Sasada sets Maui Open record

By Bill Kwon
Special to the Advertiser

MAKENA, Maui — Shooting par was more than good enough for Makena pro Brian Sasada who set a tournament 54-hole record to win the Maui Open by eight strokes yesterday at the Makena Golf Club's South Course.

Sasada, who had a seven-stroke lead going into the final round, shot a 72 for a 10-under par 206 and the $4,200 first-place check. He bettered the Maui Open record of 209 set by Dick McClean in 1993.

Maui's Dean Prince and Beau Yokomoto tied for second at 216, while Kristofer Baptist, home for the summer from the University of San Francisco, finished fourth at 218 to win the championship flight.

Defending champion Casey Nakama was alone in fifth place at 219.

"I like that no one's close. It's so relaxing," said Sasada, who also won the Maui Open in 1990, 1995 and 2000. His first victory came in a playoff, the second by two strokes and the third by one shot.

Sasada began the round birdie, bogey, birdie and bogey but maintained a comfortable lead. Even with bogeys at 10 and 11, no one could make up any ground.

"You don't chase, you just play your own game," said Prince, who closed with a 73 as did Yokomoto.

A double-bogey at the par-5 16th hole (the nines were reversed for the tournament) gave Baptist a 3-over 75, costing him a share for runnerup honors.

"One bad swing. Otherwise I played a solid round," said Baptist, who will be trying to qualify for the Manoa Cup today at the O'ahu Country Club.

The day's low round of 69 was turned in by Chad Fribely, who tied Louie Lee and Eddie Lee at 220.

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