Monday, March 15, 1999

Lee’s second
stroke-play title
sweeter

He also won the state
amateur championship
two years ago

By Bill Kwon
Star-Bulletin

For Regan Lee, his second Hawaii State Amateur Stroke Play Championship in three years was a little more meaningful than his first.

"I knew I was in the lead this time. There's a little more pressure. The last time I was five strokes behind, playing in the second-to-the-last group," said Lee, who posted a final-round 68 for a 72-hole total of 283 to win by four shots yesterday at the Pearl Country Club.

This time, Lee never looked back. He was never in danger of being overtaken despite hitting his second shot out of bounds on the par-5 17th hole.

"I got a little greedy there, trying for a 66," said Lee, who had a commanding six-stroke lead after stiffing a 5-iron to within a foot at the par-3 16th hole.

Maui's Royden Heirakuji matched Lee's 68 to finish second at 287, while Takayoshi Iseki was alone in third at 290 with a final-round 72. Shane Hoshino was alone at 292, while Punahou senior Jim Seki, who's Stanford bound, and John Lundgren tied for fifth at 295.

Heirakuji eagled the par-5 first hole en route to a 33 on the front nine to challenge Lee. But Lee birdied 13 and 14 to pull away and virtually wrapped up the victory with his near ace at 16 when he switched from a 6- to a 5-iron.

"I just wanted to play to the middle of the green. Instead, it almost went in," said Lee, 23, the two-time Manoa Cup finalist and grandson of the late Guinea Kop.

The victory was also meaningful in another way for Lee. This one was for his father, Hyrum, who died in September.

"He was definitely in my thoughts throughout the round," said Lee. Also his mom, Linda, who walked every step of the way with him during the rainy and windy late afternoon round yesterday.