The University of San Diego finished with a 22-under par 842 over three days to capture the 2010 Kaua‘i Collegiate Invitational golf tournament at the Puakea Golf Course, Tuesday. Playing in swirling winds that buffeted the state, Gunner Wiebe pocketed
The University of San Diego finished with a 22-under par 842 over three days to capture the 2010 Kaua‘i Collegiate Invitational golf tournament at the Puakea Golf Course, Tuesday.
Playing in swirling winds that buffeted the state, Gunner Wiebe pocketed three birdies to finish his final round 1-under par 71 for a three-day total of 208 to top the individual standings.
That 208 put Wiebe three strokes ahead of teammate Manav Shah who finished with a three-day 211.
San Diego topped the team totals and finished 21 strokes ahead of second place finisher British Columbia University’s 1-under par 863.
T.J. Kua, a Kaua‘i native, posted a final-round 70 to lead the Hawai‘i-Black team with a three-day total of 212, a tie for third place.
This was Kua’s best showing since the tournament started, tying for 15th in 2008, improving to fifth in 2009, and now in a tie for third place, a career-best.
The Hawai‘i-Black team, carding a season-low 283, Monday, finished with a three-day total of 876, its best finish since the 2007 Western Athletic Conference Championships where the team finished second.
Henry Park, a sophomore, helped lead the Hawai‘i-Black to its season-low 283, Monday when he topped the field with a five-under par 67. He finished the final round with a 4-over par 76 to finish in ninth place.
Cory Oride, another Kaua‘i native, finished with a final-round 76 to end with a 229.
Wiebe, a senior at San Diego this year, told Melissa Ludwig, the Regional Marketing Manager of Kukuiolono and Puakea golf courses, that he would like to play on the Tour following his graduation.
“My strategy this week was to hit as many greens as possible,” Wiebe said. “I wanted to do well to be able to help my team. Playing well individually is great, but really, it’s all about the team — that’s why I love playing at the college level — to be able to play with these guys as a team is great.”
Wiebe, who opened the tournament with a 6-under 66, stuck to his goal, finishing with 1-under par 71s on Monday and Tuesday.
“The course was in great shape for this tournament,” Wiebe said. “This is my second year at this event, and being able to play in Hawai‘i is pretty special.”
Four of the five players from San Diege shot under par in the final round and finished in the top seven for the three-day event.
“I’m really proud of these guys,” said San Diego coach Tim Mickelson. “They worked really hard this week and held it together, even in the windy conditions, today.”
As part of the event, Hawai‘i and Puakea Golf Course teamed up for a College-Am, Saturday featuring two college players and two amateurs.
“This is a great chance for our residents to be able to play with some of the best college players across the globe,” said Dave Werner, the Puakea Golf Course general manager.
During the Saturday event, Werner presented a $5,000 check to Hawai‘i coach Ronn Miyashiro, noting that the contribution was giving back to the team.
Miyashiro said he was thankful to Puakea for bringing an international collegiate invitational to the island and the team loves to host the event and are looking forward to next year.
