Seventeen-year-old junior golfer, Jonah Texeira of Team San Diego, played 54-holes of stellar (70-65-68-203) 11-under-par golf at the Wailea Gold Course this week, and in the process captured the Sally Pini Award (Individual Medalist) by four strokes over Roberto Lebrija of Team Mexico (2) for himself, and led his team to victory at the 2013 Junior America’s Cup. This is the young man’s second Sally Pini Award, named in honor of the woman whose name “is synonymous with the Junior Golf Association of Northern California”. Team San Diego, whose final score of 627 (-21) edged Team Mexico (2) by four strokes 631 (-17) followed by a three-way tie for 3rd between Team Northern California, Team Southern California and Team Mexico (1) with a team total of 636 (-12). Ties were broken using the score of the 4th man on each team for the final round.
PJ Samiere, of Team Hawaii, fired a six-under par 66 to help Team Hawaii take 6th place over Team Arizona by just one stroke. They finished strong today with their lowest team score of the three days at three-under par 213 total.
The Hawaii State Junior Golf Association and King Kamehameha Golf Club/Kahili Golf Course director of golf, Rick Castillo, were joined by host course Wailea Golf Club, its president Anne Takabuki, senior head golf professional Rusty Hathaway, course superintendent Mike Atwood, and Tony Lee, in managing the event, which was made possible with help from sponsors Pard & Betsy Erdman of Ulupalakua Ranch / Haliimaile Pineapple Company, Gannon’s, Hotel Wailea, Maui Jim’s, and the Aloha Section PGA. Mahalos to all of the host families who opened their doors and hearts to the 72 junior participants, as well as all who came out to help volunteer their time to support this great event!
