University of Hawai’i at Hilo senior Dalen Yamauchi was a key contributor to his team’s victory at the 2014 Dennis Rose Invitational, held Friday and Saturday at the Waikoloa Kings’ Course.
Yamauchi also had an individual title to chase.
St. Edward’s Dillon Van Essen shot a final round 70 to match Yamauchi at 219, forcing a playoff. Van Essen hit the sand trap on his second shot, but Yamauchi took control, landing fifteen feet from the pin. He was able to two-putt in for the win.
Yamauchi’s win was the first of his collegiate career. Two seasons ago, he was tied for first at the PacWest Conference Championship in Arizona before falling in a playoff to Grand Canyon’s Jimmy Kozikowski.
Yamauchi has been no stranger to the top of the leaderboard at the Dennis Rose Invitational. He’s finished no worse than a tie for seventh in his four years at the tournament. In his last two tries, he finished in a tie for third.
UH-Hilo beat St. Edward’s by three strokes to win the team championship. Nick Matsushima finished seventh with a 228. Kyeton Littel placed in a tie for 16th with a 233.
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