2011 Kapolei Championship Recap!

Stormy Conditions Defined 2011 Kapolei Championship

Kapolei, HI – Golf Channel Am Tour Hawaii wrapped up the 2011 Kapolei Championship on Saturday at the Kapolei Golf Course. Passing thunderstorms and flash flood rain threatened the event all week long leading up to Saturday morning. With cool, overcast conditions and 15-25 mph wind, the first pairing stepped up to the tee. Most of the players were able to finish the front nine before the heavens opened up and brought a steady, constant rain. Even with questionable weather the players finished strong forcing a sudden-death playoff in both the Senior Hogan and the Jones

Palmer Flight: In the Palmer Flight Casey Kimura fired the low round of the day to the take his place in the winner’s circle on Saturday.  Kimura, who hails from Kaneohe, HI, trailed by 1-stroke at the turn but made a critical birdie on 17 to pull into a tie for first and eventually won by two strokes at 6-over par 78. Jim Mansell, from Kailua, HI, played well all day but made a double bogey on final hole to finished in 2nd place at 8-over par 80 and Darryl Wassum, of Ewa Beach, HI, finished in solo 3rd place with a 13-over par 85 to round out the top 3.

Hogan Flight: Greg Duldulao of Pearl City, HI struggled on the front nine but managed to get a stroke back on the par-5 7th to make the turn only trailing by 1 stroke. Undaunted, Duldulao took advantage when the leader stumbled on the back nine and eventually won by 1-stroke with a 9-over 81. Andy Sulzer of Kaimuki, HI played with great consistency on the front nine, but couldn't overcome a couple key mistakes on the back nine. Sulzer's bogey on the final hole would be the stroke that cost him the trophy. Andy Sulzer finished in 2nd place with a 10-over par 82. Daron Akiyama and Steven Broner, finished in a tie for 3rd with a pair of 13-over par 85's, to round out the top 3 of the Hogan Flight.

Sr. Hogan Flight: Bernie Lam Ho of Makakilo, HI won his 2nd tournament of the year in dramatic fashion. Lam Ho played good all round, but struggled coming in finishing bogey, bouble bogey to fall back into a three-way tie for first at 9-over 81. Newcomer Greg Hall and tour veteran Tama Taulau both shot lights out on the back nine to catch Lam Ho in the clubhouse. With rain pouring down around them, the trio headed to the first playoff hole where eventually Bernie Lam Ho would take the victory with a 2-putt par. Greg Hall had a very strong showing in his first event playing the last 11 holes in 2-over par. As always, Tama Taulau applied the pressure when he eagled the 14th hole and followed that up with the lone birdie on the difficult par-3 16th. Both Hall and Taulau finished tied for 2nd in the Hogan Flight, with Craig Gallagher finishing in 4th, just missing out on the playoff by 1 stroke.

Sarazen Flight: Mike Myers of Honolulu, HI continued his dominance of the Sarazen Flight to claim his second win of the 2011 Season and solidify his position at the top of the Callaway Order of Merit points race. Myers had a great front nine shooting a 3-over 39 and managed to hold on just enough as the weather took a turn for the worst on the back nine. He fired a 14-over 86 to win the Sarazen flight by 2 strokes. Rey Garo tried to put a run together on the back nine to challenge Myers, but wasn't able to overcome the weather. Garo finished in tie for 2nd with Martin Sprague, both shooting identical 16-over par 88's, to round out the top 3.

Jones Flight: William Brown of Waianae, HI needed to play 2 extra holes in sudden death to secure his 2nd win of the 2011 season. Both William Brown and Kyle Paishon matched each other shot for shot, but Brown's triple bogey on the final hole allowed Paishon to catch Brown in the clubhouse, with both competitors posting a 16-over par 88. After tieing each other on the first playoff hole, Brown played the second playoff hole beautifully. Always the gentleman, Paishon applauded Brown for his accomplishment amidst the rain. Daniel Chong of Kaneohe, HI rounded out the top 3 with a 22-over 94.