By KEVIN JAKAHI
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
Waiakea junior Kaley Saludares showed that she can play with the state’s best golfers and hang out in their neighborhood at the HHSAA tournament at Kaanapali Resort on Maui.
On Tuesday, Saludares shot a 6-over 77 for a two-day 156 total, six strokes behind Punahou senior Claire Choi, who beat Maui High’s Thereese Guzman in a one-hole playoff for the state championship.
Guzman was a first-round leader with Iolani junior Kamie Hamda, who tumbled to 12th after she shot 85.
Punahou pulled off something of a miracle rally, overcoming a 10-shot deficit and capturing the team title by a single stroke over Iolani, 479-480.
Saludares placed fifth and was the only BIIF golfer among the top 15, who all receive medals. Last year, she was 21st and 20 shots behind the state medalist, Punahou’s Allisen Corpuz.
“My game wasn’t the best in the beginning today, and the pin placements were ridiculously difficult,” said Saludares, who shot 41 on the front nine and 36 on the back. “My short game was able to keep my scores low, as some of the holes played really far. I didn’t have any penalty strokes both days, and my game in general was in control.
“Finishing top five in the state is something I never dreamed of. My family and friends believed in me more than I believed in myself coming to states. I was just trying to shoot 70s both days and place in the top 15 to receive a medal.”
She had a different strategy at states, compared to her BIIF season, where she placed second at the individual championships.
“My mindset was different. I went out there aiming for pars on every hole and was playing calm and relaxed,” said Saludares, who couldn’t pull off a BIIF title threepeat.
However, Saludares had a better two-day performance against much deeper and more talented competition at states.
“I’ve played with these girls at states since I was 9 years old,” she said. “I’m so happy I was able to prove I can compete at a higher level.
“The difference between states this year and last year is I am much more mentally strong. I have listened to my parents and coaches. Without their support, I wouldn’t have been able to pull off these scores on such a challenging course that I’ve never played before.”
Besides not knowing the course, another obstacle for Saludares was her ankle, which she injured. She credited her grandpa Sidney Kiriu, who’s a physical therapist, for giving her stretches and exercise drills.
Saludares acknowledged that following golf’s simplest advice — take it one shot at a time — can be challenging, too.
“It’s easier said than done,” she said from Maui. “People will always tell you to relax and take it one shot at a time, but I finally was able to truly do that this season, especially at states these past couple of days.”
Like Saludares, Waiakea was also fifth. Only Saludares shot under 80.
The other Warriors were Kaelyn Uchida, 86 for a 167 total; Tia Kualii, 85—175; Jillian Mitsuda, 87—177; Mari Ebersole, 93—182; and Tori Hironaga, 90—195.
The other BIIF golfers were Keaau’s Anela Dalton, 90—194; Kamehameha’s Chloe Waters, 101—200; and Hilo’s Sunny Sakai, 104—207.
