Kono leading state stroke play by one
By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer
Debra Spencer set the scoring record for the State Women's Stroke Play Championship nearly 30 years ago. That was lifetimes ago for the group that will challenge Spencer's standard in today's final round at Mid-Pacific Country Club.
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Stephanie Kono, a Punahou seventh-grader, has a one-shot advantage as she seeks her second major women's title. She won the Hawai'i State Women's Association Match Play Championship last year at the tender age of 11.
Stephanie Kono and caddy, Kevin Ralbovsky, line up a putt on No. 12.
Kono shot a 3-over-par 75 in yesterday's second round and is at 2-over 146 for the tournament. (Spencer's record is 217, set in 1975). A shot back are Leilehua High freshman Britney Choy, 13, and Pepperdine University sophomore Rachel Kyono.
At 18, Kyono is relatively ancient. But she has finished in the top three in this event since she was 15, winning it two years ago. She made it look easy yesterday, closing with 10 pars in gusts that hit 20 mph.
Choy was making it look ridiculously easy for a dozen holes. After draining four birdie putts between 4 and 12 feet, she was 3-under for the day — and tied for first with Kono at 2-under for the tournament. But Choy played the final six holes in 4-over, putts lipping out on the last two, and settled for a 73.
It was two off her career best and cause for great joy.
"I was trying to get over it (the fast start) and just focus on what I was doing," Choy said. "It turned out to work pretty well. A few holes got away. That's golf. Can't help it.
"I actually surprised myself shooting this low over here. But that's a good surprise. I'm happy with myself."
Kono also saw par putts lip out on the final two holes. Like Choy, she refused to let it get her down. The two share a passion for the game and precocious talent, but that is where the similarities end.
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At 5 feet 3, Kono is four inches shorter than Choy. A recent swing change — and finally passing the 100-pound plateau — has added a few yards to Kono's drives, already shockingly long for her size.
Britney Choy, a 13-year-old freshman at Leilehua High, reacts to a missed putt on the 10th green at Mid-Pacific Country Club.
Her only hint of weakness yesterday was her short game, and she still drilled in three birdie putts, including a 30-foot slider on the wicked 11th green.
Kono's steady excellence, interrupted by flashes of greatness, was a reminder of her run to the match-play title last summer at Oahu Country Club. That week remains etched in her memory, particularly the hole in one — on a par-4 — that catapulted her to the championship.
"I'm hitting it longer and straighter now," Kono said, stating a fact, not issuing a threat. "I think that hole-in-one really helped me at OCC."
Mari Chun (75), 14, is tied for fourth with reigning State Match Play champion Bobbi Kokx (73), at 149. Kaua'i's Lehua Wise, 16, made the day's largest leap. Wise shot a 3-under 69 in the high winds to move into a tie for eighth.
The leaders tee off at 9:50 this morning.
