Perez captures Manoa Cup

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

Ryan Perez gets the traditional toss into the Oahu Country Club pool after winning the 96th annual Manoa Cup. Photos by Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

The score of the final, scheduled for 36 holes, was 5 and 4. Perez did not lose any of the last 19 holes at Oahu Country Club.

He parlayed a 1-up advantage at the break into a 5-up lead after 27 holes, then outlasted Tanoue while they walked to the top of Nu'uanu Valley for the final five.

Perez teed off first from the moment he tied the match on the 15th until he was gleefully tossed into the OCC pool for the traditional winner's dunking.

"I just never lost honors," Perez said. "When I made my mistakes, he made his mistakes, so it worked out."

Perez's father Alan and coach Kevin Ralbovsky followed Perez into the pool, with Tanoue tossed in for good measure. After six days of walking OCC's steep hills, and putting its equally torturous greens, Perez and Tanoue were happy to float for awhile.

Perez's irrepressible joy — a perfect match for his irrepressible golf game — was in stark contrast to his dejection last month on his 18th birthday. The Moanalua High graduate took a two-shot lead into the final hole of the high school championship, only to double bogey and ultimately lose to Kurt Nino on the second playoff hole.

Perez was gracious in defeat that day, and gloriously happy yesterday, which, coincidentally, was mother Pattie's birthday. When the match ended, Perez broke out a huge grin as he looked at his family, then hugged Tanoue and Ralbovsky.

"Kevin told me this was bigger than states. This is way bigger than states," Perez said. "And I agree. This was meant to be. I don't even remember states now. I won the Manoa Cup."

He is in exceptional company. The state's amateur match play championship is drenched in history and has been dominated by members of the Hawai'i Golf Hall of Fame.

Next fall's University of Hawai'i golf team will be dominated by Manoa Cup champions. The last three — Perez, Kellen-Floyd Asao and Travis Toyama — will be UH teammates in the fall.

"Three back-to-back Warriors, Travis, Kellen and me," Perez said. " Our team is stellar."

Ryan Perez chips the ball onto the 6th green at Oahu Country Club en route to victory in the Manoa Cup.

"In match play, if you putt well, you'll do all right," Tanoue said. "I just couldn't get it going today with my putter. Everyday is different. That's why golf is awesome."

In the past month, Perez has experienced the game's frustrating and fascinating idiosyncrasies in vivid detail. After the state tournament, he continued to work with Ralbovsky at Ko'olau Golf Club, which mirrors OCC's hilly, wet conditions, and finished top five at three events.Yesterday made all the hard work and heartbreak worthwhile.

"He was close enough times that he got comfortable," Ralbovsky said. "Finally he was able to extend his game and break through. What's nice is that once you break through, now you really have to look out. He knows what it takes to win."

Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8043.