San Jose State, Muratore Win Inaugural Jim DeLapa Collegiate At Point O’ Woods

This past weekend, Point O’ Woods, in Benton Harbor, hosted the inaugural Jim DeLapa Collegiate featuring thirteen teams from across the nation.

San Jose State (pictured above) captured the team title, while Dean Muratore of Michigan won individual honors.

The University of Michigan finished fourth. Eastern Michigan finished tenth. Central Michigan finished twelfth.

Point O’ Woods is a beautiful and challenging Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design. I had the opportunity to play the course several years ago. You can read my Point O’ Woods review at the link. There’s also a photo tour.

A full press release for the Jim DeLapa Collegiate follows:

San Jose State, Muratore Win Inaugural Jim DeLapa Collegiate

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. – San Jose State and Dean Muratore of Michigan captured victories at the inaugural Jim DeLapa Collegiate on Monday at Point O’ Woods Golf & Country Club. 

San Jose State’s final round saw a bogey-free first six holes from counting scores with eight birdies and bogey-free front nines from seniors Avinash Iyer and Jed Dy to jump into contention. The Spartans then birdied 10 back-nine holes from counting scores, including on five of junior Keshav “KC” Mungali’s final six holes, to compile a tournament-best 11-under 269 and win by five strokes over Princeton.

“It’s such an honor to get to play at such a historic course like Point O’ Woods, and to take home a victory means even more,” Head Coach John Kennaday said. “I’m really proud of our guys for their fight and the game they played today.”

San Jose State’s final team score was 15-under 825. Saint Mary’s (CA), Michigan, and Cincinnati also recorded top-five finishes.

36-hole individual leader Muratore extended his 24-hole bogey-free streak to 31 with six pars and a birdie on the par-4 fifth hole before dropping a shot on the eighth. The sophomore from Dix Hills, New York, ended the tournament on a 10-hole bogey-free streak and birdied four of his final five holes to clinch his first collegiate win (-14; 66-64-66), besting pairing mate Mungali (-13; 64-68-65) by one shot. 

“After yesterday, today was a lot of fun,” said Muratore. “Coming down the stretch was a lot of fun, and competing against KC was honestly great. He went first on a few of the holes and I answered, then he made two good putts on 17 and 18. I had 15 feet on 17, made it, and then I had three feet on the last to make it and win. It was pretty incredible.”

“I had a lot of figuring it out last year, so being able to win now is great,” Muratore continued. “One step closer to my ultimate goal, and hopefully this is the first of many.”

Central Michigan Head Coach Kevin Jennings, a Benton Harbor native who spent many summers caddying at Point O’ Woods alongside his brother JJ, presented miniature hand-carvings of The Ross Cabin behind the ninth hole tee box to San Jose State and Muratore. Miniature versions of the hand-carvings were also given to each member of the winning team.

The Jennings brothers’ association with the club is further deepened by their mentorship under Mr. Jim DeLapa and his son Tony, both of whom played significant roles in shaping the brothers’ careers and community leadership. 

About Point O’ Woods Golf & Country Club

200 acres of maples, pines, and oaks surround velvety greens of a championship course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. on land owned by Donald H. Ross. Jones called Point O’ Woods “Perhaps my best American course.” At par 72, 7075 yards from the championship tees, Point O’ Woods exclusively hosted the Western Amateur for 41 years (1963, 1965, 1971-2008, 2019). Golf legends like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf, Andy North, Ben Crenshaw, Curtis Strange, and Tiger Woods, as well as many college coaches, have played the course at the Point. This deep-rooted tradition of hosting the very best in amateur golf has fostered countless memories for both competitors and members.

About the Golf Coaches Association of America

Established in 1958, the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) is the professional organization of men’s collegiate golf coaches. The GCAA’s mission is to support its member coaches from six divisions, including the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA, by creating educational opportunities, providing resources, and promoting its members with the purpose of enhancing their overall performance as coaches, mentors, and teachers. The GCAA also recognizes the excellence and achievements of its members and their student-athletes in academic, athletic and civic endeavors.

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