Boise and Kansas Tied for First after First Round of 2021 Kā‘anapali Classic

Calm winds and rolling greens made for great scoring opportunities in the first round of the 2021 Kāʻanapali Classic – Collegiate Invitational.

Hugo Townsend of Boise State fired a 64 (-7), one stroke ahead of Loyola University 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 said, “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 golfers 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 22 nd 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 saying, “It’s a treat to be out here in Hawaiʻi 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 Kāʻanapali.

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 http://results.golfstat.com//public/leaderboards/gsnav.cfm?pg=participants&tid=24473

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.