Pearl at Kalauao’s new renovations shine bright across four-day elite amateur competition
KALAUAO, O‘AHU – The back-to-back David Ishii Hawaiʻi High School Athletic Association (“HHSAA”) Boys Golf Championships’ reigning individual champion, Tyler Loree, stood strong against stiff competition to win the 2025 Hawai‘i State Amateur Men’s Overall (Open + Mid-Amateur) Division, held June 5–8 at the newly renovated Pearl at Kalauao. Loree edged University of Hawaiʻi men’s golf teammates Anson Cabello, Josh Hayashida and Dane Watanabe to claim a four-shot victory at even par.
By winning the Hawai‘i State Amateur Open Division, Loree secured a coveted spot in the 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship. Loree, a UCLA men’s golf commit and recent Seabury Hall (Maui) graduate, will visit The Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif. for the 125th edition of this USGA championship from Aug. 14-17. The U.S. Amateur includes an elite field of national and international players who advance through state and sectional qualifiers.
In May, Loree concluded his high school prep career as the only boys player in state history to finish in the top three in four consecutive HHSAA Boys Golf Championships. Loree, a three-time Maui Interscholastic League (“MIL”) champion, became the first MIL player to win two state individual titles (2024 and 2025). He also become just the fifth player to defend his individual state title, and the first since 2001 and 2002 (Jarett Hamamoto; Waiakea).
Notably, Loree also played in the PGA TOUR’s 2025 Sony Open in Hawaiʻi.
“Tyler proved that if you manage your game by placing approach shots into the correct areas, you can shoot a good score,” noted Ryan Nagata, PGA Rules and Competitions Director for the Hawai‘i State Golf Association (“HSGA”). “He played away from many of the difficult hole locations. According to his playing partners, he made almost all of his par putts that he needed.”
The 2025 Women’s Open Division winner was Leia Chung. The Wahiawa resident held off Alexa Takai and Kara Kaneshiro in a two-way tie for second place. Chung, a rising Boise State women’s golf team senior, proudly made it to the winner’s circle at Pearl at Kalauao after missing last season with an injury.
Takai, a 15-year-old superstar, was formally named the 2024 HSGA Women’s Player of the Year.
Kaneshiro, a rising junior at Colorado State, was previously the 2024 Mountain West Freshman of the Year.
In the 62nd edition of the Men’s Mid-Amateur, Joe Phengsavath of Honolulu earned a one-stroke victory over Shawn Sakoda. Phengsavath is a multi-time Hawaiʻi State Amateur winner and former national racquetball champion.
“After speaking with players and tournament representatives across the 88-person field, there was a consensus that Pearl at Kalauao is now equipped to consistently host elite competition in the years ahead,” noted Ed Kageyama, a 30-year Class A PGA Professional and General Manager of Pearl at Kalauao. “It has been gratifying for our staff to help our course and community take this next step in hosting high profile golf and lifestyle events.”
As one of the state’s most iconic golf clubs, the former Pearl Country Club (now Pearl at Kalauao) recently underwent stunning transformations to the 18-hole golf course, practice facilities, clubhouse and constructed a new three-hole short course, Nā Momi ‘Ekolu.
“Pearl at Kalauao certainly provided a championship-level test. The consensus was that you can no longer just blast a tee shot and go pin-seeking on the approach. Every shot from tee to green requires attention. You cannot ‘fake it’ or ‘get lucky’ and shoot a good score,” continued Nagata. “With a few minor tweaks to the setup and conditions, we think Pearl at Kalauao will be a great championship host for future events.”
Hawai‘i State Amateur scores can be found here.
To learn more, book tee times, dining reservations, group inquiries and upcoming event information, visit www.pearlatkalauao.com.
Photos courtesy of Pearl at Kalauao.
About Pearl at Kalauao
Pearl at Kalauao, like a precious momi (pearl), is a hidden gem in O‘ahu’s golfing landscape, offering breathtaking views from Pu‘uloa to the Wai‘anae Mountains. Established in 1967 as the Francis H. ‘Ī‘ī Brown Golf and Country Club and later transitioning to Pearl Country Club in 1975, it has long welcomed both kama‘āina and visitors. Today, the course continues its legacy with new enhancements, including upgraded clubhouse amenities and short-game practice facilities. Pearl at Kalauao remains committed to sustainable stewardship of the ‘āina, fostering a connection to the land that benefits both the environment and the wider community. Learn more at www.pearlatkalauao.com.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company providing services at 900-plus locations in 45-plus states and 35-plus countries, including operational responsibility for 575-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages 600-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Peter Burwash International, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design, Casa Verde Golf, ICON Management and Eventive Sports. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
Media Contact:
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
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