HHSAA GIRLS STATE GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Kristina Merkle, left, congratulated Stephanie Kono for winning the HHSAA Girls Golf State Championship yesterday.
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Kono captures state golf championship
The Punahou sophomore breaks Kira-Ann Murashige's 2003 state record
A former champion and a gifted newcomer made phenomenal surges, while last year's heartbroken runner-up teetered and tottered.
In the end, Stephanie Kono of Punahou was heartbroken no more. Kono withstood the rallies of Britney Choy and upstart freshman Kristina Merkle to capture the David S. Ishii Foundation/HHSAA Girls Golf State Championship yesterday at Turtle Bay Resort.
After carding a course-record 64 on Tuesday, Kono came down to earth and posted an even-par 72 to win the tournament by seven strokes. All in all, it was a satisfying first state crown for the sophomore, who took second at the state tourney last year on Maui.
"It feels a lot better this time," Kono said. "I didn't have any good rounds (last year). This was a good time to have good rounds."
After setting a course record in round one on Tuesday, Kono's tournament total of 136 surpassed the previous HHSAA two-round mark of 140, posted by Kira-Ann Murashige of Hilo in 2003 at Waikoloa Beach.
Records aside, it was far from easy for Kono on a scorching, gusty day on the George Fazio Course. Choy, the 2004 state champion, nearly vanquished Kono's six-stroke lead within the first few holes.
"I told myself to go for it. There's nothing to lose, I al
ready won in my sophomore year, so whatever happens, be happy," Choy said. "I told myself to go after the flags."
Starting on the back nine, Choy pulled within two strokes before a disastrous 18th did her in.
"I just wish it didn't end this way," the Leilehua senior said.
Choy, who will golf for the University of New Mexico, finished the second round with an 8-over-par 80 and a two-day total of 150, 14 strokes back.
Merkle, consistent most of the day, was within three strokes early on. Kono, however, pulled away with three birdies on her last 11 holes.
"I think she played good," Merkle said. "She had a few problems, but she played her own game."
Merkle, who carded a 72 yesterday, finished second at 1-under par 143.
"I kind of messed up with my drivers and my chipping on a few holes," the Moanalua standout said.
Kauai's Miki Ueoka placed third at 3-over-par 147.
Choy birdied the 10th, 11th and 14th holes. By then, she was suddenly 4 under for the tourney and a mere two strokes behind Kono.
Choy began to struggle, bogeying the par-4, 429-yard 16th.
Merkle remained three strokes back after parring the 16th and 17th holes.
The 18th proved detrimental for Choy. Her tee shot sailed right, and one shot later, she was deep in the bunker below the green. Facing a steep incline, the situation turned into a painful series of bad breaks.
"I had a really clear shot, but I duffed it into the bunker. It was really high. I opened the face all the way, but I hit so much sand, it hit the lip and rolled down," she said. "The second time, I got stuck on the lip and got buried."
By the time Choy was done, she had carded a 9 for the hole and fell nine strokes behind Kono.
"That was just really too bad," Kono said. "Of course, we're competing, but you don't want to see things like that happen."
Choy never threatened on the front nine, but kept her composure and posted seven pars.
"I never give up," she said.
Merkle, meanwhile, continued her string of pars after the turn. Kono got a little breathing room with a birdie at the fourth hole to go up by four strokes. Merkle got no closer the rest of the way.
Menehunes win team state title: Merkle's disappointment in the individual competition was tempered by Moanalua's first team championship. The Menehunes carded a 451 to edge Punahou by two strokes.
"It's a big deal to all of us. We want to show pride in ourselves and our school," Merkle said.
Senior Jaclyn Hilea carded a two-round 156 to finish ninth.
"I've been waiting four years for us to win this," she said. "To bring it to the OIA for the first time, that's good."
Coach Josh Suapaia has been at the helm for the Menehunes for four years.
"It seems like every year, the ILH is, not dominant, but very competitive at the top," he said. "Our team has worked so hard this year, so disciplined, so I don't see it so much as a surprise."
Smiling Ishii: The tournament's namesake sponsor was on hand to enjoy the event.
"In the past, I haven't been able to come because of tournaments in Japan," said Ishii, who recently won the Mid-Pacific Open. "This year, it's really nice. All of the golfers are still here, watching awards. People are cheering for them, and that adds to the memories for them, especially the ones who are seniors."
The fast greens gave the players a jolt on day one. Kono was among the few who liked the short, rolled surfaces.
"That's the difference between playing tournaments on the mainland and the ones who play only high school golf," Ishii said, giving kudos to the staff at the Turtle Bay Resort. "It's a good experience, a good treat to have competitive greens."
GOLF
HHSAA State Championship
VARSITY GIRLS
At Fazio Course
Final round, par-72
TEAM
Moanalua |
225-226 |
-- |
451 |
Punahou |
224-229 |
-- |
453 |
Maui |
253-234 |
-- |
487 |
Kamehameha |
247-242 |
-- |
489 |
Mid-Pacific |
247-246 |
-- |
493 |
Waiakea |
251-247 |
-- |
498 |
Kauai |
262-251 |
-- |
513 |
Pearl City |
268-289 |
-- |
557 |
INDIVIDUAL |
Stephanie Kono, Pun |
64-72 |
-- |
136 |
Kristina Merkle, Moan |
71-72 |
-- |
143 |
Miki Ueoka, Kauai |
76-71 |
-- |
147 |
Britney Choy, Lei |
70-80 |
-- |
150 |
Elyse Okada, Maui |
75-76 |
-- |
151 |
Iris Ocariza, Moan |
74-78 |
-- |
152 |
Miya Argent, SH |
76-80 |
-- |
156 |
Sara Yamamoto, Pun |
79-77 |
-- |
156 |
Jaclyn Hilea, Moan |
80-76 |
-- |
156 |
Anna Jang, Pun |
76-80 |
-- |
156 |
Randi Ono, PC |
75-82 |
-- |
157 |
Katie Sisler, Pun |
80-77 |
-- |
157 |
Tammy Surtees, HPA |
77-80 |
-- |
157 |
Kaili Britos, Kam |
82-76 |
-- |
158 |
Caressa Matsuoka, StAn |
79-80 |
-- |
159 |