Minnesota’s Justin Smith set a course record on the final day of the Landfall Tradition at the country Club of Landfall Nov. 2.

And like anyone who put his name in the record books, held a place on the winning team and earned medallist honors, he happily answered questions about his performance.

But just as easily, he responded when asked about his personal experience at the tournament.

“It’s awesome. They do an awesome job. They treat us too well,” the senior said. “They start from picking you up in the airport in a limo and it’s just their goal is to make this the best tournament in the country for college golf and it’s not going to take long for that to happen because they’re going to attract the top golf teams, they way the keep treating us.”

Kailin Downs, who paced New Mexico to the women’s tournament title, also declared herself a fan.

“This was a great tournament. Everyone was happy to have us here and was very friendly and we enjoyed every second of it,” she said after her squad picked up the championship trophy in front of an applauding crowd. “(It’s) just the friendliness. Knowing that people want us here and all the fun stuff we got to do.”

The white-glove, yet friendly, style could bring the Landfall Tradition to its goal. When one hears that the event wants to be the top college golf tournament in the country, the temptation is to give a smile and think it’s a nice idea.

Judging from the players it’s more than a nice idea.

Women’s medallist Amanda McCurdy of Arkansas enjoyed the squad’s host family. Taking a late flight back to Fayetteville, Ark., she had to study, but she also looked forward to a quick trip to the ocean.

“I haven’t seen the ocean that many times,” the El Dorado, Ark. native said. “I get down to the Gulf sometimes. But not the ocean.”

McCurdy last saw the Atlantic at last year’s Landfall Tradition.

She certainly seemed pleased with her trip east. She hugged UNCW head coach Cindy Ho and seemingly half the tournament staff after her award presentation.

Tournament co-founder Peter Hexter smiled the smile of the fully satisfied when asked about the tournament’s goal.

“We’re right on track. I think if you talk to most of the coaches here they’re going to say they haven’t experienced anything quite like this,” he said. “These kids are really getting catered to and pampered and we want this to be something that reaches out to the University and distinguishes them from all the big schools that are coming out here and I think it’s working.”

Smith agreed.

“It’s my senior year this year, it’s hard to not play in this tournament again.”