Michael Fang with the tournament's namesake, Mines' Bob Writz.
Photo by: CUBuffs.com
Fang Wins Mines' Bob Writz Invitational
October 06, 2025 | Men's Golf
First collegiate win for Buff sophomore
LAKEWOOD —University of Colorado sophomore Zeqian "Michael" Fang held off the field and the elements here Tuesday in claiming medalist honors in Colorado's Mines Bob Writz Invitational.
He posted a 4-under par 66-74—140 scorecard in the event, held at the 7,611-yard, par 72 always challenging Bear Creek Golf Club. The 6-under 66 was his collegiate-best single round – the low round in the two-day tourney, as he bested Mines' Lucas Taggert by one stroke. Taggert turned in a 69-72—142 effort, the only other player to record a round in the 60's here and the only other to finish under par.
Fang recorded an eagle, seven birdies – the most in the field – and eight pars with a bogey and a double in his career round on Monday. He was steady in the second round, knowing par would be a good score and he racked up 14 of them with a birdie and three bogeys. Overall, he finished with the eagle, eight birdies and 22 pars opposite four bogeys and a double. But Taggart was within striking distance all day Tuesday, when the weather saw the temperature reach in the upper 40's and low 50's most of the round, though there was no rain as once expected.
Fang led by three entering the round; both started on No. 10 and Taggart pulled to within two after seven holes. He closed the gap to one stroke twice, when Fang bogeyed Nos. 4 and 8, but Taggart, playing in the group behind Fang, did the same. He only finished one back after he birdied and Fang parred No. 9.
Fang credited with his approach shots for much of his success this week, especially in the opening round.
"I created a lot of opportunities with my approach shots, the birdies and the eagle," he said. "They were super accurate. All of those in the first round were under 12 feet and I made them all. We've been doing some practice drills (as a team) to improve our putting, and that's been super helpful."
He noted he had just one three-putt over the two rounds, and those who are familiar with Bear Creek and its undulating greens, that's an accomplishment in of itself.
"I knew I was the leader after the first round, and I made a plan to see the leaderboard after 10 holes to see where I stood and if I needed to change my strategy," he said. "I felt comfortable knowing I still had a two-shot lead, so my goal was just to try to leave the ball in the middle of the green and make pars."
Fang was proud of his Monday eagle – the only one recorded in the tournament – which came on the 573-yard, par-5 9th hole – but the pin was further back on the two-tiered green, making it a bit longer.
"I drove it 300, maybe 305 yards," he said, "I was about 270 yards out and hit a perfect approach shot (with a 3-iron) and the ball landed on the first part of the green and rolled up to within nine feet on the second layer, and I made the putt." It was his first eagle in eight rounds this season and the second of his collegiate career.
"This was a really nice performance by Michael on a tough course," CU head coach Roy Edwards said. "He has had some good moments this fall and he was able to put it all together this week."
NOTES: Fang's victory was the 77th all-time individual win by a Buffalo in a major tournament (36 or more holes); he became the 51st Buff to become a tournament medalist – Hale Irwin ('67) and John Lindberg ('89) are tied with the most wins with four (19 player have won two or more times) … Fang is the second Buff to win the Writz Invitational; Victor Bjorlow won it twice when it was held in the spring, in 2017 (76-71—147) and in 2019 (72-71—143) … Fang entered the week as the No. 704 amateur in the world … CU freshman Casey Kosney withdrew after the first round due to sickness; he managed to shoot a 7-over 79 but couldn't make a go of it Tuesday … The average score for 69 rounds was 77.30 – consistent in both rounds (77.31 for the first round, 77.29 for the second) … Six of CU's eight players on the '25-26 roster have now recorded low scores of either 65 (two) or 66 (four); all have posted sub-70 scores … The Buffaloes return to action as a full team this Thursday, set to complete in the Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational in Stockton, Calif., through Saturday.
He posted a 4-under par 66-74—140 scorecard in the event, held at the 7,611-yard, par 72 always challenging Bear Creek Golf Club. The 6-under 66 was his collegiate-best single round – the low round in the two-day tourney, as he bested Mines' Lucas Taggert by one stroke. Taggert turned in a 69-72—142 effort, the only other player to record a round in the 60's here and the only other to finish under par.
Fang recorded an eagle, seven birdies – the most in the field – and eight pars with a bogey and a double in his career round on Monday. He was steady in the second round, knowing par would be a good score and he racked up 14 of them with a birdie and three bogeys. Overall, he finished with the eagle, eight birdies and 22 pars opposite four bogeys and a double. But Taggart was within striking distance all day Tuesday, when the weather saw the temperature reach in the upper 40's and low 50's most of the round, though there was no rain as once expected.
Fang led by three entering the round; both started on No. 10 and Taggart pulled to within two after seven holes. He closed the gap to one stroke twice, when Fang bogeyed Nos. 4 and 8, but Taggart, playing in the group behind Fang, did the same. He only finished one back after he birdied and Fang parred No. 9.
Fang credited with his approach shots for much of his success this week, especially in the opening round.
"I created a lot of opportunities with my approach shots, the birdies and the eagle," he said. "They were super accurate. All of those in the first round were under 12 feet and I made them all. We've been doing some practice drills (as a team) to improve our putting, and that's been super helpful."
He noted he had just one three-putt over the two rounds, and those who are familiar with Bear Creek and its undulating greens, that's an accomplishment in of itself.
"I knew I was the leader after the first round, and I made a plan to see the leaderboard after 10 holes to see where I stood and if I needed to change my strategy," he said. "I felt comfortable knowing I still had a two-shot lead, so my goal was just to try to leave the ball in the middle of the green and make pars."
Fang was proud of his Monday eagle – the only one recorded in the tournament – which came on the 573-yard, par-5 9th hole – but the pin was further back on the two-tiered green, making it a bit longer.
"I drove it 300, maybe 305 yards," he said, "I was about 270 yards out and hit a perfect approach shot (with a 3-iron) and the ball landed on the first part of the green and rolled up to within nine feet on the second layer, and I made the putt." It was his first eagle in eight rounds this season and the second of his collegiate career.
"This was a really nice performance by Michael on a tough course," CU head coach Roy Edwards said. "He has had some good moments this fall and he was able to put it all together this week."
NOTES: Fang's victory was the 77th all-time individual win by a Buffalo in a major tournament (36 or more holes); he became the 51st Buff to become a tournament medalist – Hale Irwin ('67) and John Lindberg ('89) are tied with the most wins with four (19 player have won two or more times) … Fang is the second Buff to win the Writz Invitational; Victor Bjorlow won it twice when it was held in the spring, in 2017 (76-71—147) and in 2019 (72-71—143) … Fang entered the week as the No. 704 amateur in the world … CU freshman Casey Kosney withdrew after the first round due to sickness; he managed to shoot a 7-over 79 but couldn't make a go of it Tuesday … The average score for 69 rounds was 77.30 – consistent in both rounds (77.31 for the first round, 77.29 for the second) … Six of CU's eight players on the '25-26 roster have now recorded low scores of either 65 (two) or 66 (four); all have posted sub-70 scores … The Buffaloes return to action as a full team this Thursday, set to complete in the Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational in Stockton, Calif., through Saturday.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
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