Even 42 years after Brandan Kop’s first Manoa Cup appearance, Oahu Country Club can still surprise the four-time champion.

For the first time since he started playing in the Hawaii State Amateur Match-Play Championship at age 13, Kop had a round suspended due to weather when a mid-day downpour soaked the course on Tuesday.

Play resumed close to half an hour later and Kop continued in his dual roles as competitor and tournament honoree with a 2-and-1 win over Nickolaus Nelson to advance to the 108th Manoa Cup’s round of 32.

“This is probably the toughest conditions in Manoa Cup ever that I’ve played in,” Kop said. “It makes it fun though. Actually, that’s the best chance I got.”

Although the statement may be a bit self-deprecating, the wind and rain whipping through Nuuanu Valley on Tuesday place an even greater premium on wedge play around the greens, one of Kop’s trademark strengths over his storied history in the tournament and at OCC.

Kop, 55, won the second of his four Manoa Cup titles 30 years ago, a victory the tournament is commemorating this week in designating him as its honoree. While he’s adjusted his game to keep up with the big hitters, including going to a 10-finger grip three years ago, his short game remains the equalizer, especially at OCC.

“(Kop) is a perfect example of a guy who doesn’t hit it far, keeps the ball in play and chips and putts the lights out and just kills you,” said Matthew Ma, the 2012 champion. “I’ve seen Brandan make eagles and birdies out of places I didn’t even know existed.”

Kop remembers being disappointed after shooting an 83 and missing the cut when he tried to qualify at 13. He’s been a tournament regular for all but nine years since, winning his first title in 1983 and another in ’86. He went on to win two more in 1997 and ’98 and his four titles trails only Francis Ii Brown’s nine and Ken Miyaoka’s six.

This Manoa Cup is also Kop’s first since his father, Danny, died in January, adding to his motivation for the week.

Danny Kop played in the 1948 Manoa Cup final and Brandan credits his father for guiding him through those title runs as his caddie.

“He had the knowledge,” Kop said. “You have to play in the finals to feel what it’s like, it’s different. You could talk to him when you get nervous. Without him, I wouldn’t have won.”

A Hawaii Golf Hall of Fame inductee in 2008 and OCC member since 1988, Kop is so attuned to the course that he says the wind whistling through the trees provides cues to how to play the gusts blowing through the hillside.

“Over here you can hear the wind coming,” said Kop, who plans to play in the Manoa Cup until he’s 60. “If you hear it, just have to wait a little while.”

While such insights help Kop keep his edge, he freely shares his knowledge with just about anyone who asks.

Tyler Ota took a putting tip Kop gave him during a practice round last year and rolled through the week to win his first Manoa Cup title.

“He has the uniqueness where everyone kind of leans on him for advice,” Ota said after winning his first match as defending champion Tuesday morning. “He has such a huge impact here (at OCC) and just in the golfing community in general.

“He wants to help you. He’s such a friendly guy, he’s always there to lend a helping hand, go the extra mile.”

Taking another day off from running his golf equipment and apparel company, Kop Distributors, Kop will next face Chaminade’s Mark Uekawa, another player he’s tutored, in today’s 7:56 a.m. match.

Ota got past Noah Lau 3 and 2 in the first round and faces Glenn Niitani in today’s first match at 7 a.m.

Ma went 19 holes to edge Isaiah Kanno, a 13-year-old from Hilo, to advance. Ma next faces 2014 finalist Isaac Jaffurs today at 8:20 a.m.

The Manoa Cup’s inaugural women’s event starts today with four quarterfinal matches starting at 9:24 a.m.