Aiea’s Ali‘i Golf Team Trio Excels On And Off The Course

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For all their solid play on the course, the members of the Aiea girls golf team are even better off of it, in Na Ali’i coach Mark Shimabukuro’s view.

“They’re excellent individuals and students,” he said. “That makes coaching them enjoyable.”

The team, which consists of sophomore Natasha Fong and juniors Katrina Higa and Michaela Mendiola, was to take part in the second round of the Oahu Interscholastic Association Championships Monday on the Leilehua Golf Course, hoping to qualify for the David Ishii Foundation State Championships next week on the Big Island’s Waikoloa King Course. The top 25 finishers in the OIA qualify for the state championships, with one’s standing based on totals from no less than four tournaments.

Higa and Fong were both rated among the league’s top 10 heading into the weekend, so each figures to qualify easily.

Shimabukuro also was hopeful that Mendiola could make the state tournament. She had entered the second round of the OIA championships on Monday right around the cut-off, ranking 26th overall.

What has made the trio a unique team is diverse talent, said the coach. Fong plays two sports in the same season, splitting her time between basketball and golf. She also played volleyball and soccer for Aiea during their respective seasons.

“The games don’t conflict, but sometimes the practice schedules collide and she’s not able to be with us,” he said of Fong, who shot a two-day total of 188 in last year’s state championships. “But we always know that she’s going (to practice) on her own.

“She’s a very athletic (golf) player,” he added.“With her skills, she hits the ball long and, like the other two, she’s very coachable, which is what we like best about her.”

Higa qualified for states in both her freshman and sophomore years, tallying a two-day total of 179 in last year’s tourney. She recently carded an 85 to place first, individually, at an OIA tournament at Makaha featuring teams from the West.

“Her mental approach to the game is one of her strengths,” Shimabukuro said. “She doesn’t let things bother her. She knows what she can do, and she goes about her business.”

Mendiola “started playing later than Katrina and Natasha,” he noted.“Like the other two, she has a really good attitude, and she’s always trying to improve herself. She’s coachable, and she’s a very smart girl. She was selected from a large group of applicants to go and study in Vietnam this summer on a scholarship (program).”

Shimabukuro cited “being able to adjust to the course” as a key factor on how well Na Ali’i will do next week in the state tournament. As in past years, they will play a practice round on the Waikoloa course Monday, shortly after they arrive on the Big Island. The tournament begins Tuesday and continues Wednesday.

“Familiarity with the course makes a big difference,” he said. “The main objective of Monday is to familiarize themselves with the distances and features of the course. Being able to be flexible, and the ability to adapt are important in the state tournament.”

“The key (to performing well) in a state tournament is to stay within one’s self,” he added, “knowing what you can do, and not getting caught up in it (being an important event).”

Shimabukuro credited Aiea’s golf staff, which also includes head boys coach Buzz Vasper and his assistant Bruce Naluai, in addition to his own assistant Tyler Imig, as having been “vital to getting our team to where it is.”

“We have a great staff,” he added.