2022 Kā‘anapali Classic Recap: Oklahoma wins, Clemson’s Swanson sets program record in individual title!

October 30, 2022 

(MAUI, Hawai‘i) – Clemson sophomore Andrew Swanson was brilliant during his career-best final-round 63 to win the individual crown at the Kā‘anapali Classic Collegiate Invitational.

Oklahoma, ranked 11^th in the country by Golfstat, built upon their second-round lead of six shots to win the program’s third team title in Maui (2015, 2019, 2022). Their 41-under total score was anchored by four Sooners who finished in the top 10: Jake Holbrook (T5), Drew Goodman (T5), Jase Summy (T5) and Stephen Campbell Jr. (T10).

The Oklahoma Sooners are hanging loose after their third team title at Kā‘anapali

“It’s always exciting to pick up a win, particularly as we finish our fall schedule,” said Oklahoma Head Men’s Golf Coach, Ryan Hybl. “The last two days at Kā‘anapali were difficult, but the tougher it got, the tougher our guys played. Today was a great sign of who we are and what we are trying to do. As a coach, that effort is rewarding to watch.”

Andrew Swanson in the greenside bunker on No. 17

Clemson (-29) held strong to finish second in the team competition. Liberty came in third (-26). A four-way tie for fourth at 22-under included Colorado, Kansas (defending champion), East Tennessee St. and Louisiana.

The Buffaloes and Ragin’ Cajuns enjoyed the biggest jumps after round two. Both teams climbed four spots following final-round performances of 17-under.

Louisiana’s Eli Ortego stares down his approach shot from the rough on No. 10

Swanson was the No. 1 AJGA-ranked player in South Carolina out of high school in 2021. He is now part of an elite group, joining Lucas Glover, Kyle Stanley and Doc Redman as the only Clemson players to win in the Aloha State. All three former Tigers are now PGA TOUR members.

Andrew Swanson is the fourth Clemson Tiger to win in Hawa‘i

“Andrew’s victory was highlighted by just 22 putts today,” said Clemson Head Men’s Golf Coach, Jordan Byrd, the brother of five-time PGA TOUR winner, Jonathan. “Birdies can be made at Royal Kā‘anapali, but you really have to earn them. After months of working hard on his putting, I was proud to see Andrew secure this collegiate win.”

The Tigers’ sophomore started his Sunday on fire, going 9-under through 15 holes. He eventually finished at 8-under while carding an eagle and seven birdies. His three-day total of 18-under set a new Clemson Men’s Golf scoring record in relation to par in a 54-hole event. The former record of 17-under was made by Bryson Nimmer in the 2018-19 season. Swanson’s 54-hole score of 195 ties the program record, also established by Nimmer.

Nick Gabrelcik of North Florida dials in his tee shot on No. 5

North Florida’s Nick Gabrelcik, the back-to-back ASUN Player of the Year, was unable to hold onto his two-shot lead after 36 holes, even after carding a final-round 4-under 67.

“Nick got off to a great start with four birdies on the front nine. After a bad three-putt on No. 14, it was difficult to get additional birdie looks when the trade winds picked up,” said North Florida Head Men’s Golf Coach and seven-time ASUN Coach of the Year, Scott Schroeder. “With that said, 16-under is still a solid score.”

The Kā‘anapali Classic represents Gabrelcik’s third consecutive top-two finish. He placed runner-up at the Quail Valley Collegiate (Oct. 16–17) and Isleworth Collegiate (Oct. 24–25).

Other notables:

• Kansas’ William Duquette recorded his career first hole-in-one on No. 15, a 202-yard par 3
• Colorado was the only team where every player scored under-par in the final round
• Louisiana’s Eli Ortego tied Swanson’s 8-under for the lowest round on Sunday
• CSU – Northridge’s Eirik Thomassen had the largest final-round jump in pole position (38 spots)
• Host Hawai‘i’s Atsuya Oishi was the highest-ranked Rainbow Warrior at T40
• Denver’s Carson Griggs, who placed second in 2021 highlighted by a second-round 62, finished the 2022 event T40
• CSU – Northridge’s Felix Schrott, who placed third in 2021, finished this year T27

A full list of scores can be found at Golfstat.

 Team Leaderboard

Top Individuals

*Competing as an Individual

TOURNAMENT INFO

Dates: Friday, Oct. 28 – Sunday, Oct. 30

Location: Royal Kā‘anapali, Lahaina, Maui

Course Yardage (Par): 6,700 (71)

Format: 54 holes; 18 holes each day; 5-count-4

Host: University of Hawai‘i

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 About Kā’anapali Golf Courses

Built on 300 acres of land once home to Hawaiian royalty, Kā‘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 Kā‘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 Kā‘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 Kā‘anapali Course is the modernized Kā‘anapali Kai Course, which hosted Golf Channel’s “Big Break Kā‘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.

More information: www.kaanapaligolfcourses.com and 808-661-3691.

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.

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