Local-born professional golfer David Ishii has enjoyed immense popularity in his home state and immense success in his chosen profession.
Ishii endeared himself to golf fans here and abroad with his tactical approach to the game, his unshakable consistency and a sense of humility.
Ishii was born in Lihu'e, Kaua'i, in 1955 and graduated as a prep golf champion from Kaua'i High School. He learned the game from his father, Chica, and Hawai'i Golf Hall of Fame member Toyo Shirai.
As a senior at the University of Houston, Ishii captained the Cougars' NCAA Championship team. He turned pro two years later, earning his first professional victory at the 1980 Hawai'i Pearl Open, the first of six wins there. In 1987, he won the Japan Order of Merit, which landed him in the U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championships the following year.
In 1990, Ishii won the 1990 Hawaiian Open, joining legendary Ted Makalena as the only local golfers to do so. That victory earned him an exemption to the PGA's Masters Tournament.
Ishii was most successful on the Japan Pro Tour, where he notched 14 wins and took in more than $8 million in earnings.
At his induction to the Aloha Section PGA Hawai'i Golf Hall of Fame this year, Ishii was honored as "the greatest competitive golfer in Hawai'i history and a gentleman of character and unsurpassed accomplishment." True to form, he spent his entire 30-minute speech thanking people who had helped him achieve success.
