Colorado University Athletics
Tuesday, March 19
Windsor, Colo.
All Day
Colorado
vs
First Round
Aerial view of the sprawling RainDance National Golf Course in Windsor.
Holland Leading "Battle At The Dance"
March 19, 2024 | Men's Golf
Four Buffaloes competing as individuals in inaugural event
WINDSOR — University of Colorado junior Jack Holland is in the lead at the midway point of the inaugural "Battle at the Dance," the first day of competition having been delayed a day due to last week's snowfall.
Four Buffaloes are participating as individuals in the event, hosted by Hastings (Neb.) College; the four haven't played much this spring so this is way they can get some good competition in. Colorado State and Northern Colorado also have individuals competing.
In recording a 5-under par 67, Holland had six birdies, 11 pars and a single bogey on the 7,109-yard, par-72 RainDance National Resort & Golf club course, which opened in mid-summer 2022 and is billed as the "Longest course in North America." The back tees play at 8,463 yards, with the walk between tees likely adding at least another 2,000.
His six birdies tied for the most in the field, and he was one of seven players with one or fewer bogeys; he recorded a 31 on the back nine (5-under), tying with three others on the Buffs for the low score on either the front or back nine this year. It was also Holland's low 18 for the '23-24 season.
"Jack played awesome, this course is a really good test of golf, as well as endurance," associate head coach Derek Tolan, who is managing the team in the event. He looked like he was under full control the entire day, which is a big key for him. When he paces himself and worries about what is right in front of him, he usually does extremely well."
Speaking of endurance, college golfers walk and almost always carry their own clubs or secure a push-cart; they get a "break" when they only play one instead of two rounds in a day. Those who have played Colorado National, CU's home course, know the walks between holes aren't close; at RainDance, Tolan said that the distance between holes is "Colorado National on steroids."
Junior Freddy Eisenbeis and sophomore Robby Keilch both turned in 1-under par 71's, doing so in the exact same fashion with five birdies, nine pars and four bogeys. Keilch was 4-under at one point, but had a rough finish with three straight bogeys before parring his last hole (No. 7) to get back on track. Freshman Ty Holbrook scored an even-par 72, as he had four birdies, 11 pars, two bogeys and a double and was either even or in red numbers throughout the round, as was Holland and Keilch.
"As a group, they did really well," Tolan said. "Robby had a great attitude and showed what he's capable of despite the tough finish. He was one of the best players out there and has got a chance to put up a good score tomorrow. Freddy was great tee-to-green, he just needs to get his short game going. And Ty also played well. He hasn't played a lot of competitive golf the last couple of years, and once he gets going, he'll show is a legit talent."
The second and final round will commence in a shotgun format at 10:00 a.m. MDT Wednesday. (The event was always scheduled as a two-day, 36-hole tournament; the delay due to the snow just pushed it back one day.)
Four Buffaloes are participating as individuals in the event, hosted by Hastings (Neb.) College; the four haven't played much this spring so this is way they can get some good competition in. Colorado State and Northern Colorado also have individuals competing.
In recording a 5-under par 67, Holland had six birdies, 11 pars and a single bogey on the 7,109-yard, par-72 RainDance National Resort & Golf club course, which opened in mid-summer 2022 and is billed as the "Longest course in North America." The back tees play at 8,463 yards, with the walk between tees likely adding at least another 2,000.
His six birdies tied for the most in the field, and he was one of seven players with one or fewer bogeys; he recorded a 31 on the back nine (5-under), tying with three others on the Buffs for the low score on either the front or back nine this year. It was also Holland's low 18 for the '23-24 season.
"Jack played awesome, this course is a really good test of golf, as well as endurance," associate head coach Derek Tolan, who is managing the team in the event. He looked like he was under full control the entire day, which is a big key for him. When he paces himself and worries about what is right in front of him, he usually does extremely well."
Speaking of endurance, college golfers walk and almost always carry their own clubs or secure a push-cart; they get a "break" when they only play one instead of two rounds in a day. Those who have played Colorado National, CU's home course, know the walks between holes aren't close; at RainDance, Tolan said that the distance between holes is "Colorado National on steroids."
Junior Freddy Eisenbeis and sophomore Robby Keilch both turned in 1-under par 71's, doing so in the exact same fashion with five birdies, nine pars and four bogeys. Keilch was 4-under at one point, but had a rough finish with three straight bogeys before parring his last hole (No. 7) to get back on track. Freshman Ty Holbrook scored an even-par 72, as he had four birdies, 11 pars, two bogeys and a double and was either even or in red numbers throughout the round, as was Holland and Keilch.
"As a group, they did really well," Tolan said. "Robby had a great attitude and showed what he's capable of despite the tough finish. He was one of the best players out there and has got a chance to put up a good score tomorrow. Freddy was great tee-to-green, he just needs to get his short game going. And Ty also played well. He hasn't played a lot of competitive golf the last couple of years, and once he gets going, he'll show is a legit talent."
The second and final round will commence in a shotgun format at 10:00 a.m. MDT Wednesday. (The event was always scheduled as a two-day, 36-hole tournament; the delay due to the snow just pushed it back one day.)
| BUFFALO INDIVIDUALS |
| 1. | Jack Holland | 36-31—67 |
| T4. | Freddy Eisenbeis | 35-36—71 |
| T4. | Robby Keilch | 36-35—71 |
| T7. | Ty Holbrook | 36-36—72 |
| INDIVIDUAL LEADERS |
| 1. | Jack Holland, Colorado | 36-31—67 |
| 2. | Blake Danni, Northern Colorado | 36-33—69 |
| 3. | Xavier Bighaus, Colorado Christian | 35-35—70 |
| T4. | Four tied | 71 |
Players Mentioned
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