‘Iolani graduates Rose Huang and Zoey Akagi-Bustin shared medalist honors at the U.S. Women’s Amateur sectional qualifier Saturday. They advance to the national championship, Aug. 1-7, in Pennsylvania.

Both shot 77 at Poipu Bay. Huang was the 2016 West Coast Conference Player of the Year her freshman season at Brigham Young. Akagi-Bustin is headed to New Mexico on a golf scholarship.

Kauai’s Taylor Viquelia (78) is first alternate and Alanis Sakuma (79) second alternate.

Hawaii’s Kimberly Kim won the U.S. Women’s Amateur in 2006. Lydia Ko, the top-ranked female player in the world, was 2012 champion.

Katahira wins qualifier at Turtle Bay

Hilo’s Shon Katahira followed an opening round 75 with a 73 to earn medalist honors at the U.S. Boys Junior Amateur qualifier last week at Turtle Bay’s Palmer Course.

Katahira beat Zackary Kaneshiro (74-75) by one. Both will represent Hawaii at the national championship later this month in Tennessee.

First alternate Aj Teraoka shot the qualifier’s low score — 72 — in the second round to finish at 150. Second alternate is Andrew Otani (76-75).

Former Boys Junior Am champions include Jordan Spieth (twice) and Tiger Woods (three times).

Makai Golf Club starts novice golf program

Makai Golf Club at St. Regis Princeville has started an introductory golf program designed for novices every Monday at 4 p.m.

Pros provide instruction for up to eight new golfers, who also get to play on three of the course’s ocean-front holes. The Mahalo Monday Mixer ends with wine or tropical juice in a keepsake etched glass. Club rental and golf cart are included.

Price is $60 each or $99 a couple. The program is open to players 8 and older.

Samiere to miss Barbers Point tourney

PJ Samiere will not defend his title when the Barbers Point Invitational opens today, but Tyler Ota — the golfer Samiere beat in a playoff — is in the field. Matthew Ma, another former Manoa Cup champion, also will play.

The tournament tees off at 7 this morning, with the Championship Flight expected to finish Saturday’s final round about noon.

The field also includes 2015 state high school champion Spencer Dunaway and Donny Hopoi, who both finished in the top five last year.

Peter Olson and Carl Ho are back in Senior Flight. Olson beat Ho in a playoff last year.

Entry deadline for senior qualifier nears

The deadline to enter the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Hawaii qualifier is Aug. 3. The qualifier will be Aug. 31 at Ko Olina.

It is open to female amateurs 50 and older (before Sept. 17), with a USGA handicap index of 18.4 or less.

The national championship is Sept. 17-22 at Wellesley Country Club in Massachusetts. Travel stipends are available to help qualifiers make the trip.

For more information, visit usga.org/champs/apply or email ml3210@aol.com.