College athletics can be stressful, with the players balancing competition and academics. But it also has its upside.
Lamar University’s men’s golf team competed in their final fall tournament at the Kapolei Invitational, hosted by the University of Hawaii, Oct. 29-31. The Cardinals finished seventh out of 15 teams, including Texas State, Utah Valley and Arkansas State.
Luc Gavagnin, South Africa freshman, said the team competed hard but also appreciated the exotic surroundings.
“When we were on the golf course, we were taking it seriously,” he said. “Then after that, you're in Hawaii, so you're gonna have fun. But our coach let us know that when we got to the course, it was time to put the work in.”
Outside of golfing, the team went ziplining, hiking and explored Honolulu and the surrounding areas.
Matthew Bramford, Zimbabwe freshman, said the tournament offered the team a chance to experience different culture.
“I think spending time with the team in different areas of life, not just the golfing environment, is pretty nice,” he said. “You get to see what they are like as people.”
The three-day event was in Kapolei, a town about 30 minutes from Honolulu, where the team stayed.
“I think we did, all right, we didn't play great,” Gavagnin said. “It wasn't our best performance, but it wasn't the worst we've done this season.”
The trip fell around Halloween, so the team was able to partake in festivities on the Honolulu strip.
“The best part of the trip was probably the night of Halloween,” Bramford said. “We do not do Halloween at all where I'm from, so it was cool seeing everyone dressed up.”
Bramford said the Hawaiian culture was laid back compared to what he has experienced in Texas.
“Obviously, it's a lot more of a beach vibe,” he said. “But I feel like you could still feel the American aspect of it.”
Gavagnin said traveling helps the players bond as a team.
“You get so close to the guys on your team, and then you get to spend a full week in Hawaii with them,” Gavagnin said. “We are all from different places, so it’s just cool to get to spend time with everyone. They have become like family now.”
This was the last fall tournament for men’s golf, and they will kick off the spring semester in February with a tournament in Cancun, Mexico.