KEALAKEKUA — Waiakea freshman Lacey Uchida continued her winning streak on Monday with a dominating performance despite nearly unplayable conditions late in her round at the Club at Hokulia.
Uchida, the younger sister of Waiakea senior Kaelyn Uchida — who did not play Monday — shot an 8-over 80 to claim her third individual low medalist honor of the season. She beat her sister by a single shot in a match last week at the Waikoloa Kings’ Course and tied for first in a weather-shortened match in Hilo to start the year.
“Lacey has a competitive mind and her game is there,” said Waiakea head coach Sandra Goodale. “She fits well into the group we have and the sister dynamic provides great competition.”
After shooting an impressive 39 on the front nine at Hokulia, Uchida was well on her way to an even better performance on the back until Mother Nature decided to put a halt to play with Uchida’s group on the 18th hole.
After a 30-minute lightning delay, Uchida returned to her ball, which was inside 100-yards of the green. However, the young golfer struggled to get up and down, leading to a triple-bogey for the hole and a 41 on the back nine.
“I should have took more time with my practice swing to get my rhythm back after we got back out there,” Uchida said. “But other than that it was a pretty good day. My putting saved me a lot.”
On the boys side, Kamehameha Pono Yanagi shot a 1-over 73 for his first win of the season.
Playing in the No. 1-seeded group, Uchida was paired with Kamehameha’s Chloe Waters and Chanelle Hwang. Both struggled, with Hwang finding several sand bunkers over the final three holes.
The wind did not help as it turned the rain sideways with the group approaching the 17th green. Hwang was forced to hit a nearly impossible shot out of the trap but managed to find the green. She finished with a 90, while Waters carded a 95.
Playing back a few groups, another Waiakea freshman, Kailey Oki — who tied Uchida in the first match of the year — finished second with an 82. Teammate Jillian Mitsuda rounded out the podium with an 83.
Waiakea, known for its depth, may be deeper this than ever. That is saying a lot for a team that once won 10 straight BIIF titles from 2004 to 2013. The Warriors are going for their fourth straight league title this year and 14th straight individual. Waiakea easily won the team battle at Hokulia with a 245. Hilo finished second at 316.
The Warriors managed to earn the victory despite not playing reigning BIIF champion Mari Ebersole. Ebersole has not cracked the starting lineup yet for Waiakea.
“I still have three matches to go and I am trying to qualify eight girls if I can for states,” Goodale said. “I have the best situation to have. I have a lot of good girls and my job is to try and get as many as I can qualified.”
Saludares back on the course
Two-time BIIF champion Kaley Saludares finally did play for the Warriors on Monday. She has been battling with injuries and illness early in the season. Saludares finished with a 90 on the day, good enough to tie her for fourth overall.
She had a rough start, shooting a 48 on the front nine before settling down for a back-9 42.
“Kaley is determined and working hard, trying to get her game where she wants it,” Goodale said. “She is looking forward to the BIIF individual competition and the state competition.”
Yanagi wins boys division
Yanagi stayed steady throughout the day, shooting a 37 on the front and 36 on the back to win by four strokes.
Waiakea’s Isaiah Kanno, the defending champion, finished second with a 77 and Hilo’s Ethan Hironaga rounded out the podium with an 81. The trio played in the same pairing during the round.
A trio of players came in at 85: Waiakea’s Kobey Babas and Riku Omata and Hilo’s Riley Kaneshiro.
The Waiakea boys defeated Hilo in the team competition, 333-361.
