Posted on: Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Tee(n) time
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
To some observers, Stephanie Kono playing high school golf might seem a bit like LeBron James joining an intramural basketball team in college, or Michael Vick agreeing to participate in the Hula Bowl.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser But for Kono, the benefits go beyond self-improvement in her game.
"I wanted to play high school golf," said Kono, a Punahou freshman who at age 15 already has completed the local "Women's Grand Slam" by winning the Jennie K. Invitational, Hawai'i State Golf Association Stroke Play and State Match Play championships. "It's different, but it's really fun. It feels like an honor to play for Punahou and represent the school. It's a good feeling."
The "good feeling" extends not just to her, but also her teammates, her coach, her school and perhaps even the high school golf community in general. It's become accepted that hopes of Punahou's other golf phenom — Michelle Wie — playing for the Buffanblu have all but disappeared.
Wie, a 15-year-old sophomore, is regarded as golf's future star and is often busy barnstorming the country playing in professional tournaments.
"Michelle has done amazing things and that's great," Punahou coach John Proud said. "But I don't think she'll be returning to play high school golf."
Were it not for Wie, Kono probably would be viewed as a once-in-a-lifetime phenom herself. Consider she won the Hawai'i State Women's Golf Association Match Play championship at age 11, then won the Jennie K. — the state's most prestigious women's championship — when she was in the seventh grade.
Later that year, at age 13, Kono added titles in the Hawai'i State Junior Golf Association Tournament of Champions, the Hawai'i State Women's Golf Association Stroke Play championship and the Hawai'i State Open, Women's Division.
"She's actually won more tournaments here than Michelle," Proud said. "If you watch her play, every stroke is almost perfect. She's remarkably gifted, but she also works very hard at it. She has a workout program and a yoga program ... she's fine-tuning herself to be the best."
As expected, Kono has led the pack during the Interscholastic League of Honolulu season so far. Her average round of 67.8 (counting her best five scores) is more than eight strokes better than the next golfer, defending ILH champion Mari Chun of Kamehameha.
In Kono's first two league competitions, she shot a 4-under 68 at Mid-Pacific Country Club and a 5-under 67 at Mililani. The following week, she fired a 7-under 65 at New 'Ewa Golf Course. And last week, Kono carded a 4-under 70 at Pali.
Kono said she appreciates the fact that her performances are not just helping herself.
"The main difference (from adult tournaments) is your score counts for your team," Kono said. "You have teammates, and you make friends."
Advertiser library photo • May 16, 2004 "I usually go straight to the course," she said. "But this is just another part of the road I want to take. I want to experience each thing, and high school golf is something to experience."
Kono said she did not really know her Buffanblu teammates before the season started. But by now they've become familiar as golfers and friends.
"It's good for us, because it's really important to get three good scores," said junior Erin Matsuoka. "But it's also good for her, to be with other girls."
Junior Jamie Nonaka echoed those sentiments.
"I think the team would have been fine even without her, but with her we definitely have a better chance," Nonaka said. "But for her, too, I think it's good to be playing with other high school girls, because she is in high school. I think she's enjoying it."
Matsuoka and Nonaka also said they have picked up a few tips playing with Kono.
"We learn from watching her," Nonaka said.
Proud said Kono's personality has impressed him as much as her golf ability has.
"I was told that she's not just a remarkable golfer, but a remarkable person as well," Proud said. "That's been true. And our team has definitely improved because of her. The older players have gotten better just by practicing and playing with Stephanie."
Kono said the competition in high school golf is not necessarily looked at as a step down for her. With accomplished players like Chun, Leilehua's Britney Choy and Waiakea's Amanda Wilson, she has company when it comes to golfers who have competed at the highest amateur levels in Hawai'i and nationally.
And while Kono's travel schedule is not nearly as hectic as Wie's, she did play in three Mainland tournaments last summer.
But for now, Kono is doing what most girls her age enjoy most: hanging out with her friends, having fun.
Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.
Yes, they would be competing with people roughly the same age, but c'mon ... what could they possibly gain after already dominating their sport on a much higher level?
Accomplished golfer Stephanie Kono, 15, second from left, said she enjoys representing Punahou as a member of her high school team. Others on the team include Erin Matsuoka, 16 (left); Lillian Kwock, 15 (back); and Kate Sisler, 15 (right).
Because of her year-round practice schedule, Kono said she doesn't spend much time hanging out on campus after school.
Punahou's Stephanie Kono has dominated the Interscholastic League of Honolulu this season with an average round of 67.8.
