With a former teammate helping him read the green on a hole he’s familiar with, Dalen Yamauchi was confident in his ability to make big putts.
With a former teammate helping him read the green on a hole he’s familiar with, Dalen Yamauchi was confident in his ability to make big putts.
The setting was perfect for his first college victory.
The University of Hawaii at Hilo senior birdied the second playoff hole Saturday to claim medallist honors at the Dennis Rose Intercollegiate at Waikoloa Kings’ Course.
“It’s nice having it come in Hawaii and at Waikoloa,” said Yamauchi, a Waiakea High graduate.
Yamauchi fired a 71 to finish at 3-under 219 as the Vulcans gave themselves a much-needed boost with a team title to end the fall season.
Yamauchi fell a stroke behind St. Edward’s Dillon Van Essen (70) when he three-putted on No. 17, but the par-5 18th proved to be Yamauchi’s hole. He chipped to within 8 feet and made a birdie putt, reaching a playoff when Van Essen missed a 10-footer for the championship.
If there is any home-course advantage to be had at Waikoloa, Yamauchi said it comes on the greens. That was especially true Saturday with Corey Kozuma, his former Vulcans teammate of three seasons, acting as his caddie/coach.
“He helped me read some putts, which is all I really needed,” Yamauchi said. “He kept me level-headed out there.”
Yamauchi and Van Essen each made par on the first playoff hole, No. 17. Back on 18, Yamauchi used a wood to drop his second shot from 240 yards out just 15 feet from the hole. He two-putted —- his third birdie in four tries on the hole the past two days — for the title.
His only previous college playoff experience came in a loss at the Pacific West Conference championship, and Yamauchi said this victory came against a quality opponent.
“Dillon is a really good ball-striker,” Yamauchi said. “He was putting the pressure on me, it was back and forth. He didn’t make any mistakes. He’s a good player.”
The Vulcans shot a 38-over 302 in the third round to edge St. Edwards by three shots, though coach Earl Tamiya was disappointed only two of his other golfers finished in the top 10.
Nick Matsushima (74) was seventh at 12-over. Golfing as an individual, Ric Yamamoto began the round tied for second with Yamauchi, but he slumped to an 82 and tied for 10th at 14-over.
“It’s a good win, but I’m not happy with the numbers we shot,” Tamiya said. “In other tournaments, we wouldn’t have won with these numbers.
“But this win will help us big-time.”
Tamiya said the Vulcans entered the tournament ranked 59th in Division II, which was as high as he could remember.
Also contributing to the Vulcans’ score were Kyeton Littel (78), who tied for 16th at 17-over; Connor Graves (79), who tied for 27th at 21-over; and David Tottori, who tied for 62nd at 31-over.
Playing as individuals were James Coon (77), who tied for 24th at 20-over and Casey Tamura (84), who tied for 70th at 36-over.
“No matter how ugly it was out there, we pulled it off,” Yamauchi said. “The wind was tough and the greens were firm.”
Soccer
Kahri Golden scored off a rebound with under four minutes remaining in the match, and the University of Hawaii at Hilo beat BYU-Hawaii 2-1 in Laie, Oahu.
The Lady Vulcans (6-4-6, 3-3-4 Pacific West Conference) ended a seven-match winless streak.
Ansley Warner scored for the Seasiders (3-13-0, 2-9-0) in the 10th minute, but Alexandra Marin netted the equalizer 81 seconds later off of Caroline Stromick’s corner kick.
The men’s teams played to a 1-1 draw.
Jamie Sporcic scored off an Ian McBride assist in the eighth minute for the Vulcans (6-5-5, 6-1-4).
The Seasiders (6-8-2, 4-5-1) answered in the 25th minute on Colby Bauer’s header.