KAMUELA, Hawaii – Sophomores Kongpop Kaikaew and Thonsaeng Nunya were among the top five as The University of Texas Permian Basin men's golf team won the HPU Sharks Shootout.  The tournament was played at Mauna Lani Golf Course North, a Par-72 with a total yardage of 6,913 yards.

UTPB shot 291-276-286 for a -11 to win by eight strokes over #15 Colorado Christian.  Rounding out the top five were Cal State East Bay (Receiving Votes) (3^rd – 289-291-289, +5), Cal State Dominguez Hills (T4th – 285-306-280, +7) and Cal State Monterey Bay (Receiving Votes) (T4th – 290-291-290, +7).

The Falcons round of 286 was tied for second best of the day.  It is the first team tournament title in program history.  UTPB finished ahead of four ranked teams and two squads who are receiving votes.

Individually, Nunya and Kaikaew tied for fourth.

Kaikaew finished at -6 (75-67-68).  He tied for third with 15 birdies and had 29 pars.  Kaikaew had an Eagle in the third round on the Par 5, 536-yard Hole 10.

Nunya finished at -6 (67-68-75).  Nunya had 13 birdies and 36 pars.

Senior Sangha Park was tied for 18^th at +1 (78-69-70).  He tied for fourth with 14 birdies.  In the second round, Park had an Eagle on the Par 5, 528-yard Hole 7.

Senior Nolan Otto was tied for 30^th at +5 (71-72-78).  He tied for second with 39 pars.

Freshman Ioan Rowe was tied for 51^st at +10 (80-73-73).

Kyle Wittenbach, UTPB Men's Golf head coach
"This was a huge team win.  Every single player contributed for us.  The win was a huge relief for us.  It became a nail-bitter as Colorado Christian tied us with just two holes to go.  The guys just dug deep and pulled away."

UT Permian Basin will compete at the Dennis Rose Intercollegiate, Friday-Saturday, Oct. 27-28.  The tournament is at Hapuna GC.

-THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS PERMIAN BASIN-