HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i men's golf coach Scott Simpson's first signing class resulted in a pair of prep signees – Joshua Hayashida of Mililani, O'ahu and James Whitworth of Carlsbad, Calif.
 
"What a great day for the Rainbow Warrior Golf Team to be adding Joshua Hayashida and James Whitworth to our roster next year," UH head coach Scott Simpson said. "What I really like about both Josh and James is they are great students and have the discipline and desire to continue to improve throughout their college careers. They both love to compete, and have all the intangibles you look for besides the solid swing mechanics. I'm so excited that they have both decided on the University of Hawai'i as the place that gives them the best opportunity to pursue their dreams. Go Bows!"
 
One of the top amateurs in O'ahu, Hayashida won the 2021 Interscholastic League of Honolulu individual title and also helped Hawai'i Baptist Academy capture the team championship. As a freshman, he helped HBA win a state team title and tied for third in the ILH individual championship. In 2021, the Mililani, O'ahu native was named the Hawai'i State Golfer of the Year, Hawai'i State Amateur runner-up and was named to the Governor's Cup team.
 
A Hawai'i junior golfer since age 8, Hayashida won multiple Player of the Year titles in Hawai'i State Junior Golf Association, Junior Golf Association of Hawai'i, O'ahu Junior Golf Association, and U.S. Kids Local Tour. He also qualified and participated multiple years in Junior American Cup, Junior Worlds, Junior Orange Bowl International, U.S. Kids Worlds, and U.S. Teen Worlds. 
 
This past summer, Whitworth finished in fourth place in the American Junior Golf Association event at Copper Valley, which earned him exempt status for 2021 and 2022 AJGA tournaments. He is also fully exempt on the SCPGA Toyota Tour, the top level for junior golf in southern California, and which he has four Top 15 finishes, including a tie for sixth.
 
Whitworth was co-captain of his Pacific Ridge School team in 2021 which captured the Coastal League Championship and place third overall at the CIF San Diego Championship. In 2020, he won four times and was named the North County Junior Golf Association Player of the Year. In 2018, Whitworth was a member of the PGA Junior League National Championship Team, a local all-star team from Encinitas Ranch Golf Course.