The University of Hawaii at Hilo’s youth showed Monday during 36 holes of golf.
The University of Hawaii at Hilo’s youth showed Monday during 36 holes of golf.
But while the Lady Vulcans’ score rose at Waikoloa Kings’ Course, one of their rustiest golfers also became one of their steadiest.
Sophomore Alison Tengan carded a 9-over 79 in the afternoon and was seventh at the Dennis Rose Invitational.
Tengan was one of only two Vulcans golfers to improve their score after the morning round, and she did it by avoiding major trouble at the Division II tournament.
The sophomore, who is playing competitive golf for the first time since graduating from Waiakea in 2012, was at 21-over.
Sonoma State’s Haley Whitbeck was 8-over and held a six-stroke lead in the five-team field.
“Everybody else had one bad hole that cost them,” Vulcans coach Jim DeMello said. “But Alison played well.”
Vulcans freshman Andi Igawa was fourth after firing a 77 during the first 18 holes. But the 2014 Waiakea graduate had to take five penalty strokes on the par-4 No. 5 in the afternoon and took a 12 en route to an 87 that left her in a tie for 10th at 24-over.
DeMello has one of his youngest rosters since he took over the program in 2004. For the fourth tournament this fall, he sent out a lineup of five underclassmen.
The Vulcans were at 101-over 661 and in third place behind Sonoma (617) and St. Martin’s (638).
“We played OK in the morning,” DeMello said. “They’re young and don’t understand the game yet. The winds died down in the afternoon, but playing 36 holes is still tough.”
Freshman Erin Costes was tied for 10th at 26-over, sophomore Shannon Abarra was at 36-over, and freshman Mariah Paiste was another shot back.
Hawaii Pacific (665) was fourth and Holy Names (760) was fifth.
Whitbeck had the best round of the day with a 72 in the morning. Sonoma’s Alexis Hayes and St. Martin’s Jennifer Liedes were the closest golfers to Whitbeck.
The tournament wraps up Tuesday, and DeMello said the Vulcans’ mindset would remain the same.
“Hit the ball well off the tee and makes greens in regulation,” he said. “We did that at times (Monday).”
Monday at Waikoloa Kings’ Course
1. Sonoma State 310-307— 617
1. Haley Whitbeck 72-76—148
T2. Alexis Hayes 83-71—154
4. Hannah Gregg 76-79—155
6. Sara Rotter 79-81—160
16. Erin Martens 85-87—172
2. St. Martin’s 312-326—638
T2. Jennifer Liedes 79-75—154
5. Sarah Salvatori 74-85—159
9. Lisa Zelasko 79-84—163
T12. Chloe Read 84-82—166
14. Grace Dyer 80-87—167
3. UH-Hilo 326-335—661
7. Alison Tengan 82-79—161
T10. Andi Igawa 77-87—164
T12. Erin Costes 83-83—166
18. Shannon Abarra 90-86—176
T19. Mariah Paiste 84-93—177
4. Hawaii Pacific 328-337—665
8. Carly Farthing 80-82—162
T10. Sydney Lee 84-80—164
15. Susanna Sarkki 83-85—168
17. Corinne Chann 81-93—174
T19. Haley Hoag 87-90—177
5. Holy Names 382-378—760
21. Michaelle Latini 94-91—185
22. Courtney Lemos 92-95—187
23. Alyssa Yanez 97-94—191
24 Angelica Orino 99-104—203
25. Genevieve Pascale 111-98—209