Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
First Two Rounds
Buffs Set For Big 12 Championship Run At Prairie Dunes
April 26, 2026 | Men's Golf
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Colorado Buffaloes men's golf team opens postseason play at the Big 12 Golf Championship presented by Allstate at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kan., April 27 to 29.
Colorado enters the championship with one of the strongest resumes in the field, posting a 139-45-4 record against Division I opponents while carrying a 71.27 team scoring average into postseason play.
The Buffaloes will open the tournament with 36 holes on Monday, followed by single rounds Tuesday and Wednesday, with a lineup of Hunter Swanson, Parker Paxton, Brandon Knight, Ty Holbrook and Jackson Rivera, while Tyler Long will serve as the substitute. Swanson will join an exclusive group in program history as a four-time conference championship competitor.
Course
The Big 12 Championship returns to Prairie Dunes Country Club, one of the premier championship venues in collegiate golf. Prairie Dunes last hosted the event in 2023 and marks the 15th time the championship has been played at the historic course.
The 18-hole, par-70 layout stretches approximately 7,025 yards and was originally designed by Perry Maxwell and later completed by Press Maxwell. Known for its natural dunes, firm conditions and demanding greens, Prairie Dunes rewards patience, shot placement and disciplined course management across all 72-holes.
Colorado's recent play suggests a group comfortable grinding through tough setups, leaning on ball striking and smart decision making rather than chasing low numbers early.
"Obviously, we are very excited to start the postseason, especially at a great venue like Prairie Dunes," head coach Roy Edwards said. "It has an incredible history in the game of golf and has hosted Big Eight and Big 12 Championships for decades."
Event Details: Prairie Dunes Country Club, Hutchinson, Kan. | April 27 to 29
Live Stats: Round 1 and 2
Stream: ESPN+, April 29
Team
The Buffaloes' lineup brings a balanced mix of consistency, scoring ability and championship experience into the Big 12 Championship, backed by a strong spring and one of the top head-to-head records in the country. The Buffaloes have shown the ability to climb leaderboards late, a trait that becomes critical in a four round championship format.
The Buffs have also shown the ability to go low, with multiple rounds of 64 this season from Paxton and Swanson, while four different players have recorded rounds of 66 or better, highlighting the lineup's scoring depth.
"Our team has been preparing for this time of year all season," Edwards said. "Coach Tolan and I have been really impressed with their preparation, and they are ready to meet the challenge of a great course and an outstanding field."
Swanson leads the Buffs with a 70.28 scoring average and has been one of the most reliable players in the lineup all season. Brandon Knight has matched that consistency while delivering the team's longest stretch of the season with 44 consecutive holes at par or better.
Paxton provides scoring firepower, tying a program record with 10 birdies in a single round, while Holbrook adds balance with multiple top finishes. Rivera has contributed depth and momentum, including a runner-up finish this spring, while Long provides flexibility as the substitute.
"To be successful during what we call championship season, it takes intelligence, patience and confidence," Edwards said. "That's been a major focus for this group over the last few months. This time of year, is supposed to be highly competitive, and that's exactly what we expect. We're confident they're ready for that challenge."
Big 12 Field
All 16-member institutions will compete at the Big 12 Championship, showcasing one of the deepest and most competitive fields in collegiate golf.
According to Clippd national rankings for the 2026 season, the conference features five teams ranked inside the top-25 and nine inside the top-50, second only to the SEC in overall conference strength.
Oklahoma State leads the group at No. 6, followed by Texas Tech at No. 7 and Arizona State at No. 10. Arizona at No. 20 and BYU at No. 23 round out the top 25.
Utah at No. 34, TCU at No. 36, Kansas at No. 37 and Colorado at No. 48 give the league nine teams inside the top 50, highlighting the depth from top to bottom.
West Virginia at No. 51, Cincinnati at No. 56, Houston at No. 61, Iowa State at No. 72, Kansas State at No. 79, Baylor at No. 93 and UCF at No. 102 complete the field.
Colorado has been competitive within the conference this season, posting a 5-8-2 head-to-head record against Big 12 opponents, with several matchups decided by narrow margins. The Buffaloes have also gone 17-23-1 in head-to-head rounds against league opponents, reinforcing their ability to stay in contention in a deep and balanced field.
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Rivera joined the Buffs this season after recovering from a back injury that limited his final two years at USC and was a portal pickup. He has championship experience playing in two Pac-12 tournaments.
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Prairie Dunes hosted the last two times the Buffs had a conference Medalist (Bobby Kalinowsky - 1993 and 1994)
With momentum on its side and a proven lineup in place, Colorado enters the Big 12 Championship focused and prepared, aiming to compete deep into the final round as they attempt to capture their first Big 12 Championship.
Players Mentioned
