HILO — The headline on a recent golf story said that defending Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion Waiakea’s Chad Suzuki was “ready to run roughshod over the competition.”
HILO — The headline on a recent golf story said that defending Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion Waiakea’s Chad Suzuki was “ready to run roughshod over the competition.”
Don’t count Kealakehe’s Steve Kim or Hawaii Prep’s Andrew Paisley among that group.
Kim and Paisley had the hot hands Wednesday, and the Waveriders’ golfer carded a 3-over 75 to win a BIIF regular-season tournament at Hilo Municipal Golf Course.
Paisley (76), a junior, lost to Suzuki in a playoff at the BIIF championships last season, the second straight year he’s finished as league runner-up.
As a motivational tool last week, Ka Makani coach Deighton Emmons said he couldn’t help but present Paisley with the headline touting Suzuki.
“I showed it to him and said, ‘Andrew, what do you think about this?”’ Emmons said. “Actually, Andrew’s always cool about things, he just shrugs things off.”
Paisley’s putter was steady enough to brush off the unfavorable greens conditions that played a hand in the inflated scores at Hilo Muni.
His round included two birdies as he improved on a 79 last week at Waimea Country Club — which looked good enough to win Wednesday until Kim came in with his low round.
Suzuki was paired with Paisley and finished with a 77.
“It’s kind of (motivating), but it’s OK, whatever,” said Paisley, whose score could have gone lower if not for a few putts that lipped out. “It’s fun to be paired with (Chad) because he’s a good player, and it makes you play better. And he’s a cool guy.
“Definitely a high-end round for me recently.”
Waiakea’s Nani Yanagi, the girls’ top finisher, was much less enthused with her round.
Even so, her 80 cleared the rest of the field by five strokes, and she won for the second time in as many events this season despite bogeys on the first two holes and a double-bogey on No. 7.
“Perfect conditions, a little muddy, so the score was disappointing,” Yanagi said. “It was just a very rough day all around for everybody. We were trying to figure out why.”
The senior, who has signed to play at Washington State next season, compared her golf career to a roller coaster.
“I go up and down, and today would be a dip,” she said. “My mental game was not right.”
Still, Yanagi is used to bouncing back.
After winning the league championship as a sophomore, she carded a 10 on No. 15 during a round of 88 at the BIIF championships last season and ended up second, six strokes behind teammate Shaina Mizusawa.
Fearful of losing a scholarship opportunity, Yanagi found her form at the Hawaii High School Athletic Association tournament — finishing seventh overall — as she helped the Warriors accomplish their goal of finishing second behind five-time champion Punahou.
With the Buffanblu having lost many golfers to graduation, however, this year’s goal has changed.
“We’re really focusing on No. 1,” Yanagi said. “We have potential, but I have to improve my game.
“Being on top today doesn’t matter. I try to just focus on my score because states will be another level. I want to make sure my score can compare.”
Waiakea junior Ciera Min, perhaps the most accomplished junior golfer on the island, was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup because of illness.
First year-coach Sandra Goodale expects Mizusawa, a junior, to play her first BIIF tournament in April.
Waiakea’s Andi Igawa, Kamehameha’s Kiana Lumanlan and Hilo’s Amanda Loeffler tied for second at 85, and Megan Kimura gave Waiakea a third golfer in the top five with an 89.
“Andi’s improving and working on her putting and long game,” Goodale said. “Megan’s strength is her consistency.”
Waiakea’s Kris Ishibashi (78) was fourth, while Hilo’s Davin Yagi and HPA’s Jake Siebert carded 79s.