered by the HSJGA in light of the cancelation of numerous sports programs due to COVID-19.
“Even though this year wasn’t how a lot of junior golfers had hoped, I’m so grateful the HSJGA created this Match Play Tournament to give us an opportunity to play the sport we love during this challenging time,” said Myah McDonald, the O‘ahu Girls 13-18 bracket champion. “It’s ‘new’ for all of us, but we learn from these experiences and can only grow from here. This tournament concludes my Junior Golf journey and I’m so blessed to end it with a win. I will be heading out in a couple of days to the University of New Mexico where I will play on the Women’s golf team. I’m looking forward to playing at the collegiate level, and can’t wait for my next chapter. Thanks again, HSJGA for this last tournament I will never forget, and for the memorable Junior Golf experience.”
Joining McDonald as O‘ahu winners, Joshua Hayashida of Mililani topped the Boys 13-18 bracket, Kady Matsumoto, also of Miliani, took the Girls 7-12 bracket, and Gunnar Lee of Kaneohe captured the Boys 7-12 bracket.
Maui winners included Payten Shimizu of Wailuku taking the Girls 13-18 bracket, Dillon Jonke of Kihei taking the Boys 13-18 bracket, and Ava Kawahara of Wailuku topping the Girls 7-12 bracket.
Big Island winners include Elle Otani of Hilo topping the Girls 13-18 bracket, Dysen Park of Hilo taking the Boys 13-18 bracket, and Jake Otani of Hilo capturing the Boys 7-12 bracket.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
