Caleb Ito finds gold at Wailua Challenge

WAILUA — Caleb Ito of Lawai was consistent over 36 holes to take the all-Kauai Boys 13-14 Flight at the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association/First Tee Hawaii Wailua Challenge that wrapped up on Saturday at the Wailua Golf Course.

Ito, firing a 3-over 75 on the first day, and a 4-over 76 on the final round, finished with a two-day 151 to soar to the top of the five-player flight.

Runner-up Shane Murphy of Koloa carded a two-day 166, four strokes ahead of third place finisher Ayven Labuguen of Kapaa who posted a 170.

Royal Ridings of Lihue settled at fourth on the leaderboard a stroke behind Labuguen, and Kai Taylor of Lihue rounded out the leaderboard at 179.

The first Wailua Challenge featured 38 junior golfers from across the state teeing off in five divisions, including three boys divisions.

The tournament also awards points for the HSJGA-FTH Player of the Year, and the season race to the coveted HSJGA Championship that will play on Kauai by invitation only to the top finishers on the HSJGA Points List in December.

Carter Crouse of Aiea, Oahu took the Boys 11-12 Flight with a one-under two-day 143. Roux Ridings of Lihue finished fourth in the flight at 171.

Mathias Mafi of Honolulu finished 1-over 145 to take the Boys 15-18 Flight five strokes ahead of Lakota Lee of Kihei, Maui who posted a 150 in the 12-player flight.

Kauai golfers participating in the flight included Logan Laymon of Kapaa who finished eighth on a two-day 165, and Jayvin Raquel of Anahola who settled at ninth place with a 171.

Carter Parmelee of Lihue finished 10th in the flight with a two-day 175, followed a stroke back by Stirling McLoughlin of Koloa who posted a 176. Renyn Lee of Kapaa rounded out the flight leaderboard with a two-day 178.

Madison Sur of Honolulu took the Girls 11-12 Flight on a two-day 148, two strokes better than Lucy Cui of Honolulu who posted a 150. There were no Kauai girls participating in the flight.

Lauryn Lee of Kapaa posted a two-day 172 to finish fourth in the Girls 13-14 Flight that was won by Makena Yonemura of Waipahu, Oahu, who finished with a 1-under 145.

Samantha Monroe of Honolulu finished with a 2-under 144 to take the Girls 15-18 Flight. There were no Kauai girls participating in the seven-player flight.
Source: The Garden Island