USGA Junior Qualifiers Held Saturday at Waikoloa Resort

Waikoloa Resort’s Kings’ Course will play host to a pair of United States Golf Association qualifiers on Saturday.

The first round of the USGA Junior Amateur Qualifier opens up at 7:00 a.m. Twenty-five boys, including five from the Big Island, will play 36 holes for a spot in the championship, played July 22-27 at the Martis Camp Club in Truckee, CA.

Hilo’s Trevor Hirata will open the qualifier with Kailua’s P.J. Samiere at 7:00 a.m. The twosome will also start the final 18 holes at 12:20 p.m. Preston Ching, also from Hilo, will be in the second pairing with Honolulu’s Cole Shintaku. They tee off at 7:08 a.m. and 12:28 p.m.

In the first threesome pairing, Hilo’s Shon Katahira will play alongside Wailuku’s Justin Arcano and Pearl City’s Colby Takushi at 7:16 a.m and 12:36 p.m.

Kamuela’s Evan Kasberg will wait until 7:48 a.m. to tackle the Kings’ Course. He will play alongside Wailuku’s Ariel Elftman-Hanson and Lihue’s Jamie Amimoto. Their second round tee time is slated for 1:08 p.m.

The final pairing of each round features Hilo resident Pono Yanagi, John Oda of Honolulu, and Keegan Loo of Lihue. Tee times are scheduled for 8:04 a.m. and 1:24 p.m.

The 18-hole U.S. Girls Junior Amateur Qualifier will take place after everyone has hit the course in the boys’ qualifier. The field is made up of 22 entrants, including two from Hilo.

The only competitor from outside the state is Carissa Wu, who hails from Dublin, CA. She is paired with Hilo resident Andi Igawa for the 8:28 a.m. tee time. Prior to that, Hilo’s Ciera Min will open up the qualifier with Aiea’s Kristen Le. Their tee time is slated for 8:20 a.m.

The USGA Girls Junior Amateur Championship will be held played July 22-27 at the Sycamore Hills Golf Club in Fort Wayne, IN.

The amateur championships are part of 16 major events that the USGA sanctions throughout the year, including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, and the U.S. Senior Open.

USGA Junior Amateur Qualifier Pairings (first round time, second round time)

Trevor Hirata and P.J. Samiere (7:00 a.m., 12:20 p.m.)

Preston Ching and Cole Shintaku (7:08 a.m., 12:28 p.m.)

Justin Arcano, Shon Katahira, and Colby Takushi (7:16 a.m., 12:36 p.m.)

Remington Hirano, Nathaniel Idica, and Kyle Suppa (7:24 a.m., 12:44 p.m.)

Lucas Bell, Taylor John McGerity, and Braxton Chong (7:32 a.m., 12:52 p.m.)

Donny Hopoi, Tyler Munetake, and Andrew Chin (7:40 a.m., 1:00 p.m.)

Ariel Elftman-Hanson, Evan Kasberg, and Jamie Amimoto (7:48 a.m., 1:08 p.m.)

Evan Kawai, Justin Ngan, and Kyosuke Hara (7:56 a.m., 1:16 p.m.)

John Oda, Pono Yanagi, Keegan Loo (8:04 a.m., 1:24 p.m.)

USGA Girls Junior Amateur Qualifier Pairings (tee time)

Kristin Le and Ciera Min (8:20 a.m.)

Andi Igawa and Carissa Wu (8:28 a.m.)

Annika Espino, Ji Hae Lee, and Kimberlie Miyamoto (8:36 a.m.)

Rose Huang, Kristen Ishikawa, and Zoe-Ann Yamamoto (8:44 a.m.)

Keilyn Ing, Aiko Leong, and Alyssa Poentis (8:52 a.m.)

Lisa Kang, Eimi Koga, and Ayumi Sakamoto (9:00 a.m.)

Brittany Fan, Malia Nam, and Alanis Sakuma (9:08 a.m.)

Zoey Akagi-Bustin, Mariel Galdiano, and Kaylee Shimizu (9:16 a.m.)