(LAHAINA, HI) – Calm winds and rolling greens made for some great scoring opportunities in the first round of the 2021 Ka’anapali Classic – Collegiate Invitational. Hugo Townsend of Boise State fired a 64 (-7), one stroke ahead of Loyola Maryland’s Brandon Berry (-6). Team Boise and Kansas both finished at 268 (-16) today after having solid rounds throughout their team. Team Colorado is three strokes off at 271 (-13).
Men’s Head Golf Coach for Boise State, Dan Potter stated, “We took advantage of great scoring conditions today. With little wind it was easier to get the ball in the right spots and we capitalized with some good putting. Our players love Maui and the golf course, so it was nice to see them get off to a good start.” Boise had four of their five guys even or under par after 18 today.
Hugo Townsend, a senior at Boise State from Sweden made six birdies on the front 9-holes to kick start his round. Townsend had two birdies and only one bogey on the back nine. Townsend is currently ranked 22nd in the PGA Tour of U rankings and was the 2021 Mountain West Men’s Golfer of the Year.
Boise teammate Skyler Eubank who shot 66 today ranks third all-time in Boise’s program history for Top-25 finishes. Eubank commented after the round today, “It’s a treat to be out here in Hawaii and we are grateful for this opportunity. The course is great and the weather is even better. Though we are pleased with the start, we want to build upon this round and put ourselves in a good position heading into Sunday.”
Kansas, whose team is ranked 14th nationally, had four of their five players at -3 or better during today’s round. “We got off to a solid start and then made a couple of double bogeys,” Kansas Men’s Head Golf Coach Jamie Bermel said. “I give the guys credit; they kept fighting and clawing back. Callum had a very good round today. He was under par early and then gave three strokes back, but really had a nice finish to shoot five-under. Harry, Luke and David all had solid rounds as well. We need to do a better job on the par fives the next two days, but it’s a very good start to the tournament.”
Team Colorado who is new to the field this year is in 3rd place after today’s round. Kristoffer Max and teammate Jack Hughes both shot 67 (-4). “Overall, a really nice day by the team,” Colorado’s Head Coach Roy Edwards said. “We had all five guys in the round with everyone under par. We made some history today by throwing out an under-par score - really starting to show the depth of this team. Everyone did some good things and we are in a good spot going into the second round.”
Brandon Berry of Loyola is in second place, posting a 65 today after making the long-haul flight with his teammates from Maryland this week. “I knew that if I hit good drives, I could make some shots with scoring clubs into the par fives. The course set up well for me in that way today.” Team Loyola sits at 273 in 4th place after the first 18 holes at Ka’anapali.
Other notables after 18 holes: CSUN’s Nick Fowlkes shot 66 and is T3; Wyoming’s Bryce Waters shot 67 and is T6 with UConn’s Jared Nelson; Host University Hawaii’s Kanata Irei shot 68 and is T13 with Nevada’s Quim Vidal Mora and University of Denver’s Carson Griggs; Ethan Davidson of Sacramento State shot a 69 and is T22 along with Gonzaga’s Charlie Magruder; United States Air Force’s Cameron Kahle led his team at 74 (+3) today.
For a full list of scores visit the results website.
The seventh annual 54-hole, individual and team stroke-play tournament features the men’s teams from Boise, CSUN, Colorado, Connecticut, Denver, Gonzaga, Hawaii-Manoa (host), Kansas, Loyola Maryland, Nevada, Sacramento State, U.S. Air Force Academy and Wyoming.
Photos and scores posted on Ka’anapali’s Facebook page, Instagram @kaanapaligolf and tagging #KaanapaliClassic21
About Ka’anapali Golf Courses
Built on 300 acres of land once home to Hawaiian royalty, Ka'anapali Golf Courses present golfers with pristine conditions and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and West Maui Mountains.
Opened in 1962 and designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the par-71, 6,700-yard Royal Ka’anapali Course features wide fairways and undulating greens which make it both distinctive and demanding. The tournament-tested layout played host to the Champions Tour Ka’anapali Classic for 14 years, Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf, the Canada Cup and LPGA Kemper Open, welcoming Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, Fred Couples, Jan Stephenson, Betsy King and other legends.
Complementing the Royal Ka’anapali Course is the modernized Ka’anapali Kai Course, which hosted Golf Channel’s “Big Break Ka’anapali” in 2008. Extensively renovated in 2005, the 6,400-yard, par-70 layout boasts an array of strategically placed bunkers, contoured fairways and resurfaced greens.
About Troon
Indigo Golf Partners, a Troon company, manages the Ka’anapali Golf Courses. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf management company providing services at 590-plus locations around the globe, including managing 640-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages 610-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. With properties located in 45-plus states and 30-plus countries, Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Honours Golf, OB Sports, Indigo Golf Partners, CADDIEMASTER, True Club Solutions, Cliff Drysdale Tennis and RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design. For additional news and information, visit the Troon website.