HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's golf team will make its annual trek to Hawai'i Island for the 31^stAmer Ari Invitational, in perhaps the most stacked field in tournament history. The three-day event, featuring six Top 10 teams, will run Thursday, Feb. 3 through Saturday, Feb. 5 at the Hāpuna Golf Course in Waimea, Hawai'i.
 
Officially, the Rainbow Warriors are considered co-host of the tournament along with Division II Hawai'i-Hilo. This year's field features 19 teams – 12 ranked in the Top 50, including Top 10 North Carolina (2^nd), Arizona State (3^rd), Oklahoma State (4^th), Pepperdine (6^th), Stanford (7^th), and Texas (8^th). Also expected to compete in the nation's top ranked individual, UW's RJ Manke.
 
The tournament opens the spring season for the Rainbow Warriors and is the sixth event of the 2021-22 season. 
 
"I think all of our players benefited from the winter break," head coach Scott Simpson said. "They can't wait to compete with some of the very best teams and college golfers in the country. This is a great opportunity for our young team to gain experience, and continue to learn what it takes to be among the best. I think this is a great way to start the spring season and we are all excited about this opportunity."
 
Due to the pandemic, last year's field featured only eight teams. In 2019-20, the tournament moved to Hāpuna after the closure of the Waikoloa Kings Course, where the event was traditionally held. Designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, Hāpuna Golf Course is one of the most beautiful courses in the world with seemingly endless views of the Kohala coast and drastic elevation changes. The links style course hosted the Amer Ari Intercollegiate soon after it was built in 1992. 
 
The teams will play 54 holes over three days at the 6,875-yard, par 72 course. Tee times begin at 7:30 a.m., each day.
 
UH's line-up includes Tyler Ogawa, Pierce Braun, Ratio Visuttipinate, AJ Teraoka, and Garrett Takeuchi while Jake Sequin and Isaiah Kanno will compete as individuals. After the fall campaign, Ogawa led the team with a 74.2 scoring average and three rounds under par.
 
"We have a very young team with AJ being a junior but all the other six players will be freshman," Simpson said. "I'm very happy with the effort these young men are putting forward in our practice and playing. The whole team has shown a desire to improve, work hard and give their best effort. As a coach I believe that is all they control and all that I would expect of them."   
 
Golfstat Ranking (as of Nov. 30, 2021)
2. North Carolina
3. Arizona St.
4. Oklahoma St.
6. Pepperdine
7. Stanford
8. Texas
11. Texas Tech
18. Auburn
20. Georgia Tech
21. Washington
40. Oregon
42. Texas Christian
54. Oregon St.
58. UC Davis
66. UCLA
69. San Jose St.
161. Pacific
263. Hawai'i
98 (DII). UH Hilo
 
Tournament #6
What: Amer Ari Invitational
Dates: Tuesday, Feb. 3 through Thursday, Feb. 5
Course: Hapuna Golf Course
Location: Waimea, Hawai'i
Yardage (Par): 6,875 yards (72) 
Format: Three-days; 54 holes (18 each day); 5-count-4
Host: Hawai'i-Hilo, Hawai'i 
Field (19 teams): Arizona State, Auburn, Georgia Tech, Hawai'i, Hawai'i-Hilo, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Oregon State, Pacific, Pepperdine, San Jose State, Stanford, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech, UC Davis, UCLA, Washington
Live Scoring: www.golfstat.com