The Turtle Bay State Open will be held Dec. 16-18 at Turtle Bay Resort on O`ahu, with open flight, senior pro and amateur flight, women’s pro and amateur flight, and men’s A flight.
Last year Tadd Fujikawa shot 12-under-par, 68-65-71—204, to win by one stroke over Ben Sauls from Scottsdale, Ariz., who carded 69-69-67—205. Tony Finau, who represents Turtle Bay Resort when he competes, shot 70-67-69—206 to claim third place in 2010.
Sam Cyr, who grew up on Maui and went to college in California, shot 8-under 69-67-72—208 to tie for fourth place with Big Island amateur Sean Maekawa, who claimed low-amateur honors with his 70-69-69—208 showing over the 54 holes of play. Nick Mason, who graduated from Leilehua High School on O`ahu and from the University of Hawaii-Hilo, where he was a member of the Vulcans men’s golf team, finished in sixth place in last year’s State Open with a 7-under-par 71-70-68—209 and earned $2,250.
Dean Wilson, from Kaneohe, plays on the PGA Tour and has won the State Open in the past. Last year he finished in seventh place with a 5-under-par 71-73-67—211, good enough for $2,000. Andy Connell from Denver shot four-under-par 70-67-75—212 last year to claim eighth place, while Eric Dugas, who has been winning most Hawaii events this year, finished ninth in last year’s State Open by shooting 2-under-par 70-71-73—214.
In addition to Maekawa, Alex Chiarella from Maui was second-low amateur last year, carding a one-under-par 72-71-72—215, while Zak Griffiths and David Fink tied for third place with even-par 216 totals. Rayray Gorman (225) took A Flight last year, and Eric Sonnenberg shot two-over-par 73-68-77—218 to defeat Phil Anamizu (226) for the senior-amateur crown. Gary Kong and Maui’s Clive Kegel (via South Africa) tied for third in the senior-amateur division with 228 totals last year.
In the senior professional division, Pearl Country Club’s David Ishii picked up his $5,500 annuity check when he again won the over-50 competition with a 10-under-par 68-66-72—206, three strokes better than Casey Nakama in second place, who shot seven-under-par 67-69-73—209 and pocketed a check for $2,750.Lance Suzuki (212) was third, followed by Dave Eichelberger and Colorado’s Rick DeWit tied at 213, Lance Taketa (214), Leland Lindsay (216) and Kirk Nelson (217).
Who will win in 2011? Should Fujikawa return from his play in the eGolf Tour, he will be a contender, as will Ben Sauls, Tony Finau, Sam Cyr and Dean Wilson, who all carded at least one 67 last year, showing they have the capability to score low.
David Ishii should win the senior-pro division again; however, I would like to see Leland Lindsay play to his potential and challenge Ishii’s claim to the crown.
– Norm Guenther