U.S. Amateur champion anchors a perennially strong field
TOURNAMENT FACTS
Dates: Thursday, Feb. 16 – Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023
Venue: Ocean Course at Hōkūala
Location: Lihu‘e, Kaua‘i
Yardage (Par): 7,156 (72)
Format: 54 holes; 18 holes each day; 5-count-4
Tee Times: 8:30 a.m. HDT shotgun each day
Live Scoring: Golfstat
Host: University of Hawai‘i
Defending Team Champion: New Mexico (839)
Defending Individual Champion: Aaron Du, California (203)
TEEING OFF
Home to the longest continuous stretch of oceanfront holes in Hawai‘i, the Ocean Course at Hōkūala will host the 46th annual John A. Burns Intercollegiate from February 16–18. Twenty-one teams from nine states will compete across three days in the University of Hawai‘i’s marquee men’s golf tournament.
SCHOOLS (21)
Arizona, BYU, California, Fresno State, Grand Canyon, Hawai‘i, Long Beach State, Loyola Marymount, Nevada, New Mexico, Sacramento State, San Diego State, Saint Mary’s (CA), Santa Clara, Texas A&M, UNC Wilmington, UNLV, USC, Utah, UTEP and Washington State.
CONFERENCES (9)
Big Sky (1), Big West (2), Colonial Athletic (1), Conference USA (1), Mountain West (5), Pac-12 (5), SEC (1), Western Athletic (1) and West Coast (4).
EVENT HISTORY
Named in honor of the state of Hawai‘i’s former governor, “The Burns” allows America’s top-ranked programs to annually compete against one another in the Aloha State.
Notable Burns’ individual champions who have won on the PGA TOUR include Steve Pate (UCLA, 1983), Notah Begay (Stanford, 1995), Tiger Woods (Stanford, 1996), Bo Van Pelt (Oklahoma State, 1997) and Ryan Moore (UNLV, 2005).
Recent noteworthy Burns’ alumni include DP World Tour member Julian Suri (Duke, 2012), PGA TOUR member Beau Hossler (Texas, 2016) and three-time All-American, Sam Choi (New Mexico, 2020).
INDIVIDUAL
U.S. Amateur champion and Texas A&M fifth-year senior Sam Bennett is currently No. 4 in the PGA TOUR University Rankings. Last year, he set a new Ocean Course at Hōkūala single-round tournament record at 8-under (64) en route to his runner-up finish.
California junior Aaron Du, the 2022 Burns individual champion and two-time All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention (2020-21, 2021-22), will return to defend his title. California has produced five individual medalists, trailing only New Mexico with six.
The Burns is composed of 12 players ranked in Golfstat’s Top-100: No. 8 Ian Gilligan (Long Beach State), No. 34 Shea Lague (San Diego State), No. 46 Matthew Sutherland (Fresno State), No. 62 Caden Fioroni (UNLV), No. 63 Cal McCoy (Arizona), No. 64 Michael Heidelbaugh (Texas A&M), No. 72 Vishnu Sadagopan (Texas A&M), No. 75 Sam Bennett (Texas A&M), No. 80 Albert Bobeta (New Mexico), No. 83 Sampson Zheng (California), No. 94 Phichaksn Miachon (Texas A&M) and No. 95 William Paysse (Texas A&M).
TEAM
11 Burns’ teams are listed in Golfstat’s Top-100: No. 10 Texas A&M, No. 19 Arizona, No. 20 San Diego State, No. 53 BYU, No. 55 UNC Wilmington, No. 56 California, No. 57 Long Beach State, No. 63 New Mexico, No. 72 USC, No. 94 Washington State and No. 96 Fresno State.
The 2023 field includes seven past team champions who have won a combined 21 Burns tournament titles: Arizona (1992, 2003 & ‘04), BYU (1977, 2000 & ‘07), California (2011–15), New Mexico (2001, ‘05, ‘22), Texas A&M (2009 & ‘18), UNLV (1991, ‘98, ‘99 & 2010) and USC (1986).
VENUE
The Ocean Course at Hōkūala is part of Timbers Kaua‘i, a natural oceanfront amphitheater that sets the benchmark for approachable luxury. The 450-acre resort property is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Kalapaki Bay and Hā‘upu Mountain Range.
HONORING TAKANO
A “coaches challenge” will be held during the practice round to remember Bob Takano, who passed away last year at age 89. Bob was the Hawai‘i Men’s Golf Coach from 1976 – 1982. Takano organized the first John A. Burns Intercollegiate in 1977. He grew the tournament into the respected championship that it is today, with top teams annually flying across the country to play.
QUOTES
“On behalf of our front line staff at the Ocean Course at Hōkūala and Timbers Kaua‘i, we are excited to again host this prestigious event and welcome everyone back to Kaua‘i with Aloha,” said Tom Freestone, PGA Director of Golf, Ocean Course at Hōkūala. “Our Superintendent, Rey Tacsiat and his team have worked hard to create first-rate tournament conditions for America’s best collegiate players.”
Freestone added, “This year’s field is incredible. We invite our community to visit Hōkūala (for free!) to watch the amazing competition.”
“The Ocean Course at Hōkūala is a fun, beautiful and really challenging golf course,” said seven-time PGA TOUR winner and Hawai‘i Head Men’s Golf Team Head Coach, Scott Simpson. “It has great risk vs. reward holes along the ocean, and inland holes that remind you of Jurassic Park. Hōkūala is in terrific shape with fantastic greens.
Simpson added, “Everyone who played in last year’s John A. Burns Intercollegiate immediately asked to come back! With one of college golf’s best fields returning to the Garden Isle, I anticipate another incredible finish. It’s a great thrill to welcome and compete with these talented teams for the trophy!”
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Walking spectators can attend for free. Parking is available on-site. The Ocean Course at Hōkūala is five minutes from the Lihue Airport (LIH), which offers over 40 daily flights.
About Ocean Course at Hōkūala
Home to the longest continuous stretch of oceanfront holes in the state of Hawai‘i, the Ocean Course was named one of the “World’s Most Beautiful Golf Courses” by MSN Travel. The 18-hole golf course is part of Timbers Kaua‘i Ocean Club & Residences, a private residential club which opened June 1, 2018 on the island’s southeast coast. Timbers Kaua‘i sits on a 450-acre natural amphitheater which offers unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean, Kalapaki Bay and Hā‘upu Mountain Range. Website | Facebook | Instagram
About Timbers Kaua’i at Hōkūala
Located in the 450-acre Hōkūala resort community along the Pacific, Kaua’i’s newest luxury resort and residence club combines tranquil Hawaiian living with Timbers Resorts’ signature luxury amenities. Established by premier boutique developer and operator, Timbers Resorts, the property combines tranquil Hawaiian living with Timbers’ signature luxury amenities and personalized full- service concierge team. Timbers Kaua’i at Hōkūala boasts a variety of exceptional offerings for those either seeking to visit or make paradise their home through luxury vacation rentals, one-of-a-kind deeded fractional, and whole ownership real estate opportunities. Amenities include the 18-hole award-winning Ocean Course – Kaua’i’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, a 16.5 Organic Farm, oceanfront dining at Hualani’s with “farm-to-fork” fine dining, a two-tiered infinity-edge pool overlooking the ocean, spa services and wellness programs, 17 miles of accessible trails, and easy access to Kalapaki Beach. Whole-ownership opportunities are priced from approximately $3.99 million to $7.25 million for oceanfront townhomes. Residential interest opportunities start at $445,000.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company providing services at 750-plus locations, including 725-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses around the globe. 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 600-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, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Peter Burwash International, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design, Casa Verde Golf and ICON Management. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com or connect with Troon on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Troon Chronicles, Press Room, or subscribe to Troon Magazine.
Troon in Hawai‘i
Island of Hawai’i: Mauna Lani and Volcano Golf Course
Kaua‘i: Ocean Course at Hōkūala, Princeville Makai Golf Club and Kukuiolono Park & Golf Course
Maui: Kā‘anapali Golf Courses, Kapalua Golf and King Kamehameha Golf Club
Oahu: Kapolei Golf Club and Pearl Country Club
