Alex Ching, who leaves for his freshman year at the University of San Diego tomorrow, was good to the last putt yesterday. He closed a spectacular summer of golf by defending his title at the 45th annual Oahu Country Club Men's Invitational.

Ching closed with a 3-under-par 68 to win by four shots over 'Iolani senior David Fink (71). He was five ahead of two-time Manoa Cup champion Travis Toyama (69). The winning score of 9-under 204 is two shots higher than Ching's winning score a year ago at his home course. Parker McLachlin set the tournament record of 201 in 2001.

It was Ching's fifth victory since May. He captured the Hickam Invitational 10 days before winning the state high school championship. He became the 100th Manoa Cup champion a month later and won the Army and OCC Invitationals this month.

"It's been a good summer," Ching said. "I've had fun and I'm really excited."

He is also realistic. His father checked the winning scores at last year's Army Invitational and told his son he would have tied for sixth with this year's score. That gave him a small idea of what is expected in college.

"Every putt is important," Ching said. "You can't have any mistakes the entire three days. I'll be coming back, hopefully, to Leilehua in the spring for the UH tournament. I'll need to make a couple extra putts."

Ching went into the final round with a one-shot advantage over Fink, the opening round leader, and three over Toyama. It stayed that way until their 15th hole (par-5 No. 6). Fink put his second shot out of bounds, which led to bogey. Ching chipped to a foot for birdie to go three up on Fink and four ahead of Toyama.

Ching, who had three birdies on each side, with two bogeys, often practices with Fink at OCC.

"I definitely feel more comfortable here," Ching said. "I've probably seen every blade of grass on the course so I know it well. I still have to look at every putt to see what it's doing because they are all goofy."