StarBulletin.com

Keiley captures second skills title


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POSTED: Wednesday, January 13, 2010

JK squared was too hot to handle, even with the rule changes.

For the second straight year, Baldwin High's Justin Keiley captured the King Auto Group Pro-Junior Skills Challenge, this time paired with PGA Tour veteran Jerry Kelly.

The competition benefits the Hawaii Junior Golf Association with $10,000 going to the program. Yesterday's skill challenge was held at the 18th hole of Waialae Country Club and is part of the Sony Open in Hawaii.

Last year, Keiley won this fun event with Steve Stricker. This time around he and Kelly mastered the 50-yard approach shot, the behind-the-bunker shot, the in-the-bunker shot and the 10-foot putt for a total of 19 points. Kamehameha's Alika Bell, paired with Castle High graduate Dean Wilson, finished second with 14 points.

Cassy Isagawa of Baldwin and Stricker placed third with 13 points, followed by Allisen Corpuz of Punahou and Moanalua's Tadd Fujikawa with five points, and 'Iolani's Lorens Chan and Punahou's Parker McLachlin with three points.

The 50-yard approach was won by Bell and Wilson with four points. Keiley and Kelly captured the behind-the-bunker shot with four. The bunker shot was a three-way tie with Chan and McLachlin, Corpuz and Fujikawa, and Keiley and Kelly scoring two points apiece.

In that competition, Wilson and McLachlin had a little fun. Just before McLachlin hit his first attempt out of the bunker, Wilson threw a club at him, which sent the golf ball straight at commentator Howard Dashefsky.

Because Keiley and Kelly were so far ahead after three events, it was decided that each person would get 10 points if they could sink a 10-foot putt. Keiley went first, making his to seal the deal. The only two other golfers to sink it were Wilson and Stricker.