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Rainbow Wahine sophomore Kaili Britos and James Madison junior Nicole Sakamoto lead the field at next week’s HSWGA State Stroke Play Championship.
The tournament tees off at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at Mid-Pacific Country Club. Wednesday’s second round and the final round, next Thursday, begin about an hour later.
Britos, a Kamehameha Schools graduate, was named Western Athletic Conference freshman of the year in April. She finished second at the WAC championships, helping the ‘Bows to a runner-up team finish.
Sakamoto, a Kalani graduate, qualified for the NCAA East Regional as a sophomore and was named to the All-Colonial Athletic Association first team. She led this year’s Jennie K. after shooting a 69 in the opening round at Mid-Pacific. She ultimately finished fifth, just behind Britos.
Twelve-year-old Mariel Galdiano shared fifth with Sakamoto at the Jennie K. and will take another shot at Mid-Pac this week. The field also includes Mid-Pacific Institute graduates Lisa Okazaki (Portland) and Hayley Young (Boise State), along with junior golfers Brittany Fan, Miki Young and Kaitlen Miyajima.
Kacie Komoto won the title last year, before starting her freshman year at Punahou. She edged Moanalua freshman Eimi Koga.
Komoto is in California next week with state high school champion Cassy Isagawa, as well as Cyd Okino and Alina Ching, who helped Punahou to this year’s team title. They make up Hawaii’s Girls Junior America’s Cup team.
They are among many Hawaii golfers on the road next week.
Alex Chiarella, Ryan Kuroiwa, Michael Fan and Justin Chu are in Albuquerque for the Boys Junior America’s Cup. Alice Kim, Ciera Min, Aaron Kunitomo and Justin Keiley qualified for the Trusted Choice Big "I" Qualifier in New Jersey.
Former state high school and Manoa Cup champion Alex Ching, about to start his junior year at the University of San Diego, tees off in the 52nd annual Porter Cup on Tuesday in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
The field at the amateur tournament will include the reigning U.S. and British Amateur champions for the first time, along with NCAA player of the year, Russell Henley.
Kailua’s Larry Stubblefield will tee off in the U.S. Senior Open next Thursday at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Wash.
