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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Ministry of Tourism Updates
University of Houston Plays Host to 28-Team Inaugural Event PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas - The inaugural White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational, hosted by the University of Houston and featuring some of the top collegiate golf teams in the United States, took place over a six day period at Atlantis’ seaside championship Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island. The first-of-its-kind tournament fielded a total of 28 teams: 14 women’s teams competing firs,t from Oct. 28-30, followed by 14 men’s teams playing Nov. 1-3. As a kick off to the event on Saturday, Oct. 26, the women’s teams were hosted to a welcome dinner and a day of practice before the tournament proper. The men’s teams similarly were treated to a welcome dinner at Atlantis, Paradise Island on Oct. 30 on the day the women’s competition culminated . The White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational is the final event of a trio of golf tournaments dubbed the White Sands Bahamas Golf Series, created by Global Golf Management in partnership with Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation, Atlantis Paradise Island Resort and the Golf Channel. The first of the series, the White Sands Bahamas Pro-Am, was held in January of this year, followed by the Golf Channel Golf Advisor Round Trip-The Bahamas, which was aired earlier this month.
“We’re extremely proud and excited to bring this unique collegiate golf event to Paradise Island and Atlantis and create more interest in college golf,” said Jeff Raedle, president of Global Golf Management. “We loved showcasing the many talented golfers who competed here over the past six days, and in addition, we are pleased to bring more attention to the wonders of The Bahamas, especially after two of its northern islands were ravaged by Hurricane Dorian almost two months ago. We had a terrific week with our partners, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Atlantis Paradise Island and the Ocean Club Golf Course.” Deputy Director General at the Ministry of Tourism & Aviation Mr. Ellison “Tommy” Thompson expressed what an honor it was to host this inaugural event in The Bahamas, “It was an amazing experience to host student golfers from all over the United States. Many of them brought their families and we were able to share a bit of our beautiful islands and culture with them. “ On Wednesday, October 30, the women’s team competition of the inaugural White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational saw the University of Texas Longhorns emerge the winner with a final score of 36-under par 828. The women’s individual competition category was won by Longhorns freshman Sophie Guo who finished with a final score of 17-under par 199. On the final day of the men’s event, Sunday, November 3, the University of Houston Cougars took first place in the team competition with a final score of 31-under par 833. Acing the men’s individual competition was Wake Forest Demon Deacons’ junior Parker Gillam Overall, whose final score tallied at 17-under par 199. The White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational brought to a close the inaugural collegiate series of golf tournaments that further solidifies The Bahamas’ reputation as a popular host destination for top tier golfing events.
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