Colonial Athletic Association Men’s Golf Championship to be held at Dataw Island

Dataw Island in Beaufort County will host the Colonial Athletic Association Men’s Golf Championship (CAA Championship) April 24-26, 2021. The nearly 7000-yard course is one of the Lowcountry’s pristine courses and will play host for both the 2021 and 2022 Championships. “We are excited to partner with the Beaufort Area Sports Council to host the CAA Championship for men’s golf,” said Chris Fearn, Dataw Island’s Director of Golf. “The courses are in great condition and the field looks really talented, which should make for an excellent three days of competition.”

The Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) consists of College of Charleston, Delaware, Drexel University, Elon, Hofstra, James Madison, Towson, UNCW, and William & Mary. Teams of five will compete in this conference championship for a chance to advance to the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship.

“The players and coaches are enthusiastic about traveling to Beaufort, SC, to compete at one of the state’s Top 50-rated courses,” said CAA Associate Commissioner Steve Kanaby. “After a year of forgoing their Championship due to COVID-19, the athletes are even more grateful for the opportunity to see their season through to a division championship and perhaps even a NCAA championship.”

UNCW edged out Charleston to win the championship at Pinehurst No. 8 two years ago when the championship was last held, with then-freshman Segundo Oliva Pinto shooting a final round 70, sending the match into a four-man playoff. The school also won the year prior in a third-round rally to the finish.

“The sports council is so excited to see the Colonial Athletic Association bring their Men’s Golf Championships to our area,” said Christian Kata, Chair of the Beaufort Area Sports Council. “We look forward to seeing the teams on the course and hope that they enjoy one of the finest courses the Lowcountry of South Carolina has to offer, the Tom Fazio-designed ‘Cotton Dike’.”

President & CEO of Greater Beaufort-Port Royal CVB Robb Wells said he is excited about the partnership with Dataw Island, stating “Dataw Island has really stepped up to help secure this event. We are so appreciative of all involved – from the general manager to the golf staff, we can’t land this type of event without Dataw Island.”

Practice rounds will be held on Saturday, with competition taking place Sunday through Tuesday. In compliance with NCAA regulations, spectators are asked to wear masks and refrain from communicating with the players during their round.

ABOUT DATAW ISLAND
Dataw Island is a private golf, tennis and boating lifestyle community located fifteen minutes outside of historic downtown Beaufort. The island features golf courses by designers Tom Fazio and Arthur Hills, a tennis center, a full-service marina, a community center with workout and massage facilities, indoor and outdoor pools, three restaurants, croquet lawns, bocce courts, pickleball, and more. The community has also been ranked the number one best retirement destination in South Carolina by Best Retirement Destinations and is the recipient of the SCGA 2018 “Club of the Year,” Hilton Head Monthly Magazine “Top 25 Golf Community,” Connecticut Cottages & Gardens “Where to Buy Next,” and many other awards. Please visit us online to learn more: www.dataw.com

ABOUT BEAUFORT AREA SPORTS COUNCIL
Beaufort Area Sports Council was established to develop sport-related events that impact our community Northern Beaufort County.  By working with local, regional, and national organizations the Sports Council supports a wide range of events that offer a diverse opportunity to athletes of all ages and all sports. 

ABOUT GREATER BEAUFORT-PORT ROYAL CVB
Greater Beaufort-Port Royal CVB is the Designated Marketing Organization (DMO) for the city of Beaufort, the town of Port Royal and the unincorporated Sea Island regions of northern Beaufort County. The CVB produces official travel and tourism information and implements a strategic tourism promotion program to increase awareness of Northern Beaufort County as a vacation, group, meetings and/or sports tourism destination while fostering visitor product development to enhance the economic growth of the region.