Maekawa, 17, shot a three-under round of 31-38—69 Saturday, starting on No. 10.  In Sunday’s closing round and starting on No. 1 in the shotgun format, Maekawa survived a triple bogey on the 610-yard par-5 tenth hole and a three-put bogey on the par-5 thirteenth to finish with a four over 76 for the day, one over for the tournament.

His front nine 31 Saturday is a Makalei course record on the opening side, announced Director of Golf Kevin Ginoza.  Par at Makalei is 35-37—72 with the course featuring three par-5s on the back.

“It feels good,” Maekawa said.  “Makalei is a challenging course. You have to hit it straight.  Your par-three game has to be there.”

Amazingly, Maekawa admitted to having played Makalei only once previously—and that was this past Tuesday in a practice round.

Runner-up in the Championship Flight was David Masterson of Kailua-Kona at 79-77—156.  Third place went to Hilo’s Kuakini Baltero who shot 84-78—162.

Former PGA Tour player Casey Martin, now in his first year as head coach of the Oregon Ducks men’s golf team, actively recruited Maekawa, according to Monica Maekawa, Sean’s mother. His mother and his father, Schoen, walked the entire length of the 7,000-plus yard Makalei layout both days of the tournament.  The course has a 900-foot elevation change from its No. 1 tee to its No. 10 tee, ranging from 1,950 feet to 2,850,feet respectively.

Flight A champion is Daniel Wilson of Hilo, a junior at Kamehameha-Hawaii, who shot 79-80—159.  Nainoa Calip finished second and Kurt Kawachi third.

B Flight champion is Tom Phillips of Honolulu. Phillips shot net rounds of 63-73—136.  Runner-up is Bill Mitchell with Gordon Naehu third.

C Flight champion, via means of a tie-breaker with Lyle Kanoa,  is Paul Carr of Kailua-Kona with a net total of 70-71—141.  Third place goes to Lance Okamura.

The MAC attracted 110 entries in four different flights.  The two-day individual stroke play event was blessed with perfect weather and finished Sunday with play under nearly cloudless blue skies.  Some 30 contestants flew in from Oahu to compete in the two-day event which also featured a Saturday Nite Luau, which attracted over 200 people, at the Royal Kona Resort.  Joe Mackee and his band headlined the event which, like the golf tournament itself, benefited the FRIENDS of the Children’s Justice Center of West Hawaii along with the Kona Junior Golf Association.

The Makalei Amateur Championships in 2007 at the Makalei Golf Club, again on Veterans Day weekend, November 10-11.

"We are thrilled to have had such a promising young player win our 1st Annual Makalei Amateur Championships, " said Makalei Director of Golf, Kevin Ginoza.  "Sean played great golf to win the overall championship, and we thank everyone who participated in the tournament.  Most of all, Makalei is pleased to benefit our partner charity, FRIENDS of the Children's Justice Center of West Hawaii, and also to benefit the Kona Junior Golf Association."

RESULTS -- FINAL ROUND

Championship Flight -- 145  Sean Maekawa,  156  David Masterson,   162  Kuakini Baltero

A Flight -- 159  Daniel Wilson,  166   Nainoa Calip, 169  Kurt Kawachi

B Flight (net) – 136 Tom Phillips, 142 William Mitchell, 145 Gordon Naehu

C Flight (net) -- 141 Paul Carr (won tie-breaker), 141 Lyle Kanoa, 147 Lance Okamura