HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's and women's golf teams will open the 2021-22 season by competing in the HPU Sharks Shootout Sunday, Sept. 12 and Monday, Sept. 13 at the Pearl Country Club in 'Aiea, O'ahu.
 
The teams will play 18 holes each day on the par 72 course measuring 6,787 yards for the men and 6,104 for the women. The men's field includes host Hawai'i Pacific, UH, Hawai'i-Hilo, and Chaminade while the women's field consists of HPU, UH, and UH-Hilo.
 
The tournament marks the beginning of the Scott Simpson era for the Rainbow Warriors. The former U.S. Open champion took over the reigns of the program and inherits a squad that returns six lettermen and welcomes five freshmen. Among the returnees, senior Kanata Irei has the most experience with 10 career tournaments under his belt. 
 
Stephen Bidne begins his fifth season with the Rainbow Wahine. The nine-member roster includes four freshmen and another freshmen who sat out during the pandemic season. Junior Hāna Mirnik competed in all six tournaments last season with a team-best 76.1 average and three Top 10 finishes. The Celje, Slovenia native set a program-record with a 6-under 66 at the Cowgirl Classic last season.
 
The Rainbow Warriors will compete in 10 tournaments during the 2021-22 season, hosting their usual four tournaments on four different islands – Hoakalei CC Invitational (Oct. 25-26) on O'ahu, Kā'anapali Classic Collegiate Invitational (Oct. 29-31) on Maui, Amer Ari Invitational (Feb. 3-5) on Hawai'i Island, and John A. Burns Intercollegiate on Kaua'i.
 
Meanwhile, the Rainbow Wahine will also compete in 10 tournaments, hosting two – Rainbow Wahine Invitational at the Kapolei Golf Club and Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational, which will move from Kāne'ohe Klipper Golf Course to Hoakalei Country Club. The Donnis was held at Kāne'ohe Klipper for 33 of 35 years.