University of Colorado Athletics
Erling (left) compiled an impressive high school and amateur resume.
Edwards Adds Erling To '23 Recruiting Class
February 08, 2023 | Men's Golf
One of Colorado’s top junior players to join the Buffaloes in the fall
BOULDER — Wesley Erling, a three-time, first-team All-State performer from Pine Creek High School in Colorado Springs, has signed a letter-of-intent to attend the University of Colorado, head coach Roy Edwards announced Wednesday.
Erling, who is interested in majoring in Finance, posted three top four finishes in the state's 5A championship meets in addition to a solid resume of junior golf finishes.
As a junior, he was the runner-up in 2021 Colorado 5A State Championship with a 70-72—142 score (even-par) at the Colorado Springs Country Club; he was the first-day leader and was tied atop the standings after 36 holes but lost on the second playoff hole. Last fall as a senior, he tied for fourth with a 69-70—139 effort (1-under) at City Park Golf Course in Denver. He also tied for fourth as a sophomore in 2020 (73-75—148, 4-over) at the Club at Rolling Hills in Arvada. Erling was one of a handful of freshmen in the '19 meet, tying for 37th (78-79—157) in Denver (Pinehurst Country Club).
Erling shot a 69 and claimed medalist honors in a playoff in the 5A Northern Regional, leading the Eagles to their first regional title in 19 years. As a team, Pine Creek finished fourth in the state his senior season, nine strokes back of champion Fossil Ridge, sixth his junior campaign but outside the top 10 his sophomore year.
He earned first-team All-State honors from the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) and ColoradoPreps.com as a sophomore, junior and senior. He was the only three-time, first-team honoree on the 2022 team.
In 2022 amateur competition, top finishes included a tie for fifth in last November's Gobbler Amateur in Tucson, Ariz. (1-under 75-73-67—215). He tied for fourth in the Colorado PGA Junior Invitational (73-72—145, +2) and tied for eighth in IMG Academy Junior World Qualifying at CU's home course, Colorado National GC (71-75—146, +2).
In Future Champions Golf Tour (FCG) play, he finished seventh in the 2021 FCG Arizona World Series event at Ocotillo (76-75—151), and as a sophomore, he tied for 45th in the FCG 2020 Callaway World Championship in Temecula, Calif. (2-over 75-70-73—218); however, 35 finishers ahead of him were either juniors or seniors in high school. He was the 2020 Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado (JGAC) Tour Champion (4-under 68 at Eisenhower Golf Club) and was a member of its five-man All-Star team with current CU freshman Hunter Swanson.
The 2017 Player of the Year for Boys ages 11-13, overall in Colorado junior amateur play, he recorded 35 top 10 finishes (23 top five) with five wins and four runner-up efforts from 2016 through 2022.
"Wes is one of the top players in Colorado in the class of 2023," Edwards said. "We have had an eye on him for quite a while as he is a player with tremendous potential as a golfer, student, and teammate here at CU. He is a tremendous addition to our roster and look forward to having him join us next fall."
"I am honored and thrilled to represent the University of Colorado, and excited to work with coach Edwards and (assistant) coach (Derek) Tolan to further develop my game," Erling said. "I can't wait to work with and contribute to the team."
He also played basketball through his sophomore year; a 5-foot-11 guard (point and combo: point and shooting), he stopped playing prior to his junior year to focus solely on golf.
The Buffaloes are still rather young, with just one senior, six sophomores and two freshmen. Erling joins fall signee Brandon Knight (Pleasanton, Calif.) in CU's '23 recruiting class, along with Ty Holbrook (Granbury, Texas), who signed in the '22 class but decided to take the newly popular "gap year" between graduating high school and enrolling in college.
Colorado begins the spring portion of its 2022-23 schedule this Friday in the Wyoming World Match Play Championships at Palm Desert, Calif.
Erling, who is interested in majoring in Finance, posted three top four finishes in the state's 5A championship meets in addition to a solid resume of junior golf finishes.
As a junior, he was the runner-up in 2021 Colorado 5A State Championship with a 70-72—142 score (even-par) at the Colorado Springs Country Club; he was the first-day leader and was tied atop the standings after 36 holes but lost on the second playoff hole. Last fall as a senior, he tied for fourth with a 69-70—139 effort (1-under) at City Park Golf Course in Denver. He also tied for fourth as a sophomore in 2020 (73-75—148, 4-over) at the Club at Rolling Hills in Arvada. Erling was one of a handful of freshmen in the '19 meet, tying for 37th (78-79—157) in Denver (Pinehurst Country Club).
Erling shot a 69 and claimed medalist honors in a playoff in the 5A Northern Regional, leading the Eagles to their first regional title in 19 years. As a team, Pine Creek finished fourth in the state his senior season, nine strokes back of champion Fossil Ridge, sixth his junior campaign but outside the top 10 his sophomore year.
He earned first-team All-State honors from the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) and ColoradoPreps.com as a sophomore, junior and senior. He was the only three-time, first-team honoree on the 2022 team.
In 2022 amateur competition, top finishes included a tie for fifth in last November's Gobbler Amateur in Tucson, Ariz. (1-under 75-73-67—215). He tied for fourth in the Colorado PGA Junior Invitational (73-72—145, +2) and tied for eighth in IMG Academy Junior World Qualifying at CU's home course, Colorado National GC (71-75—146, +2).
In Future Champions Golf Tour (FCG) play, he finished seventh in the 2021 FCG Arizona World Series event at Ocotillo (76-75—151), and as a sophomore, he tied for 45th in the FCG 2020 Callaway World Championship in Temecula, Calif. (2-over 75-70-73—218); however, 35 finishers ahead of him were either juniors or seniors in high school. He was the 2020 Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado (JGAC) Tour Champion (4-under 68 at Eisenhower Golf Club) and was a member of its five-man All-Star team with current CU freshman Hunter Swanson.
The 2017 Player of the Year for Boys ages 11-13, overall in Colorado junior amateur play, he recorded 35 top 10 finishes (23 top five) with five wins and four runner-up efforts from 2016 through 2022.
"Wes is one of the top players in Colorado in the class of 2023," Edwards said. "We have had an eye on him for quite a while as he is a player with tremendous potential as a golfer, student, and teammate here at CU. He is a tremendous addition to our roster and look forward to having him join us next fall."
"I am honored and thrilled to represent the University of Colorado, and excited to work with coach Edwards and (assistant) coach (Derek) Tolan to further develop my game," Erling said. "I can't wait to work with and contribute to the team."
He also played basketball through his sophomore year; a 5-foot-11 guard (point and combo: point and shooting), he stopped playing prior to his junior year to focus solely on golf.
The Buffaloes are still rather young, with just one senior, six sophomores and two freshmen. Erling joins fall signee Brandon Knight (Pleasanton, Calif.) in CU's '23 recruiting class, along with Ty Holbrook (Granbury, Texas), who signed in the '22 class but decided to take the newly popular "gap year" between graduating high school and enrolling in college.
Colorado begins the spring portion of its 2022-23 schedule this Friday in the Wyoming World Match Play Championships at Palm Desert, Calif.
Players Mentioned
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