The Kaua‘i Collegiate Cup will tee off at the Wailua Golf Course on March 13 and 14 and the public is invited to view the competition for free. Western Kentucky University, the host school of the popular event since its
The Kaua‘i Collegiate Cup will tee off at the Wailua Golf Course on March 13 and 14 and the public is invited to view the competition for free.
Western Kentucky University, the host school of the popular event since its inception in 2000, will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of the collegiate cup when it tees off the 54-hole event, states a WKU release.
“Hilltopper golf is very pleased to return to Kaua‘i this spring as we celebrate our 10th year as host of the Kaua‘i Collegiate Cup,” said Brian Tirpak, coach of the WKU golf team. “It is again a pleasure to help our friends on the Garden Isle share that famous ‘Aloha Spirit’ with our guest teams this spring.”
Prior to the start of the Kaua‘i Collegiate Cup, Tirpak and selected coaches and student-athletes will conduct a Junior Golf Clinic starting at 5:30 p.m. March 11 at the Wailua Golf Course.
Former Hilltopper Robby Shaw, currently one of the stars on “Big Break X Michigan” on The Golf Channel, will be a guest at this clinic.
Shaw was the medalist during the 2005 Kaua‘i Collegiate Cup where he finished the 54 holes in a tournament record 12-under par 204 strokes, including firing an eight-under 64 in the final round.
Following the clinic, a “College Workshop” will be held in the clubhouse. The workshop is free and open to all island families. Tips on how to successfully transition to college life and to college athletics will be offered with emphasis on golf.
The Kaua‘i Collegiate Cup tees off from 7:30 a.m. March 13 for 36 holes. The final 18 holes will be played March 14.
Twelve teams from eight states will be participating in the 2009 event. These include Brigham Young-Hawai‘i, East Tennessee State, Georgia Southern, Hawai‘i Pacific University, Jackson State, Lipscomb, North Dakota State, Sam Houston State, South Carolina Upstate, Walters State, Wayland Baptist, and the host WKU Hilltoppers.
Of the dozen teams playing in the 10th anniversary of the Kaua‘i Collegiate Cup, six are returning teams: BYU-Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Pacific University, Lipscomb, North Dakota State, Walters State and WKU.
The 2009 field will feature eight NCAA Division I schools, two NCAA-II schools, an NAIA school and a strong junior college team.
Lipscomb finished sixth in last year’s Cup with WKU ending eighth and Hawai‘i Pacific at 11th place.
Neil Horsley, a WKU sophomore, is the top returnee from last year’s competition where he rebounded from a first round 78 to card a 73 on the second round, improving to an even par 72 in the final round to complete at 223, good enough for a tie for 12th place.
“To celebrate the 10th anniversary of our partnership with the people of Kaua‘i, the 2009 tournament will again feature some of the nation’s best college golfers and golf teams on the outstanding, tradition-rich Wailua golf course — a great setting for a great weekend of tremendous college golf,” Turpak said.
Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
