WILMINGTON, N.C. – The Country Club of Landfall and UNC Wilmington are partnering to establish “The Landfall Tradition,” a major college golf tournament this fall that will annually feature many of the nation’s premiere men’s and women’s NCAA Division I teams.
The four-day affair begins Oct. 31 with a College-Am event that will pair a foursome from the community with the captain of each collegiate team. The actual college tournament, which will award a men’s and women’s champion, runs Nov. 1-3 at the Pete Dye Course. Proceeds from the event will benefit UNCW’s golf programs.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to share our wonderful city and community with other collegiate golf teams across the nation,” said the Country Club of Landfall’s Peter Hexter, chairman of the organizing committee. “With the support of the community, we can make this one of the most respected and prestigious collegiate golf tournaments in the country.”
The men’s field includes Duke, Furman, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Penn State, Purdue, Tulsa, UNC Charlotte, UNC Wilmington, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin. The Golden Gophers won the 2002 NCAA men’s title, while Purdue finished seventh, Tulsa tied for ninth and Virginia Tech wound up 20th.
The women’s tournament has commitments from Alabama, Arizona State, Colorado, Florida State, Louisville, Mississippi State, Penn State, Purdue, Texas Christian, Tulsa, UNC Wilmington and Wake Forest. ASU tied for ninth, Purdue finished 16th and Wake Forest came in 20th in this year’s NCAA women’s tournament.
“We are very grateful to the Country Club of Landfall for this obvious display of support for our programs and the community,” said UNCW men’s coach Grant Robbins. “The groundwork being laid already indicates that this will be one of the country’s top collegiate tournaments. Without question, it will provide our programs a big lift.”
To participate in the College-Am or for more information, contact Owen Berg at 256-3565 or Pete Dallow at 256-9281.