Waiakea sophomore Trevor Hirata isn’t one to talk a lot after a round of golf, even if he shoots better than everyone else. That’s his style, a quiet confidence that carries over to his game.
Armed with a trusty putter, Hirata carded a 4-over-par 75 to edge freshman teammate Shon Kitahira by a stroke in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation season opener Wednesday at Hilo Municipal Golf Course.
The Warriors won the team title with a 324 total. Kamehameha finished at 326, and Makua Lani was third at 406.
Last season, Hirata often contended but never won a BIIF meet. His closest margin was two shots. He was fifth at the BIIF championships last year, and returns as the highest finisher.
“It feels good, but everybody placed good,” he said. “I was not hitting the ball too good. It was a tough day, but I made a lot of putts.”
He landed on 10 of 18 greens, and went to work from there, turning in three birdies and eight pars against seven bogeys.
Typical of Hirata’s round was the par-4 18th hole, an uphill dogleg right that works best with a cut shot off the tee. He got on the green with a chance to save par with a downhill 15-footer. He dialed in the right read and speed and the ball dropped in.
“My putting saved me,” he said. “The key was patience and hitting the right shots. I think winning the team championship will be tough. Kamehameha has a good team this year. But we can if everybody shoots good.”
Despite a hefty wind that was only benevolent in short spurts, Katahira flashed the game that has made him one of the top golfers in the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association.
“I had a tough time on the front nine. I tried to get started on the back nine, but nothing happened,” he said. “I was even par on the back nine. My putting and chipping were very solid. … The wind was pretty crazy.”
Kamehameha senior Cody Pereira, who played with Hirata and Hilo’s Casey Natatsu (84) in the first group, had an 8-over 79.
“It was pretty difficult with the wind and green conditions,” he said. “The greens were very fast for Muni and the wind felt like it was from Waikoloa Village. It’s the strongest I’ve seen it here.”
Pereira found about half the greens with his driver. He had three birdies and chased lower scores against the wind the rest of the time.
“My driver was pretty straight,” he said. “It was crooked the past couple of months. My goal is I want to place in some meets, and win the individual title as well as the team title.”