Lahaina, Maui (Oct. 26, 2023) -- An opening round of 284 (Even) has placed the Wyoming Cowboy golf team in 13th place in a field of 20 collegiate golf teams competing at the Ka'anapali Classic Collegiate Invitational in Lahaina, Maui, Hawai'i. Wyoming juniors
Jaren Calkins and
Davis Seybert fired the low rounds of the day for the Pokes with identical rounds of 70 (-1) to tie for 42nd out of 120 golfers. Thursday's round was the first of three rounds to be played, in the Ka'anapali Classic. The second round will be played on Friday followed by the final 18-hole round on Saturday.
The Cowboys enter Friday's second round in 13th place and are in the middle of a group of nine teams that are within eight strokes of each other. Wyoming at 284 (Even) leads Gonzaga by one shot at 285 (+1). Colorado, Cal State Northridge, Denver and Clemson are all tied for 15th at 288 (+4) to trail UW by four strokes. Wyoming is chasing three teams that are only four shots ahead of them in Kansas, Louisiana and Connecticut, who are all tied for 10th at 280 (-4).
"We've had great preparation leading up to today's opening round," said
Joe Jensen, University of Wyoming Director of Golf. "We were playing well today but then gave back five shots in the final three holes. We have a young freshman,
Noah (Wagner), making his first college start in this tournament as we're missing our top player from this fall season in
Patrick (Azevedo). Patrick had some knee surgery a few weeks ago after the Colorado tournament, so he can hopefully be ready to go this spring. All-in-all the kids played solid, we just need to finish tomorrow's round stronger and clean up a few things."
In addition to Calkins and Seybert's rounds of 70 (-1), graduate
Jimmy Dales shot an opening round of 71 (Even) and is tied for 56th. Junior
Kristof Panke opened with a round of 73 (+2) to tie for 80th and true freshman Wagner shot an 82 (+11) and is in 119th place. Wyoming has a second true freshman in
Evan Johnson, who is playing as an individual and posted a 74 (+3) first round to tie for 91st.
Liberty holds a four-stroke lead over Georgia heading into Friday's second round. Liberty posted a 262 (-22) on day one, while the Bulldogs shot a 266 (-18). The individual tournament leader is Robbie Higgins of North Florida at 63 (-8). He has a one-stroke lead over three other individuals at 64 (-7). Those three players tied for second are Brett Reid of Liberty, Connor Creasy of Georgia and Ivan Barahona of San Jose State.
This year's Ka'anapali Classic will be played in support of Maui Wildfire victims, who suffered catastrophic fires in early August 2023. Funds raised by teams, alumni and fans will directly benefit families who lost their homes, including associates of the Ka'anapali Golf Courses who lost everything. The fundraising efforts during the tournament will be done in partnership with 501(c) 3 organizations Spare for Change and Member for a Day.
To donate go to:
https://go.memberforaday.co/kaanapaliclassic/Campaign/Details
The Ka'anapali Classic Collegiate Invitational is being played at the Royal Ka'anapali Course in Lahaina, Maui, Hawai'i. The course measures 6,700 yards and plays to a par 71. Friday's second round is scheduled to tee off with a shotgun start beginning at 8:30 a.m., Hawai'i Time (12:30 p.m., Mountain Time).
Team Standings
1. Liberty 262 (-22)
2. Georgia 266 (-18)
3. San Jose State 269 (-15)
4. East Tennessee St. 272 (-12)
Oklahoma 272 (-12)
6. Hawaii 273 (-11)
7. North Florida 276 (-8)
Sacramento State 276 (-8)
9. Boise State 277 (-7)
10. Kansas 280 (-4)
Louisiana 280 (-4)
Connecticut 280 (-4)
13. Wyoming 284 (Even)
14. Gonzaga 285 (+1)
15. Colorado 288 (+4)
CSU - Northridge 288 (+4)
Denver 288 (+4)
Clemson 288 (+4)
19. Mount St. Mary's 290 (+6)
20. Air Force 291 (+7)
Wyoming Cowboys
T42
Jaren Calkins 70 (-1)
T42
Davis Seybert 70 (-1)
T56
Jimmy Dales 71 (Even)
T80
Kristof Panke 73 (+2)
119
Noah Wagner 82 (+11)
Wyoming Cowboys Playing as Individuals
T91
Evan Johnson 74 (+3)
