FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2024 (Paradise Island, Bahamas) – Kieron van Wyk posted the second-lowest round of the day with an 8-under-par 64 to lead the College of Charleston to the first-round lead at the White Sands Bahamas Men’s NCAA Golf Invitational at the Ocean Club Golf Course at Paradise Island, Bahamas. Twelve teams are competing in the 54-hole event scheduled through Sunday.
Van Wyk, a native of South Africa, made birdies on four of his final six holes as the Cougars overtook Houston to finish at 17-under 271 in a play five-count four format. Houston was just one stroke back, with Wolfgang Glawe of Germany carding a 63 to own the individual lead.
“I chipped to three feet on hole No. 2, a par 5, to make birdie on my last hole, so I feel good about that,” said Glawe, who had nine birdies and no bogeys. “The wind is what makes this course play tough, and there wasn’t much wind today. We could take advantage of all the par-5s today.”
“I wasn’t really in fear of making a bogey today,” said van Wyk, who carries a No. 22 national college ranking and has been playing golf since he was five. “I had six 1-putts and didn’t leave myself in any bad spots.”
Van Wyk was helped by teammates Nevil Ruiter of the Netherlands, who finished at -6, Jack Tickle, of Bristol, Tenn., who was -2, and Loran Appel of the Netherlands, who was -1.
“We believe in ourselves,” said Charleston head coach Mitch Krywulycz, who has three international players in his starting lineup. “It’s not easy to lead a college golf tournament, so it’s a big deal to us.”
Emil Riegger finished at 65 to boost Maryland into third place at -12. Northern Illinois sits two strokes behind Maryland, with the other teams finishing in order: Ball State (-5), West Virginia (-6) and Rutgers (E). Those over par are UC San Diego (+1), Emory and Eastern Michigan (+2), and Ohio and George Mason (+4).
Twenty-seven players finished with sub-par scores over the 6,943-yard, par 72 Ocean Club Golf Course designed by past major champion Tom Weiskopf. Houston, Mississippi, Duke and Santa Clara are past winners of the men’s competitions, with Santa Clara capturing the 2023 men’s title by four strokes.
For more coverage of the 2024 White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational, follow @WhiteSandsBah on social media and use the following hashtags: #WhiteSandsBahamas and #WhiteSandsNCAA.
Results following the first round of the White Sands Bahamas NCAA Men’s Invitational, played at the 6,943-yard, par 72 Ocean Club Golf Course at Paradise Island, Bahamas:
TEAM SCORING
- Charleston, -17, 271
- Houston, -16, 272
- Maryland, -12, 276
- Northern Illinois, -10, 278
- Ball State, -7, 281
- West Virginia, -6, 282
- Rutgers, E, 288
- UC San Diego, +1, 289
- T9 Eastern Michigan, +2, 290
- T9 Emory, +2, 290
- T10 Ohio, +4, 292
- T10 George Mason, +4, 292
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
- Wolfgang Glawe, Houston, -9, 63
- Kieron van Wyk, Charleston, -8, 64
- Emil Riegger, Maryland, -7, 65
- T4 Hudson Weibel, Houston, -6, 66
- T4 Nevil Ruiter, Charleston, -6, 66
- T6. Max Green, West Virginia, -5, 67
- T6. Ben Sluzas, Nothern Illinois, -5, 67
- T6. Felix Krammer, Northern Illinois, -5, 67
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ABOUT THE BAHAMAS
With over 700 islands and cays and 16 unique island destinations, The Bahamas lies just 50 miles off the coast of Florida, offering an easy fly-away escape that transports travelers away from their everyday. The Islands of The Bahamas have world-class fishing, diving, boating and thousands of miles of the earth’s most spectacular water and beaches waiting for families, couples and adventurers. Explore all the islands have to offer at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram to see why “It’s Better in The Bahamas.”
ABOUT OCEAN CLUB GOLF COURSE
Atlantis Paradise Island’s Ocean Club Golf Course offers a challenging and beautiful course for golfers desiring championship play. Masterfully conceived, the Tom Weiskopf-designed 18-hole, par 72 championship course stretches over 7,100 yards on Atlantis’ peninsula. The course has hosted iconic sporting events such as the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational (MJCI), the Michael Douglas & Friends Celebrity Golf Tournament and the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic. For more information about Atlantis Paradise Island Resort and the Ocean Club please visit www.atlantisbahamas.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational
Contact: Mike Harmon
[email protected]
BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM, INVESTMENTS & AVIATION CONTACT:
Anita Johnson-Patty
[email protected]
ATLANTIS CONTACT:
Katie Longley
Atlantis Paradise Island
242-376-1034
[email protected]
