FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/21/2022
BEAUFORT, SC --- April 24-26 Dataw Island will again host the Division I Colonial Athletic Association Men’s Golf Championship, with the College of Charleston fighting to defend their 2021 title. Prior champs, UNCW, had to sit out the 2021 event and this year returns to battle for the Championship once again.
“The players and coaches are enthusiastic about traveling to Beaufort, SC, to compete at one of the state’s Top 50-rated courses,” said CAA Commissioner Joe D’Antonio. “The athletes really enjoyed playing at Dataw Island last year and are grateful for the opportunity to return as they complete their seasons at this division championship, and perhaps even a earn their way to the NCAA championship.”
President & CEO of Greater Beaufort-Port Royal CVB Robb Wells said he is excited about this continued partnership with Dataw Island, stating “Dataw Island has really stepped up to help secure this event. We are so appreciative of all involved – from the general manager to the golf staff, we can’t land this type of event without Dataw Island. Period.”
Christian Kata, Chair of the Beaufort Area Sports Council, shares the sentiment, saying “The sports council is so excited to host the Colonial Athletic Association Men’s Golf Championships. We look forward to seeing the teams on the course and hope that they enjoy one of the finest courses the Lowcountry of South Carolina has to offer, the Tom Fazio-designed ‘Cotton Dike’.”
The Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) consists of the College of Charleston, Delaware, Drexel, Elon, Hofstra, James Madison, Towson, UNCW, and William & Mary. Teams of five will compete in this conference championship for a chance to advance to the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship.
Dataw Island is a private gated community that has helped nurture the game of golf through its longstanding traditions of hosting an annual college golf tournament and offering its course to the local Beaufort High School Golf Team. In fact, the Beaufort High School Golf Team will be onsite Saturday and Sunday, volunteering to assist with the college tournament.
“Giving back and supporting these young athletes is something that our membership and staff truly enjoy,” says Chris Fearn, Dataw Island’s Director of Golf. “We’ve got excellent partners in the Beaufort Area Sports Council and the CVB, and we owe a lot to both in helping to bring this fantastic event to our island.”
The CAA Men's Championship consist of 9 teams of 5 players competing for 54 holes of stroke play on Cotton Dike. The scoring for the event is the total of the 4 lowest scores for each team per day. UNCW edged out Charleston to win the championship at Pinehurst No. 8 two years ago, and last year, Charleston took the Championship title at Dataw Island. This year’s talented field promises to deliver lots of great competition.
“The courses are in great condition and the field looks really talented, which should make for an excellent three days of competition,” Fearn says.
Practice rounds will be help on Saturday, with competition taking place Sunday – Tuesday. Spectators are welcome; please check in at the Security Gate House as you enter the island.
Schedule of Events:
Saturday, April 23rd - Practice round for all 9 teams playing together.
Practice Facilities will be closed for the players from 9:00am to 1pm. Back range tees will be closed for safety due to players being able to reach with driver.
Sunday, April 24th - Round 1 (18 holes) - First start time 8:30am; last start time 11:42am (all play starts on #1)
Practice Facilities will be closed for tournament player use only from 7:00am to 11:30 am.
Monday, April 26th - Round 2 (18 holes) - First start time 8:30am; last start time 11:42am (all play starts on #1)
Practice Facilities will only be open in the morning for tournament player use.
Tuesday, April 27th - Final Round (18 holes) - First start time 8:00am; last start time 10:00am (all play starts on #1 and #10)
Practice Facilities will be closed for tournament player use only from 7:00am to 10:00am.
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Dataw Island is a private golf, tennis and boating lifestyle community located fifteen minutes outside of historic downtown Beaufort. The island features golf courses by designers Tom Fazio and Arthur Hills, a tennis center, brand new pickleball courts, a full-service marina, a community center with workout and massage facilities, indoor and outdoor pools, three restaurants, croquet lawns, bocce courts, and more. The community has also been ranked the number one best retirement destination in South Carolina by Best Retirement Destinations and is the recipient of the SCGA “Club of the Year,” Hilton Head Monthly Magazine “Top 25 Golf Community,” Connecticut Cottages & Gardens “Where to Buy Next,” and many other awards. Please visit us online to learn more: www.dataw.com
Beaufort Area Sports Council was established to develop sport-related events that impact our community Northern Beaufort County. By working with local, regional, and national organizations the Sports Council supports a wide range of events that offer a diverse opportunity to athletes of all ages and all sports.
Greater Beaufort-Port Royal CVB is the Designated Marketing Organization (DMO) for the city of Beaufort, the town of Port Royal and the unincorporated Sea Island regions of northern Beaufort County. The CVB produces official travel and tourism information and implements a strategic tourism promotion program to increase awareness of Northern Beaufort County as a vacation, group, meetings and/or sports tourism destination while fostering visitor product development to enhance the economic growth of the region.
About the Colonial Athletic Association
Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the CAA has 10 full members located along the East Coast from Boston to Charleston, S.C. The conference sponsors 22 sports and has produced 17 national team champions in four different sports, 33 individual national champions, 15 national players of the year, 15 national coaches of the year, and 13 winners of the Honda Award. For more information, visit www.caasports.com or follow CAASports on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.