Posted with permission, article and pictures, courtesy of Hawaii Pacific University
PUEBLO, Colo. – Hawai’i Pacific University opened play at the 2022 NCAA Division II West/South Central Super Regional on Thursday at the Pueblo Country Club.
Playing as a team in the NCAA postseason for the first time, the Sharks posted a first round 299 to sit in 19th place. HPU is a shot in front of Sonoma State in 20th at 300, and three strokes behind a 15th place tie between Simon Fraser, Cal State East Bay, Western Washington and Chico State at 296.
The Sharks were paced on the day by sophomore Keita Okada of Tokyo, Japan/Bradenton, Fla. IMG Academy who looped the par 71, 6,522-yard PCC championship course in 2-over-par 73. Okada recorded four bogeys to go with two birdies in the round, including a bogey on the par 4, 410-yard 18th.
Junior Keli’i Kamelamela-Dudoit, of Ho’olehua, Hawai’i/Kamehameha-Kapalama, and freshman Grant Garrison of Lake Tapps, Wash./Sumner carded 4-over 75 for the Sharks. Senior Ray Kim of Aiea, Hawai’i/Moanalua adding a 5-over 76 and senior Ryan Torres, from San Jose, Calif./Evergreen Valley posted a 6-over 77 in the first round.
Stanislaus State leads after the opening round with a team score of 5-under 279, with Saint Mary’s (Texas) two back in second at 3-under 281, and Colorado Mesa in third at 2-under 282.
Liam Allder of Cal State Monterey Bay fired a 6-under 65 to top the individual leaderboard, a stroke ahead of a second place tie between Ryan Dixon of Saint Mary’s and Michael Jura III of Stan State at 5-under 66. Jamie Roberts of host Colorado State-Pueblo is fourth at 4-under 67.
The Sharks take the course in the second round with the last groups of the day on Friday, once again playing with West Texas A&M and individuals. The groups start off the first tee at 8:30 a.m. HST (12:30 p.m. MDT) at Pueblo Country Club.
