Pahoa's Kim, 12, opens with course-record 69
Advertiser Staff
Pahoa's Kimberly Kim made a dazzling debut in her first American Junior Golf Association tournament on Tuesday.
The 12-year-old from the Big Island shot a 3-under-par 69 to set a women's course record in the first round of the IRI Golf Group Tri-Cities Junior at Pasco, Wash.
Kim
Kim, who will be entering the eighth grade at Waiakea Intermediate School, avoided trouble throughout her round and was able to make birdies when she knocked the ball close. She credited her ability to stick her approach shots close to the flag, leaving her with short birdie opportunities. Kim's birdies came on Nos. 5, 11, 12 and 18.
The previous women's record at Sun Willows Golf Course was a 71, which Kim broke, thanks to a couple of clutch saves.
"Most of my putts were short," Kim said in a story on the AJGA Web site. "On No. 11, I was able to chip in from the rough, and then on No. 12, I made a 6-foot putt for birdie. I tried to stay away from the out-of-bounds throughout the round."
Kim's only trouble came on No. 9. She hit her drive into the trees on the 361-yard par-4 and was forced to chip out. She bogeyed the hole and made the turn at even-par. Kim would continue to play out of the rough throughout the back nine, but she was able to make par saves and sink her short putts.
"I don't want to do bad tomorrow," said Kim, who took a two-stroke lead into yesterday's second round (results were not available). "There are two more days of play, and I want to continue to play well."
Leilehua High junior Britney Choy, the 2004 state high school champion from Wahiawa, shot a 79 and was tied for 25th.
Kaua'i High senior Cory French shot a 2-over 74 and was tied for 43rd in the boys division. Jason Kang, of Torrance, Calif., led with 66.
The tournament features 120 of the nation's premier junior golfers, from 15 states and Canada.
MARY CAVE CUP
Morinaga, Ueno finish fourth in San Diego
San Diego won the second annual Mary Cave Cup last weekend at Cottonwood Golf Course in San Diego. The Hawai'i team — Sacred Hearts senior Kayla Morinaga and Hilo's Whitney Ueno — finished fourth.
Morinaga and Ueno shot best-ball rounds of 72-69 for a 141, eight shots behind the San Diego team of Amber Lundskog and Jessica Yam (66-67). Northern California was next at 138 and Southern California shot 139.
Morinaga tied for fourth individually (74-149). Colorado's Ashley Tait was medalist (70-145) and Ueno took 15th (74-155).
Mary Cave, now in her 90s, attended the tournament. She was the first women's golf coach at San Diego State, was San Diego's America's Cup captain 14 years and volunteered for junior golf for more than 50 years.
NOTES
• Entry deadline for the Waikoloa Open is Sept. 17. A field of 200 is expected for the Sept. 24 to 26 tournament. There are also openings for sponsors. For information, contact waikoloaopen@aol.com.
• Entry deadline for the third annual Waikoloa Women's Golf Challenge is Sept. 29. The Challenge is Oct. 22 to 24 and benefits the Hawai'i State Women's Golf Foundation. Waikoloa touring pro Cindy Rarick will have a special clinic.
