Waiakea’s Dysen Park was steady as ever, but Kealakehe’s Kevin Yamashita did him two strokes better this time.
Yamashita, a Kealakehe junior, fired a 3-under 69 on Wednesday at Waikoloa Village to take medalist honors in his first BIIF golf tournament of the season.
He opened with consecutive birdies and stayed bogey-free until No. 17 , though Waveriders coach Justin Lee said Yamashita could have performed even better if not for a handful of missed opportunities.
“Consistent, but could have been much lower with some minor tweaks on mid-range birdie putts,” Lee said. “We’ll sharpen those up and be ready to shoot low next tournament at Kona County Club on Tuesday.”
The bar has been set high.
“He plans on winning (the) BIIF title and the boys state title this year,” Lee said.
While Park missed on winning for the third time this season, the Warriors’ Kiersten Saludares accomplished as much on the girls side, setting the tone by sinking a 50-foot eagle on the first hole for an even-par 72 and a six-stroke victory. Saludares’s score was three shots better than any of her previous efforts this season.
“The conditions were perfect, and her ball-striking was consistent and a lot of putts were dropping,” Waiakea coach Bobby Perreira said. “She had a good round, but she definitely left a few strokes out there. She is right where we want her so we can peak at the right time.”
Hawaii Prep’s Isabelle Rodriguez carded a 78 and Waiakea’s Elle Otani, a co-medalist along with Saludares last week at Waikoloa, came in at 82.
Park was 1-under for the third time this season. His first bogey didn’t come until after the turn, but he was three strokes off the lead on No. 17, a 424-yard par 4, when Yamashita left his approach shot short in the bunker. Yamashita got up and down after his first green missed in regulation, his coach said.
“His favorite club in his bag is the driver, it averages 300 yards, and hardly ever misses a fairway,” Lee said. “This sets up his approach shots, which we have been working on by comparing ourselves to PGA Tour averages. This was recommended by Coach Brady Riggs, the Director of Instructions for Hualalai, our home course.”
Waiakea’s Ryder Ng (75) and Noah Otani (77) were third and fourth, respectively. The Warriors won each team race with ease.