Iolani’s Ma fires
a 62 at Ala Wai
Aiea's Matt Ma, coming off one of the best tournament rounds ever shot at Ala Wai Golf Course, will lead six Hawaii qualifiers into the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship starting tomorrow in Minnesota.
Ma shot 8-under-par 62 in the second round of the Hawaii Public Links qualifying on June 26.
Ma, a 2002 Iolani graduate, averaged 75.2 with a low round of 71 this season as a redshirt freshman for University of Oregon.
The other Hawaii golfers entered in the championship are 1994 national Publinx champion Guy Yamamoto; Waiakea alum Chris Igawa of Hilo, Royden Heirakuji of Makawao, Maui; 2001 Kauai grad Casey Watabuo of Kapaa, a junior at Nevada who tied for second place this year in the WAC; and Matt Kodama, UH's No. 1 player, from Las Vegas.
Ala Wai does not have extensive records, but veteran pro Jay Hinazumi, the Public Links chairman for Oahu, said Ma's 62 was "quite possibly a course record for a tournament." The overall course record is 59.
Ma shot six birdies, an eagle and 11 pars for his 62.
The achievement gave a large boost to his confidence.
"Sixty-two is not a common number when you are playing golf," Ma said. "It's really tough to do, but now I know I can shoot that number. It is possible."
Jarett "J.T." Hamamoto (Waiakea '02), who set Air Force Academy golf records in April, will transfer to University of Hawaii-Manoa next month.
Hamamoto said he decided an Air Force career "wasn't for me."
"I didn't want to have to spend the five years after (college)" on active duty in the Air Force, Hamamoto said.
The end of his sophomore year in May was the point of no return.
"You can leave after two years without penalty," Hamamoto said. "If you stay beyond two years you are committed for the whole ride."
Hamamoto will be able to play next season and will have two years of eligibility at UH since he acquired a release from Air Force. The Rainbows hope he will play like he did in April, when he set Air Force school records for low scores for 36 holes (136 strokes) and 54 holes (205 strokes).
