October 3, 2022 (Paradise Island, Bahamas) – Eight women’s and 12 men’s teams will compete in back-to-back weeks this month at the prestigious White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational at the Ocean Club Golf Course at Atlantis Paradise Island.
Each event is three days, starting with the women’s event on Oct 21-23, with Arkansas Little Rock serving as the host school for the 54-hole competition. The men’s event will follow from Oct 28-30, with VCU serving as the host school.
Viewed as one of the top collegiate challenges, this NCAA Invitational is among a handful of premier events held at the Ocean Club Golf Course. Most recently, the resort course hosted the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic.
The tournament week begins with practice rounds for the women on Oct 19-20, while the men’s practice sessions will start on Oct 26. A welcome reception also is planned for the participants following their first practice dates.
The women’s teams competing are Arkansas Little Rock, Arkansas State, Central Arkansas, Florida Gulf Coast, Lipscomb, Memphis, UNC Greensboro and South Dakota State.
The men’s teams entered are Arkansas State, Delaware, Duke, LA Monroe, Nebraska, Sam Houston State, Southern Mississippi, Stetson, Texas State, Troy, UTEP and VCU.
“The Bahamas is a picture-perfect backdrop for this prestigious tournament and an ideal destination for the athletes and spectators to relax and recharge in between the competition,” said Latia Duncombe, acting director general, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation. “We know that all the attendees will find our warm hospitality, beautiful white sand beaches, endless cultural attractions and experiences reason to come back and visit another of our 16 island destinations.
“On behalf of the Ocean Club Golf Course and Atlantis Paradise Island, we welcome all the athletes competing in the 2022 White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational, along with their coaches, alumni and fans. The Invitational is an excellent opportunity to offer our course as a true test for top amateur golfers. We are looking forward to the competition and the chance to showcase our beautiful destination,” said Audrey Oswell, president and managing director, at Atlantis Paradise Island.
The par-72 Ocean Club Golf Course, designed by past major champion Tom Weiskopf, will play 6,415 yards for the women, while the men will play at 7,159 yards. This year marks the third year for the event, first played in 2019 and again in 2021. Texas and Campbell are past winners of the women’s competition, with Houston and Mississippi winning the two men’s team championships.
After winning last year’s men’s team title, Mississippi head coach Chris Mallory was effusive. “On the course, we had a great week, and off of the course, it’s tough to beat Atlantis and the Ocean Club Golf Course,” he said. “We go to a lot of nice places, but I’m not sure how many can compare to this.”
Kirsten Baete of Nebraska, who took the women’s individual crown with a 10-under-par score of 206, praised Jeff Hood, director of agronomy, and his staff. “The course was in absolutely incredible shape. It was beautiful and it’s now, hands down, my new favorite course.”
For more coverage of the 2022 White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational, follow @WhiteSandsBah on social media and use the following hashtags: #WhiteSandsBahamas and #WhiteSandsNCAA.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
NCAA Women’s Invitational
- Wednesday, Oct 19: Team Practice Rounds
- Thursday, Oct 20: College-Am Event 8:30 a.m.
Team Practice Rounds
- Friday, Oct 21: Round One – 8 a.m. Shotgun Start
- Saturday, Oct 22: Round Two – 8 a.m. Shotgun Start
- Sunday, Oct 23: Round Three – 8 a.m. Shotgun Start
Trophy Presentation (Individual and Team Champions)
NCAA Men’s Invitational
- Wednesday, Oct 26: Team Practice Rounds
- Thursday, Oct 27: College-Am Event 8:30 a.m.
Team Practice Rounds
- Friday, Oct 28: Round One – 8 a.m. Shotgun Start
- Saturday, Oct 29: Round Two – 8 a.m. Shotgun Start
- Sunday, Oct 31: Round Three – 8 a.m. Shotgun Start
Trophy Presentation (Individual and Team Champions)
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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]
