Madisyn Paras captures girls’ division title by one shot in tournament’s second year
KALAUAO, O‘ahu – In the second annual American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Imperial Hawai‘i Junior Classic at Pearl at Kalauao, Nakul Shrivastava from San Ramon, Calif., rallied from a two-shot deficit to capture the boys’ division title, and Madisyn Paras of Chula Vista, Calif. claimed the girls’ division title by one stroke.
Nakul Shrivastava is all smiles after the 2026 Imperial Hawai‘i Junior Classic at Pearl at Kalauao trophy presentation. (Photo: Andrew Lee, Pearl at Kalauao)
The three-day tournament, held Oct. 10-12, featured 78 junior golfers from the continental United States and abroad, including 16 players from Hawai‘i – nine boys and seven girls. The tournament was hosted in partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Golf Association.
Shrivastava, a class of 2028 high school graduate and UCLA commit, carded rounds of 70-71-72 to finish at 3-under-par (213), edging Wick Baker and Hudson Odom, who tied for second at 2-under (214).
Wick Baker is dialed into his approach shot on Pearl at Kalauao’s first hole during the final round of the 2026 Imperial Hawai‘i Junior Classic at Pearl at Kalauao. (Photo: Andrew Lee, Pearl at Kalauao)
Shrivastava entered the final round trailing Anthony Kaixian Fang, who held a two-stroke lead at 5-under par after 36 holes. The victory capped an incredibly strong summer for Shrivastava, who recorded two top-five finishes in his previous three starts: a tie for fifth at the AJGA Junior at Copper Valley on July 7 and a tie for fourth at the CBD Golf Club Junior Championship on Aug. 3.
Anthony Kaixian Fang observes his bunker shot on Pearl at Kalauao’s 11th hole during the final round of the 2026 Imperial Hawai‘i Junior Classic at Pearl at Kalauao. (Photo: Andrew Lee, Pearl at Kalauao)
Odom, a member of the 2027 graduating class, has verbally committed to Trevecca Nazarene University.
Hudson Odom tees off on Pearl at Kalauao’s 11th hole during the final round of the 2026 Imperial Hawai‘i Junior Classic at Pearl at Kalauao. (Photo: Andrew Lee, Pearl at Kalauao)
“Following the success of last year’s first-ever AJGA tournament in Hawai‘i, we knew that year two would be even better,” said Tim Jackman, the AJGA’s vice president of communications. “With full support from local and national partners, the Imperial Hawai‘i Junior Classic at Pearl at Kalauao again delivered a positive experience for players, families and the Hawai‘i sports community.”
L-R: Megan Rodrigues, Alice Okuri, Madisyn Paras, Nakul Shrivastava and Wick Baker pose with their respective trophies from the 2026 Imperial Hawai‘i Junior Classic at Pearl at Kalauao. (Photo: Andrew Lee, Pearl at Kalauao)
“This win means everything to me. It was super special to be in Hawai‘i while playing golf, and that’s a really big part of this week that I’ll never forget,” said 2026 boys’ division winner, Nakul Shrivastava. “The golf course was in amazing shape and the greens were super challenging. I think that’s why Pearl is such a great place for this event.”
In the girls’ division, Paras, a left-handed sophomore in the 2029 graduating class, secured her first AJGA title with a one-stroke victory after rounds of 72-73-72. Alice Okuri of San Diego, who is originally from Japan, and Megan Rodrigues of Cypress, Texas, tied for second at 2-over par.
Madisyn Paras watches her approach shot on Pearl at Kalauao’s eighth hole during the final round of the 2026 Imperial Hawai‘i Junior Classic at Pearl at Kalauao. (Photo: Andrew Lee, Pearl at Kalauao)
Paras tied for fifth in last year’s AJGA Open at Morongo, adding another strong finish to her growing amateur golf résumé.
Alice Okuri tees off on Pearl at Kalauao’s first hole during the final round of the 2026 Imperial Hawai‘i Junior Classic at Pearl at Kalauao. (Photo: Andrew Lee, Pearl at Kalauao)
Following a successful inaugural event in 2025 which generated an estimated $400,000 in local economic impact, the Imperial Hawai‘i Junior Classic at Pearl at Kalauao was extended for two years, keeping the tournament on the AJGA schedule through 2027. The event continues to bring top junior golf talent to O‘ahu while showcasing Hawai‘i as a destination for competitive golf.
The 2026 event was open to junior golfers ages 12 to 19. Entry was earned through performance-based exemptions, qualifiers and AJGA events.
L-R: Madisyn Paras and Nakul Shrivastava pose with their respective trophies from the 2026 Imperial Hawai‘i Junior Classic at Pearl at Kalauao. (Photo: Andrew Lee, Pearl at Kalauao)
“I’ve always wanted to visit Hawai‘i. Winning here makes this week extra special,” said 2026 girls’ division winner, Madisyn Paras. “The golf course was challenging. Very hilly and lots of wind. The greens are Bermuda grass, which is different from where I grew up in California. I’ve never played a course like Pearl. It was difficult for me, but I’m proud to have gotten the job done!”
Final Results: Leaderboard
Dates: Saturday, Oct. 10 through Monday, Oct. 12
Venue: Pearl at Kalauao
Location: Kalauao, O‘ahu
Yardage (Par): Boys 6,818 (72); Girls 5,910 (72)
Format: Three days; 18 holes each day; stroke play
Website: Imperial Hawai‘i Junior Classic at Pearl at Kalauao
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
Pearl at Kalauao is managed by Indigo Sports, a Troon company. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company, providing services at locations in 45-plus states and 40-plus countries. In addition to private, daily fee, resort and municipal golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. 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 & Design and RF DesignStudio, ICON Management and Eventive Sports. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
Media Contact:
Ed Kageyama
(808) 487-2460
ekageyama@pearlatkalauao.com
