Local Qualifier Sends Arakaki and Downie to U.S. Four Ball

Anson Arakaki of Keaʻau and Shaun Downie of Hilo earned qualification for the 11th U.S. Amateur Four Ball after a six under par total of 66 at the qualifying round held December 22 at Wailuā Golf Course in Līhuʻe. The pair finished one stroke ahead of Colorado residents Hunter Swanson and Maxwell Lange, who will serve as first alternates, while Hawaiʻi residents Matthew Ma of Pearl City and Casey Watabu of Līhuʻe are listed as second alternates.

The qualifying round took place on the 18 hole, par 72, 6,962 yard municipal course designed by Toyo Shirai. Wailuā has been recognized by Golf Digest among Hawaiʻi s best 15 golf courses and ranked by The Golf Channel as Hawaiʻi s number 3 course. Calm and sunny conditions greeted competitors as teams vied for one of the slots that advance to the championship proper.

Arakaki and Downie will return for a second straight appearance at the U.S. Amateur Four Ball championship scheduled for May 16 through May 20, 2026, at Desert Mountain Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. The championship field will include 128 teams and will be contested at a private community that offers multiple Jack Nicklaus Signature Courses. Four Ball, also known as Best Ball or Better Ball, is played by duos where each golfer plays their own ball and the team score on each hole is the lower of the two individual scores.

For Kauai County the event brought national competitive golf to a public course, highlighting the role of municipal assets in supporting high level amateur competition and local player development. The presence of local residents among the qualifying teams, including a Līhuʻe native as an alternate, signals opportunities for local golfers to compete on larger stages and for the county to leverage these events for community engagement and tourism exposure.

Municipal ownership of Wailuā means county decision makers will continue to face choices about investment, upkeep, and programming that affect both competitive play and everyday community access. The back to back qualification by Arakaki and Downie will keep Kauai s name in national amateur golf circles as preparations begin for the May championship.