The Loop

OSU's Uihlein missing from spring opener

January 31, 2011

I was checking out the lineups for the schools playing at the Amer-Ari Invitational in Hawaii to start their spring season, and one name in particular stood out by its absence as the event begins Wednesday.

Oklahoma State's Peter Uihlein.

Don't fret Cowboys fans. The reigning U.S. Amateur champion doesn't have a mysterious injury to worry about. According to OSU coach Mike McGraw, Uihlein will be back in the line-up when the country's top-ranked team plays in the Puerto Rico tournament later this month.

"Every year I set a certain GPA criteria that players must meet in the fall in order to be eligible to go to Hawaii," said McGraw via text message when asked why Uihlein didn't make the trip. "Peter is eligible by NCAA standards and OSU standards, however, not the standard we have on our team for Hawaii." Reached by phone in Hawaii, McGraw would not say what the GPA standard was.

Perhaps it's not the worst news for Uihlein. A year ago he made the trip to Waikaloa Beach Resort despite having flu-like symptoms. He wound up shooting an 18-over 234 and finished T-84.

OSU's starting five will be Morgan Hoffmann,Kevin Tway,Kevin Doughery,Drew Page,Talor Gooch.

Meanwhile, Uihlein is likely to get some competitive golf in this coming weekend. He is listed as a participant at the Jones Cup Invitational, a men's amateur event being played at Ocean Forest GC in St. Simons Island, Ga., Feb. 4-6.