Isaiah Kanno added to his trophy collection with a dominant victory at the Big Island Junior Classic on Monday at Hualalai Golf Course, where some of the state’s best visited over the Labor Day weekend.
The Waiakea senior finished with a 7-under 70-67—137 total in the boys 15-18 flight to beat Hawaii Baptist Academy’s Noah Koshi by seven strokes. Mid Pacific junior Jake Sequin, the defending state champion, tied for fourth with a 4-over 148 total.
“I played solid, but I definitely could have played better, “ Kanno said. “I’m still happy with what I shot.”
Kanno’s second-round 67 was the lowest of the tournament and the lowest in his career at Hualalai. He only held a three-shot lead entering the final round.
“I definitely had the right mental approach coming in,” he said. “I had a positive mindset, and I played well and kept on going. Every part of my game was working for the most part.”
Kanno has been competing in Hawaii State Junior Golf Association events since he was about 10 years old. He’s won about 25 medals, so he’s well-seasoned in these mini-meat grinders.
They’re not as intense as an HHSAA or BIIF championship, but it’s good preparation for high-caliber events.
“It’s a little more casual, but there’s definitely still pressure,” Kanno said. “The competition was solid. A couple of the top guys didn’t play so well.”
Kamehameha’s Dillon Ah Chong tied for ninth with an 8-over 152 total. Hilo senior Ethan Hironaga was 11th with an 11-over 155 total, and Kealakehe sophomore Ethan Jaehn, who was third at states, was 12th with a 15-over 15 total.
Waiakea seniors Riku Omata and Aidan Oki were 13th and 14th at 23-over and 35 over, flooding the 14-player field with Warriors.
Kanno, Omata, and Oki also saw the bridge to Waiakea golf in freshman Dysen Park, who captured the boys 13-14 flight with a 4-under 71-69—140 total, six shots ahead of Iolani freshman Dane Watanabe.
Hilo eighth grader Noah Otani was seventh with a 19 over 84-79—163 total in the seven-player field.
Kanno knows a good golfer when he sees one. He believes Park will add depth to the Warriors, who are the three-time defending BIIF champion and finished fourth at states.
“His game is solid, and he’s still young, too,” Kanno said of Park. “He still has time to grow. He’s going to be a good golfer.”
Kanno could have easily been in another sport, like baseball, where his dad Kirby was a coach. But his pick of sports was confirmed to be the right one when he won the BIIF championship as a freshman.
Park golfed with his dad, Douglas, as a 5-year-old, grew to love the game and has emerged as one to watch. It’s his second HSJGA win this year.
The HSJGA events are not only a preparation for bigger events, but also serve as scouting intel. A lot of the same names will show up for state tournaments. It’s the early beginning of the friendly rival concept.
Hawaii Baptist sophomore Jonathan Chung placed third at 12 over and played in states as a freshman.
“I played with Dane and Jonathan. It was fun,” Park said. “The whole day everything was going well. My driver was putting me into position to score easily.”
It’s more likely than not that a lot of the familiar names will be on the leaderboard at the next HHSAA championships, scheduled for May 5-6 at Wailua Golf Course on Kauai.
Until then Kanno will be gunning for another BIIF title and Park will be making his entry into the league.
“I’m looking forward to playing team golf,” Park said. “I think we’ll do pretty well at states, especially because Isaiah Kanno is a senior.”
• In the boys 7-10 flight, Keaau’s Kahaiolelo Helm took first, Kailua-Kona’s Blake Nakagawa was second and Remi Heimgartner was third.
• In the boys 11-12 flight, Hilo’s Jake Otani was third. Honolulu’s Jackson Ibarra won by one stroke.
• In the girls 13-14 flight, Makua Lani freshman Yoonjeong Huh won with a 3-over 147 total by two strokes. Waikoloa’s Isabella Rodriguez was seventh.
• In the girls 15-18 flight, Waiakea junior Lacey Uchida tied for third at even par 144 and Waiakea junior Kailey Oki was seventh at 7- over 151. Waiakea sophomore Elle Otani was eighth at 8-over 152, and Hilo junior Chanelle Hwang was 10th at 11-over 155.