HARRIS, Michigan – Island Resort & Casino will once again host the Island Resort Intercollegiate Golf Championship over Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31-Sept. 1, at its award-winning Sage Run Golf Course. This marks the sixth consecutive year of the NCAA men’s golf tournament, which has become a premier early-season event on the collegiate golf calendar.
The 54-hole, two-day stroke-play event will welcome a competitive 12-team field featuring prominent programs such as Purdue (defending champions), Michigan, Michigan State, and South Dakota State, the tournament host. Other teams include Miami (OH), Central Florida, West Virginia, St. Mary’s (CA), Illinois State, UTEP, Nebraska, and Ball State.
“This tournament continues to build a strong tradition and reputation for attracting top collegiate programs from across the country,” said Tony Mancilla, General Manager of Island Resort & Casino. “Sage Run provides a unique and challenging layout that tests every part of a player’s game. We love seeing these athletes and their families experience all that our resort and golf courses have to offer.”
South Dakota State University hosts the tournament each year, with Men’s Golf Head Coach Parker Edens at the helm. “This is always a great way to kick off the college golf season, having these top teams competing together on a great, challenging golf course, said Edens. “This year, we welcome another strong field of competition, and it should be a weekend filled with great golf. We can’t thank the casino and golf course enough for their hospitality and support of college golf.”
Sage Run, designed by renowned architect Paul Albanese, offers a 7,309-yard par-72 layout that delivers a pure, rugged golf experience unlike any other in the region. Inspired by the legendary Royal County Down in Northern Ireland, Sage Run features rolling ridges, elevated tee boxes, natural hardwood forests, and wide fairways framed by fescue grasses.
A central drumlin ridge runs through the property, creating bold elevation changes and a strategic mix of short risk-reward par 4s, reachable par 5s, and demanding par 3s. Rugged bunkering, dramatic green complexes, and natural contours challenge players to carefully plan every shot.
Mancilla really enjoys seeing the alumni and families of the players experience the wonderful golf destination that Island Resort & Casino has become. “Once visitors see the golf course and experience the resort, they’re going to want to come back and play it for themselves,” Mancilla said.