With the USTA encouraging more players to take the college route, this is going to be a more frequent occurrence. Say what you want about the prestige of the event, but there aren't any ATP points available there. Players that have their eyes set on going pro are going to pursue playing in events that prepare them for the next level. And the coaches of the top programs need to be ready to let them skip some events to do so.
Kos got a wild card into the main draw of a Futures event and took out a guy in the top 400 before losing. What did he have to gain from playing in the Pac-10? The event has no bearing on whether his team hosts a regional, and he's a lock for the NCAA singles field.
absolutely agree. kudos to billy martin for allowing dk to skip ojai to play at a futures event.