It was starting off as a bad day at the end of a very bad week for Tami Park.

Then with the swing of her new golf club — the source for much of her despair — Park's outlook changed.

"I was shooting so bad already and I just teed up my ball and I hit it and it went in the hole," the Waiakea High junior said. "My coach was watching us, and I just turned to him and my mouth was open. I was shocked."

Park was one of eight Waiakea High golfers whose clubs were stolen during a trip to O'ahu in March. Ten golf bags in all, filled with clubs — worth about $1,500 per bag — belonging to parents and members of the team were taken while the team was having dinner at Chili's Grill & Bar in Waikele.

The team traveled to O'ahu to practice at Turtle Bay Resort Golf Club, the site of the David S. Ishii Foundation/HHSAA Girls State Championships that begin today at 7:30 a.m. Waiakea is the defending champion.

Police investigated the theft, but Waiakea athletic director Ken Yamase said Friday that none of the clubs or bags were recovered. Meanwhile, donations from the community helped the golfers purchase new clubs.

Park's hole-in-one, on the eighth hole during a practice round at the Hilo Municipal Golf Course, came at the perfect time for someone trying to break in a new set of clubs.

"I was really sad that day, because that was the first time we played (a round since the theft)," Park said.

"In most ways, I'm really sad I lost my clubs," she added. "But it's good to know I can still shoot the same with new clubs."

PULLING TOGETHER

While Park's shot was a catharsis for her, other team members have been trying to heal in other ways, including hitting the links.

Senior co-captain Nicole Aoki said the team "just stuck together and encouraged each other."

Coach Ken Watanabe said the girls "rebounded very well. It took a few weeks for them to get over the initial shock, because they felt violated.

"They kind of pulled everything together and worked a little harder. The two seniors were instrumental because they had to set the pace for the rest of the team. Once they started working harder, it started trickling down to the other girls."

Although their bags were not stolen, Aoki and teammate Jasmine Ching were at the forefront of the Warriors' recovery — starting with a team meeting.

"I would say we're closer now," Park said. "During that night (the bags were stolen) we had to really comfort each other. It was hard for us. It really showed the connection between everyone and how being there for everyone is very important."

Watanabe expected eight golfers to qualify for the state tournament, and nine did, "so that was a plus," he said.

In the Big Island Interscholastic Federation, Waiakea players took the top six spots. Aoki was the medalist with 244, followed by Ching at 249, Britney Yada and Valerie Kitamori at 251, Park at 253 and Summer Mizusawa at 255.

PRACTICING HARDER

Going into the BIIF tournament, the players were concerned if they'd have enough time to adjust to the new clubs.

Aoki said "in a way it benefitted us because it forced us to practice harder."

Ching, a co-captain, said the extra time at the course helped the team grow closer.

"Our spirits are definitely higher," she said. "It was a hit to our hearts. But now that time has passed, it's almost healed us. Almost."

Aoki said the team adopted the mantra "don't let it bother you too much, do the best you can, make the most of what you have."

HELPING OUT

Ching said the players are more cautious now, and learned that people are capable of bad and good things.

"A lot of people have been helping us out, so it's good to know people are out there who want to help in a situation like this," she said.

Said Aoki: "It makes us feel special because you don't realize how much people care about you and want to help you until something like this happens."

Watanabe expressed his gratitude to the those who rallied around the team, and that their generosity and support helped his players heal.

"It instilled the values that not everyone is going to do bad things," he said. "You will have some good things in life to experience, it's what balances life. It's a good learning experience, although we wouldn't wish that upon anyone."

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.