HHIJGA Take Pair of Titles at Kiawah

HHIJGA Students' Top Field at Kiawah Island

Written By: Zach Clabaugh

This past weekend the International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) hosted the Carolina Major Championship at Kiawah Island. Participants played Kiawah Turtle Point in the first round and the world famous Kiawah Ocean Course, host of the 2012 PGA Championship in August, in the final round. The Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy (HHIJGA) had a strong attendance, with 48 academy students filling the 105 participant field. IJGT tournaments are divided into three divisions including Boys 15-19 Division, Boys 14 & Under Division, and a Girls Division; HHIJGA had at least one student finish in top three in all three divisions.

The Boys 15-19 Division was dominated by HHIJGA students, taking first, second, and third. Shosei Inokawa from Atamishi, Japan took home the trophy, his second straight win in IJGT events, finishing first at Savannah Harbor two weeks prior. Inokawa shot solid rounds of 3-over par 75 at Turtle Point and an even par 72 on the difficult Ocean Course, giving him a two day total of 147 and his second IJGT victory.

Finishing second in the 15-19 Boys Division was Ben Dietrich from Conover, North Carolina. Dietrich fired a 4-over par 76 at Turtle Point and an even par 72 at the Ocean Course for a two day total of 148. This was the first event of the Spring for Ben, as he looks to showcase his talents in upcoming events.

Taking third in the 15-19 Boys Division was Saravit Kerdsinchai from Nonthaburi, Thailand posting rounds of 3-over par 75 and 1-over par 73 for a two day total of 148 at Kiawah Turtle Point and Ocean Course. Kerdsinchai has finished in the top 10 in all of his 6 events thus far this season and hopes to continue his success in upcoming events. 

Shogo Ito from Tokyo, Japan took third in the Boys 14 and under Division trophy with rounds of 9-over par 81 and a 12-over par 84 for a two day total of 165. Ito has played in four events events this 2011-2012 and has finished in the top 5 in each event highlighted by a victory in January at the Florida Swing at Innisbrook in Tampa, Florida. 

HHIJGA students had a strong showing in the Girls Division as well, taking the top three spots. Moyu Sasaki from Tokyo, Japan took the hardware by shooting a solid 5-over par 77 and a 2 over par 74 for a two day total of 151. Sasaki was one under going into the final hole of the tournament until a importunate triple bogey to finish her round. Sasaki has played in 9 events this 2011-2012 season with top three finishes in each tournament. Sasaki has four wins, three second place finishes and two third place finishes.

Saya Aono from Yamanashi, Japan also an academy student took home the second place trophy after shooting a 2-over par 74 and a 6-over par 78 for a two day total of 152. Aono has played in all four tournaments that have been played in the south thus far this spring and has placed in the top 3 in every event, including a great win at the Georgia Open at Savannah harbor.

Third place in the Girls Division was won by Ayaka Nakayama from Kanagawa, Japan. Nakayama took the bronze shooting rounds of 7-over par 79 and 3-over par 75 for a two day total of 154. Nakayama has played in 9 tournaments in the 2011-2012 season finishing in the top 3 eight times with 5 total victories. 

This weekend (Feb. 25-26) over 60 HHIJGA students will play in the IJGT Family Weekend at Barony Golf Course on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.