DUPONT, Wash. – Led by juniors Tia Kuali'i and Tori Hironaga, the Hawai'i Hilo women's golf team turned in one of its best performances in as many years with a fourth-place team finish at this weekend's Saint Martin's University Bishop Invitational at The Home Course to open the 2022-23 season.
Kuali'i and Hironaga landed four and six birdies, respectively, for their career-best outings with both finishing tied for ninth place. Kuali'i shot 77 and 78 (+11) while Hironaga recovered from a first-round score of 80 to finish with a 75 on day two (+11).
The Vulcans posted round scores of 311 and 321 (632) to finish at +56 with one spot behind host Saint Martin's (+53) and two placements above Hawai'i Pacific (+62).
It was the first time UH Hilo finished in the upper half of the team standings since tying for first place at the 2015 Dennis Rose Intercollegiate.
Freshman Kiersten Saludares started strong to lead the Vulcans after Friday's round with a 75 score and sixth-overall placement, but she did not compete on day two.
Western Washington's Megan Billeter took the crown with a 73–70 (143) score at -1 to help lead the Vikings to a first-place team finish.
2022 SMU Bishop Invitational Individual
| NAME |
PLACE |
SCORE |
RD SCORES |
NOTES |
| T. Kuali'i |
T-9th |
+11 |
77–78 (155) |
4 Birdies |
| T. Hironaga |
T-9th |
+11 |
80–75 (155) |
6 Birdies |
| K. Oki |
T-26th |
+18 |
79–83 (162) |
4 Birdies |
| E. Otani |
T-36th |
+24 |
83–85 (168) |
1 Birdie |
| K. Saludares |
52nd |
+3 |
75–DNF |
2 Birdies |
2022 SMU Bishop Invitational Team
| SCHOOL |
SCORE |
RD SCORES |
INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENTS |
| 1. Western Washington |
+27 |
310–293 (603) |
1 / T7 / T9 / T9 / T13 |
| 2. Simon Fraser |
+32 |
301–307 (608) |
2 / 3 / T13 / 17 / T26 |
| 3. Saint Martin's |
+53 |
316–313 (629) |
T4 / T15 / T18 / T24 / T38 |
| 4. Hawai'i Hilo |
+56 |
311–321 (632) |
T9 / T9 / T26 / T36 / 52 |
| 5. Victoria |
+61 |
319–318 (637) |
T4 / T15 / 32 / T33 / 40 |
| 6. Hawai'i Pacific |
+62 |
319–319 (638) |
T7 / 23 / T26 / T30 / T33 |
| 7. Northwest Nazarene |
+63 |
313–326 (639) |
T4 / T18 / T26 / T33 / 42 |
| 8. Montana State Billings |
+75 |
331–320 (651) |
T18 / T24 / T30 / T36 / T43 |
| 9. Pacific Lutheran |
+149 |
363–364 (725) |
T43 / 46 / 48 / 49 / 51 |
The Home Course
DuPont, Washington
Par: 72
Avg Score: 81.94
5,852 Yards
