FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2023 (Paradise Island, Bahamas) – J.P. Odland carded a 6-under-par 66 to tie for the low score of the day and lead four players who posted sub-par scores for the Santa Clara men’s golf team, giving the Broncos a four-stroke lead over North Texas after the first round of the White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational. The 54-hole event is scheduled through Sunday (Oct. 22).
Odland, a freshman from Tiburon, Calif., was supported by Muzzy Donohue, Jeff Kwak and Nolan Forsman, who each finished at 3-under 69. Santa Clara rallied late to post a 15-under total of 273 over the 7,099-yard par 72 Ocean Club Golf Course at Paradise Island, Bahamas, where 4” of rain delayed the start of play Friday by almost four hours.
Odland made eight birdies in his round, including three in a row on two occasions. “It felt pretty simple out there. I birdied all four of the par 5s and holed a couple of putts of more than 20 feet,” said Odland. “We struggled as a team this fall, so this is gratifying to get off to a good start.”
Key Coker paced North Texas with his 66, while Isaac MacNaughton’s 66 led Jacksonville State, which was another stroke back in third place, tied with North Alabama. Southern Illinois sits at 8 under 280, followed by St. Mary’s and Georgia State (tied at 281), Wofford (286) and Wichita State (295). Twenty-eight players were under par after the first round in this five-count-four scoring event, but none went bogey-free.
This is the fourth year for the annual golf tournament, which was previously played at the Ocean Club Golf Course in 2019, 2021, and 2022. Houston, Mississippi and Duke are the past men’s winners over the layout designed by past major champion Tom Weiskopf.
For more coverage of the 2023 White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational, follow @WhiteSandsBah on social media and use the following hashtags: #WhiteSandsBahamas and #WhiteSandsNCAA or visit WhiteSandsBahamas.com
###
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]
