May was a banner month for Maui Country Club’s young athletes. Congratulate them when you see them!

Hazel Peters Wins Drive, Chip & Putt – Takes 1st Overall
On May 27 at the Dunes Maui Lani, 7-year old member Hazel Peters took the top honor in the Girls 7-9 division of the Hawaii State Jr. Golf Association’s “Drive Chip & Putt” competition. Hazel secured her recent win with a great chip shot and two well-placed putts while she “drained” her 6-footer. Congrats to Hazel whose high scores earned her the #1 Overall title in this local qualifier. Next stop, States!

Mom Angie shared, “Hazel has been involved with golf since infancy. We used to tie her car seat into the golf cart while we played golf! We began investing more time into her golf game beginning at age 4 and with more consistency and purpose when she turned 6. Now, Hazel is a member of Maui Junior Golf and the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association (one of their youngest members). She is playing varied formats of competition with peers in her division. We signed her up for the qualifier at the Maui Dunes simply for the continued experience of being involved in golf activities; with hopes for a ribbon or a placement of some sort to keep up her motivation. Now, she’s asking to practice and play golf daily! The family plans to travel to Oahu in July for the next level Drive Chip & Putt at Kapolei; where another win could have her going nationals! Both Paul and I simply want one thing for our daughter: to enjoy and excel in one sport or activity. At this juncture, that just may be golf!”

Mason Huddleston Wins 3.5 Division at the Wailea Open
Congratulations to member Mason Huddleston! At just 11 years old he won the 3.5 Men’s Division Wailea Open over the Memorial Day weekend. Mom Stacia sent this photo with former MCC Coach Cason. According to MCC Tennis Director Dave Mabbut, Mason is part of the Club’s new Junior High-Performance program. Cheers on your Maui win Mason, and good luck in the L3 Junior Sectional Championship.

Ava Shipman Enters Hawaii High School Athletic Hall of Honor
The Maui News reported Seabury Hall senior Ava Shipman was named one of this year’s 12 inductees to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Hall of Honor.

Shipman won four state track and field titles during her high school career — including victories in the 800, 1,500 and 3,000 meters earlier this month on the Big Island that helped Seabury Hall to its second team championship in four years. She was the 1,500 champion in 2015 as well. As a junior, Shipman won every Maui Interscholastic League cross country meet she entered, and she claimed 10 individual MIL track titles in her high school career.

Shipman is the lone inductee from Maui and will receive the honor along with a $2,000 scholarship. A 16-person committee of current and former sports reporters, athletic directors and coaches made the selections. While athletic achievement is the main criterion, the Hall cites “character, sportsmanship, academic record and community service” as considerations as well.

Just this week the Maui News announced that Ava’s triple-gold-medal performance at the State meet that led Seabury Hall to a team championship has earned her another honor: Maui Interscholastic League Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year.