Kaanapali Classic
Sooners dominate mens college
tourney hosted by University of Hawaii
Photos by Matthew Thayer
University of Oklahoma redshirt senior Jaxson Dowell drained a long breaking putt on his final hole to win the Kaanapali Classic Collegiate Invitational on the Royal Kaanapali Golf Course earlier this month.
After a day of trading the lead with teammates Clark Van Gaalen and Jase Summy, as well as several other golfers in the tough field, Dowell's bomb on the Royal's par-three 17th sealed the first victory of his college career with a three-round score of 17-under-par 196. Van Gaalen finished a shot back in second and University of Colorado's Dylan McDermott was third, alone at 15-under.
Oklahoma won its third-straight Kaanapali Classic team title and fifth crown on Maui overall. In a testament to the Sooners' depth, Dowell and Van Gaalen were playing as individuals and their totals did not count toward the team score. Summy finished in sixth place at 13 under and teammates Matthew Troutman and Asher Whitaker tied for 12th to fuel the team title. Colorado finished second, University of Kansas was third, Indiana University fourth, LSU fifth and University of Georgia and Texas Christian University tied for sixth.
Jaxson Dowell pumps his fist as his birdie putt on the final drops to give him the Kaanapali Classic victory earlier this month.
Winner Jaxson Dowell gets a hug from mom, Christy Dowell, after his winning putt on the final hole.
Oklahoma's Clark van Gaalen chips to the 9th green. The freshman finished second at 16-under.
University of Hawaii's Anson Cabello chips to the Royal's No. 5 hole. Cabello is a 2023 graduate of Kamehameha Maui. He finished tied for 111th at 8-over.
University of Hawaii mens golf head coach Scott Simpson congratulates winner Jaxson Dowell after his round on the Royal Kaanapali. Simpson won back-to-back NCAA individual championship titles, 1976-77, and seven times on the PGA Tour, including the 1987 U.S. Open.
University of Colorado's Justin Biwer blasts out of a trap on the Royal Kaanapali's 5th green. He finished tied for eighth at 11-under.
Gunner Broin of University of Kansas escapes a trap on the Royal's 9th hole. He finished tied for eighth at 11-under.
Colorado's Dylan McDermott follows the flight of this drive off the 6th tee. He finished third at 15-under.
Oklahoma's Jase Summy tries to scramble after landing in thick rough at the edge of the lake fronting the 17th green and being forced to take a penalty stroke. He dropped from a three-way tie for the lead with two holes to go, to a sixth-place finish.
Oklahoma players and coaches throw shakas while posing with the championship trophies on the Royal Kaanapali's 18th green.
Oklahoma's Matthew Troutman tees off on the No. 7.
TCU's Toby Wilt watches his chip on No. 5 drop toward the green.
U.C. Irvine's Jason Tang knocked in a hole in one on the Royal's par 3, 185-yard 8th hole in the opening round.
University of North Florida's Filippo Serra hits from a trap on No. 5.
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