To submit a collegiate athlete with Big Island ties for publication, email kjakahi@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Tribune-Herald sports writer
Like the rest of his University of Hawaii at Hilo teammates, Dalen Yamauchi has a good golfing mindset: hit one shot at a time, stay positive — even when the ball takes a wrong turn — and sink putts.
It’ll come in handy when the Vulcans tee off against pretty stiff competition today through Friday at the Amer Ari (formerly the Taylor Made) Invitational at Waikoloa Kings’ course, where the wind is always unpredictable.
It’s a loaded 20-team field with top-ranked Texas, No. 2 Oregon and a dozen other ranked Division I schools. The Division II Vulcans aren’t too shabby either. They’re ranked 17th and Chico State, the other D-II team, is ranked ninth.
The field also features seven of the top 10 collegiate players led by No. 1 Patrick Cantlay from UCLA, No. 2 Jordan Spieth from Texas and No. 3 Patrick Rodgers from Stanford.
“I’m really excited to see where I stand,” said Yamauchi, a 2011 Waiakea graduate. “I have a feeling we’re just as good, if we keep our mental game right and trust our ability. We can hit the ball just as good as these guys.”
At least the Vulcans have a healthy home-course advantage, practicing there every weekend for free when the average duffer pays $85 per round. It’s a golden perk Yamauchi doesn’t take lightly.
“I’m very grateful for that, to play on such a great golf course,” he said. “Waikoloa can get windy. It was calm Tuesday. It was about 25 to 30 mph over the weekend. It can be dead calm and the next thing you know the wind picks up.
“We played against UH-Manoa over the weekend. I hit the ball well and I’m finding my game. Hopefully things come together this week. The team is working hard and I think we’ll do well at the tourney.”
The Vuls won the 6th annual Dennis Rose Invitational last November by eight strokes. It was against lesser competition. The other eight teams were a collection of unranked Division II schools.
Still, Yamauchi shot well. He finished tied for seventh with a 1-over 73-73-71—217 total. His fellow freshman teammate, Jamie Hall, blew away the field with a 7-under 209 to grab medalist honors.
And like in high school, it’s a competition during practices to snag one of the top five starting spots. This week is the first time Yamauchi didn’t land with the first five. He’ll golf as an individual, along with the rest of the second-team squad, including Ric Yamamoto, a 2011 Hilo graduate.
“To be on the first team you’ve got to work hard,” he said. “You’ve got to be on your game every week. My teammates are really good players. I really admire Jamie Hall. He won two of four tourneys last semester. He’s really calm. He doesn’t do anything special. He just plays really consistent golf. He’s got a really good mental attitude toward the game.
“I worked on my mental game over the winter break, being positive on the course, taking it one shot at a time. Everybody hits a bad shot. That’s the problem. Pretty much everybody goes through it. You have to overcome it and be positive, even for first-tee jitters. You have to think about fundamental golf. That’s what it really is. Everyone knows how to play golf. You have to be confident and apply it.”
Calip’s back
Hawaii’s Nainoa Calip (2010 Kamehameha-Hawaii) knows enough about Waikoloa. He shot a 1-over 217 at the Ameri Ari tourney last year and played countless times during his youth days.
Last season as a UH freshman, he competed in nine of 10 tournaments and ranked second on the team with a 76.23 strokes per round average. His best finish was 14th at the Kauai Collegiate Invitational during the spring season.
“If the wind keeps blowing at Waikoloa, ball striking is the key,” Calip said. “You have to hit the ball low and hit it solid. If the wind takes your ball, it’ll be in trouble. The greens should be pretty fast. Putting and the short key will be key. Hopefully, I can keep rolling the ball good this week.
“The field is interesting. There are a lot of top players and top schools. It’ll be tough. But I love playing against people better than me. It makes me better and pushes me to get to that level. I’ve played there less than 100 times, but enough times to know the rolls, bumps and greens. I’d say I’m comfortable there.”
Because the field is so large, players will ride carts instead of carrying their bags. That could prove beneficial to Calip, whose parents Warren and Mary will follow his rounds, like Yamauchi’s parents Wayne and Agnes.
“Of course I like riding,” Calip said. “You get to ride with another player and learn about him and have fun. My problem is sometimes I overthink things. When you ride a cart, you get up to the ball and your first instinct is sometimes your better judgment.
“That’s really awesome that my parents are coming over. They came out on Saturday to watch my practice round. Up on the mainland, all I have is my coach (Ronn Miyashiro) watching me. When I make putts I’ll have cheers this time. My parents love to come and watch me. I appreciate them. Hopefully, I can put on a show for them.”
To submit a collegiate athlete with Big Island ties for publication, email kjakahi@hawaiitribune-herald.com.