New Mexico Completes Comeback to Win 45th Annual John A. Burns Intercollegiate

(KAUA‘I, Hawai‘i) – Fueled by defending individual champion Sam Choi’s five-under 67, the New Mexico Lobos erased a three shot deficit behind leader Arizona to win their third John A. Burns Intercollegiate team trophy (2001, ’05) by a whopping nine shots. The Lobos finished at 839 (-25), followed by Arizona (-16), Utah (-11), BYU (-6) and Texas A&M (-4).

“We got off to an incredible start, taking advantage of the front nine before it became really windy on the back. The five finishing holes at Hōkūala make you earn it,” said New Mexico men’s golf team head coach, Glen Millican. He added, “The Burns is such a historic event that always produces a great field. Our program has been privileged to play in every single one of them (45 years), so it’s a big part of our history too.”

California sophomore Aaron Du won the individual title with a three-round total (66-67-70) of 203 (-13). Named to the 2020-21 Pac-12 All-Newcomer Team, the Burns was Du’s first collegiate victory.

Du held off an impressive charge from Texas A&M’s Sam Bennett, who set a new Ocean Course at Hōkūala tournament record with a 64 (-8). Bennett is America’s No. 1 player in the PGA TOUR University Rankings.

“Sam’s eight-under par performance during the final round with windy conditions was a great round of golf,” said Brian Kortan, head men’s golf coach of the Burns defending team champion, Texas A&M. “He’s done it before and hopefully can do it many more times.”

After a seven-year run at Wailua, the University of Hawai‘i moved the Burns five miles south to the Ocean Course at Hõkūala, which is located at Timbers Kaua‘i. New Mexico senior and 2020 Burns winner Sam Choi described his experience at the new venue. “I was eight-under through 14 holes before the wheels came off, but I still finished strong. The back nine at Hōkūala is phenomenal. Definitely the best course in Hawaii.”

Next up, host school Hawai‘i’s will fly to Phoenix for the GCU Invitational on March 14–15.

Team Leaderboard

Top Individuals

*Competing as an Individual

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Dates: Thursday, Feb. 17 – Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022
Location: Ocean Course at Hōkūala – Kaua‘i
Yardage (Par): 7,156 (72)
Format: Three days; 54 holes (18 holes each day); 5-count-4
Tee Times: 8:30 a.m. HST shotgun start each day
Live Scoring: Golf Stat
Social Media: Instagram | Facebook
Hashtag: #UHBurns
Host: University of Hawai‘i
Defending Team Champion: Texas A&M (2020)
Defending Individual Champion: Sam Choi, New Mexico (2020)

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 management company providing services at 630-plus locations around the globe, including managing 650-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. 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 615-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, True Club Solutions, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Peter Burwash International, Casa Verde Golf, and RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design. 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.