Hilo’s Yanagi Qualifies For Optimist Junior Championship

Pono Yanagi of Hilo was one of three junior golfers in his age group and 17 overall from the state to qualify for the Optimist International Junior Championship during a qualifying event Monday.

The Hawai`i State Junior Golf Association’s Optimist Qualifier was hosted by the Turtle Bay Fazio Golf Course. Golfers from across the state competed in various age brackets with divisions starting at 10-12 years old and ranging up to 16-18 years old for both boys and girls.

Yanagi competed in the 12-13 year old boys division with 11 other golfers on the par-72 course. Four qualifying spots were available for golfers who were able to shoot a score of 90 or better. Honolulu’s Kane Rogers shot a 77 to lead the 12-13 age group. Rogers, however, will not be competing at the OIJC. Yanagi was tied for second place with Honolulu’s Acey Yamashita. Both shot a 78. Wailuku’s Ryan Chang also qualified with an 82.

The Optimist Junior Golf Championship will be held in Palm Beach Gardens, FL from July 25-30. Golfers will be playing on the PGA National Resort and Spa course.

Boys 12-13 age group results

1. Kane Rogers (Honolulu) – 77

T2. Acey Yamashita (Honolulu) – 78*

T2. Pono Yanagi (Hilo) – 78*

4. Joshua Choi Tomita (Honolulu) – 81

T5. Andrew Otani (Honolulu) – 82

T5. Ryan Chang (Wailuku) – 82*

T7. Grant Kawasaki (Aiea) – 83

T7. Len Yamada (Honolulu) – 83

T7. MinJae Kang (Honolulu) – 83

10. Andy Kang (Honolulu) – 84

11. Jarryd Austin Gano (Mililani) – 89

12. Rilen Loo (Lihue) – 91

* – qualifies for Optimist Junior Golf Championship