The course is familiar and so is much of the competition at the HHSAA girls golf tournament for Waiakea freshmen Kaley Saludares, Kaelyn Uchida and Anne Nakamoto.
They grew up playing against much of the field in junior tournaments, and even if they’ve never rubbed elbows with Mariel Galdiano, they know all about her exploits – most golfers in Hawaii have.
Back in 2011, Galdiano, then 12, became the third-youngest person to qualify for a U.S. Women’s Open. In her first two years at Punahou, she blitzed courses on Oahu and Maui in winning HHSAA titles.
States returns to the Big Island for the first time since 2011 with 18 holes Monday and Tuesday at Waikoloa Kings’ Resort.
“After Hilo (Municipal), this is our home course,” Waiakea coach Sandra Goodale said. “We’re used to dealing with the conditions. In Hilo, it’s the rain. At Waikoloa, it’s the wind.
“You just have to manage the course to the best of you abilities.”
In the 21-year history of the girls tournament, Galdiano owns the two best scores, carding a 137 at Kaanapali in 2013 and 138 in 2014 at Turtle Bay. She edged teammate Aiko Leong by two shots last year as the Buffanblu won the title for the seventh time in eight years.
The Warriors are often among the top public schools at states, posting a lengthy string of top-three finishes until Hilo grabbed the BIIF title last season.
Saludares, Uchida and Nakamoto helped Waiakea regain the title this season, and Saludares pocketed a three-shot victory at BIIF last Tuesday at Hokulia. Shaye Nishimura and Keely Kitamura will also participate for Waiakea
“I told the team not underestimate themselves,” Goodale said. “It’s golf; anything can happen. If we play our game, we can give the leaders a good run.”
Of the 66 players in the field, 10 are from the BIIF, including Hilo’s Chelsea Ward, Juby Aipoalani and Sunny Sakai and Kamehameha’s Shantel Antonio and Alana Manuia.
Antonio, the BIIF runner-up, shot a 168 at states last year.