LIHUE, Kauai — The Hawaii State Junior Golf Association (HSJGA) conducted the 2023 Kauai Junior Championship at the Puakea Golf Course over this last weekend — Sept. 16-17.
A total of 57 junior golfers from across the state teed up in the event.
The tournament awarded points for HSJGA First Tee Hawai‘i (FTH) Player of the Year and the season race to the coveted FTH Tour Championship on Maui in December (an event that is by invitation only to top finishers on the points list throughout the season).
Waiakea HS senior Noah Otani placed first in the boys 15-18 flight. Otani carded 66 in the first round to gain a massive lead that carried him to victory. In the second round, he shot 74 — one stroke behind Ben Cafferio of Wailuku’s 73 — but won with a total gross of 140. Cafferio trailed at No. 2 with a total of 145 (+1), and Princeville’s Chance Wilson placed third at 150 (+6, R1 75, R2 75).
Noah Otani’s younger brother, Jake Otani, finished the tournament in a tie for No.7 — carding 79 in round one and 77 in round two for a gross of 156 (+12). Otani tied with Landon Long (+12, R1 76, R2 80, 156) of Lahaina.
Kealakehe HS’ Noah Okazaki (+16, R1 79, R2 81, 160) placed No. 11 and fellow Kailua-Kona local Ulukoanui Kailiwai (+22, R1 84, R2 82, 166) placed No.12.
The Otanis, Oakazaki and Kailiwai all also competed in the HSJGA Big Island Championship earlier this month at Hualalai Golf Course — where Noah Otani placed No. 4 and Okazaki placed No. 5.
WINNERS
Boys 7-10: Jason Uno, Honolulu
Boys 11-12: Carson Kage, Honolulu
Boys 13-14: Graham Morgan, Kilauea
Boys 15-18: Noah Otani, Hilo
Girls 7-10: Lucy Cui, Honolulu
Girls 11-12: Makena Yonemura, Waipahu
Girls 13-14: Alexa Takai, Honolulu
Girls 15-18: Jasmine Wong, Honolulu