Colorado University Athletics
Junior Brandon Knight is one of six Buffs headed to Arizona this week.
Photo by: CU ATHLETICS
Golfers Head To Arizona For Final Tune-Up
April 07, 2026 | Men's Golf
Last regular season tournament ahead of Big 12 Championships
BOULDER — The University of Colorado men's golf team will head to Arizona later this week to play in Arizona State's Thunderbird Collegiate, the Buffaloes' final tune-up before the Big 12 Conference championship later this month.
The 53rd annual event, set for this Friday and Saturday, will once again be held at Papago Golf Course in Phoenix, a course that features a 7,419-yard, par-72 layout. Two rounds will be played Friday and the final 18 on Saturday. Host Arizona State is the three-time defending champion, winning last year with a 42-under par team score; the Buffaloes took second at 27-under.
The field includes only nine teams, but seven are ranked in the top 50, headlined by host and No. 9 Arizona State. Also competing in addition to the No.43 Buffaloes are No. 21 New Mexico, No. 28 Long Beach State, No. 31 UCLA, No. 32 Utah, No. 47 San Diego, No. 61 Oregon State and No. 92 Grand Canyon.
"It's always great to get to Phoenix and compete in Arizona," CU head coach Roy Edwards said. "The Thunderbird has an amazing history in college golf and ASU and Papago does such an incredible job hosting. Despite being a smaller field, it is always one of the best fields in college golf and will be good preparation for the Big 12 Championship at the end of the month."
Senior Hunter Swanson, juniors Ty Holbrook and Brandon Knight, sophomore Parker Paxton and graduate transfer Jackson Rivera will be CU's five designated scorers for the tournament, with freshman Tyler Long to play as an individual. Holbrook led the team here a year ago with a 7-under 206 that tied him for ninth, with all five Buffs finishing under par.
Colorado will be paired with Oregon State and start play on the 10th hole beginning at 9 a.m. MDT; foursomes tee off in 12-minute intervals.
The Big 12 Championships will be played in Hutchinson, Kan., April 27-29 at Prairie Dunes Country Club.
Tournament history can be found here: https://thesundevils.com/mens-golf-thunderbird-collegiate-historyresults; Live scoring here: https://scoreboard.clippd.com/tournaments/238883.
The 53rd annual event, set for this Friday and Saturday, will once again be held at Papago Golf Course in Phoenix, a course that features a 7,419-yard, par-72 layout. Two rounds will be played Friday and the final 18 on Saturday. Host Arizona State is the three-time defending champion, winning last year with a 42-under par team score; the Buffaloes took second at 27-under.
The field includes only nine teams, but seven are ranked in the top 50, headlined by host and No. 9 Arizona State. Also competing in addition to the No.43 Buffaloes are No. 21 New Mexico, No. 28 Long Beach State, No. 31 UCLA, No. 32 Utah, No. 47 San Diego, No. 61 Oregon State and No. 92 Grand Canyon.
"It's always great to get to Phoenix and compete in Arizona," CU head coach Roy Edwards said. "The Thunderbird has an amazing history in college golf and ASU and Papago does such an incredible job hosting. Despite being a smaller field, it is always one of the best fields in college golf and will be good preparation for the Big 12 Championship at the end of the month."
Senior Hunter Swanson, juniors Ty Holbrook and Brandon Knight, sophomore Parker Paxton and graduate transfer Jackson Rivera will be CU's five designated scorers for the tournament, with freshman Tyler Long to play as an individual. Holbrook led the team here a year ago with a 7-under 206 that tied him for ninth, with all five Buffs finishing under par.
Colorado will be paired with Oregon State and start play on the 10th hole beginning at 9 a.m. MDT; foursomes tee off in 12-minute intervals.
The Big 12 Championships will be played in Hutchinson, Kan., April 27-29 at Prairie Dunes Country Club.
Tournament history can be found here: https://thesundevils.com/mens-golf-thunderbird-collegiate-historyresults; Live scoring here: https://scoreboard.clippd.com/tournaments/238883.
Players Mentioned
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