Alex Ching made the most of his one shot at the David S. Ishii Foundation/HHSAA Boys Golf Championship yesterday, firing a final-round 74 to earn medalist honors and help the Buffanblu win their first boys title since 1997.

It concluded a remarkable high school career, and semester, for Ching. He took third in doubles at last week's state tennis championship — after winning it the previous two years — and collected his fourth team title. This was his first year playing high school golf and, despite the complications and distractions, he won going away yesterday at Wailua Golf Course on Kaua'i.

"It was fun, a great season," Ching said. "My teammates were fantastic. They were all cheering for others and not just themselves. The coaches (Casey Nakama and Del-Marc Fujita) were amazing, super nice and trying their hardest. They were hilarious and still kept it all under control.

"I kinda regret not playing the last three years, but I'm not sad I made the decision to play tennis because I love tennis."

Ching, who went into the final round in a three-way tie for the lead, won by three shots with a 36-hole total of 1-over-par 145.

Teammates John David Nako (74), also a senior, and sophomore Bradley Shigezawa (75) shared second with Baldwin sophomore Justin Keiley (77). All three finished at 148.

It was close at the turn, with Ching needing 19 putts on the front, where he was 2-over. But he hit to a foot on the 11th for his first birdie, two-putted the 13th for another, and sank a 10-footer for his third at No. 16. Those proved to be the difference.

In difficult Kona-wind conditions, Punahou was just one shot higher than Tuesday and won the title by 33 shots with a total of 589. The Buffanblu had four players medal as junior Colton Knedler shot the day's low round (72) to pull into a share of 11th.

A year ago, Punahou came up three shots short to Kamehameha. After grabbing a 15-shot lead the first day, the Buffanblu never blinked this time.

"I just told them don't worry about any other team," Nakama said. "Take care of what we have to do and fix our mistakes. If we do that we should be OK."

Baldwin (310—622) finished second and 'Iolani (325—634) third. Kamehameha (324), Kaua'i (323) and Waiakea (314) tied for fourth at 635.