Loree wins Hawai‘i State Amateur, earns spot in US Amateur Championship

Two-time high school state champion Tyler Loree claimed the 2025 Hawai‘i State Amateur Men’s Overall Division title with a four-shot victory at even par, topping a competitive field that included his University of Hawai‘i teammates. The tournament was held June 5–8 at the newly renovated Pearl at Kalauao.

By winning the Hawai‘i State Amateur Open Division, Loree secured a coveted spot in the 2025 US Amateur Championship. Loree will visit The Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif. for the 125th edition of this USGA championship from Aug. 14-17.

A recent Seabury Hall graduate and UCLA golf commit, Loree is the only boys player in HHSAA history to finish in the top three in four consecutive state championships. He also became the first Maui Interscholastic League golfer to win two individual state titles (2024 and 2025), the fifth ever to defend a state title, and the first to do it since 2001 and 2002 (Jarett Hamamoto; Waiākea). 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,” said Ryan Nagata, PGA rules and competitions director for the Hawai‘i State Golf Association. “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.”

In the Women’s Open Division, Wahiawā native Leia Chung returned from injury to capture the title, holding off Alexa Takai and Kara Kaneshiro, who tied for second. Chung is a rising senior at Boise State. Takai, 15, is the 2024 HSGA Women’s Player of the Year, while Kaneshiro, a Colorado State junior, was named 2024 Mountain West Freshman of the Year.

Honolulu’s Joe Phengsavath won the 62nd Men’s Mid-Amateur title by one stroke over Shawn Sakoda. Phengsavath is a former national racquetball champion and a multi-time State Amateur winner.

The tournament marked the first major competition held at Pearl at Kalauao following the course’s extensive renovations. Formerly known as Pearl Country Club, the venue now features a redesigned 18-hole course, upgraded practice facilities, refreshed clubhouse and a newly built three-hole short course called Nā Momi ʻEkolu.

“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,” said Ed Kageyama, a 30-year Class A PGA professional and general manager of Pearl at Kalauao.

Nagata said the newly-refurbished golf course passed a “championship-level” test. “You can no longer just blast a tee shot and go pin-seeking on the approach. Every shot requires attention (…) With a few minor tweaks to the setup and conditions, we think Pearl at Kalauao will be a great championship host for future events.”

Scores and full results can be found here. For tee times, dining reservations or event information, visit pearlatkalauao.com.