The CU men’s golf team came close to setting a new record for the program Monday afternoon at the Gene Miranda Air Force Falcon Invitational, but fell two strokes short to a UNLV team in a playoff hole.
After three rounds of play, both the Buffaloes and the UNLV Rebels had the same overall team score of 844 strokes, or 20 under par, a new record at the Falcon Invitational. Colorado State, North Carolina State, and Ball State were the other teams on the leader board, but none of them came close to the two record-breaking leaders.
“The guys were really competitive again here and played solid,” said head coach Roy Edwards. “Our two teams (CU, UNLV) ran away with it. They just got two more putts to fall in the playoff as we had four very good looks at it. CU teams have been playing in this tournament for decades, so we’re all proud that our 20-under par score was a tournament record.”
The Buffaloes won the Mark Simpson Colorado Invitational last weekend, and if they won at the Falcon Invitational, it would have been the first time the golf program won two consecutive major tournaments. The future looks bright for CU golf, and the players are more than confident.
“We did some nice things down the stretch that allowed us to be tied with UNLV,” Edwards said. “Vegas played well. We have played six rounds this year; all six were under par and we have never officially trailed after any of those rounds. That’s remarkable, but not surprising. We have a strong group and expect to be in the position we are in. I know the guys are hungry for more success.”
The Buffaloes will play again next Monday at the third annual Colorado Cup at the Bally Neal Golf Club in Holyoke, Colo. There they will play in a match battle against rival CSU, who has won the first two of the Colorado Cups. Losing to CSU two years in a row, the Buffs realize how big of an event this if for them.
“The guys are going to rest tomorrow, and then get back at it in preparation for a big week next week.” Edwards said.
Contact CU Independent Sports Writer Joseph Wirth at Joseph.wirth@colorado.edu.