Marissa Chow, Kristina Merkle and Kim Kim tied for 39th at last week’s Stage I of LPGA and Symetra Tour qualifying. A field of 347 played in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
The Hawaii trio finished at 2-over 290, 12 shots behind medalist Daniela Darquea, an amateur from Ecuador. Amateur Kacie Komoto (Punahou), just starting her senior year at Northwestern, also advanced by tying for 65th at 74—293.
Merkle, a pro who graduated from Moanalua and Tulsa, had a share of first after an opening-round 66, and closed with rounds of 76-74-74. Chow, an amateur out of `Iolani and Pepperdine, shot 73-74-68-75.
Kim grew up in Hilo, won the 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur at age 14 and played on the LPGA Tour in 2011. She opened with 68, then shot 74 the final three days.
The top 92 advanced to Stage II. Alice Kim (University) and former Maui resident Kyung Kim missed the cut.
Stage II is Oct. 20-23 in Venice, Fla., with the top 80 and ties advancing to the final stage. All others who complete 72 holes (there is no cut) receive Symetra Tour status.
The final stage is Nov. 30-Dec. 4, in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Hayashi gets section win
Hawaii Golf Hall of Famer Kevin Hayashi held on Monday to win the Aloha Section Senior PGA Professional Championship, at Kapalua’s Plantation Course.
Hayashi opened with an even-par 73 to take the lead. He closed with a 75 to win by one over Wailea’s Eddie Lee (74-75). Larry Stubblefield (76—153) was third, followed by Lance Taketa (80—157) — also from Hilo Muni — and Hapuna’s Jay Taise (78—158).
Hayashi, Taketa and Taise will represent the Aloha Section PGA in the 28th Senior PGA Professional Championship, Nov. 17-20 in Florida. The field of 264, representing the PGA of America’s 41 sections, plays for $285,000.
The top 35 finishers earn a berth in the 78th Senior PGA Championship next May and the top five finishers there get an exemption into the final stage of the 2017 PGA Tour Champions National Finals.
Winners galore in junior golf
Honolulu’s Claire Choi and Hilo’s Shon Katahira won four matches and Davis Lee won three to earn titles at last weekend’s Ka’anapali Hawaii State Junior Golf Association Match Play Championship.
Choi defeated Kamie Hamada, 4 and 2, in the girls final. Katahira, a Waiakea senior, won the boys 15-18 championship with a 3-and-2 victory over Mid-Pacific’s Zackary Kaneshiro. Lee took the boys 13-14 title, 6 and 5, over Noah Koshi.
Allysha Mae Mateo and AJ Teraoka won the HSJGA’s Mixed Team Championship two weeks earlier, at Poipu Bay. Their team total of 71—138 was five shots better than Naomi Wong and Trevor Arashiro.
Poipu celebrates quarter century
Poipu Bay Golf Course is celebrating its 25th anniversary by giving golfers a commemorative gift, including a special anniversary logo golf towel, divot tool and ball marker.
The celebration goes through the end of the year or while supplies last. Gifts are given to each golfer playing at an applicable rate (restrictions apply).
Special rates available for hotel guests and Hawaii residents. Tee times can be booked online at poipubaygolf.com or by phone (800-858-6300 or 808-742-8711).
