2011 Maui Masters Recap

Akiyama's Hole in One was highlight of 2011 Maui Masters

Kapalua, HI - The Bay Course, at the Kapalua Golf Resort, played host to the 2011 Maui Masters. The weather took on a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde persona as day 1 saw stormy conditions with heavy rain, and day 2 saw beautiful sunny skies. Most of the TOUR players were not able to take advantage of the course during the first round, but many of them were able to bounce back with better conditions in the second round. In the end, the most memorable shot was Daron Akiyama's 6-iron on the par-3 3rd. And as most of the players who congregated at the 19th hole to celebrate would tell you... Grey Goose never tasted so good!!!

Championship Flight - Returning to defend his title, Jimmy Kawaihalau didn't disappoint by posting the two lowest scores of the tournament. Most impressive was his consistency in stormy conditions as he played 28 out 36 holes in even par or better. Jimmy Kawaihalau posted a two day total of 152 to take the Championship Flight and defend his Maui Masters title.

Palmer Flight - Ed Aguilar, who hails from Kihei, HI, managed to win his first competitive event in dramatic fashion. Ed led after the first round posting a 78, along with Casey Kimura, from Kaneohe,HI, and Jim Mansell, from Kailua, HI. Making a late charge in the second round was Dennis Harrison, from Waipahu, HI, posting a 77 to pull into a tie for first after 36 holes with Ed Aguilar. It only took one playoff hole for Ed to claim his 1st career win on Tour. Dennis Harrison played well but faltered on the first playoff hole to finish in 2nd place with a two day total of 157. Jim Mansell, after beginning round 2 in a tie for first, stumbled on the front nine and wasn't able to recover. Jim rounded out the top 3 with a two day total of 159.

Hogan Flight - Andy Sulzer, from Kaimuki, HI, capped off another great win on Tour with a spectacular comeback in the second round. Timo Driedger, from Kamuela, Hi, posted a first round 81 and led by one stroke over Chris Fujiwara and Steven Broner after day 1. Going into the final round, both Timo and Chris struggled to manage the course well, as both of their scores dramatically increased in the second round. Andy Sulzer was alone in 3rd at the start of the second round, but quickly leapfrogged everyone after shooting a 2-over 37 on the front nine. Andy managed to hold on to his lead on the closing holes to take home his 2nd win on Tour this season with a two day total 167. Both Timo Driedger and Chris Fujiwara finished in a tie for 2nd with a two day total of 169.

Senior Hogan Flight - In the most closely contested flight of the Maui Masters, Bernie Lam Ho, from Makakilo, HI, managed to secure not only another win on Tour this season, but he also secured his spot in the Senior National Championships in September. After round 1, Bernie held a very slim lead after posting a great round of 80. Tama Taulau and Randy Teixeira were nipping at Bernie's heels with first round scores of 81 and 82 respectively. In the second round, Bernie was just two steady as he posted another round of 80 to beat Tama Taulau by 1 stroke with a two day total of 160. This was Bernie's 3rd win on Tour this year, thus automatically qualifying him for the Senior National Championships in September. Tama Taulau, of Pearl City, HI, finished in 2nd with a two day total of 161. Rounding out the top 3 was Craig Gallagher, from Honolulu, HI, who posted a two day total 165.

Sarazen Flight - Claiming his 1st win on Tour this year was Rey Garo, from Aiea, HI. In another closely contested flight, Rey Garo came on strong in the final round, posting a two day total of 172, to win the Sarazen flight at the 2011 Maui Masters. Michael Atwood, from Haiku, HI, led the tournament for 15 of 18 the holes in round 1 before playing the last 3 holes in 10-over par. However, Mike rebounded from the disastrous finish in round 1, to post an 85 on day 2 and finish in second place with a two day total 176. Joshua Poirier, from Honolulu, HI, who led with Rey Garo at 87 after the first round, stumbled heavily on the front nine of the second round to finish in 3rd with a two day total 180.

Jones Flight - Daniel Chong, from Kaneohe, HI, got his 2nd win on Tour this season with a dramatic wire to wire victory. Daniel started out strong with a birdie on the very first hole of competition and never looked back. He was able to back up his first round 90 with an outstanding display of driving and iron play on his way to an amazing second round 82. Daniel finished with a two day total of 172, which was a full 7 shots clear of the rest of the field. David Tilley, of Ewa Beach, HI, trailed Daniel by 1 stroke after day 1, but wasn't able to chase him down. David finished in 2nd place with at two day total 179. Josh Shelley, who hails from Kihei, HI, played very consistently on both days, posting two consecutive rounds of 92, to finish alone in 3rd with a two day total 184.

The 2011 Maui Masters was threatened by rain throughout day 1, but ended up being a huge success with better weather on the final day of competition. I would like to personally congratulate Daron Akiyama for making the 1st Hole in One on the Hawaii Tour! The Hawaii Tour would like to thank all of the participants for making this event so special. The Hawaii Tour would also like to thank the Kapalua Golf Resort and the Bay Course staff for providing us with a great venue to compete at.

Next up, the Hawaii Tour returns to the Ko'Olina Golf Course for the 2011 Ko'Olina Championship on Saturday, July 9. Congratulatios to all of the winners of the 2011 Maui Masters and a big thank you to all the Tour players that competed in the event! We'll see you all at Ko'Olina!!!