Shon Katahira had a full summer schedule before he teed off at the U.S. Junior Amateur qualifier at Turtle Bay’s Palmer Course, but now it’s downright hectic.
The Waiakea senior wouldn’t have it any other way.
Katahira secured a berth in his first United States Golf Association championship Wednesday, finishing with a 1-over 73 to take medalist honors on the North Shore of Oahu.
Only Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth have won multiple titles at the Junior Amateur. Katahira gets his first crack July 18-13 in Ooltewah, Tenn.
“I’m pretty stoked,” Katahira said. “I’ve only heard good things about the tournament.”
He can load up on frequent flier miles in July with stops at juniors worlds in San Diego, the Junior Amateur and the Junior America’s Cup in Mexico, all in a span of three weeks.
“I like to keep pretty busy,” Katahira said.
After shooting 75 on Tuesday, he began the final round tied for third, a stroke behind Zackary Kaneshiro and Justin Ngan, and he called his 73 well-earned. It tied for the best round in the 28-player field.
“The greens were quick and the pin placement was tough,” he said. “I made some key putts and put myself in better positions with ball-striking.”
At 4-over, he finished a shot better than Kaneshiro (74-75), who also qualified.
Katahira sank a 20-foot uphill putt for birdie on the par-4 No. 16 to get to 4-over, and he credited strong driving with helping him make par on Nos. 17 and 18. His 36-hole scorecard at Turtle Bay wasn’t blemished by a double-bogey.
“I want to thank the (Hawaii State Junior Golf Association) and my swing coach, Lee Hardy,” Katahira said.
Dillon Ah Chong of Keaau closed with a 96 to finish at a 24-over.
U.S. Girls Junior
At an 18-hole qualifier Monday at Turtle Bay, Hilo’s Lacey Uchida tied for 23rd with a 94.
Claire Choi and Malia Nam of Oahu were co-medalists after firing 73s, and Oahu’s Mari Nishiura (75) also qualified.
Pearl Invitational
Kamehameha-Hawaii graduate Nainoa Calip closed strong with a 3-under 69 on Saturday to finish fourth in the pro division at Pearl Country Club on Oahu. At 3-under 213, the former UH-Manoa golfer was four shots in back of Jared Sawada and TJ Kua, the co-medalists.
In the championship flight, former UH-Hilo golfers Dalen Yamauchi and Isaac Jaffurs came in at 3-over 219 to tie for fourth.
Symetra Tour
Waiakea graduate Britney Yada missed the cut last weekend at the Island Resort Championship, carding a 71 before slumping to an 80 as the LPGA Tour’s developmental circuit made a stop in Harris, Michigan.
