Hawaii Grown Report: College Athletics Billy Hull

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Bonk looking forward to NCAA Championship

Max Bonk (Hawaii Prep '07) doesn't have a reason for his incredible spring golf season at Pacific (Ore.).

"I just try to play as good as I can," the soft-spoken freshman said. "I just try to win as many (tournaments) as I can."

As simple as he makes it sound, he's done exactly that, winning five of the six tournaments he played in the spring. On Monday, he was named one of five qualifiers for the NCAA Division III men's golf championships May 13-16 at the Chateau Elan Resort in Brazelton, Ga.

"It's exciting, but I've got to finish my finals and get that done first," Bonk said.

Once he completes his exams, Bonk will head down to Georgia for practice rounds Sunday and Monday before the tournament gets under way on Tuesday.

Bonk finished the spring season with a 72.89 stroke average and was a first-team All-Northwest Conference selection after winning the NWC championships by five strokes.

Heading into the biggest tournament of his young career, Bonk is more concerned with how he reacts to the emotions of playing in it than his actual golf game.

"I'm just trying to not get too excited," he said.

Bonk never finished higher than fifth in the high school state tournament, but credits a different approach in practice in college for his success.

"We play a lot more practice rounds rather than just hitting golf balls," Bonk said. "That's helped my scoring ability get better."

FOOTBALL

» Three Arizona Western football players earned their AA degrees and are transferring to schools on at least partial scholarships. Tanner Fetui (Farrington '06) is heading to Savannah State University and Kamalu Umu (Saint Louis '06) is transferring to Charleston Southern University on full scholarships. Michael Andrews (Kalaheo '06) will play for Nevada on a full scholarship.

BASEBALL

» Sacramento State senior Taylor Watanabe (Aiea '03) started two games against Hawaii last weekend and went 2-for-7 with two runs scored. Senior Brett Tanigawa (Moanalua '03) started one game at catcher and was 0-for-3 as the Hornets lost three of four against the Rainbows.

» Brown senior J.J. Eno (Baldwin '04) started all but one game for the Bears this season and hit .290 with 26 runs and 33 RBIs. Eno finished second on the team with 10 doubles, three triples and four home runs.

» Linfield senior Shannon Chung (Kalani '04) was a first-team, All-Northwest Conference selection at second base. Chung played in 40 games and hit .342 while finishing fourth on the team in runs scored (28) and hits (39).

» Pacific (Ore.) sophomore designated hitter Kaeo Lau Hee (Kamehameha-Maui '06) was named to the All-NWC second team after batting .366 with 11 doubles, 20 runs and 20 RBIs. Puget Sound sophomore Jarvis Nohara (Iolani '06) also made the second team as a utility player, batting .327 and compiling a 3-3 record with a 5.29 ERA. Loggers senior Shaun Kiriu (Punahou '04) and Lewis & Clark senior Jordan Shibata (Aiea '04) earned honorable mention.

SOFTBALL

» Seattle University junior Kaha Weir (Punahou '05) hit a pinch-hit, RBI double in the fifth inning of yesterday's 4-2 win over Cal State Monterey Bay to avoid elimination from the NCAA Division II Regional at Humboldt State. The Redhawks continue the tournament today.

» Santa Clara junior first baseman Noelani Hoopii (Kamehameha '05) finished the regular season leading the Broncos in batting average (.292), hits (45), doubles (seven), home runs (four), RBIs (20) and slugging percentage (.416). Hoopii was the only Bronco to start all 60 games this season.

» California freshman Sanoe Kekahuna (Baldwin '07) hit her 15th double of the season and scored a run to help the Golden Bears win their 40th game of the season -- 6-1 over Oregon.

» Puget Sound senior infielder Lindsay Fujita (Punahou '04) was named to the All-NWC second team after hitting .272. She finished first on the team in runs (20) and RBIs (20) and second in hits (31) and stolen bases (six). Pacific sophomore second baseman Kelly Nishitomi (Castle '06) earned honorable mention.

CORRECTION Friday, May 9, 2008 Michael Andrews (Kalaheo ’06) received a full scholarship to play football at Nevada. An item on this page originally said he received a partial scholarship.