Punahou junior Mariel Galdiano is used to starting the final round of the HHSAA golf championships in the lead. ADVERTISING Punahou junior Mariel Galdiano is used to starting the final round of the HHSAA golf championships in the lead. This
Punahou junior Mariel Galdiano is used to starting the final round of the HHSAA golf championships in the lead.
This year she has company.
Seeking her third consecutive state crown, Galdiano fired a 72 on Monday at Waikoloa Kings’ Course and shared the lead with two golfers who were a little sharper on the back nine.
Mililani’s Mari Nishiura and Maryknoll’s Allysha-Mae Mateo were also at 72, while Iolani’s Rose Huang and Kaiser’s Malia Nam were another shot back. Punahou’s Aiko Leong and Allisen Corpuz shot 74s.
For the most part, Big Island golfers struggled on a course most of them know well. Waiakea freshman Kaley Saludares, the BIIF champion, carded a 86 and her freshman teammate Kaelyn Uchida was at 87. Kamehameha’s Shantel Antonio (89) was the only other BIIF golfer to beat 90.
Punahou (220) had an eight-shot lead over ILH rival Iolani as it tries for its eighth title in nine year. BIIF champion Waiakea was ninth at 263.
