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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, April 23, 2009

Chow, Bell win ILH golf titles

Photo gallery: 2009 ILH Varsity Championships

By Kalani Takase
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

'Iolani's Marissa Chow, left, dedicated the victory to her mother, Lynne, who died of breast cancer in January. Kamehameha's Alika Bell, right, said he played "relaxed and confident" to claim his second ILH golf crown.

REBECCA BREYER | The Honolulu Advertiser

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KAPOLEI — With a little inspiration, 'Iolani freshman Marissa Chow shot an even-par 72 yesterday and claimed medalist honors at the Interscholastic League of Honolulu golf championship.

Chow entered the final round three strokes ahead of Punahou's Alina Ching after opening with a 71 Monday at Oahu Country Club. Conditions yesterday at Kapolei Golf Course were partly cloudy, but nothing could take away from Chow's victory.

Chow, who won by three strokes, dedicated the win to her mother, Lynne, who died of breast cancer in January.

"I know that she was watching me and that she was right there with me the whole time," Chow said. "This was really her dream and I just really wanted to do it for her."

Chow began her round with a birdie on the 498-yard, par-5 first hole.

"I hit a good drive, good second shot and the approach — I was in shock myself how well I hit it," she said. "The putt just went dead center and after that I knew that this was going to be my day."

Chow made five consecutive pars before another birdie on the par-5 seventh. However, she gave it right back with a bogey on the par-3 eighth.

After making the turn at 1-under 35, Chow went blemish-free on the back nine except for a bogey on the par-4 11th.

"The course is in great shape, the greens were great," she said. "I don't think we've played on a better course than this all season."

Chow has been dealing with plantar fasciitis in both of her feet for the past three years, making yesterday's win all the more remarkable. The condition is caused by excessive wear to the plantar fascia, which supports the arches of the foot and results in inflammation of the connective tissue.

"I've learned to deal with the pain and not let it bother me as much," said Chow, who averaged a league-best 72.2 strokes per round during the season.

"She played awesome, the same way she's played all season," Raiders coach Glenn Inouye said. "She's so consistent — it's almost always fairway, green and two-putt."

Kamehameha junior Alika Bell won his second ILH boys title after he tied for the day's low round with a 3-under 69.

"I felt really relaxed and confident in my game today," Bell said. "I was hitting a lot of fairways and 16 or 17 greens so that really played to my advantage."

Bell, who won as a freshman in 2007, finished with a 36-hole total of 9-under 135 to win by five strokes over 'Iolani's David Fink. They started the final round tied after each shot 66 on Monday.

Bell birdied No. 1 and the par-5 seventh to make the turn at 34. He also birdied the par-4 10th and par-5 14th before a bogey on the par-4 15th.

"He's pretty consistent with the way he's been playing," Warriors coach Wesley Wailehua said. "His swing and his rhythm and tempo have really improved and he's been putting in a lot of practice and effort so I'm happy for him. He deserves it."

Fink, along with 'Iolani freshman Lorens Chan, tied for second at 140.

The David S. Ishii Foundation/HHSAA State Championships are scheduled for May 5-6 (girls) and May 12-13 (boys) at the Royal Ka'anapali Golf Course on Maui.

Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com.