Spring 2009 - Issue 5

The Silversword: Home > Sports > A Rising Star at Chaminade

A Rising Star at Chaminade

Darren Wong, Staff Writer

Only 22, fifth year senior Layne Morita is already an accomplished athlete with a record of golf tournament successes. Given his proven luck on the links, he may well be headed for a professional career.

What has contributed to Morita’s success is that he practices daily, works on the right things, makes an effort to get his swing flaws fixed, and believes in himself and in God. He also adds that encouragement from his family and friends on a daily basis helps him too.

The Kauai native has been playing golf since the age of 5. As the passion for golf grew, he then started playing every summer. This led to his playing competitive golf at the age of 12.

The two most memorable moments in Morita’s career were finishing as a runner up at the Manoa Cup this past year and the playing for the first time in the United States Public Links in Chicago in 2007.

The Manoa Cup is considered the most prestigious golf tournament in the state of Hawaii and started in the early 1900s. The significance of the U.S. Pubic Links in Chicago allows the winner an exemption into the Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia.

Morita says that his short game — putting and chipping — is his favorite aspect of the game. He notes that if his short game is on, his whole game is on, and that’s where the scoring is.

Morita expects the Chaminade golf team to be more competitive with other schools in the Pac West this season. He also expects the team to have fun and enjoy the experience of being a college golfer.

In addition to the Manoa Cup and Public Links, Morita’s accomplishments include being named Chaminade’s “Male Athlete of the Year” in 2009, finishing first in two NCAA matches with Hawaii Pacific University and Brigham Young University Hawaii, and being named All-Academic Team for the Pac West in 2008.

OK, that’s the background on Layne Morita. Now to the topic everyone has on their mind: What’s in his bag?

• Driver: Callaway FT-9… 8.5 degrees. “I love this driver,” said Morita. “I haven’t found a more solid combination… this will be in the bag for a long time.”

• 3 wood: Taylormade V-steel… 13 degrees. “I had this for six years and haven’t found a replacement yet.”

• Hybrid: Cleveland Hibore 2I. “One of my most forgiving clubs in the bag.”

• Irons: Cleveland L6 red irons (3 to 9 irons). “I live to swing a little smoother with irons and these are a perfect match for me.”

• Pitching wedge: Cleveland L614…. 54,60. “The go-to option from anywhere between 130 and 100 yards.”

• Putter: Odyssey Black series No. 1 insert. “The perfect feel off a putter with excellent balance.”

• Ball: Callaway Tour IX.“I switched from the ProV1x to a ball with a firmer feel and better aerodynamics. The ball goes straighter in crosswinds and have a true feel when chipping and putting.”

• Ball markers: “I will use anything from the plastic ball markers from golf courses to Japanese coins.”