The University of Hawai‘i men’s golf team will return to the Puakea Golf Course in Lihu‘e for its fourth consecutive year starting Sunday. The Hawai‘i team will host the Kaua‘i Collegiate Invitational from Oct. 30 through Nov. 1 and will
The University of Hawai‘i men’s golf team will return to the Puakea Golf Course in Lihu‘e for its fourth consecutive year starting Sunday.
The Hawai‘i team will host the Kaua‘i Collegiate Invitational from Oct. 30 through Nov. 1 and will include three-time defending champion San Diego, Utah Valley State, College of Charleston, Seattle University and North Dakota State.
Hawai‘i will field both a “Black” and “Green” team for the tournament, states a release from the UH Athletic Department.
Teams will play a total of 54 holes, 18 holes each day, on the par-72 course measuring at 6,954 yards.
During the 2010 tournament, Hawai‘i finished third in the 10-team field following rounds of 299, 283, and 294, its best finish since the 2007 Western Athletic Conference Championships.
San Diego commanded the tournament with a 54-hole 842 team total, 21 strokes ahead of the next finisher, led by Gunner Wiebe, capturing the top individualist honor with an 8-Under par 208 following 54 holes.
T.J. Kua, carding some of his best career performances in the tournament, will return to his hometown for the tournament. During his freshman year, Kua tied for 15th with a 4-under 212, following that with a fifth finish in 2009 with a 7-under par 209. The 209 is the best 54-hole score of his career and included a first-round 67 which is tied for the lowest round of his career.
Kua finished tied for third, his best finish as a collegiate player, with a 4-under 212.
Other notables on the Hawai‘i team include sophomore Henry Park of the Big Island who carded his career-best tournament last season, finishing ninth with a 3-over par 219, including a second-round 67.
Freshmen Nainoa Calip of the Big Island and Tommy Yamashita of Honolulu had respectable finishes, tying for 14th and 16th places, respectively.
There is no charge to view the competition and the public is invited to watch at the Puakea Golf Course.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
