Hawaii’s Mariel Galdiano will play a part on the youngest American Curtis Cup team in history this week. Galdiano missed her Punahou graduation last weekend to make her way to the biennial competition. The team practiced in Houston before leaving for Ireland.

The eight-woman U.S. team takes on eight female amateurs from Great Britain and Ireland starting Friday in the 39th Curtis Cup Match. It goes through the weekend at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club, outside Dublin.

Galdiano, a three-time state high school champion, is the world’s sixth-ranked amateur and headed for UCLA in the fall. She is one of five 17-year-olds on the team, including U.S. Women’s Amateur champ Hannah O’Sullivan.

The Americans won at home in 2014, but fell in 2012 in Scotland, after capturing seven straight Cups. They lead the series 28-7-3.

Last year, Galdiano played on the winning Junior Solheim Cup team. She was also victorious at the Joanne Winter Arizona Silver Belle Championship and the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. She played in her third U.S. Women’s Open, tying for 42nd to finish as second-low amateur.

Pua Melia entry deadline extended

Entry deadline for the 39th annual Pua Melia Golf Tournament, June 24 at Olomana, has been extended to June 12. The 18-hole championship has a 7:30 a.m. shotgun start.

Amateur women 18 and older, with a USGA handicap index of 33.2 or less, are eligible. Entry fee is $100.

The entry form is available at hswga.net. Call or text 382-8022 or 387-2644 for more information.

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Ann Miller, Special to the Star-Advertiser