The Intermediate Boys Golf Team made history winning the ILH Championship after experiencing a victorious season.

“When we won I was very happy and proud of my team making it through the season and being able to come out on top,” said 7th grader Jackson Ibarra.

This is Mid-Pacific’s first time ever winning the ILH Championship in the Intermediate Boys Golf. 

In the last game of the season, the boys were tied with `Iolani with a total of 41 points. They eventually went on to defeat Iolani in the 2nd hole of sudden death, which is five extra holes used as a tiebreaker.

“It was surprising because our opponents were really good, and they had won the previous time so we were really thrilled,” said 7th grader Dylan Hey. 

Winning did not come easy as the team faced a few obstacles on the green. 

“Most of the team was not used to playing at Bayview Golf Course and Hawaii Kai Par 3 Golf Course, where the intermediate tournaments were held,” said Coach Todd Kobatake. 

By practicing at those courses more frequently during the season, the players were able to overcome the challenge of playing in a different environment. 

The team consisted of two 8th graders, Mackenzie Lovett, Ryan Fisher, and five 7th graders, Jackson Ibarra, Reyn Aoki, Dylan Hey, Ehukai Sugai, and Reyn Yokoi.

“I had some ups and downs in terms of how well I did and I think that what motivated me to keep on going was to do it for my team,” said Ibarra. 

The group’s teamwork and dedication to one another proved unbreakable as the rest of the team stayed for hours to watch Ibarra and Hey participate in the sudden death round, said Kobatake. 

Playing golf is known as an individual sport, yet the boys relied on each other as they competed.

“Having friends on the team, going to practices, and hanging out (made the season enjoyable),” said Hey.