Colorado University Athletics
Scenic Wigwam Resort hosted the 12th Annual The Patriot All-American
Several Buffs Excel in The Patriot All-America
January 01, 2024 | Men's Golf, Women's Golf
Two Buffaloes Tie For Seventh In Prestigious Annual Event
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Four University of Colorado golfers competed here this weekend in the 12th Annual "The Patriot All-America," a most prestigious tournament held annually at the end of the calendar year that concluded on New Year's Eve.
The field is limited to 150 male and female players, the best players in collegiate golf, with entry by invitation only extended by the Golf Coaches Association of America. All participants honor a fallen or severely injured soldier or first responder by carrying a bag bearing the name of that individual.
Fifth-year senior and TCU transfer Sabrina Iqbal tied for seventh in the women's standings, which featured 65 players in all, mostly top performers from colleges around the country. She finished with a 3-under 207 scorecard (68-65-74—207) on the 6,373-yard, par-70 Wigwam Golf Resort's Blue Course, with nine birdies and two eagles over the three days of competition. She was tied for third entering Sunday's final round, but back-to-back struggles on Nos. 10 and 11 (double bogey, bogey) would cost her a top five finish.
Iqbal carried a 70.9 average – second-best on the team – for 12 rounds in her first semester as a Buffalo this past fall. She tied with Arizona State's Grace Summerhays as the top finishers among 14 players who competed from Pac-12 Conference schools. Vanderbilt's Tillie Claggett was the medalist with a 12-under 198, as her final round 61 enabled her to move from a tie for sixth into first for a two-stroke win.
"I know Sabrina was really excited to play in the Patriot All-America," said Anne Kelly, the head coach of the CU women. "She played some great golf this week, including shooting a 30 (5-under) on her back nine in the second round. I know she didn't have quite the finish she wanted, but overall, she played some really good golf in this tournament. We are very excited to see what Sabrina and our team can do this spring."
In the men's competition, CU junior Dylan McDermott also tied for seventh, as he turned in a 6-under par 204 scorecard for the event (67-71-66), on Wigwam's 7,345-yard, par-70 Gold Course. He had the fourth-most birdies (16) with 29 pars opposite eight bogeys and a double, with identical 5-under 31s on the front nine in both the first and final rounds. He was five behind medalist Ian Gilligan from the University of Florida.
Junior Justin Biwer recorded his best gross score in competition to finish here – a 6-under 64 – as he posted it after back-to-back 71s to tie for 12th with a 4-under 206 effort. He was one of four players with two eagles over the three rounds, along with 10 birdies and 34 pars (against seven bogeys and a double). His 64 tied for the second-best score in the final round as well as the fourth overall in 252 scores posted over the three days.
Sophomore Hunter Swanson tied for 30th with a 67-71-71—209 performance (1-under), as he was steady over the three days with nine birdies, 37 pars and eight bogeys.
Biwer (70.5), Swanson (71.1) and McDermott (71.3) finished the fall season with the top three men's averages, all playing in 15 rounds (five tournaments).
The three men were among 84 players in the men's field, which boasted 13 duffers from the Pac-12. Only Oregon's Gregory Solhaug (7-under 203) kept McDermott from bragging rights as the Pac-12 "medalist."
"Our guys played some really good golf this week at The Patriot," men's head coach Roy Edwards said. "Justin and Dylan had some great final rounds, and this was an all-time low tournament score for Justin coming in a field with many of the best college golfers in the country. In fact, all three really recorded good finishes in a very competitive field. It should be a great springboard for all of them into the spring season."
The Colorado men will open its spring season January 29 in the Southwestern Intercollegiate in Los Angeles, while the women begin their spring campaign February 12 in the San Diego State Classic.
The field is limited to 150 male and female players, the best players in collegiate golf, with entry by invitation only extended by the Golf Coaches Association of America. All participants honor a fallen or severely injured soldier or first responder by carrying a bag bearing the name of that individual.
Fifth-year senior and TCU transfer Sabrina Iqbal tied for seventh in the women's standings, which featured 65 players in all, mostly top performers from colleges around the country. She finished with a 3-under 207 scorecard (68-65-74—207) on the 6,373-yard, par-70 Wigwam Golf Resort's Blue Course, with nine birdies and two eagles over the three days of competition. She was tied for third entering Sunday's final round, but back-to-back struggles on Nos. 10 and 11 (double bogey, bogey) would cost her a top five finish.
Iqbal carried a 70.9 average – second-best on the team – for 12 rounds in her first semester as a Buffalo this past fall. She tied with Arizona State's Grace Summerhays as the top finishers among 14 players who competed from Pac-12 Conference schools. Vanderbilt's Tillie Claggett was the medalist with a 12-under 198, as her final round 61 enabled her to move from a tie for sixth into first for a two-stroke win.
"I know Sabrina was really excited to play in the Patriot All-America," said Anne Kelly, the head coach of the CU women. "She played some great golf this week, including shooting a 30 (5-under) on her back nine in the second round. I know she didn't have quite the finish she wanted, but overall, she played some really good golf in this tournament. We are very excited to see what Sabrina and our team can do this spring."
In the men's competition, CU junior Dylan McDermott also tied for seventh, as he turned in a 6-under par 204 scorecard for the event (67-71-66), on Wigwam's 7,345-yard, par-70 Gold Course. He had the fourth-most birdies (16) with 29 pars opposite eight bogeys and a double, with identical 5-under 31s on the front nine in both the first and final rounds. He was five behind medalist Ian Gilligan from the University of Florida.
Junior Justin Biwer recorded his best gross score in competition to finish here – a 6-under 64 – as he posted it after back-to-back 71s to tie for 12th with a 4-under 206 effort. He was one of four players with two eagles over the three rounds, along with 10 birdies and 34 pars (against seven bogeys and a double). His 64 tied for the second-best score in the final round as well as the fourth overall in 252 scores posted over the three days.
Sophomore Hunter Swanson tied for 30th with a 67-71-71—209 performance (1-under), as he was steady over the three days with nine birdies, 37 pars and eight bogeys.
Biwer (70.5), Swanson (71.1) and McDermott (71.3) finished the fall season with the top three men's averages, all playing in 15 rounds (five tournaments).
The three men were among 84 players in the men's field, which boasted 13 duffers from the Pac-12. Only Oregon's Gregory Solhaug (7-under 203) kept McDermott from bragging rights as the Pac-12 "medalist."
"Our guys played some really good golf this week at The Patriot," men's head coach Roy Edwards said. "Justin and Dylan had some great final rounds, and this was an all-time low tournament score for Justin coming in a field with many of the best college golfers in the country. In fact, all three really recorded good finishes in a very competitive field. It should be a great springboard for all of them into the spring season."
The Colorado men will open its spring season January 29 in the Southwestern Intercollegiate in Los Angeles, while the women begin their spring campaign February 12 in the San Diego State Classic.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
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