Chasing history is never easy, especially when mighty tradition lives a couple of miles away.
Waiakea has had long periods of Big Island Interscholastic Federation golfing dominance. Kamehameha has never won a BIIF team title.
The blueprint to success is talent and depth. Kamehameha is healthy with the latter, boasting 21 golfers in coach Bob Roman’s program and sprinkled with talent, featuring senior Cody Pereira, sophomore Preston Ching, and senior Healani Kaaihili and junior Shantel Antonio.
Last season at the BIIF championships, Pereira was sixth and Ching was 11th as a freshman. For the girls, Antonio was fifth and Kaaihili was seventh.
“We teach the game to newcomers and refine the skills of the BIIF team members. Most of the competition team members have their own professional swing coaches so I don’t adjust those swings, just the mental games and rules applications,” Roman said. “My primary golf objective is to get as many players as possible to the state tournament.”
It’s a coin flip as to what is the most interesting team title race. Hilo lost three starters, including BIIF runner-up Davin Yagi. Waiakea graduated two starters, including BIIF champ Ciera Min.
“The BIIF will be very competitive this season, both boys and girls,” Roman said. “Our boys look quite strong on paper, but we’ll need to prove ourselves on the tough courses of West Hawaii before making judgment. Co-captain seniors Cody Pereira and Bram Paikuli are BIIF seasoned and have the long games to contribute immensely. Their short games have come a long way also. Long-hitting junior Ahren Ah Chong has improved, too, as has the precision shot-making of sophomore Preston Ching.
“Freshmen Kalai Pomroy and John Andrade work really hard at their games and I feel certain that the results will show early on. Behind those six are senior Mavrick Mahi, and sophomores James Shaw and Kua Manuia.”
Roman hopes hard work can overcome a lack of BIIF competitive depth with the girls team.
“Healani does a great job as team captain and is capable of scoring much better than she did last year. Shantel, knowing that she is relatively new to and still learning the sport, is the hardest working member of our entire program,” Roman said. “Junior Alana Manuia practices with the most focus of any player I worked with in a long time. … I expect her to … improve a minimum of 10 strokes over last season.”