Moanalua has ranked among the state’s top boys golf programs for the past five years and appears to be poised for another run at the title in the spring.
Na Menehune sophomore Kyosuke Hara won the Mayor’s Cup on Sunday at Ala Wai Golf Course with a two-round total of 3-under-par 137. A regular in the junior golf circuit, Hara began playing in Hawaii State Golf Association events at age 11 and picked up his first win this weekend. He reached the semifinals of the Manoa Cup in June before falling to eventual champion Jared Sawada.
“Confidence-wise it boosts me up,” Hara said. “I’ve been wanting one for a long time.”
Of course, “a long time” is a relative term considering he’s still 14.
Hara closed his freshman season at Moanalua by placing 10th in the David S. Ishii Foundation/HHSAA Boys Golf Championship in May, and Na Menehune finished second behind Punahou in the team standings.
Along with Hara, Na Menehune are expected to return senior John Oda, who won the 2012 individual title while leading Moanalua to its first team crown and finished second last season. Moanalua has won the past seven OIA titles and finished no lower than third in the state tournament since 2009.
Oda, Hara and Shawn Lu all ranked in the top 10 in Governor’s Cup points entering this week’s play, and Hara’s win should boost him in the standings. Oda didn’t enter the Mayor’s Cup.
Points are tallied over 14 HSGA events and the top 12 qualify to play for the amateur team in the Governor John A. Burns Challenge Cup. They also have a chance to play their way into the Sony Open in Hawaii in a one-day qualifier at Waialae Country Club in December.
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