Dalen Yamauchi called it a regular round, yet he produced a result that was matched by just two of his previous college tournaments.
Dalen Yamauchi called it a regular round, yet he produced a result that was matched by just two of his previous college tournaments.
Yamauchi carded a 1-under on Tuesday, sharing medalist honors at the SoCal Intercollegiate in Santee, Calif.
“I just hit the ball in the right place,” said Yamauchi, a Waiakea graduate.
Adam Stone (72) of California State East Bay also finished at 2-over 218 at Carleton Oaks Golf Club.
Yamauchi’s first career victory came in a playoff in November at the Dennis Rose Intercollegiate at the Waikoloa Kings’ Course. He also lost a playoff at the 2013 Pacific West Conference championships.
The SoCal Intercollegiate doesn’t have a playoff, but Yamauchi used two early birdies on Nos. 17 and 18 to get his round going. His said best putt of the round came from approximately 15 feet away on No. 17.
He also birdied No. 9, offsetting two bogeys.
“The spring season has been all right,” the senior said. “I’ve been hitting the ball pretty good. Putting has been coming, so hopefully I can bring a good putter to the rest of the season.”
UH-Hilo has two more tournaments before the PacWest championships, which are April 20-22 in St. George, Utah.
The Vulcans finished in fourth place at 45-over 909. Cal State Monterey Bay took the team title with an 888.
The Vulcans’ James Coon (73) was in 13th place with a 226. Also in the field for UH-Hilo were Kyeton Littel, who closed with a 77 and tied for 16th at 13-0ver; Conner Graves (78) tied for 26th at 18-over; and Nick Matsushima (83) finished at 35-over and in a tie for 37th.
Lady Vuls on Maui
Freshmen Erin Costes (82-88) and Andi Igawa (84-86) were tied for 83rd at the Anuenue Spring Break Classic at Kapalua’s The Bay Course.
Sophomore Mariah Paiste was last among 91 golfers in the Division I field after rounds of 98 and 96.
Heading into the final round Wednesday, Cal Davis’ Andrea Wong (5-under) had a one-shot lead and the Aggies were protecting a five-shot advantage.