’Bows, Vulcans open spring season at Waikoloa

Both University of Hawaii men’s golf programs open their spring season today when Hilo and Manoa co-host the 28th annual Amer Ari Intercollegiate at the Waikoloa Kings’ course.

The 18-team tournament runs through Saturday, with all but four of the teams ranked in Golfweek’s Top 100. The top-ranked team is Oklahoma State, which won its 11th NCAA championship last year, after capturing its seventh Amer Ari title.

Third-ranked Georgia Tech and fourth-ranked USC are also in the field. Trojan Justin Suh will defend his individual championship. UH’s best finish in the tournament was fourth place in 2006.

The Warriors also host the John A. Burns Intercollegiate (Feb. 21-23) and the Big West Conference championship (April 29-30), both at Wailua on Kauai.

Hilo is the only Division II team playing. Japan’s Osaka Gakuin is also competing.