KIHEI, Maui — Leo Saito, a 12-year-old from Hilo, won the boys 11-12 flight of the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association’s (HSJGA) First Tee Hawaii Tour Championship on Sunday at the Wailea Emerald Golf Course.
A total of 50 junior golfers from across the state teed up in the event.
This tournament field consisted of 2023’s top players in each age group — based on the HSJGA points system.
Saito carded 69 on round one and 73 on round two, grossing 142 (two under). He notched a total of eight birdies — two on day one and six on day two — 22 pars and seven bogies.
Saito led his field by 12 strokes, as runner-up Carson Kage of Aiea carded 80 and 74 to gross 154 (ten over).
The Big Island’s two other representatives both played in the boys 15-18 field — Noah Otani of Waiakea High and Noah Izawa Okazaki of Kealakehe High/Kailua-Kona.
Okazaki placed No. 6, nine strokes behind No. 1 Ben Cafferio (even at 144 total), of Wailuku.
Otani finished No. 10, carding 76 and 82 for 158 (14 over).