HOLYOKE — The University of Colorado men's golf team opened its fall season here Tuesday in grand style, winning the one day Ballyneal Challenge on the eastern plains of the state.
A unique three-team, two-round format on the challenging Ballyneal Golf Club layout, and thus the tournament name, the Buffaloes cruised to the victory with a 5-under par 563 score on the 7,131-yard, par-71 configuration. Trailing Wyoming by one shot after 18 holes, three CU players recorded red numbers the second time around the track. That enabled the Buffs to score an 11-under 273 for the round, a school record for 18 holes on a par-71 course (as well as being the seventh best gross single round score for any par).
Nebraska finished second with a 585 score, and the Cowboys took third at 586.
“It was a good start, and the guys really responded in the second round,” CU head coach
Roy Edwards said. “Jeremy and Philip had good, solid first rounds but they all came back and played well in the afternoon. We had five new guys playing, and it was windy early during much of the first round, so I think almost everyone was a little nervous to get started. But once they settled down, I think things went pretty well.”
Junior
Jeremy Paul claimed medalist honors for the second time in his career, and he played like he was in peak form coming off a solid summer in amateur play. He fashioned a 9-under par 65-68—133 scorecard, scoring 12 birdies on his day – six in each round. He had an eagle, 18 pars and five bogeys otherwise, managing his game like usual, avoiding the big number.
“It was great to get off to this kind of start,” Paul said. “We were all excited to get the season started after practicing hard the last couple of weeks and surviving Coach Edwards' boot camp (the team worked several fitness drills into the last week, from weightlifting to mountain hikes). “I like this kind of course, it's a links style and I usually play pretty good on them. We did very well as a team and matched our expectations. We're looking forward to see what we can do this weekend at Air Force.”
The Buffaloes will turn right around and play in this weekend's Gene Miranda Air Force Invitational, which will have a larger field competing with 16 teams.
Senior
Philip Juel-Berg claimed runner-up honors, firing a six-under 70-66—136 to finish three back of Paul. While he did have a couple of big numbers – double and triple bogeys in the first round, he countered those with eight birdies to get to 1-under, and then had things go smoother in the afternoon, which included his scoring an eagle.
Junior
Ethan Freeman opened with a 76, but bounced back strong with a closing 67 to finish fifth with a 1-over 143.
“This was a great way to start the season, 36 holes in one day on a tough course,” Edwards said. “It gave us a solid test right out of the chute and it's a good lead-in to Air Force.”
Edwards will set his roster for the Air Force meet on Wednesday, as he will take seven players to compete, two of whom will do so as individuals.
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1.
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COLORADO
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290-273—563
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2.
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Nebraska
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292-293—585
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3.
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Wyoming
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289-297—586
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1.
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Jeremy Paul, CU
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65-68—133
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2.
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Philip Juel-Berg, CU
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70-66—136
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3.
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Ryan Wallen, UW
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69-72—141
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4.
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*Jackson Wendling, NU
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72-70—142
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5.
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Ethan Freeman, CU
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76-67—143
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5.
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Justin Jennings, NU
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71-72—143
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7.
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Mike Colgate, NU
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74-70—144
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8.
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*Arron Lickteig, UW
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69-77—146
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8.
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*Quintin Pope, UW
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70-76—146
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10.
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*Clayton Peterson, NU
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75-72—147
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11.
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Drew McCullough, UW
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69-79—148
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11.
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Joel Sneed, NU
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71-77—148
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13.
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*Wilson Belk, CU
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77-72—149
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13.
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*Jace Guthmiller, NU
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75-74—149
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13.
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*Ross Macdonald, CU
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73-76—149
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16.
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Sean Song, NU
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76-74—150
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17.
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Pierce Aichinger, CU
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79-72—151
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17.
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*Kade Crossland, CU
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73-78—151
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17.
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John Murdock, UW
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75-76—151
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17.
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Glenn Workman, UW
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76-75—151
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21.
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John Souza, CU
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80-72—152
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22.
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*Drew Trujillo, CU
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79-75—154
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23.
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Kamrin Allen, UW
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81-74—155
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24.
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Aaron Wong, NU
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78-81—159
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*--competed as an individual
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