When it rains, it pours but it didn’t stop 19-year old Tadd Fujikawa from coming out on top at the Turtle Bay Resort Hawaii State Open. Fujikawa fired a one under par, 71 on the Resort’s Palmer Course through a day filled with tough rainy conditions. Fujikawa’s three day total 204, 12-under par earned him his first Turtle Bay Resort Hawaii State Open title, round trip airline ticket courtesy of Continental Airlines, and most importantly a check for $10,000.
With over an inch and a half of rain before sunrise, starting times were delayed for over three hours before a decision was made by Aloha Section PGA tournament director Anthony Valverde to move all divisions to the Palmer Course and have a shotgun start.
“We wanted to ensure all competitors had the chance to finish their rounds and with rain all over the island we were fortunate to complete the tournament,” commented Valverde. Right behind Fujikawa, was Ben Sauls of Scotsdale, Arizona shooting a 5 under-par 67 finishing with a 205 overall.
In third place was Turtle Bay Resort’s Tony Finau who finished with a 3 under-par 69.T4 was Maui’s Sam Cyr, whose even par round was probably a sub par performance for him. Alex Chiarella once again hangs tough with the big boys as the Maui junior golfer finishes in the top 10 (Open Am runner-up) as only one amateur eclipses him: Sean Maekawa, of Hilo, with a fine showing himself—he tied with Cyr (T4).
David Ishii, three-time Hawaii State Open winner clearly showed that he can still play the game with Hawaii’s best by leading the field from start to finish and capturing the Hawaii State Open Senior Division.
The Hawaii Golf Hall of Famer was 10-under par for the 54-hole tournament which saw arduous final round conditions. In second place and three strokes behind Ishii was Casey Nakama. Kahuku’s Lance Suzuki captured third place shooting a 72 during the final round and a 212 total overall.
While the popular Ishii won, it was Maui Makena pro and MGR fav Admiral Kirk Nelson who had the low final round score. Kirk commanded his own star ship to a top 10 finish (8th). Kapalua Da Game commissioner and former NFL player Rohn Stark was unable to follow-up his sub-par opening round, and settles for T14 finish.
Ji Soo Park of Honolulu won the Women’s Open championship shooting even-par today and totaling 214 overall. Park finished ahead of last year’s Women’s Open Champion Katie Kempter of Albuquerque, New Mexico by 4 shots. Kempter shot a final round 71 and 216 total.
Crowd favorite, Rayray Gorman captured the Men’s A-Flight division with a 9 over-par three day total of 225. Hansol Koo of Honolulu won the women’s A Flight with a final round 81 and 237 tournament total. Thank you to Turtle Bay Resort, the staff, and maintenance crew. Also, to the volunteers who helped put on a great event.
