Tribune-Herald Athlete of the Week: Keiki golfer Noah Otani

Noah Otani

Sport: golf

Of the four Hilo youngsters to qualify for the junior world golf championships Sunday, Otani posted the best score in relation to par, carding a 75 and 77 to finish 8-over at Wailua Municipal Golf Course on Kauai.

This will be the 10-year-old’s first trip to junior worlds, to be held at courses in and around San Diego, but Otani is familiar with mainland competition. Last year at Torrey Pines in San Diego, Otani – who fill be a fifth-grader at E. B. de Silva Elementary School in the fall – nearly qualified for the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship at Augusta, finishing as an alternate.

Honorable mention this week goes to the other qualifiers: Jake Otani (boys 7-8), Dysen Park (boys 11-12) and Isaiah Kanno (boys 13-14). Waiakea senior Shon Katahira also qualified, finishing 1-under, but he was ineligible, having already been honored in this space this year (March).

5 questions

Favorite song: “Grace Wins,” Matthew West

Favorite food: Sushi

Favorite sports role model: Rickie Fowler

What makes you happy: Playing golf with my family

Favorite cartoon character: Ironman

Nominate an athlete at sports@hawaiitribune-herald.com