[ GOLF ]
Ryan Perez and Doug Williams shook hands after Perez defeated Williams 3-and-2 and advanced to face Shannon Tanoue.
Tanoue wins again
to reach semisMoanalua alumnus Ryan Perez
also advances after recording
a 3-and-2 victory yesterday
Shannon Tanoue is a 25-year-old golfer with a boxer's mindset. He's played enough golf to know that you don't let a dangerous opponent hang around.
He first proved this Wednesday during the third round of the state amateur match play championship -- the Manoa Cup -- when he knocked out four-time champ Brandan Kop after he tried to mount a comeback.
Two-down and staring at elimination at the 17th hole, Kop rolled in a curling 30-foot putt for birdie to seemingly keep his chances for a fifth title alive.
Nice try, said Tanoue, who proceeded to cover Kop's birdie with a 12-footer of his own and end the match.
Yesterday, in quarterfinal action at the Oahu Country Club, Tanoue had a similar answer for Mike (Hee Beom) Kim. Like Kop, Kim was 2-down and on the verge of elimination when he rammed in a downhill 25-footer for a par at 16.
But once again, Tanoue would have none of it. He disposed of Kim like he disposed of Kop, draining an 18-footer for birdie and a 3-and-2 victory.
"That's twice in two days," said an amazed Tanoue.
Tanoue's win advanced him into today's 36-hole semifinals along with 18-old Moanalua High School graduate Ryan Perez, who turned back California businessman Doug Williams by the same 3-and-2 margin.
For Tanoue and Perez, reaching the semifinals of the Manoa Cup is new territory. Today, they square off against a pair of past champions, 2000 winner Randy Shibuya and 1996 title holder Damien Victorino of Kauai.
Shibuya advanced with a 2-and-1 win over 53-year-old OCC golfer Ron Haranda, while Victorino prevailed, 3 and 2, over 43-year-old Lee Sakugawa of Maui.
During a week in which high winds and slick greens have made playing conditions difficult, Tanoue and the power-hitting Kim squared off in the day's best match, trading birdies like a pair of boxers trading punches.
Kim landed the first blow when he birdied the opening hole, with Tanoue answering right back with a birdie at the second. At the par-3 fourth, Kim made his second birdie to go 1-up. Again, Tanoue answered back, squaring the match with a birdie at the par-4 fifth.
The two golfers remained even until Kim faltered with a pair of bogeys at 11 and 12 to go 2-down. He gained one of those holes back at 13, only to have Tanoue close the door on him with birdies at 15 and 16.
Tanoue, who is first cousins with 14-year-old Stephanie Kono, one of the state's best female golfers, had Kono in his gallery yesterday. Her caddie, teaching pro Kevin Ralbovsky, packed his bag. (Tanoue's mother and Kono's mother are sisters.)
"I hit the ball really well today," Tanoue said. "Mike is a long hitter, and he was out driving me by 20 to 30 yards. But I was lucky. I was always hitting first and I managed to hit some good approach shots that put pressure on him."
Shibuya, who at 29 is seeking his second Manoa Cup, made the day's best comeback, rallying to win after dropping his first three holes to the 53-year-old Haranda.
"Today was a struggle," Shibuya said. "After that start, I thought it was going to be a short day for me. But I won the fourth hole and that helped me get my momentum back."
In fact, Shibuya went on the take holes seven through nine to go 1-up, and then on the back nine won 11, 12 and 14 to go 4-up. Haranda rallied to win 15 and 16, but was closed out when Shibuya halved the 17th with a par.
In his semifinal match today, Shibuya will square off against Perez, who recently lost the state high school championship in a playoff and is striking the ball well. Shibuya will have the advantage of experience in that match.
Victorino will have the same edge when he takes on Tanoue in today's other semifinal. Victorino, who turned 35 on Tuesday, has reached the finals on two occasions, the last time in 2002 when he lost to 15-year-old Travis Toyama, the youngest winner in the 96-year history of the Manoa Cup.
"Tomorrow is going to be a long day, 36 holes." Victorino said. "You've got to concentrate and keep trying on every shot."
Said Shibuya: "The closer you get to finals in this tournament, the more nervous you get. I hope my game holds up."
