Waiakea wins state
golf; Higashiyama
top individual
WAIKOLOA, Hawaii >> While nearly all his competitors struggled during yesterday's final round of the David S. Ishii Foundation Boys Hawaii High School Championship, Troy Higashiyama was able to hold the line at the Waikoloa Beach Resort.
The Mid-Pacific Institute senior fired a steady 1-over 73 for a two-day total of even-par 144 to win the individual title by five strokes over four players who were stuck on 149. They had to go to the scorecard to sort out the runner-up, which fell on the shoulders of Ricky Kimi of eventual state champions Waiakea High.
In 2002, Kamehameha Schools broke a four-year winning streak by their Big Island counterparts. Thanks to Kimi and Co., the Waiakea Warriors hope this year's win is the start of a new streak. Their two-day total of 607 was a mere two shots better than Kauai High. Mid-Pacific placed third at 620.
Higashiyama's 144 wasn't enough to give the Owls the overall title. Still, he managed four birdies and five bogeys to shoot the second-best round overall. Lenn Akamine's even-par 72 was the best 18 holes yesterday. The Punahou golfer began the day tied for 19th and was among the four golfers who finished tied for second at 5-over 149.
After it was determined on the scorecard that Kimi was second officially, Earl Medeiros of Waianae placed third. The other golfer to finish at 149 was Kauai's Cory French.
Travis Toyama, who shared the first-day lead with Higashiyama, ballooned to an 81 yesterday to finish in a tie for 19th at 152.
Waiakea has won 10 state team titles. Higashiyama's victory ended a string of three consecutive individual championships by Waiakea players.
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