Jim Grady

Height:
6-1
Weight:
195
Class:
Redshirt Freshman
Hometown:
Broomfield, Colo.
High School:
Broomfield

Jim Grady lettered under both Mark Simpson and Roy Edwards as a golfer at Colorado (2003-08), and after his playing days, served as an assistant coach for three seasons under Edwards (2008-11).

Grady also played professional while serving in his CU capacity, as he turned pro in July 2008 upon completion of his CU career and his participation in the U.S. Public Links Championships and a few state amateur championship meets.

He earned four letters playing for the Buffaloes, blossoming his senior season where he became a regular on the travel squad and played on occasion as the No. 1 man. He finished fourth on the team in stroke average (75.58), including a 74.42 figure in the spring. His top career finish came in the Louisiana Classics, where he tied for third individually (215, 1-under), leading the Buffs to their first win in the tournament in 18 tries. He tied for 33rd in the Big 12 championships, with his third round 68 the second best by a Buff in 37 rounds of Big 12 play, bested only by a 66 by Matt Call in the 1999 meet at Prairie Dunes.

He graduated from CU with a B.S. degree in Business (finance) in May 2008. He was a four-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

Grady compiled an impressive list of accomplishments in state amateur play, with a history of playing well in Public Links championships. In 2008, he qualified for the U.S. Public Links Championship at Murphy Creek GC (Aurora), where the event was held; he shot 77-68?145 in match play qualifying, but lost his first round match. He had four top seven finishes in the Colorado Golf Association’s Public Links championships, including a runner-up finish in 2004, the same year he finished third in the state’s stroke play competition. In 2007, he finished third in the Colorado Golf Association Colorado Cup point standings, with six top five finishes including two wins, also reaching the quarterfinals of the CGA Match Play Championships, where he was eliminated by former Buff Steve Irwin (2 and 1).

Grady lettered four times in golf at Broomfield High School; though Broomfield has produced its share of residents to play for the Buffs and other Division I schools, Grady was the first to play golf on the D-I level from the school. He was joined a year later by his younger brother Pat; they were the fifth set of brothers on the golf team at the same time, the first since Bobby and Tom Kalinowski in the early 1990s. He earned first-team all-state honors as a senior, when he was first-team all-Skyline League and the conference medalist. He also lettered in baseball as a sophomore, playing a variety of positions (pitcher, infield).

He was born October 27, 1984 in Westminster, Colo. His hobbies and interests include working out, hiking, watching sports, drawing and reading. His grandfather on his mother’s side played football at the University of Denver and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, but had to forego the NFL when he was drafted into the army. A second cousin, Kevin McDougal, played football at Colorado State and for three years with the Indianapolis Colts.

Post College: Grady tried his hand at professional golf while serving as the program's assistant coach under Roy Edwards for three seasons (2008-09 through 2010-11).

College--2007-08 (Sr.): He played in all 13 tournaments on the season, tying for the team lead with 40 rounds played (also tied for the 10th-most in school history). He finished fourth in stroke average (75.58), but really came on in the spring with a 74.72 mark (also fourth, but improving 2.28 strokes over the fall, tied for the sixth-best from the fall to spring in CU annals). He led the team in subpar rounds (7) and was second in rounds of par of better (9); 30 of his 37 rounds counted toward CU’s team score (81.1 percent; he played three as an individual).
His best finish was a tie for third in the Louisiana Classics (75-71-69—215; -1), which was also his career best finish. He opened the spring season with three straight 69s for 3-under 207 to tie for 17th in the Hawai’i-Hilo Intercollegiate. In the Big 12 Championships in Trinity, Texas, he tied for 33rd with a 16-over 304 score; his third round 68 was the second best by a Buff in 37 rounds of Big 12 play, bested only by a 66 by Matt Call in the 1999 meet at Prairie Dunes. In playing in all five fall tournaments, the most in a single semester in his college career (and the second most for any single year). He owned a stroke average of 77.0, posting a pair of top 30 finishes, highlighted by a tie for 29th in The Wolverine At Mission Inn when he played as an individual; he recorded a 229 (+13) with a steady 76-77-76 round-by-round. He tied for 30th in the New Mexico Tucker Invitational (76-72-75—223, +7), and his best single round was second round 70 in the fall opener at the St. Mary’s invitational. For the fall, he led the team and was ranked 14th in the nation in average putts per round with 28.87.

2006-07 (Jr.): He saw action in three meets, one in the spring and two in the fall. In his lone spring action, playing as an individual in CU’s Stevinson Ranch Invitational, he carded a 239 (+23), tying for 57th. In the fall, he averaged 80.8 strokes per six rounds (two tournaments). Out of the gate, he struggled as most did at the Rich Harvest Farms Intercollegiate with tough course conditions (248, +32), and then played in CU’s other fall meet in Illinois, carding a 237 (+24) in the Windon Memorial Classic. He averaged 28.67 putts per round, a number that did rank him ninth in the nation for the fall.

2005-06 (Soph.): He owned a 76.9 stroke average for the season. He played in all four fall tournaments, posting a pair of top 25 finishes. He opened with a solid tie for 23rd in New Mexico’s Tucker Invitational, as he put together a solid 73-73-72?218 scorecard (+2) in a field that featured 10 top 50 teams. He followed that with a 24th place tie in Pepperdine’s Club Glove Intercollegiate (234, +18). He was fourth in stroke average (76.8) and had 28 birdies for the fall, third most on the team. In the spring, he added another 24th-place tie, as he played individually in CU’s own Stevinson Ranch Invitational and recorded a 74-78?152 scorecard in the rain-shortened event. He posted a 233 (+23) score in the Maxwell Intercollegiate, though he did record his spring best round (72) the second time around the Dornick Hills CC track.

2004-05 (Fr.-RS): Averaged 77.0 for 15 rounds on the year, but did have 11 of 12 rounds count toward team scoring (he played in CU’s own Stevinson Ranch Invitational as an individual). He saw action in two spring meets, opening with solid play in both; he shot an even-par 72 before recording two rounds in the 80s to finish tied for 58th at Stevinson Ranch, and started with a 1-over 71 en route to his best finish on the season, a 31st place tie at The Maxwell (he had 220, or +10, scorecard in the latter). He played in three of the four fall tournaments, his first collegiate competition. Out of the gate, he tied for 42nd at the Notre Dame Invitational/Central Regional Preview (230, +20), and then played well at the New Mexico Tucker Invitational, where his 228 (+12) score tied him for 72nd. His second best round in the fall was the last round he played, a 3-over 75 at The Prestige At PGA West, as he rebounded from two scores in the 80s to record CU’s second best final round score. Eight of his nine fall rounds counted toward CU’s team score.

2003-04 (Fr.): Redshirted; the only freshman on the team, he participated in all practices, including tournament qualifying.

Other--2007: Finished third in the Colorado Golf Association Colorado Cup point standings (366.5 points for 11 events)... Won the Dick Billehus Invitational at Greeley CC with a 70-70?140 even par effort, defeating former teammate Ryan Anderson by three strokes to claim the victory. Teamed with brother Patrick to win the CGA’s Two-Man Championship, as they recorded a 64-71?135 scorecard to win by three shots over three other teams, including two made of up teammates, at Lakota Ranch & Canyon Golf Club. He tied for fourth in the CGA Western Chapter Championship (1-under 143) at The Links at Cobble Creek in Montrose. He tied for fifth in the CGA Public Links Championships, recording a 68-71-68?207 (-6) at Highland Meadows GC in Windsor, and also tied for fifth in the CGA Stroke Play Championship at Murphy Creek Golf Course in Aurora with a 72-69-68-71?280 (-8) performance. He reached the quarterfinals of the CGA Match Play Championships, where he was eliminated by former Buff Steve Irwin (2 and 1). 2006: He finished seventh in the CGA’s Public Links Championship (69-74-69?212) at Hyland Hills in Westminster. He tied for eighth in the CGA Western Chapter Championship (69-71?140). He shot a 69 to tie for second in local U.S. Open Qualifying at Lone Tree Golf Club to advance to sectional qualifying (where he did not qualify after a 73-78?151 scorecard in Columbus, Ohio). He tied for 21st in the CGA Stroke Play Championships with a 74-72-68-76?290 effort at Boulder CC. Missed the cut by one stroke in the Colorado Open (74-71?145), but tied for 15th in the amateur standings as there were 40 in the field. Tied for 14th in the U.S. Amateur Sectional Qualifying at Green Gables CC (74-75?149; the top three qualified). 2005: Partnered with teammate Kenny Coakley to finish second in the CGA Two-Man championship with a 65-72?137 score; they were tied for the first day lead with the same duo that eventually won, Derek Tolan (another Buff) and Michael Baird. Tied for 16th in the CGA Public Links Championship with a 73-73-68?214 (-2) effort at Indian Peaks G.C. 2004: He was the runner-up in the Colorado Public Links Championship at Collindale G.C. in Fort Collins, turning in a 71-74-68?213 (E) scorecard. He finished third in the Colorado State Stroke Play Championship at Lakewood Country Club with a 72-73-69-70?284 scorecard (E, eight out of the lead). He was in three-way tie for the first in the Boulder City Amateur (70-70?140), but lost on the first playoff hole. He recorded a runner-up finish with a 71-74-68?213 effort in the CGA Public Links Championship at Collindale GC in Fort Collins, and also qualified to play in the Colorado Open. 2003: He finished fifth in the Colorado Golf Association Junior Stroke Play Championships (68-72-74?214, +1); he led after the first round and shared he second round lead. He tied for 14th in the CGA Public Links Championship (Fox Hollow GC, Lakewood) with a 70-74-69?213 (even) performance, and tied for sixth in the U.S. Amateur Public Links qualifier (71-72?143; he was an alternate). He advanced into the second round of the U.S. Amateur Sectional Qualifying (72-79?151), and just missed the cut in the Colorado Stroke Play Championships (77-80?157). He finished second in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel Tourney (68-70-71?209), and tied for fourth in the Ute Creek Invite (75-72?147). In October, he won the CJGA Tournament of Champions with a 64-69?133 (-11).

Best Career Round In Competition--64 (-8; October 18, 2003, CJGA Tournament of Champions, Fox Hollow G.C., Lakewood, Colo.)

Academics— He graduated from CU with a B.S. degree in Business (finance) in May 2008. A four-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll, and was on honor roll throughout his high school career at Broomfield.

Personal—Born October 27, 1984 in Westminster, Colo. Hobbies include playing all sports (he played several years of youth football and baseball), and he has worked as an umpire in some previous summers. His grandfather on his mother’s side played football at the University of Denver and had a couple of invitations to try out professionally but had to forego the NFL when he was drafted into the army. A second cousin, Kevin McDougal, played football at Colorado State and for three years with the Indianapolis Colts. Though Broomfield has produced its share of residents to play for the Buffs and other Division I schools, Grady was the first to play golf on the D-I level from Broomfield High School. He was joined a year later by his younger brother Pat; they’re the fifth set of brothers on the golf team at the same time, the first since Bobby and Tom Kalinowski in the early 1990s.

Statistics Overall--------------------------------- Spring---------------- Fall-----------------

Season Rd Strokes Avg. Lo Hi Rd Strk Avg. Rd Strk Avg.

2004-05 15 1155 77.00 71 83 6 457 76.17 9 698 77.56

2005-06 17 1307 76.88 72 87 5 385 77.00 12 922 76.83

2006-07 9 724 80.44 77 86 3 239 79.67 6 485 80.83

2007-08 40 3023 75.58 68 89 25 1868 74.72 15 1155 77.00

Totals 81 6209 76.65 68 89 39 2949 77.21 42 3260 77.62

Rounds Toward Team Scoring: 55 of 70 (78.6%; 11 played as an individual).

Stroke Count In Relation To Par (+422/+5.21): +87/+5.80 (2004-05); +89/+5.24 (2005-06); +79/+8.78 (2006-07); +167/+4.18 (2007-08).

Finishes--Wins: 0 Top 5: 1 Top 10: 1 Top 20: 2

Fall 2004

Notre Dame Invitational..................... 76-76-78?230 + 20 t42nd

UNM Tucker Invitational.................... 80-72-76?228 + 12 t72nd

The Prestige At PGA West............... 82-83-75?240 + 24 t53rd

Spring 2005

*CU-Stevinson Ranch Invitational..... 72-82-83?237 + 21 t58th

The Maxwell..................................... 71-74-75?220 + 10 t31st

Fall 2005

UNM Tucker Invitational.................... 73-73-72?218 + 2 t23rd

Pepperdine C. G. Intercollegiate....... 76-81-77?234 + 18 t24th

The Prestige At PGA West............... 73-81-73?227 + 11 t50th

Tunica National Intercollegiate.......... 80-76-87?243 + 27 t60th

Spring 2006

*CU-Stevinson Ranch Invitational..... 74-78?152 + 8 t24th

Maxwell Intercollegiate..................... 79-72-82?233 + 23 62nd

Fall 2006

Rich Harvest Farms Intercollegiate.. 86-77-85?248 + 32 t60th

Windon Memorial Classic................. 78-81-78?237 + 24 t49th

Spring 2007

*CU-Stevinson Ranch Invitational..... 80-80-79?239 + 23 t57th

Fall 2007

St. Mary’s Invitational....................... 77-70-80?227 + 11 t41st

UNM Tucker Invitational.................... 76-72-75?223 + 7 t30th

The Prestige At PGA West............... 75-76-77?228 + 12 t63rd

Pepperdine Club Glove..................... 83-89-76?248 + 32 57th

*The Wolverine At Mission Inn......... 76-77-76?229 + 13 t29th

Spring 2008
Hawai’i-Hilo Intercollegiate............... 69-69-69—207    -     3    t17th
Louisiana Classics........................... 75-71-69—215    -     1     t3rd
Western Intercollegiate.................... 76-77-80—233    + 23    t64th
CU-Stevinson Ranch Invitational..... 78-72-78—228    + 12    t34th
OSU Robert Kepler Intercollegiate.. 79-75-75—229    + 16    t21st
Big 12 Championships................ 80-79-68-77—304    + 16   t33rd
The Maxwell Intercollegiate............. 78-72-74—224    + 14    t45th
NCAA Central Regional................... 74-75-79—228    + 15    t59th