LIHU‘E — University of Hawai‘i golfer T.J. Kua, whose home is just a stone’s throw from the Puakea Golf Course, is tied for the lead with a five-under par 67 following the first round of the Kaua‘i Collegiate Invitational on
LIHU‘E — University of Hawai‘i golfer T.J. Kua, whose home is just a stone’s throw from the Puakea Golf Course, is tied for the lead with a five-under par 67 following the first round of the Kaua‘i Collegiate Invitational on Monday.
Playing at the Puakea Golf Course, the University of Hawai‘i men’s golf team is hosting its first tournament of the season, the 2nd annual Kaua‘i Collegiate Invitational, through Wednesday.
Boris Stantchey of Loyola Marymount University is tied with Kua at 67 followed by three golfers at 68, Ben Murray of the University of San Diego, Derek Cheney of Gonzaga University and individualist Joseph Harrison.
Murray was one of four San Diego golfers to post under par scores in the opening round to take the team lead at 276.
James Madison University, led by Michael Meisenzahl’s opening round 69, had three players in under-par performances for second place with a team total 286.
The University of Hawai‘i, with Jared Sawada posting a 70 for the second-highest team performance, is tied for third with Loyola Marymount University at 289.
Corey Oride, a walk-on freshman to the Hawai‘i golf team after graduating from Kaua‘i High School, posted an opening round 77.
Players in the 10-team field teed off starting at 8 a.m. under relatively calm winds and sunny conditions, said Paul Ito of the Puakea Golf Course.
“They start this morning with an 8 a.m. tee time and the final group should be on the field around 9:30 a.m.,” Ito said, noting golfers tee off from the first and 10th tee. “There are two more days of competition and it’s still anybody’s ball game for both the individual and team honors.”
The public is invited to view the competition from around the par 72, 6,954 yards, golf course. There is no admission charge.
The three-day tournament consists of 54 holes, 18 holes played each day, states a Hawai‘i release.
The tournament field includes Hawai‘i, Gonzaga, James Madison, Loyola Marymount, Sacramento State, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Utah and Weber State.
During the inaugural Kaua‘i Collegiate Invitational, Hawai‘i finished in 12th place with an 870 (295-288-287) total. Kua, the reigning Manoa Cup Champion, was the top finisher for Hawai‘i, tying for 15th at four-under par (71-70-71-212). Sawada, posting the second highest UH score Monday, tied for 47th last year.
San Diego is the defending champion, winning last year’s tournament team title with a three-round score of 39-under 825 (286-267-272).
