For the second consecutive round, afternoon wind presented challenges at the NCAA Division II golf championships.
As coach Earl Tamiya watched the University of Hawaii at Hilo struggle Tuesday, he hoped for even windier conditions today.
Junior Dalen Yamauchi had the only steady hand for the Vulcans, who fell to 13th after slumping to a 24-over 308 in Allendale, Mich., and were 11 strokes out of eighth place.
“We just played bad,” Tamiya said. “One of our worst rounds of the year.”
He did see a silver lining, however, heading into today’s round, in which eight teams will advance.
UH-Hilo is set to tee off in the morning — as it did during a 303 that left it eighth Monday — and Tamiya said conditions have been calmer before noon since the team arrived in Michigan.
“Hopefully that works for us,” Tamiya said.
Yamauchi, a Waiakea High graduate, fired a 1-over 72 and was in a tie for 15th at 148. Tamiya said Yamauchi found the water on one hole and took a double-bogey, but he quickly recovered with a birdie.
“An up and down round, but he held it together,” Tamiya said.
On a day when only 10 players in the field shot par or better, the rest of the Vulcans couldn’t quite say the same.
Senior Corey Kozuma turned in a 77 and was in a tie for 42nd at 11-over, while senior Chris Shimomura (80) was at 155 in a tie for 63rd.
Scores at The Meadows Golf Club soared on the back nine, and Christian Agosto’s round was a perfect example. The Vulcans senior made the turn at 2-under, but five bogeys and two double bogeys left him with a 79. He was 14-over.
“Some of them went from good to bad to worse,” Tamiya said.
After opening with an 82, sophomore Keyton Littel carded an 81 and once again didn’t count toward the team score.
Nova Southeastern (582) led the field, seven shots ahead of Chico State.