ISLE GOLF
Kodama opens with 74 at Publinx
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Former University of Hawai'i golfer Matthew Kodama shot a 2-over-par 74 in first-round of stroke-play qualifying of the 2004 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship yesterday at Maple Grove, Minn.
Kodama, who lives in Las Vegas, is tied for 82nd place at the Rush Creek Golf Club. Kodama opened with a 1-under-par 35 in his first nine holes, and closed with a 3-over-par-39.
'Aiea's Matthew Ma, Kapa'a's Casey Watabu and Makawao's Royden Heirakuji each shot 3-over-par 75s and are tied for 96th place.
Ma carded a 4-over-par 40 on the front nine and finished with a 1-under-par 35. Watabu shot a 35 on the first nine holes and closed with a 40, while Heirakuji carded a 39 on the front nine and 36 on the back nine. Hilo's Chris Igawa shot 38-40—78 and is tied for 132nd.
Danny Green of Jackson, Tenn., leads stroke-play qualifying with his record-setting 9-under-par 63.
The previous record was 64 shared by three players.
After 36 holes, the 156-player field will be cut to the low 64 scorers who will advance to match play tomorrow.
The finals are Saturday.
U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship
At Rush Creek Golf Club
- Danny Green, Tenn., 30-33—63
- Chris Stroud, Texas, 32-32—64
- Luke List, Ga., 33-32—65
- Ryan Moore, Wash., 32-33—65
- Sunghoon Kang, Korea, 33-32—65
- Anthony Kim, Okla., 34-32—66
Hawai'i golfers
- Matthew Kodama 35-39—74
- Casey Watabu 35-40—75
- Matthew Ma 40-35—75
- Royden Heirakuji 39-36—75
- Chris Igawa 38-40—78
Women's Trans Amateur
Dwyer trails leaders by three strokes
Kailua's Bridget Dwyer shot an even-par 72 and trails the leaders by three strokes after the first round of the 74th Women's Trans National Amateur Golf Championship yesterday at Keswick, Va.
Dwyer, a 1999 Punahou School and 2004 UCLA graduate, is tied for eight place at the Glenmore Country Club.
'Aiea's Merynn Ito shot a 6-over-par 78 and is tied for 37th place.
Lorraine Ballerano of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Nikki Garrett of Shelly Beach, New South Wales, and Sarah Kemp of Sylvania, New South Wales, are tied for first at 69.
Women's Trans Amateur
At Glenmore Country Club
- 69—Lorraine Ballerano, Myrtle Beach, S.C. Nikki Garrett, Shelly Beach, NSW. Sarah Kemp, Sylvania, NSW.
Hawai'i golfers
- 72—Bridget Dwyer, Los Angeles. 78—Merynn Ito, 'Aiea.
