IRVINE, Calif. –Hawai'i Pacific University's Keita Okada has been chosen the PacWest Conference Men's Golfer of the Week for the third time this season after his outstanding performance over the last week by the conference office.
 
A sophomore from Tokyo, Japan/Bradenton, Fla. IMG Academy, the defending PacWest Champion Okada had the best score of both the first and sound rounds at the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawk Invitational in Livermore, Calif. to win the individual title with a score of 6-under-par 138.
 
In a field of 88 golfers that included some of the top teams in the NCAA West Region, Okada earned an early lead by shooting a 3-under-par 69 in the first round to finish two shots ahead of everyone else in the field. He did exactly the same in the second round, growing his lead to three shots ahead of second-place Fraser Owenson from Cal State East Bay. Okada's teammate Kelii Kamelamela-Dudoit took third place overall at even-par 144. Okada helped the Sharks take eighth place as a team.
 
It was the second tournament win for Okada this season, who also won the Saint Martin's Invitational in the fall, and his fifth collegiate individual title. The sophomore has finished top four or better in eight of his 11 career collegiate tournaments. He leads the Sharks with a 72.00 stroke average.
 
Joining Okada with conference honors is Anahi Servin of Academy of Art as PacWest Women's Golfer of the Week.
 
The Sharks play again at Cal State East Bay's Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout on Monday and Tuesday at the Corica Park South Course in Alameda, Calif.