The University of Hawaii at Hilo’s youth showed Monday during 36 holes of golf.
But while the Lady Vulcans’ score rose at Waikoloa Kings’ Course, one of their rustiest golfers also became one of their steadiest.
Sophomore Alison Tengan carded a 9-over 79 in the afternoon and was seventh at the Dennis Rose Invitational.
Tengan was one of only two Vulcans golfers to improve their score after the morning round, and she did it by avoiding major trouble at the Division II tournament.
The sophomore, who is playing competitive golf for the first time since graduating from Waiakea in 2012, was at 21-over.
Sonoma State’s Haley Whitbeck was 8-over and held a six-stroke lead in the five-team field.
“Everybody else had one bad hole that cost them,” Vulcans coach Jim DeMello said. “But Alison played well.”
Vulcans freshman Andi Igawa was fourth after firing a 77 during the first 18 holes. But the 2014 Waiakea graduate had to take five penalty strokes on the par-4 No. 5 in the afternoon and took a 12 en route to an 87 that left her in a tie for 10th at 24-over.
DeMello has one of his youngest rosters since he took over the program in 2004. For the fourth tournament this fall, he sent out a lineup of five underclassmen.
The Vulcans were at 101-over 661 and in third place behind Sonoma (617) and St. Martin’s (638).
“We played OK in the morning,” DeMello said. “They’re young and don’t understand the game yet. The winds died down in the afternoon, but playing 36 holes is still tough.”
Freshman Erin Costes was tied for 10th at 26-over, sophomore Shannon Abarra was at 36-over, and freshman Mariah Paiste was another shot back.
Hawaii Pacific (665) was fourth and Holy Names (760) was fifth.
Whitbeck had the best round of the day with a 72 in the morning. Sonoma’s Alexis Hayes and St. Martin’s Jennifer Liedes were the closest golfers to Whitbeck.
The tournament wraps up Tuesday, and DeMello said the Vulcans’ mindset would remain the same.
“Hit the ball well off the tee and make greens in regulation,” he said. “We did that at times (Monday).”