JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM Kristina Merkle celebrated after dropping in a putt on the 15th hole yesterday at Mid-Pacific Country Club.

Moanalua’s Merkle captures Jennie K.

The 14-year-old wins by five strokes over 12-year-old Kyung Kim

In between two of the biggest high school tournaments of the season, Kristina Merkle found time to capture one of the most prestigious titles in local golf.

Merkle, who helped Moanalua to the Oahu Interscholastic Association crown last week, fired a 1-over-par 73 yesterday to win the 56th Jennie K. Wilson Invitational at Mid-Pacific Country Club.

The 14-year-old freshman was actually the second oldest player in the final group of the championship flight and began the day one stroke behind Maui sixth-grader Kyung Kim, who turned 12 last month.

Merkle took control of the tournament with birdies on three of the first five holes and played the back nine at even par to complete the 72-hole tournament at 5-over 221 and wrap up an early Mother's Day gift.

"I wanted to be really aggressive, because I really wanted to win. And my mom really wanted it too, so I tried to get it for her," Merkle said.

"It means the world to me right now. I'm just really happy that I did really good today."

A rocky front side for Kim led to a round of 79, and she'll return to Maui Waena School in Kahului with a runner-up finish in her second attempt in the Jennie K. after posting a 226.

"And I have a test tomorrow," she lamented.

Desiree Ting and two-time champion Bobbi Kokx tied for third at 231.

Merkle placed fifth in the individual standings at the OIA championships last Tuesday and will shoot for the state title when the two-day high school state championships begins tomorrow at the Turtle Bay Resort.

Though it's already been a hectic week, golf has long been an integral part of Merkle's life. Her father, Lou, is the club professional at Fort Shafter Golf Course, and her mother, Jade, works at Leilehua Golf Course. Both walked the course yesterday to watch Kristina's triumphant tour around the 5,715-yard layout in Lanikai.

"My mom and dad were great supporters of my game today," she said. "They really helped me keep my spirits up."

Merkle consistently sent her drives well past those of her playing partners -- Kim, 12-year-old Cyd Okino and Ting, who, at 28, is the only player old enough to drive her own cart.

Merkle's length off the tee proved particularly advantageous on Mid-Pacific's four par-5s, which she played at 3 under.

On the 451-yard fifth hole, a solid drive down the right side allowed her to shoot for the green on her second shot, while the rest of the group had to lay up short of a stream cutting across the fairway. She landed her approach on the back of the green and two-putted for a birdie to take a four-stroke lead at 2 over.

"I think it took a lot of pressure off me," she said. "I just wanted to be aggressive all day and not let my guard down."

"She has tremendous power," said Ting. "Good power and good control."

Although Kim found her putting stroke on the back nine after shooting 5 over on the front, Merkle never gave her an opening for a comeback.

She coasted to the win with pars on Nos. 10 to 15 and a birdie on No. 16. A bogey on the final hole hardly mattered as she had opened up a comfortable cushion.

"I had to be kind of cautious too because they had a lot of pin placements that weren't as easy as the other two days," said Merkle, who shot 74 in the first two rounds. "You have to be cautious on how you play this golf course, especially with the wind.

"Under these conditions I think I did very good with my driver, I controlled it very well."