Kalani graduate Nicole Sakamoto bounced back to advance out of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament’s First Stage, Sunday in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

After a 79 Thursday at the Dinah Shore Course, Sakamoto followed with rounds of 70-72-72 to earn a tie for 42nd. The top 60 and ties advanced to the Second Stage in Florida in October. Hawaii’s Stephanie Kono and Kristina Merkle are in that field.

“I was relieved, excited, thankful, and felt accomplished after all the hard work Alvin and I put in for this,” said Sakamoto, whose caddie was Waianae’s Alvin Okada. “Now we have to fine-tune some things and get ready for second stage.”

Sakamoto, who graduated from James Madison before turning pro, was the only one of the six Hawaii golfers in the First Stage to advance.

Maui amateur Cassy Isagawa (298) tied for 88th, five shots from moving on. Alice Kim (300) was two behind her, followed by Kimberly Kim (303), Hansol Koo (305) and Mari Chun (307).

Hawaii wins Hogan Cup

Hawaii fired a tournament-low 2-under-par 214 Sunday to win its first Eddie Hogan Cup, at Riverside Golf & Country Club in Portland. It was the 47th Hogan Cup, which brings together teams of elite junior golfers from the Western U.S. and Canada.

Hawaii was a shot back going into the second and final round. It finished at 439, led by Justin Williamson, who tied for fourth individually at 71—146. Justin Arcano (71—149) tied for 12th, followed by Kengo Aoshima (151) and Zackary Kaneshiro (152).

Hawaii’s captains were Turtle Bay pro Larry Keil and Casey Watabu.

Oregon No. 1 finished second at 442. Nevada’s Christian James (72—143) was medalist. Previous medalists include Bobby Clampett (1976), Tiger Woods (1990) and Hawaii’s Justin Keiley (141).

Acosta captures Maui Open

North Shore pro Ryan Acosta fought off big breezes, firm greens and a pack of contenders Sunday to win the Maui Open, at Dunes at Maui Lani.

Acosta fired 75 both days — with six birdies Sunday — to win by one over amateurs Kyeton Little-Kamimoto and Alex Chiarella. Both runner-ups also shot 75 the final day. Pro Jake Grodzinsky (76—152) was fourth alone.

Ten golfers finished within four shots of first, including former Manoa Cup champions Jared Sawada and Nainoa Calip and 2013 Maui Open champ Garrett Okamura, head pro at the Dunes.

Pro Kirk Nelson (72—148) won the senior flight by four over Brad Bowen, with Wade Lathem (76—158) the low amateur. Dean Prince (78—149) won Super Senior, with Phil Anamizu (78—153) low amateur. Glen Ruidas (66—136) was A Flight champion

Hawaii teams do well

Hawaii’s two teams finished top five at last week’s Mary Cave Cup, in El Cajon, Calif. The tournament, which began in 2004, is a 36-hole, four-ball event and was played at Sycuan Resort.

Southern California’s teams were 1-2, at 133 and 136. They were followed by Hawaii No. 1 and San Diego No. 4 at 138. The first Hawaii team was made up of Allysha Mae Mateo and Jennifer Koga, whose 71 on the final day was the only sub-par round of the tournament.

Hawaii No. 2, with Jasmine Cabajar and Lorraine Char, was four shots back.

Medalist honors were shared by San Diego’s Haley Moore and Southern California’s Angelina Kim, at 145.

Koga finished fourth at 149. Mateo (74—155) and Char (79—155) shared ninth and Cabajar (77—156) tied for 11th.

Hawaii was coached by Wailea Blue head pro Brenda Rego.

Leong ties for seventh

Hawaii junior Aiko Leong tied for seventh last week at the 47th Trusted Choice Big “I” National Championship, in Hutchinson, Kan.

Leong finished at 79—303, 13 shots out of first. Teammate Alanis Sakuma (159) just missed the 36-hole cut.

In the boys division, Zackary Kaneshiro (74—303) was 22nd and Andrew Chin (75—304) tied for 23rd.