The public is invited to view the competition when the 2014 John A. Burns Intercollegiate golf tournament begins at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Wailua Golf Course. Hosted by the University of Hawaii men’s golf program, the tournament was founded
The public is invited to view the competition when the 2014 John A. Burns Intercollegiate golf tournament begins at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Wailua Golf Course.
Hosted by the University of Hawaii men’s golf program, the tournament was founded on Kauai but hasn’t been played here for at least 30 years, said Lenny Rapozo, the director of the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation.
It’s typically played on Oahu, but it is making its homecoming.
“We are very proud to bring this tournament back after 30 years and look forward to providing these collegiate athletes with an unforgettable competitive experience,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. “It’s great to have both the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and the University of Hawaii Hilo men’s teams participating.”
Among the golfers, Pono Tokioka, a graduate of Kauai High School, will be with the Hawaii men’s team who will tee off at the Wailua Golf Course — the home of three United States Golf Association National Public Links Championships and Top 10 all-time rating by Golf Digest as one of the best courses in the state of Hawaii.
“Wailua Golf Course is a jewel among municipal courses, nationwide,” Carvalho said. “Kudos to Lenny Rapozo and the Department of Parks and Recreation for their efforts to bring the John A. Burns tournament home at last.”
Ronn Miyashiro, the University of Hawaii men’s golf coach, invites people to enjoy the tournament with the participating collegiate teams.
“The mayor of the County of Kauai and his staff were the very ones who personally invited us to be there,” Miyashiro said in a letter. “That just goes to show you their excitement.”
A total of 18 teams from different colleges and universities have been invited to participate in the tournament which will feature 54-hole stroke play, with the low four scores counted each round for the team total. Team and individual ties will be broken by sudden death playoff. USGA rules will govern play.
Following the practice round Tuesday, competition starts from Wednesday and runs through Friday with the first groups teeing off at 7:30 a.m. each day. An awards ceremony with presentations to the top two teams, and top three individuals will follow play Friday at the golf course.
Joining the University of Hawaii and UH-Hilo, invited schools include the University of Arizona, the University of Virginia, the University of New Mexico, the University of Nevada, A&M University, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Washington State University, Long Beach State University, Brigham Young University, University of the Pacific, University of Texas-El Paso, the University of California, Fresno State University, Colorado State University, New Mexico State University and St. Mary’s College.
Overlapping with the tournament, the county has announced a free golf clinic for junior golfers and youth who are interested in getting into the game of golf from 3 to 4 p.m. Feb. 19-20 at the course.
Some of the collegiate players and their coaches will share their experiences of competing at the college level and discuss what young people can do to increase their chances of playing college-level golf as well as provide pointers on the game of golf.
Registration for the free golf clinics are being taken at the Wailua Golf Course by calling 241-6666.
