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Ricky Castillo was in second grade when his father, Mark, took the family on vacation to Hawaii.
For the Castillos, the trip had a special meaning.
Mark Castillo (pronounced Ca-still-eo) was about Ricky’s age when he lived briefly in Kauai after his parents, Orlino and Lydia, returned to the island from Southern California to stay with Lydia’s mother in the town of Hanamaulu, near Lihue Airport. On the west side of Kauai is Kaumakani, where both Orlino and Lydia worked on sugar cane plantations with their families after emigrating from the Philippines after World War II.
For Mark and his wife Kim, both teachers, it was a chance for their three children – Derek, the eldest; Ricky, the middle child; and Kelli, the youngest and only girl – to experience their hard-line roots.
“I just remember being grateful just to see the houses that my grandparents lived in,” Ricky recalls. “They were worn out. … It was not the most glorious life. It was a bit dirty and old, but they did it and worked hard for us to get to where we are today.”
Added tag ua The New York Times 2020 article: “I wanted our children to see the plantation before they tore down the houses. I wanted them to understand that the people who came before us worked very hard for you to have what you have.”
Ricky Castillo, now 23, is back in Hawaii for the first time since that family vacation at this week’s Sony Open on Oahu, the island east of westernmost Kauai. This isn’t Castillo’s first Tour start — the former All-American and University of Florida Walker Cupper played in the 2020 U.S. Open and last season’s Valspar Championship — but it’s his debut as a full member after graduating from the Korn Ferry Tour last year.
Ricky credits much of his success in golf to Lydia, who was a constant presence at junior boys golf tournaments. When Mark and Kim needed help financing an expensive national schedule, Lydia would handle the bill. She would also pick up the kids from school most days and drop the boys off at the golf course to practice until their parents got off work.
Lydia Castillo passed away in 2014 at the age of 71, when Ricky was in high school.
“She was super, super influential in my life,” Ricky said. “You know, sad that she’s not around and can’t be here to watch this. I’m happy that my first start will be here in Hawaii and feel like a part of her is always with me.”
It usually is. When Ricky was 5 years old, Lydia once brought a puka necklace from Hawaii. Although the necklace has been changed many times over the years, Ricky has not taken off the regimental shells. It became his trademark.
“Sometimes I get a reaction to it,” Ricky said, “but I love wearing it, and it’s great that I always feel like she’s here.”
Mark and the family planned to fly out Wednesday morning from Yorba Linda to Honolulu’s Waialae Country Club, where they will be reunited with Ricky and Derek, who jumped on his brother’s bag last July, and some relatives still living in Hawaii, including one of Ricky’s uncles.
“There’s a bakery that’s really close to his place, and I ask him to bring some ensaymades,” Ricky said, referring to the popular Filipino pastry.
Even more to feel at home.
