22nd ANNUAL AMER ARI KICKS OFF AT WAIKOLOA BEACH RESORT
Venerable Kings’ Course Hosts One of Collegiate Golf’s
Most Prestigious Events at Waikoloa Beach Resort
WAIKOLOA, KOHALA COAST, HAWAII—Play began in the 22nd Annual Amer Ari tournament at Waikoloa Beach Resort on Wed., Feb. 1, on the Big Island of Hawaii, with the University of Texas Longhorns, the No. 1-ranked team in the country, in the lead by 5 strokes after the first day of play with a score of 270.
UCLA and the University of Washington were tied for second at 275, with the University of Southern California in fourth place at 276.
Low score of the day was 66, recorded by three players: Pontus Widegren (UCLA), Patrick Grimes (Stanford, in individual play) and Cheng-Tsung Pan (Washington). A rare double-eagle was recorded by Jonny Baxter (UC Davis) on the 513-yard, par-five 4th hole.
“The playing conditions were ideal today, and Texas took full advantage,” said Kevin Ginoza, Head Golf Professional at Waikoloa Beach Resort. Temperatures hovered around 78 degrees and light tradewinds were recorded at 10 MPH.
A total of 20 teams are participating in the Amer Ari in 2012, including eight of the top 15 ranked teams in the U.S.
“The Amer Ari at Waikoloa Beach Resort is one of the most important collegiate tournaments of the year,” says Earl Tamiya, Men’s Head Golf Coach at the University of Hawaii-Hilo, which is the tournament host. “Past winners have gone on to realize great success on the professional tours and in golf. We are proud to have it played on the Big Island!”
Past medalists in the tourney include some of today’s best-known PGA Tour stars, including Notah Begay (Stanford, 1994), Matt Kuchar (Georgia Tech, 1999 and 2000) and Anthony Kim (Oklahoma, 2004).
All rounds are being played on the renowned Tom Weiskopf-designed Kings’ Course.
For complete team and individual results please visit www.golfstat.com.
WEDNESDAY, DAY 1 Results – Team
| 1 | Texas | 270 |
| T2 | UCLA | 275 |
| T2 | Washington | 275 |
| 4 | SouthernCal | 276 |
| 5 | Georgia Tech | 278 |
| 6 | Stanford | 282 |
| 7 | Oregon | 284 |
| T8 | OklahomaState | 285 |
| T8 | TexasTech | 285 |
| T8 | San Francisco | 285 |
| 11 | ArizonaState | 286 |
| 12 | OsakaGakuin | 288 |
| 13 | ChicoState | 289 |
| T14 | TCU | 291 |
| T14 | Colorado | 291 |
| T14 | OregonState | 291 |
| T17 | Hawaii | 293 |
| T17 | San JoseState | 293 |
| 19 | Hawaii-Hilo | 294 |
| 20 | UC Davis | 299 |
DAY 1 Results (top 10) – Individual
| T1 | Patrick Grimes | Stanford | 66 |
| T1 | Cheng-Tsung Pan | Washington | 66 |
| T1 | PontusWidegren | UCLA | 66 |
| T4 | Rak Cho | Oregon | 67 |
| T4 | Dylan Frittelli | Texas | 67 |
| T4 | Cody Gribble | Texas | 67 |
| T4 | Toni Hakula | Texas | 67 |
| T4 | Matt Hovan | San JoseState | 67 |
| T4 | Jeffery Kang | Southern Cal | 67 |
| T4 | Patrick Rodgers | Stanford | 67 |
Amer Ari at Waikoloa Beach Resort Tournament Schedule
| 1st Round | Feb. 1 | Wednesday |
| 2nd Round | Feb. 2 | Thursday |
| Final Round | Feb. 3 | Friday |
All rounds will be played at the Kings’ Course starting at 7 am.
Tournament History
| Year & Team | Individual Medalist | |
| 1991 OklahomaState | Craig Hainline,OklahomaState | |
| 1992 UNLV | Alan Bratton,OkalahomaState | |
| 1993 Arkansas | ToddDempsey,ArizonaState | |
| 1994 ArizonaState | Notah Begay, Stanford | |
| 1995 OklahomaState | Chris Hanell,ArizonaState | |
| 1996 OklahomaState | Jim Skinner, SMU | |
| 1997 UNLV | Bill Lunde, UNLV | |
| 1998 UNLV | James Watt, Nevada-Reno | |
| 1999 Georgia Tech | MattKuchar,GeorgiaTech | |
| CarltonForrester,GeorgiaTech | ||
| 2000 Georgia Tech | MattKuchar,GeorgiaTech | |
| Bryce Molder, Georgia Tech | ||
| 2001 Texas | Sprague Kolp, Nevado-Reno | |
| 2002 Georgia Tech | TroyMatteson,GeorgiaTech | |
| 2003 UCLA | Adam Meyer, TCU | |
| 2004 Georgia Tech | Anthony Kim,Oklahoma | |
| 2005 OklahomaState | Tyler Leon,OklahomaState | |
| 2006 Georgia Tech | CameronTringale,GeorgiaTech | |
| 2007 Oklahoma | Jonathan Moore,OklahomaState | |
| 2008 Stanford | Jesper Kennegard,ArizonaState | |
| 2009 USC | Nick Taylor, Washington | |
| 2010 OklahomaState Daniel | Miernicki,Oregon |
Waikoloa Beach Resort is situated on 1,350 acres of the beautiful Kohala Coast on the Hawaii’s Big Island – the Golf Capital of the Aloha State. Waikoloa features two fabulous golf courses with unique layouts specifically designed to challenge shot-making skills while letting golfers enjoy the magnificent beauty of the Big Island: views of the majestic, often-times snow-capped Mauna Kea Mountain and the warm, tranquil Pacific Ocean.
For more information, contact the Kings’ Course at (808) 886-5375
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Kevin Ginoza (808) 886-5375
Feb. 1, 2012