Burns Intercollegiate Golf Tournament Returns to Hokuala

The 49th annual college golf event features top teams and players competing on Kauai's scenic Ocean Course

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The 49th annual John A. Burns Intercollegiate golf tournament will take place from Thursday through Saturday at the Ocean Course at Hokuala in Lihue, Hawaii. The tournament, hosted by the University of Hawaii men's golf team, will feature 19 college teams including past champions Cal, UNLV, and Brigham Young University. Defending individual co-champion Gabriel Palacios of Utah and 2025 record-holder Zach Little of UNLV will be among the top players competing.

Why it matters

The Burns Intercollegiate is one of the longest-running college golf tournaments in the NCAA Division I, showcasing some of the best young talent in the sport. The event also provides a boost to the local Kauai economy as spectators and teams visit the island to take in the scenic Ocean Course at Hokuala.

The details

The tournament will feature shotgun starts at 9 a.m. each day, with the front nine playing alongside the jungle and the back nine showcasing some of Hawaii's most beautiful oceanfront holes. In addition to the competition, the University of Hawaii men's golf team will host a golf clinic for junior golfers on Friday afternoon.

  • The 49th annual John A. Burns Intercollegiate will take place from Thursday, February 13 through Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • The tournament will feature shotgun starts at 9 a.m. each day.

The players

University of Hawaii Men's Golf Team

The host team for the 49th annual John A. Burns Intercollegiate, led by head coach Scott Simpson, a seven-time PGA Tour winner.

Zach Little

A senior at UNLV and the 2025 Burns Intercollegiate individual co-champion, who holds the Ocean Course at Hokuala's par-70 scoring record with a 7-under 63.

Gabriel Palacios

A junior at the University of Utah and the 2025 Burns Intercollegiate individual co-champion, who was a 2025 PING NCAA Division I All-American honorable mention and is currently the tournament's top-ranked player.

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What they’re saying

“Players, coaches and fans always look forward to a great week on the Ocean Course at Hokuala.”

— Scott Simpson, University of Hawaii Men's Golf Coach (thegardenisland.com)

“Ocean Course at Hokuala is a very fun course. There are plenty of birdie opportunities, but also holes that can quickly turn into double or triple bogeys if you miss in the wrong spots. It really forces players to think through their shots and manage the course, rather than simply blasting away.”

— Scott Simpson, University of Hawaii Men's Golf Coach (thegardenisland.com)

What’s next

The University of Hawaii men's golf team will host a golf clinic for junior golfers on Friday, February 14 at 3:30 p.m. on the Ocean Course at Hokuala.

The takeaway

The 49th annual John A. Burns Intercollegiate golf tournament continues to be a premier event on the college golf calendar, drawing top teams and players to the scenic Ocean Course at Hokuala on the island of Kauai. The tournament's long history and picturesque setting make it a must-see event for golf fans in Hawaii and beyond.