Noah Koshi fired a 5-under-par 66 and still needed a playoff to hold off Hilo’s Isaiah Kanno and claim the lone Hawaii qualifying spot for next month’s 72nd U.S. Boys’ Junior Amateur.
Jennifer Koga, Kamie Hamada and Kiara Todd shot par or better to claim the three girls slots at Wailea Blue Sunday. Koga was medalist with a 70, with Hamada and Todd a shot back.
Koshi played on Hawaii Baptist’s state high school championship team last month. He birdied the first playoff hole to hold off Kanno, who is first alternate. Kolbe Irei is second alternate, after shooting 70, along with Marshall Kim Jr.
The boys national championship is July 15-20 in Toledo, Ohio. The 71st U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur is July 28-Aug. 1 at Stevens Point, Wis.
Fujita, Lee claim state junior titles
James Fujita was the only golfer to finish under par and Jessica Lee won on the second playoff hole to highlight the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association’s 12-under State Junior Championship last week at Hawaii Prince.
Fujita, from Honolulu, finished at 4-under 140 with rounds of 70 both days. He won the Boys 11-12 Flight by 11 shots over Bryce Toledo-Lue. Waianae’s Keola Silva won the 7-10 Flight, also by 11 shots, with rounds of 73-76.
Lee (77-77) captured the Girls 7-10 Flight. Lee and Kady Matsumoto (82-72) both finished at 154.
Kate Nakaoka took the Girls 11-12 title with rounds of 73-77, finishing four ahead of Madison Kuratani.
Kids play free at Ka‘anapali courses
Kids can play free on Maui’s Ka‘anapali Golf Courses through the end of September.
The resort is continuing its annual “Juniors Play Free — Bring the Ohana Program.” One junior, between the age of 7-17, can play free daily when accompanied by a paying adult on the Ka‘anapali Kai Course at any time. They are free on the Royal Course after 2:30 p.m.
Ka‘anapali added a fifth set of tees to the Kai Course in 2009 for kids. That layout is 2,459 yards and par 71.
Additional juniors pay $39 on the Kai Course and $49 on the Royal.
For tee times and more information, call 808-661-3691.
