[GOLF]
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Bobbi Kokx watched her putt go long as she loses the 11th hole to opponent Kathy Tsukada yesterday in the final round of HSWGA Match Play at the Oahu Country Club. Kokx won 2-up.
Bobbi Kokx didn't let inexperience get in her way. Kokx takes Match Play title
Star-Bulletin staff
Despite never previously playing for the Hawaii State Women's Golf Association Match Play title, the former University of Hawaii coach survived several close matches this week to capture the local event.
The 38-year-old defeated Kathy Tsukada 2-up yesterday at the Oahu Country Club to add the prestigious match play championship to her resume. She also has won the Jennie K. twice since first bursting on the scene as a Rainbow Wahine golfer in the mid-1980s.
Holding a 1-up advantage entering the 18th hole, Kokx missed a birdie putt of 20 feet, then watched as Tsukada ran her par putt well past the hole, giving Kokx the title. Both players came back to win dramatic matches during Thursday's semifinals.
Tsukada beat top seed and three-time champion Bev Kim to advance to the final, but couldn't manage similar magic vs. No. 2 seed Kokx.
Kokx was a teaching pro for most of the 1990s, so she wasn't eligible to play in the HSWGA tourney. She had to hold off Kauai's Rachel Kyono on Thursday to have a chance to win the 16-woman tournament.
