Colorado University Athletics
Photo by: CUBuffs.com
Golf Recruit Knight Qualifies for U.S. Amateur
July 14, 2023 | Men's Golf
Seven Birdies Over Final Nine Holes Propels Him To Advance
PLEASANTON, Calif. — University of Colorado freshman recruit Brandon Knight utilized an incredible final nine holes to finish second in qualifying for the U.S. Amateur here Thursday.
Knight, who is one of three incoming recruits for coach Roy Edwards' Buffaloes, recorded a 70-64—134 scorecard, 10-under par, in earning runner-up honors, as the top two finishers earned berths into next month's U.S. Amateur. Starting the second round on No. 10, he was 3-under through 27 holes, having lost a stroke when he bogeyed No. 18.
At that point, saying he caught fire is an understatement. He proceeded to birdie on the first five holes (1 through 5) and added two more on Nos. 7 and 9 for a 29 on the side. He had 14 birdies over the two rounds to lead the 66-man field, which saw 20 players finish under par and another three finishing even.
"Simply great playing and focus by Brandon on the back nine to qualify," said Edwards. "He's established himself already as one of the top amateurs in California. And playing in the U.S. Amateur just down the road in Denver will be a great unofficial start to his Buffalo career."
Mitchell Hoey a junior at St. Mary's, was the medalist, carding a pair of 66s for a 12-under 132 to best Knight by two strokes on the 6,731-yard, par-72 Castlewood Country Club course. The third place finisher, Vijay Srinivasan, was two back of Knight in the end and is an alternate.
Knight, from Foothill High School in Pleasanton, was the '22 California State champion, won the San Francisco City Championship, going 5-0 in match play with a 1-up victory over Hoey, in the 36-hole final at TPC Harding Park. He most recently finished 17th in the California State Amateur (though all but two finishers ahead of him were either already seasoned collegians or older).
"Castlewood is my home course so I've played the front a lot and it's very scorable," Knight said. "After I bogeyed 18, I knew where I stood and I knew I could get where I needed to if I played well on the back. I made a putt on 1 and got confidence with the putter and after that I made the next four in a row. Six was a tough par three, so I was fine with par on that hole. The last three are very 'gettable' and I knew I would have to birdie at least two of them.
"I birdied 7," he continued, "but I hit it in the trees on 8 and rallied to make par. Looking at the scores on-line, I knew I had to birdie 18 to have a chance, though and an eagle would get me in for sure. I hit it in the rough off the tee, so the second shot was tough to judge and it flew the green. I got up-and-down for birdie I thought it was gonna be enough. That's when my dad told me, 'Sorry buddy, you (probably) lost by one, the other guy went to minus-11.'
"I was so sad I finished up with a 29 and wasn't gonna make it. But (Srinivasan) had one hole left to play so we all went over to watch him. He lost his ball off the tee and wound up making triple, so I made it."
Knight will join CU junior-to-be Dylan McDermott in the event, the ninth-known time at least two Buffaloes, either enrolled at the time or eventual team members, will play the event. McDermott was joined by fellow sophomore a year ago, Justin Biwer, who advanced to the round of 16. Another current Buff, Robby Keilch, qualified in 2001 as a senior in high school. Associate head coach Derek Tolan qualified three times, joining Ben Portie in 2001, Derek O'Neill in 2002 and Justin Bardgett in 2009.
The pair could be joined by other Buffaloes, as Keilch will attempt to qualify on Monday in California with current juniors-to-be Tucker Clark and Jack Holland and sophomore-to-be Hunter Swanson to try on July 24 at Commonground Golf Course in Aurora.
In all, 312 golfers will compete next month in the 123rd U.S. Amateur, which has returned to Colorado for the first time since 2012 and for the fifth time overall. Two days of stroke play will take place August 14-15 at Cherry Hills Country Club and Colorado Golf Club, with five days of match play commencing Aug. 16 leading up to a 36-hole championship match at Cherry Hills on Sunday, Aug. 20. Cherry Hills also hosted the event in 1990 and 2012, with the Broadmoor doing so the first two occasions in 1959 and 1967.
Knight, who is one of three incoming recruits for coach Roy Edwards' Buffaloes, recorded a 70-64—134 scorecard, 10-under par, in earning runner-up honors, as the top two finishers earned berths into next month's U.S. Amateur. Starting the second round on No. 10, he was 3-under through 27 holes, having lost a stroke when he bogeyed No. 18.
At that point, saying he caught fire is an understatement. He proceeded to birdie on the first five holes (1 through 5) and added two more on Nos. 7 and 9 for a 29 on the side. He had 14 birdies over the two rounds to lead the 66-man field, which saw 20 players finish under par and another three finishing even.
"Simply great playing and focus by Brandon on the back nine to qualify," said Edwards. "He's established himself already as one of the top amateurs in California. And playing in the U.S. Amateur just down the road in Denver will be a great unofficial start to his Buffalo career."
Mitchell Hoey a junior at St. Mary's, was the medalist, carding a pair of 66s for a 12-under 132 to best Knight by two strokes on the 6,731-yard, par-72 Castlewood Country Club course. The third place finisher, Vijay Srinivasan, was two back of Knight in the end and is an alternate.
Knight, from Foothill High School in Pleasanton, was the '22 California State champion, won the San Francisco City Championship, going 5-0 in match play with a 1-up victory over Hoey, in the 36-hole final at TPC Harding Park. He most recently finished 17th in the California State Amateur (though all but two finishers ahead of him were either already seasoned collegians or older).
"Castlewood is my home course so I've played the front a lot and it's very scorable," Knight said. "After I bogeyed 18, I knew where I stood and I knew I could get where I needed to if I played well on the back. I made a putt on 1 and got confidence with the putter and after that I made the next four in a row. Six was a tough par three, so I was fine with par on that hole. The last three are very 'gettable' and I knew I would have to birdie at least two of them.
"I birdied 7," he continued, "but I hit it in the trees on 8 and rallied to make par. Looking at the scores on-line, I knew I had to birdie 18 to have a chance, though and an eagle would get me in for sure. I hit it in the rough off the tee, so the second shot was tough to judge and it flew the green. I got up-and-down for birdie I thought it was gonna be enough. That's when my dad told me, 'Sorry buddy, you (probably) lost by one, the other guy went to minus-11.'
"I was so sad I finished up with a 29 and wasn't gonna make it. But (Srinivasan) had one hole left to play so we all went over to watch him. He lost his ball off the tee and wound up making triple, so I made it."
Knight will join CU junior-to-be Dylan McDermott in the event, the ninth-known time at least two Buffaloes, either enrolled at the time or eventual team members, will play the event. McDermott was joined by fellow sophomore a year ago, Justin Biwer, who advanced to the round of 16. Another current Buff, Robby Keilch, qualified in 2001 as a senior in high school. Associate head coach Derek Tolan qualified three times, joining Ben Portie in 2001, Derek O'Neill in 2002 and Justin Bardgett in 2009.
The pair could be joined by other Buffaloes, as Keilch will attempt to qualify on Monday in California with current juniors-to-be Tucker Clark and Jack Holland and sophomore-to-be Hunter Swanson to try on July 24 at Commonground Golf Course in Aurora.
In all, 312 golfers will compete next month in the 123rd U.S. Amateur, which has returned to Colorado for the first time since 2012 and for the fifth time overall. Two days of stroke play will take place August 14-15 at Cherry Hills Country Club and Colorado Golf Club, with five days of match play commencing Aug. 16 leading up to a 36-hole championship match at Cherry Hills on Sunday, Aug. 20. Cherry Hills also hosted the event in 1990 and 2012, with the Broadmoor doing so the first two occasions in 1959 and 1967.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
Join us for the 15th Annual Colorado Golf Day on August 25 at Boulder Country Club! ⛳
Tuesday, August 12
Buffalo Stampede WEEK 24
Tuesday, February 06
Buffalo Stampede Week 24 TUCKER CLARK
Tuesday, February 06
Afternoon Tee with Matt Thurmond
Monday, June 08