Sixth-grader gains semis in women's match play golf

Associated Press

Stephanie Kono, who will be a sixth-grader at Punahou School this fall, defeated retired school teacher Sybille Brinkman, 4 and 3, yesterday to reach the semifinals of the Hawai'i State Women's Golf Association Match Play Championship.

Kono, 11, will play Bev Kim, 55, in one semifinal this morning at O'ahu Country Club. Kim has won this state championship three times ö the first in 1971.

Kim eliminated Kathy Tsukada, 2 and 1. This was only the second competitive tournament for Tsukada, who finished seventh in the Jennie K. Invitational last month.

Former University of Hawai'i player Desiree Ting plays Merynn Ito, last year's state high school girls champion, in the other semifinal. Ito overwhelmed Liz Breza, 8 and 7. Sanae Vierra rallied from a 4-down deficit to tie her match with Ting, who won on the first extra hole.