HARRIS, MI – Top NCAA Men’s Golf teams will converge at Sage Run Golf Course this Labor Day weekend for the fifth annual Island Resort Intercollegiate Golf Tournament. The award-winning golf course in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula will be hosting a collection of top collegiate players and teams from around Michigan and the U.S., September 1-2. The public is welcome to watch the tournament and admission is free.
The two-day, 54-hole stroke-play invitational will tee off Sunday with a dozen college teams competing on Sage Run’s 7,309-yard Paul Albanese design.
“The Island Resort Intercollegiate has become part of a great golf tradition here,” said Tony Mancilla, General Manager of Island Resort & Casino. “Sage Run has proven to be fun and challenging for the players. The variety of short and long par-4s and reachable par-5s offer a unique challenge. It’s always interesting to see how the players react to the challenges that Sage Run presents.”
South Dakota State University hosts the tournament each year, with Men’s Golf Head Coach Parker Edens at the helm. “We are looking forward to another successful weekend in Michigan,” said Edens. “This is always a great way to kick off the college golf season and this year we welcome the best field of teams in tournament history. It should be a weekend filled with great weather and golf. We can’t thank the casino and golf course enough for their hospitality and support of college golf.”
Eden’s squad will square off against Michigan, as well as Boise State, Central Florida, Georgia, Illinois State, Miami (OH), North Texas, Northern Illinois, Purdue, St. Mary’s and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
In addition to seeing the game’s up-and-coming players and a high level of golf in the local community, Mancilla said bringing in alumni and families of the players and volunteers has been a terrific way to acquaint avid golfers with the beauty and natural setting of the resort and its newest national award-winning golf course. “Once visitors see the golf course, and experience the region, they’re going to want to come back and play it for themselves,” said Mancilla.
Sage Run features a variety of rugged terrain including a large drumlin/ridge that comes into play throughout the course. The course meanders through scenic hardwoods and open areas with a variety of shot values. Players encounter fun, challenging green complexes, strategic bunkering, elevation changes and some great short par-4s. Course designer Albanese was inspired by Royal County Down, a Northern Ireland golf club rated among the world’s finest.