Kiahuna Junior Classic champ Aiko Leong and Kyosuke Hara, who just won his second Turtle Bay Amateur title, will lead Hawaii’s team in the 2015 Asia Pacific Junior Cup next month.
Leong, a Punahou senior, won the girls’ division at Kiahuna Golf Club earlier this month. It was the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association’s final event to earn a spot in the Michelle Wie HSJGA Tournament of Champions, Dec. 5-6 at Wailea Emerald.
It was also the final event to earn points towards the APJC, which is Nov. 8-10 at Waikoloa Kings’ Course.
This year’s Hawaii girls team at the APJC will be Leong, Allysha Mae Mateo, Malia Nam, Mari Nishiura, Jasmine Cabajar and Zoey Akagi-Bustin.
The boys team is made up of Hara and Moanalua teammates Shawn Lu and Junho Won, along with Zackary Kaneshiro, Kyle Suppa, Justin Arcano, Kengo Aoshima, Matthew Shen, Justin Williamson and and Justin Ngan.
Hilton Grand Vacations is the APJC title sponsor for the ninth year. The Ryder Cup-style international tournament features the top 16 juniors from Hawaii taking on the best from Japan.
The tournament benefits the HSJGA and Waikoloa Foundation. A Junior Am kicks off the competition Nov. 7 at Kings’. Hilton Grand Vacations has established a scholarship program in conjunction with the Junior Am. To play, contact the HSJGA’s Lauren Yama, at 808-532-0559.
For more information about the Asia Pacific Junior Cup, contact tournament director Karen Murray Boston (480-495-5593).
Punahou’s Andrew Chin won the oldest boys age division at Kiahuna. Dillon Ikaika Jonke won the boys 7-10 age division and Aj Keoki Teraoka captured 13-14s.
Chings falls short at qualifying
Hawaii’s Alex Ching tied for 63rd at last week’s 2015 Web.com Tour Qualifying first-stage event in Maricopa, Ariz., failing to advance.
Ching shot three rounds of 73 at Southern Dunes Golf Club, along with a third-round 76. The Punahou graduate and University of San Diego All-American is currently playing on the PGA Tour’s China Series.
Medalist Chris Satterlee, of Phoenix, finished at 15-under 273 to lead a group of 28 who advanced. There were 74 in the field.
Q-School provides access to the 2016 Web.com Tour for players who can advance through all three stages. It has replaced the PGA Tour Q-School. Players who advance to Final Stage will be assured of at least conditional status on next year’s Web.com Tour.
