WAILUA — Eagles and chickens, oh my. A fan screamed and clapped as Kauai’s Jacob Viquelia’s approach shot from about 30 yards out plopped into the cup despite the gusty trade winds Saturday during the final Kauai Interscholastic Federation golf
WAILUA — Eagles and chickens, oh my.
A fan screamed and clapped as Kauai’s Jacob Viquelia’s approach shot from about 30 yards out plopped into the cup despite the gusty trade winds Saturday during the final Kauai Interscholastic Federation golf match at Wailua Golf Course.
Viquelia worked hard to stifle his excitement and calmly retrieved the ball ahead of his foursome’s short game after nailing the eagle on hole No. 9.
Two groups back, Island School’s Kilikai Ahuna was having a normal day off the No. 9 tee.
But coupled with the wind, the hole turned disastrous, his second shot going into the right rough where Ahuna scrounged through the brush to seek out his ball.
Alan King, the Island School coach, zipped to the rescue aboard his officials’ cart, pointing out the ball.
“It was bad,” King said. “Right in the middle of a chicken divot.”
But Ahuna was not deterred, and pounded his ball to a front nine 58 en route to a day’s 116 (58-58).
Viquelia’s eagle helped him card the best front nine score at 1-over par 37, a stroke better than Jaime Amimoto, the boys best scorer.
Viquelia finished the day at 84 (37-47), one of the scoring golfers.
Amimoto finished the day at 80 (38-42) and worked the course as an individualist along with Trevor Kua (46-36-82) and Vance Tokita (40-48-88).
“Kauai and Kapaa boys teams used other players for the scoring aspect because Kauai has already clinched the Kauai Interscholastic Federation title based on past matches,” said Kauai coach Alton Amimoto. “We decided that other players needed scoring experience as well as an opportunity to contribute to the team score.”
Kauai High School boys won the team scoring with a 371 (111-93-93-101-84) over Kapaa’s 400 (100-104-113-100-96).
King said two of the Island School golfers were involved with ACT testing, resulting in just two golfers on the course. Joining Ahuna, Michael Miller carded a 90 (47-43).
Waimea’s Wesley Carter-Fujinaka finished with a 104 (51-53).
Following Viquelia, Kauai’s scoring golfers included Keith Jose (47-46-93), Jeremy Felizardo (45-48-93), Jordan Serrano (51-50-101) and Ian Castro (62-49-111).
Kapaa’s scoring leader saw Jonathan Paleka card a 96 (46-40) followed by Tyshawn Cain (47-53-100), Sequoia Logan (51-49-100), Dylan Desilva (50-54-104), and Zack Knight (59-54-113).
Other Warriors on the course included Bryden Salvador (41-40-81), Mitchell Alves (44-44-88), Kainalu Gandia (42-35-77) and Landen Ishida (47-45-92).
On the girls course, Kauai had the sole team score at 299 (89-115-95-120) led by Hiilani Alana carding an 89 (46-43).
She was followed by Janae Park (45-50-95), Kiri Oshiro (59-56-115) and Dillyn Sakai (65-55-120). Sharae Cua finished at 111 (53-38) as an individualist.
Waimea’s Samantha Nichols carded a 94 (47-47) over Bailee Taeza (61-61-122).
Kapaa’s Naea Oda carded the best round for the girls at 80 (39-41).
Island School fielded two girls, led by Kari Whitworth at 101 (50-51) and Salisa Pegeder at 111 (60-51).
Kauai High School will be attending the Hawaii High School Athletic Association state matches on Oahu with Trevor Kua, Jaime Amimoto, Jacob Viquelia, Keith Jose and Vance Tokita, according to coach Alton. Individual berths will be determined during the qualifying matches Friday at Poipu Bay Golf Course and Saturday at Wailua Golf Course.
The coach of the winning KIF teams said the teams are seeking donations to help offset the costs of traveling to the state matches on Oahu.
People willing to help can contact Alton at altonamimoto@yahoo.com, or by calling 651-4502.
