Golf: Hilo’s Jake Otani claims match play tournament

Hilo’s Jake Otani defeated Keaau’s Kaha’i Helm 3 and 1 on Wednesday at Hilo Municipal Golf Course to capture the Big Island final for ages 7-12 of the Hawaii State Junior Golf Course Association match play tournament.

The 12-year-old Otani, who’s set to enter the seventh-grade at Waiakea Intermediate, secured a spot at the Michelle Wie Tournament of Champions, slated for December on Maui.

The second-seeded Helm won two matches to reach the championship.

Otani, the top seed, drew a first-round bye and joins older sister Elle as a Michelle Wie Tournament of Champions qualifer. Elle Otani claimed the girls title earlier this month.