"On the first day of school two years ago, he walks into my office. I was surprised," said Miyashiro, who couldn't help but blurt out, "Pierre, what are you doing here?"

Soero fulfilled his academic entrance requirements and enrolled at UH, hoping to make the golf team as a walk-on. He soon earned a partial scholarship and was one of the top three players this season.

"It shows you the kind of dedication and good work ethic he has," Miyashiro said.

It has more than paid off as Soero leaves Saturday for the U.S. Open, which begins next Thursday.

He punched his ticket to the tournament, which is regarded as America's national golf championship, by winning the sectional qualifier Monday at the Ka'anapali North Course. He overcame windy conditions to post a 36-hole score of 147, one stroke better than Maui professional Brian Sasada.

Soero had gained one of the 12 spots in the Hawai'i sectional by being the medalist in the O'ahu local qualifier at the Turtle Bay Resort last month.

Caddying for Guy Yamamoto at Turtle Bay that day, Miyashiro was asked by Mauna Kea teaching pro Kevin Hayashi which of the UH golfers had the best chance to make it.

"I think Pierre's got a shot," Miyashiro told Hayashi. "He's playing good golf right now. And he can make a lot of birdies."

Soero made a prophet out of Miyashiro, shooting seven birdies in the 18-hole qualifier at the Palmer Course, site of the Champions Tour's Turtle Bay Championship.

The 2-under-par 70 that beat the other 64 players in the field gave him a lot of confidence going into the sectional on Maui, according to Soero, 21, who grew up in New Caledonia but finished his last two years of high school in Paris.

He missed two summer classes on Monday and will miss all of next week for the opportunity of playing in the U.S. Open, the "Tin Cup" dream for skilled golfers.

"You can't pass this up. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Miyashiro. Fortunately, Soero's accounting and speech instructors feel the same way after he talked to them. They encouraged him to go for it because it will be a worthwhile experience.

"I'm excited," Soero said. So were his parents, Edmond, a retired architect, and Sylvaine, when he called home in New Caledonia to tell them the good news. "They both cried and said, it is OK, don't worry about the expenses."

As an amateur and under NCAA rules, Soero will have to pay his own way to North Carolina.

"We've made a call to the NCAA to see if there's anything we can do to help him out," Miyashiro said.

"I don't think so," Soero said realistically.

It's a trip that's worth it, no matter the cost, said Soero, who hopes to run into his golf idol, Tiger Woods.

"Who knows? Maybe I will," said Soero, elated for the chance to play against the best golfers in the world.

It's doubtful, though, that Soero's caddy/girlfriend will accompany him. UH Rainbow Wahine basketball player Pam Tambini, who toted the bag for him at Ka'anapali and Turtle Bay, also is attending summer school classes. Besides, there's also the matter of added expenses.

"I'm going to keep my amateur status no matter what happens," Soero said. "I want to play on the golf team for two more years. And I want to get my degree in international business. Then, of course, I'll try to play professional golf."

Golf already has been rewarding for Soero, who first took up the game at the age of 11.

"I was not too focused in class, so my teacher told me I should try to play a sport that would help me to focus," he recalled.

It was golf.

When it came to picking a college, Soero also knew what he wanted. He first heard about UH from Manarii Gauthier, who just completed his eligibility for the UH golf team. The two played against each other in junior tournaments.

"I like living on an island. I'm from an island and Hawai'i is an island, too," Soero said.

It just so happens that Gauthier is from Tahiti. Just a couple of island boys.

So what is Pierre doing here? Golf and island living, coach.