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Hawaii took a one-stroke lead in the second round and parlayed it into its first Junior America’s Cup victory in nearly 20 years Thursday, in Vancouver, B.C.
The event brings together 18 teams from the Western U.S., Canada and Mexico. Hawaii has now won four Cups, the last coming in 1996, also in Canada.
Led by medalist Shawn Lu, Hawaii shot rounds of 227-223-225 to finish at 27-over-par 675 and beat host British Columbia 1 by five strokes.
Lu, heading into his junior year at Moanalua High School, was the only golfer to break par at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club. He shot a tournament-low 2-under-par 70 Thursday, beating second-round leader Justin Suh, from Northern California, by three. Lu’s 54-hole total was 215.
Menehune teammate Kyosuke Hara (77—228) tied for 10th. Kyle Suppa (78—234) was 29th and Spencer Dunaway (87—241) 41st.
The best three scores counted each day.
Hawaii’s girls took seventh at their Junior America’s Cup, which ended Thursday at Walla Walla (Wash.) Country Club. Their three-day total of 679 was 36 shots behind Mexico, which successfully defended its championship.
Individually, Kailua 14-year-old Malia Nam finished 11th, shooting rounds of 72-71-77. She was followed by Mari Nishiura and Aiko Leong, both at 77—232, and Kristin Le (82—241).
Hawaii has won three Girls Junior America’s Cups, including two of the last five.
At Thursday’s closing ceremonies, the Hawaii team was given the inaugural Joan Teats Inspiration Team Award, for "honesty, leadership, friendship, sportsmanship, and respect."
Huang tied for 10th
‘Iolani senior Rose Huang is tied for 10th going into Friday’s final round of the 39th Junior PGA Championship, at Miramont Country Club, in Bryan, Texas.
Huang shot 72 Thursday, for a 217 total. The leader is Kristen Gillman of Texas, at 70—202. Only four girls are under par.
State high school champion Mariel Galdiano (74—220) is 16th.
Allisen Corpuz did not make the 54-hole cut, along with Wailuku’s Ariel Elftman-Hanson in the boys division.
The girls and boys champions this year and next earn an exemption to compete on the PGA and LPGA tours. The girls winner will play in the 2015 Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic, April 24-27, at Lake Merced Golf Club in San Francisco. The boys champ will compete in the 2015 Valero Texas Open, March 26-29, at TPC San Antonio.
Masuda places 17th
Honolulu’s Kaci Masuda finished in a tie for 17th Tuesday in the Girls 15-19 division of the 20th Optimist International Junior Championships, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Masuda’s 72-hole score of 23-over-par 311 was 14 shots out of first. The girls title was won by Germany’s Fiona Liddell.
V Rattanaphiboonk, from Thailand, won the boys title, opening with a 64 and coasting to a six-shot victory with a total of 12-under 276. Wailuku’s Tyler Munetake (78—301) tied for 34th.
Kop’s long putt seals it
Hawaii Golf Hall of Famer Brandan Kop sank a 55-foot birdie putt in sudden death last Tuesday to win the lone qualifying spot for the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship. Kop and Darren Jones, of Kahului, both shot 72 at Coral Creek. Hilo’s Chris Igawa (74) is second alternate.
The national championship is Sept. 6-11 in Bethlehem, Pa. It is open to any amateur golfer 25 or older, with a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 3.4.
Laszlo earns top-10 finish
Waipahu’s Colin Laszlo was one off the lead after an opening round 70 and held on to take seventh at the Adams Golf Junior Championship, last Thursday and Friday in East Lansing, Mich.
Laszlo’s final-round 76 left the Punahou senior six strokes out of first.
Kono ties for 42nd
Honolulu’s Stephanie Kono tied for 42nd at last week’s SEFCU Championship at Capital Hills. The Symetra Tour event was played in Albany, N.Y.
Kono shot rounds of 72-69-71. The winner was Sadena Parks, who shot 9-under-par 62 Sunday to finish at 199 and win the $15,000 first prize.
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