Of the 10 intercollegiate sports that Chaminade University fields, there was one program which saw few effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked among collegiate sports.
Men's golf managed to navigate its way through the hazards since the start of the academic calendar, being the only sport to have outside competition in the fall since the NCAA deemed golf to be of "low risk" category due to the ease of social distancing.
The 'Swords faced Hawai'i Pacific University in two fall dual matches in November. The programs were so evenly matched, both contests ended in draws.
This time, however, the results will count, unlike fall matches where results and scores are utilized for ranking purposes only. Chaminade opens its spring championship season Wednesday in a dual match against HPU, the third such meeting of the 2020-21 season.
The 'Swords were victorious during the individual competitions with
Schuyler Peterson (Huntington Beach, Calif./Mater Dei) winning the first dual match on Nov. 9 while
Desmond Mello (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Hawai'i/Moanalua HS) and
Jeren Nishimoto (Honolulu/Kaiser) tied for medalist honors in the Nov. 10 rematch.
The 'Swords have others who complement the trio with steady play over the past few seasons.
Colby Gunderson (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Castle) had several low rounds during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season including a runner-up finish in the fall of 2019 where he shot a career-best 1-under-par 71 in a dual match against HPU.
Kalani Frazier (Kapolei, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kapolei) and
Gavin Bedoya (Honolulu/Kaiser) are returnees while head coach
Renee Yuen, now in her eighth year, added
Jackson Tyler (La Plata, Md./Wesley College/Montverde Academy, Fla.), a transfer from Wesley College in Delaware, during the holiday season.
Following Wednesday's match, the Silverswords will play in two mainland tournaments in March; the Northwest Nazarene Invitational (formerly the Notre Dame de Namur Invitational) and the Tim Tierney Shootout (Holy Names will serve as host in place of Cal State East Bay, whose season was canceled by the CCAA).
The 'Swords will return home for two Hawai'i Challenge tournaments which includes HPU and the University of Hawai'i Hilo. Those events will lead into the Pacific West Conference Championships, which will be held at the Waikoloa Beach Course from April 19 to 21.
