California State University Northridge Athletics
CSUN Men's Golf Tees Off in Hawai'i to Support Maui Wildfire Victims
10/21/2023 1:36:00 PM | Men's Golf
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - During this week's Ka'anapali Classic – Collegiate Invitational, the CSUN men's golf program will be among 20 teams that will assist the fundraising campaign to benefit Maui's wildfire victims.
The tournament gets underway Thursday with the first of three rounds. CSUN has played in the tournament in each of the last two years, finishing fourth in 2021.
"Everyone who lives in Hawai'i was impacted in some way by Maui's wildfires," said seven-time PGA TOUR winner and current Hawai'i men's golf coach, Scott Simpson. "To see the devastation and people struggling for survival was hard to believe. Lahaina was such a historic town; seeing it burned so suddenly and unexpectedly was surreal. If there is any silver lining, it's how people from all over the islands have really come together to support one another.
"We consulted with everyone for two weeks to see if we would have the tournament," Simpson added. "The debate centered on being sensitive to the recovery versus raising funds for those affected and creating a positive boost to the local economy while drawing attention to Maui families still in need of financial assistance with our fundraising efforts. I think we made the right decision." 
CSUN's Dillon Jonke, who graduated in spring 2023 from Maui Preparatory Academy, will reunite with family and friends on Maui for the first time since he left for Northridge in early August, just days after the Maui wildfires. Jonke was a key contributor on Maui Prep's 2022 Hawai'i High School Athletic Association championship team, placing as the individual runner-up at the Ka'anapali Golf Courses' hosted event.
The current CSUN freshman noted in a recent interview that during this time last year, he attended a dinner with CSUN's golf team in Lahaina town. Now, the restaurant and entire town have been destroyed. When asked about his emotions ahead of coming home to Maui, he stated, "I know that I'm gonna be all over the place. I'm gonna experience everything, remembering many fun memories as well as the hardship of knowing that that's no longer there. Each team traveling to Hawai'i cares about Ka'anapali. We're very thankful for the opportunity to play and show our appreciation for everyone on Maui."
MAUI STRONG
The University of Hawai'i will host the ninth annual Ka'anapali Classic – Collegiate Invitational from Oct. 26 – 28. Annually a deep fall field in men's college golf, twenty teams from sixteen states will compete over three days for the Valley Isle title.
In partnership with 501(c)3 organizations Spare for Change and Member for a Day, a fundraising campaign has been launched to benefit Maui's wildfire victims, including Ka'anapali Golf Courses' own associates who tragically lost everything. The campaign has no minimum donation and no cost to register. Everyone is invited to help in one of two ways:
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Make a one-time contribution of your choice.
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Pledge the amount of your choice for each birdie and eagle made by your favorite school.
Scores and fundraising updates will be shared after each round. Check back often to see which university's team, fans and alumni raise the most amount for families in need across the island. Pledges will close on Saturday, Oct. 28.
GIVING BACK
Following the Saturday, Oct. 28 trophy presentation on Ka'anapali's driving range at approximately 3 p.m., Hawai'i men's golf coach Scott Simpson, his players and multiple head coaches will lead a clinic for kids in the Maui Junior Golf Association and Lahaina Junior Golf Association. Local children will be given one-on-one access to NCAA Division I players and coaches, where they can discuss recruiting opportunities, course management techniques, swing tips and more. A shave ice truck will serve complimentary treats to all attendees.
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Storied men's golf programs that have captured the Ka'anapali Classic team title include Oregon (2014), Oklahoma (2015, 2019, 2022), Clemson (2016), LSU (2017), California (2018), and Kansas (2021). Andrew Swanson broke Clemson's 54-hole school individual record during the 2022 Ka'anapali Classic.
STANDINGS
Four teams visiting Maui qualified for the 2023 NCAA Championships: Colorado, East Tennessee State, Georgia, and Oklahoma. 11 players in this year's field are ranked in the top-100 of the PGA TOUR University Rankings. Oklahoma senior Ben Lorenz is the tournament's highest-ranked individual at No. 14.
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Players Mentioned
