College golf: Yamauchi’s disqualification hurts Vulcans

Dalen Yamauchi turned in a 71, and then he turned himself in.

Yamauchi was disqualified during the first round Monday in Bellingham, Wash., and the University of Hawaii at Hilo couldn’t make up much room during an improved second round at the Western Washington Invitational.

Coach Earl Tamiya said Yamauchi self-reported his scorecard error after he recorded a 3 on a hole instead of a 4.

“When Dalen came in after the first round, he noticed he had a 71 on his card,” Tamiya said. “But he shot 72.”

Yamauchi’s DQ cost the Vulcans four strokes. They were in eighth place of 11 teams after 36 holes at 11-over 587.

The Waiakea graduate fired a 69 in the second round and Connor Graves shot a 71, but Tamiya said the Vulcans’ steady 2-over par in the afternoon got his team nowhere.

“Division II golf has changed and it’s tougher,” Tamiya said. “Everyone is getting better.”

British Columbia (23-under) led heading into the final round.

Graves was tied for 22nd at 1-over, while Kyeton Littel struggled with a 77 in the second round and was tied for 39th at 7-over. Nicholas Matsushima was at 8-over, and Jim Coon was another shot back. Golfing unattached, David Tottori (7-over) played better than some of his teammates.

British Columbia’s Evan Holmes led a teammate by a shot, following a 68 with a 66.