WAILEA — The Hawaii State Junior Golf Association conducted the 2023 Maui Junior Championship at Wailea Blue Golf Course on Saturday and Sunday.
A total of 43 junior golfers from across the state teed up in the event, including three from the Big Island.
Leo Saito, of Hilo, placed first in the boys 11-12 flight — carding 74 in the first round and 72 in round two for a gross of 146 (four over). Saito finished well ahead of the competition — with runner up Robert Loree, of Kula, grossing 159.
Saito carded an eagle, five birdies and eleven bogeys between the two rounds.
Waiakea HS senior Noah Otani placed No. 4 in the boys 15-18 flight — shooting 70 (one under) in the first round and 78 in the second to gross 148 (seven over), nearly tying for third with Wailuku’s Ben Cafferio. In his first round, Otani recorded three birdies and just two bogies — but fell behind in the second round with seven bogies, a double bogey and two birdies.
First place went to Kihei’s Reagan James Miles (+2, 73, 71, 144).
Kealakehe HS senior Noah Izawa Okazaki place No. 12 in the same flight — grossing 162 (20 over).
The tournament awarded points for Player of the Year and the season race to the coveted Tour Championship on Maui in December (an event that is by invitation only to top finishers on thepoints list throughout the season).
Winners
• Boys 11-12: Leo Saito, Hilo
• Boys 13-14: Lakota Lee, Kihei
• Boys 15-18: Reagan James Miles, Kihei
• Girls 7-10: Lucy Cui, Honolulu
• Girls 13-14: Jacey Kage, Aiea
• Girls 15-18: Jasmine Wong, Honolulu