KAPOLEI — After beating the fickle forces of nature simply by finishing at Kapolei Golf Course yesterday, Amatour Hawai'i concluded its sixth season with Eric Sonnenberg proving to be the irresistible force and the immovable object.

Sonnenberg left no doubt by winning the season-ending Amatour Tour Championship by three shots over Phil Anamizu. The victory bordered on overkill, with Sonnenberg hurdling into the event with a 130-point advantage over his nearest challenger for Player of the Year.

The 49-year-old lawyer for Kamehameha Schools ultimately collected 1,715 points this year, shattering the record of 1,645 set by Mark Chun in 2003. The other Players of the Year were Joe Phengsavath (2002), Earl Medeiros (2004), Chris Souza (2005) and Craig Uyehara, who clinched last year's points title by winning the final week as well.

Sonnenberg shot 1-over-par 72 in the slush, slog and huge gusts of wind that were Kapolei between downpours. The course was closed to the public yesterday but it allowed the Amatour to finish after assessing conditions. Golfers were given preferred lies (lift, clean and place) and the course drained remarkably well after Saturday night's dousing, though some cart paths were underwater.

Two years ago, the Amatour's final round here was called off because of lightning. Last year it was canceled after the earthquake. That it played yesterday, and was hit by rain for only a short time at the beginning and end, was something of a miracle. That Sonnenberg won, with the weekend's only par score (142) was absolutely no surprise.

He captured the Olomana Shootout by throwing a 64 at the field. The Oahu Country Club member, and two-time OCC Invitational champion, calls this the longest extended period of good golf in his life, made better by a huge finish. He is loving golf life right now, and worrying about nothing golf-related between 11-hour work days and sneaking in weekend golf. It is the way much of this tour lives its life.

"It's still mental," Sonnenberg said. "I still can hit the ball and if I don't hit the ball the way I want I still believe I can get up and down. I'm not going to worry about it. That makes a big difference — not worrying about it."

Sonnenberg traces his 2007 success straight to his "hot putter," though his only birdies yesterday came from a two-putt on the par-5 17th and an approach shot to 6 inches at the 13th.

He probably won't play another competitive round until March, a popular refrain in the Amatour. They are a different breed, unwilling to give up their amateur status despite their talent, yet so addicted to the game they play with a rare passion.

Sonnenberg knew this tour would make it from the start. The dedication of the founders was too strong and the need too great. "These are avid golfers who like to have fun," he said, "and play good golf if they can."

Anamizu closed with a 74 for a 145 total. Blaine Kimura, who entered the final round as a co-leader with Sonnenberg, shot 76 to share third with Chris De Almeida (73—146). Mike Kawate, who came into the tournament in third place on the points list, shot 75—147 to finish sixth.

The top 24 on the points list earn exemptions onto the 2008 Amatour. First prize for Sonnenberg was $500 in merchandise certificates.

Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com.