Hilo’s Dysen Park ventured into the back yard of his competitors and beat three of them on their home course at the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association match play championships on Sunday at the Kaanapali-Kai Course on Maui.
Park beat Valley Isle sophomore Ben Cafferio, 7&6, for the championship, meaning the Waiakea junior was seven holes ahead with six holes left to play.
In the semifinals, Park defeated Kamehameha Maui junior Anson Cabello, 5&3, and took out Maui Preparatory Academy junior Dillon Jonke in the quarterfinals in the two-day tournament.
“It felt good,” Park said. “It was a good experience to do something different. In the morning, I played my first match, 16 holes, and in the second match for the championship, I played 13 holes.”
Park played at Kaanapali as a youngster but hardly remembered the Lahaina course, known for its challenging greens and windy weather.
“In my second match play, I hit good shots and my putter was working well,” Park said. “I played there when I was small but don’t remember the place at all. Most of them knew where they had to be to score. Basically, I watched what they did. I played a practice round and knew where to put the ball to get good scores or play more defense.”
Park has played at Waikoloa countless times so he knows how to deal with windy conditions.
“I can shot shape a little bit and hit low as I could,” he said.
As a short-term tourist on the Valley Isle, Park experienced what locals deal with regarding the increase in tourism.
“It was pretty fun,” he said. “But it was pretty crazy to see people coming back to Hawaii. We’d go out and eat and have an hour wait.”
Park is in no hurry to pick a college. His scores highlight a resume that includes a prosperous summer run. In July, Park blew away the field, winning by five strokes, to capture an HSJGA event on Oahu.
“Right now, I’m keeping my options open to see what I can do in a couple of mainland tournaments,” said Park, who would consider UH-Manoa, where old teammate Isaiah Kanno is golfing. “It’s a good school. Isaiah likes it up there. I wouldn’t mind going to that school.”
If Park winds up at Manoa, there’s a bonus, next to playing with Kanno. Scott Simpson, a seven-time winner on the PGA Tour, was named as the new UH coach in June.
Still, the hard work never stops. Park wants to sharpen his short game, the best tool to neutralize errant approach shots.
“I want to put the ball as close to the pin as possible,” he said. “As everyone knows, the closer to the pin, the easier it is to putt.”
