Congratulations go out to Moanalua’s Kimi Koga. The sophomore recently won the girls 13-14 age-group division at the Callaway Junior World Golf Championships held in July. The victory adds to her resume of golf successes in 2010 which includes a first-place finish at the Oahu Interscholastic Association Championships in April.

Koga carded an even-par 216 for three rounds of golf at the tournament held in San Diego at the Sycuan Resort’s Oak Glen Course. Koga led at the end of the opening round with a 2-under par 70 and never looked back in being triumphant against a field of competitors from around the world.

The OIA champion carded a 2-over par 74 in the second round and a 72 even par in the final round to hold off the challenge of Princess Mary Superal, nipping the Philippines native by one stroke.

During the OIA tourney, Koga entered the final round of the 36-hole tourney trailing by two strokes. Koga continued to trail until the final three holes when she mounted her comeback with an impressive finish to capture the individual crown. Her two-day total of 151 was one stroke better than runner-up Maryssa Shigesato of Mililani. Koga also won the regular season OIA tourney at Makaha East on March 17.

In describing her golf game, Koga said at the OIA event that she “hopes to gradually get better and better by constantly practicing” with the ultimate goal of winning a state title before she graduates. “I try to play golf as much as I can and it helps me to focus on putting shots into the hole at the back nine.”