KAPOLEI — Travis Toyama held off Eric Sonnenberg and Jared Sawada to win yesterday's Amatour Tour Championship. In the process, Sonnenberg overtook Mark Chun to become the first to repeat as the tour's Player of the Year.

Amatour, started by some of Hawai'i's best and most passionate amateurs, is in its seventh season. Chun was Player of the Year in 2003. Sonnenberg earned that honor last year, when he won twice — including the Tour Championship — and finished in the top 10 at all six events.

This year, the 50-year-old lawyer also won twice. In the final two events, he lost a playoff with Toyama at the Olomana Shootout and was denied another OT opportunity by a rare three-putt on the final hole at Kapolei Golf Course yesterday.

Toyama, a two-time Manoa Cup champion who finished his University of Hawai'i golf career this year, won with rounds of 76-71 for a 3-over-par 147 total. Sonnenberg and Sawada, a UH freshman, tied for second, both shooting 75-73.

Toyama had four birdies and three bogeys yesterday. His first birdie came from 25 feet on the second hole, after he watched playing partners Sawada, Jarrett Young and Mike Kawate lag to kick-in range from the slope above the hole, chip in and sink a very long putt.

"I had the last putt to make," said Toyama, who won the Aloha Section PGA's Bridgestone Pro-Scratch title Tuesday with Luana Hills pro Leland Lindsay. "They made it look so easy I couldn't miss."

Toyama and Sonnenberg birdied the 17th a few minutes apart. Both sensed it meant something.

"I really didn't know where we stood," said Toyama, who is planning to turn pro in time for February's Hawai'i Pearl Open. "I was thinking if I made that one maybe I could sneak in there."

Sonnenberg, who led the tour in birdies, greens in regulation and scoring last year, stood over a 4-footer for birdie on the 17th thinking, "This could mean something. I better make it."

He could not talk himself into it on the final hole, leaving his first putt 15 feet short up the hill, then missing the par. Sonnenberg had eight birdies over the two days, but 12 bogeys.

"My 'B' game I call it," said Sonnenberg, whose ability to hit fairways and greens is envied. "Birdies and bogeys."

First-round leader Joey Sakauye, Toyama and Kellen-Floyd Asao were the only golfers to break par over the weekend. There were 25-mph winds Saturday, which calmed some yesterday. Given this event's history, the conditions were ideal. The final round of the 2005 Tour Championship was canceled because of lightning, and the 2006 earthquake also knocked it out. Sonnenberg won last year after a Saturday night storm closed the course to all but the Amatour players, who slogged on in extremely wet conditions to get through 36 holes.

Fittingly, this year's tournament was sponsored by RSA, LLC — Russell S. Akamine's insurance company.

Chun (78—157), who won this year's Battle at Klipper, finished 16th yesterday. He held a 40-point lead over Sonnenberg going into the final tournament. Sonnenberg's winning total was 1,460 points. Toyama only played the last two events.

Amatour winners get $500 in merchandise certificates and 250 points. Point totals are doubled at the final event. The top 24 on the points list qualify for the 2009 Amatour. The first tournament of the year is the qualifier, March 21 and 22 at Makaha.

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

AMATOUR TOUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

At Kapolei Golf Course.

Travis Toyama 76-71—147.

Eric Sonnenberg 75-73—148.

Jared Sawada 75-73—148.

Alika Bell 77-72—149.

Mike Kawate 75-74—149.

Joey Sakaue 71-78—149.

Carl Ho 74-75—149.

Brandon Nahale 77-73—150.

Jarrett Young 76-75—151.

Kellen Floyd Asao 82-71—153.

Ted Murata Jr. 72-81—153.

Frank Marcus 79-76—155.

Paul Kimura 79-76—155.

Phillip Anamizu 79-76—155.

Tommy Yamashita 79-77—156.

Brenden Chun 81-76—157.

Mark Chun 79-78—157.

Michael Trevino 80-78—158.

Layne Morita 83-76—159.

Richard Ingalls 81-78—159.

Shawn Tanoue 80-79—159.

Bryan Edwards 78-81—159.

Garret Omuro 76-83—159.

Peter Olson 80-80—160.

Shannon Tanoue 81-79—160.

Robert Nakagawa 82-79—161.

Daron Rilveria 80-81—161.

David Long 79-82—161.

Kevin Goto 77-84—161.

Shigeru Matsui 85-77—162.

Michael Floro 84-78—162.

Jake McGraw 85-77—162.

Bradley Yosaitis 83-79—162.

Hector Carvajal 82-80—162.

Bob Luat 83-79—162.

Darryl Wassum 79-83—162.

Chris DeAlmeida 82-81—163.

David Kochi 82-82—164.

John Goto 87-77—164.

Greg Gibbs 86-78—164.

Kevin Long 89-75—164.

Leighton Uyeda 81-85—166.

Tony Becker 86-80—166.

Jason Maekawa 87-79—166.

David Hamada 82-85—167.

Bradley Hatfield 81-86—167.

Kane Anguay 88-79—167.

Cannen Shaw 88-79—167.

Michael Miguel 84-84—168.

Eddie Morales 85-83—168.

Joshua Ramirez 87-81—168.

Randy Yim 85-84—169.

Dean Kaya 80-89—169.

Perry Lara 83-87—170.