Fujikawa claims Hickam crown
By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer
Yesterday's playoff victory at the Mamala Bay Hickam Air Force Base Invitational was just the latest in a great year of golf for Tadd Fujikawa.
He tied for sixth at the State Amateur Stroke Play in March and aced a 400-yard par-4 in 2004. Last summer he took second at the Mayor's Cup and won a couple rounds at the Manoa Cup.
Fujikawa
Now for high school.
Taking a cue from those precocious girls dominating Hawai'i women's golf, the Moanalua Middle School eighth-grader beat all the big boys yesterday at breezy Hickam.
Fujikawa said it was the biggest win of his brief golfing life, better even than his first Callaway Hawai'i State Junior Championship at age 12.
He went into the final round five behind former pro Tod Terada. Fujikawa was so far back, the 14-year-old told his coach, Kevin Ralbovsky, to stay at his training center at Ko'olau Golf Club.
Fujikawa regretted that yesterday. His first call after the playoff was to thank Ralbovsky, who had tried to get to the course but could not get on base.
Fujikawa, buoyed by an 18th-hole birdie to close Saturday's second round, came out smoking. He fired a 2-under-par 70 to tie Shannon Tanoue (72) at 3-over 219 at the end of regulation.
Tanoue hooked his drive on the first playoff hole (466-yard par-4 No. 1) and Fujikawa proceeded to drop the hammer.
After a massive drive — for a guy who hovers around 5 feet tall — he hit a pitching wedge from 138 yards out to 4 feet, then sank the birdie putt.
Tanoue, suddenly feeling ancient at age 26, could only shake his head after punching out of the trees and hitting his approach over the green.
"It's time to let the old guys win. They've got plenty of years left," joked Tanoue, who ousted a series of young challengers to reach the Manoa Cup final last summer, only to lose to college freshman Ryan Perez.
Tanoue's cousin is Stephanie Kono, who won all the major Hawai'i women's events before hitting high school. He knows a little about precociousness and more than he wants about Fujikawa's "solid" game.
Tanoue shot 69 on Saturday to get into contention. He salvaged his final round when he eagled the eighth hole. "I chipped it up and it looked like it was going by," he said. "Then boop-boop, into the hole on one bounce."
If he could have a swing back, beyond his drive on the playoff hole, it would be the drive he hooked on No. 17. He ultimately missed a 6-footer for par, soon after Fujikawa whiffed from 18 inches for his third bogey.
The putt was Fujikawa's only regret. "I can't even explain how well I hit it today," he said. "Par is a good score for me here. To shoot 70 ..."
His mother, Lori, carried his bag during the tournament. Tadd gave her credit for preventing him from "losing it" during Saturday's roller-coaster round. That gave him a chance to give her a unique Mother's Day gift.
Wade Nakamura shot the only round in the 60s yesterday (69) to tie for third with Chris Souza (72), one shot back. Souza, a former Kamehameha Schools student who graduated in California a year ago, is now attending UH. His father, Stan, won twice at Hickam, where his grandfather, Sammy, used to be head pro.
Wendell Kop and Merv Matsumoto defended their senior championships. Kop, who turns 70 in July, shot 72-225 to win the Super Seniors (64 and older) while Matsumoto had 73-221 to capture the Seniors (50 to 63).
Ronald Ching (76-232) won the A Flight and Edmond Jones (77-235) the B Flight.
Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8043.
