Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
HIGHLAND — Kihei Akina is 18 years old and is a top-10 ranked junior golfer in the country.
"Kihei Akina is an amazing athlete," said Patrick Manning, managing partner of Black Desert. "He's a fantastic golfer — one of the best I've seen at his age, ever."
The senior from Lone Peak High will soon get the chance to golf in his first PGA Tour event as one of the participants in the upcoming Black Desert Championship in Ivins, Utah.
"My ultimate goal with golf is to be on the PGA Tour," Akina said. "It's what I've been working for pretty much my whole life. It's honestly just unbelievable that I'm — just to realize that I'll be playing the PGA Tour event. That's kind of why I practice every day; it's what I've been working for.
"To come here at such a young age is special, so I'm excited."
Akina, who comes from a long line of athletes, has longed to attend a PGA Tour event, but his very first one will be the one he gets to participate in as a golfer.
"I really believe that Kihei has ultimated potential," said Manning, who gave Akina an exemption to play in the event. "I think he could be one of the great golfers. I don't want to put too much pressure on him, but I think the sky's the limit for Kihei."
Hear Akina tell his story about how he got started and what it's like to be a top junior golfer in the country in his story above.
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