Golf heads to Hawaii for Hoakalei Invitational on Oct. 28-30

Live Scoring | Hoakalei CC | Marquette Stats (PDF)

MILWAUKEE – The Marquette University men's golf team heads to 'Ewa Beach, Hawaii for the Hoakalei Country Club Invitational on Oct. 28-30, hosted by the University of Hawai'i on the island of O'ahu.

THE EVENT
The 20-team field features Abilene Christian, Army West Point, Cal Poly, Cal State Fullerton, Denver, East Tennessee State, Idaho, Louisiana, Louisville, Loyola Marymount, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico State, Sam Houston State, San Diego, UMKC and UT San Antonio, in addition to MU and Hawai'i.

The three-day tournament features 18 holes on each day with shotgun start at 1 p.m. Central time. Live scoring will be available at GolfStat.com.

THE COURSE
The par-72 course, designed by longtime PGA golfer Ernie Els, opened in 2009 and provides spectacular views overlooking the Ewa coastline and plays at 7,248 yards.

MARQUETTE'S LINEUP
Lineup: Hunter Eichhorn, Tyler Leach, Aidan Lafferty, Matt Murlick, Josh Robinson
Individuals: Bhoom Sima-Aree, Connor Brown, Matthew Bachmann

The Golden Eagles claimed third at the Crooked Stick Invitational in Carmel, Indiana on Oct. 14-15 led by Sophomore Tyler Leach, who finished first with a 6-under par 210 (68-68-74). It was Leach's first collegiate victory, earning him BIG EAST Male Golfer of the Week for the first time in his career on Oct. 17.

Junior Hunter Eichhorn earned his fourth top-10 finish of the season, claiming sixth after finishing with a 1-under 215 (69-71-75).

Freshman Aidan Lafferty moves to the No. 3 spot in the lineup after placing in the same spot among MU golfers at Crooked Stick. The Downers Grove, Illinois native tied for 32nd at 9-over par.

In addition to Matt Murlick and Josh Robinson rounding out MU's lineup, Bhoom Sima-Aree, Connor Brown and Matthew Bachmann will compete as individuals.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING…

Marquette head coach Steve Bailey: "The course is an Ernie Els design that is long and will be a good challenge off the tee. This is the first year the tournament will be held on this course and the field has several teams that we will see for the first time. Louisville (No. 10 in Golfstat), ETSU (32), Ole Miss (41) and Missouri are always strong teams and several West Coast teams will make it a great test."

Bailey on Tyler Leach's play and win at Crooked Stick: "That win on a major championship golf course against an elite field is a big confidence builder for Tyler moving forward. Tyler has driven it exceptionally well and his putter has been really hot this fall. That consistency off the tee obviously makes the game much easier and he is cashing in on those birdie opportunities."

Bailey on Aidan Lafferty's rise in the lineup: "Aidan's play is no surprise at all to us. He's very consistent in all facets of his game and with more reps, he will continue to elevate his game."

UP NEXT
The event at Hoakalei concludes the fall campaign for the Golden Eagles, who begin the spring season on Feb. 16 at the Rio Mar Resort River Course for the Puerto Rico Classic in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.

Keep up with the Marquette men's golf program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteMGolf) and Instagram (@MarquetteMGolf) and 'liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteMGolf).