Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
Rounds One & Two
Golfers In Second In Own Mark Simpson Invitational
September 28, 2015 | Men's Golf
BOULDER — The University of Colorado men's golf team had a bit of a topsy-turvy day here Monday, shooting the best score in the morning but the fourth-highest in the afternoon, but when all was said and done, the Buffaloes are in second place in their own 6th annual Mark Simpson-CU Invitational.
Ten strokes separate the top five teams, with Missouri-Kansas City owning the lead heading into the third and final round. The Kangaroos own a 3-over 563 team score, just ahead of host Colorado, which enters Tuesday five shots back at 568. Wyoming (571), Houston Baptist (573) and Wichita State (573) are also within striking distance.
Junior Ethan Freeman paced the CU contingent Monday with a 69-72—141 (1-under) scorecard on the 7,110-yard, par-70 Boulder Country Club course layout. He had a steady day in recording five birdies and 26 pars against only four bogeys and a double in ending 36 holes tied for eighth place, just two shots out of the lead.
Junior Jeremy Paul and freshman Ross Macdonald are in the hunt for medalist honors, as both are three back of the top spot after fashioning identical 67-75—142 efforts; the pair is tied for 12th.
Paul had a team- and tournament-high 10 birdies with 15 pars, but had an uncharacteristic 10 bogeys and a double that brought him back to the field. He birdied all four par-5 holes on the day in playing the long ones second-best in the field, and also managed the par-4s at 1-over, eighth-best.
Macdonald had a hot start with four birdies and 13 pars with just one bogey in his first round, and at one point was 2-under through seven holes his second time around the BCC track and led the tournament. He fell off a bit after bogeying five of his next eight holes and then closing with a double.
Senior Philip Juel-Berg had nearly identical rounds in posting a 72-71—143, which has him tied for 20th; he had two birdies and 13 pars in each of his rounds.
Sophomore Kade Crossland is in 50th overall after carding a 74-76—150 total (10-over); he had three birdies and 23 pars, 15 of the latter coming in the afternoon.
"It was a really good morning round,” CU head coach Roy Edwards said of his team's 5-under 275. “Ross and Jeremy shot two really good rounds, Ethan had a solid one as well and Philip hung in there.
“In the afternoon, it just seemed like we were struggling throughout the entire round despite playing hard,” he continued. “I'm actually pleased in where we are in relation to how we played late in the afternoon round. We're definitely in a good position. They were the same hole locations, but the winds picked up, and a little bit of wind out here makes this course play fairly hard and it doesn't take much to get behind a little bit. We did a good job of battling through it, but just didn't get the results we were looking for.
“But we did hang in there and the table is set for tomorrow.”
Three other Buffs are playing as individuals: freshman Wilson Belk is tied for 12th after a 73-69—142 effort (2-over par); senior Drew Trujillo is tied for 44th (77-72—149); and freshman Pierce Aichinger shot a pair of 76s (152) and is tied for 57th.
“Wilson was a bright spot for us in the afternoon,” Edwards added. “He got off to a really rough start and then settled down to come back strong to put up a 69.” Belk bogeyed four of his first six holes before gathering himself to score birdies on five of his next nine holes.
The final round is set for Tuesday morning; the three leading teams, UMKC, Colorado and Wyoming, will have staggered tee times starting at 8:15 a.m. with the remaining nine teams beginning with a shotgun start at 8:30. There is no cost to attend and parking is free at BCC, with plenty of street parking as well.
The tournament is named for CU's late golf coach who passed away in 2005 after coaching the Buffaloes for 29 years.
|
BUFFALO INDIVIDUALS |
|
T8. |
69-72—141 |
|
|
T12. |
67-75—142 |
|
|
T12. |
73-69—142 |
|
|
T12. |
67-75—142 |
|
|
T20. |
72-71—143 |
|
|
T44. |
77-72—149 |
|
|
50. |
74-76—150 |
|
|
T57. |
76-76—152 |
*—playing as an individual.
|
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS |
|
1. |
Kamrin Allen, Wyoming |
70-69—139 |
|
1. |
Antoine Rozner, UMKC |
68-71—139 |
|
1. |
Val Almendarez, Houston Baptist |
71-68—139 |
|
4. |
Ryan Wallen, Wyoming |
72-68—140 |
|
4. |
Aaron Lickteig, Wyoming |
69-71—140 |
|
4. |
Steven Kupcho, UNC |
70-70—140 |
|
4. |
Tanner Jensen, Utah State |
73-67—140 |
|
8. |
Ethan Freeman, Colorado |
69-72—141 |
|
8. |
Zander Lozano, UTSA |
74-67—141 |
|
TEAM STANDINGS |
|
1. |
Missouri-Kansas City |
280-283—563 |
|
2. |
COLORADO |
275-293—568 |
|
3. |
Wyoming |
293-278—571 |
|
4. |
Houston Baptist |
290-283—573 |
|
4. |
Wichita State |
292-281—573 |
|
6. |
Utah State |
291-288—579 |
|
6. |
Texas San-Antonio |
290-289—579 |
|
8. |
Northern Colorado |
293-288—581 |
|
9. |
Air Force |
289-293—582 |
|
10. |
Sam Houston State |
294-295—589 |
|
11. |
George Washington |
291-304—595 |
|
12. |
Loyola-Marymount |
294-303—597 |
