Colorado-based golf teams will have some catching up to do if they want to qualify for the Men’s NCAA Division I national championships. But a couple aren’t far out of contention to move on after Monday’s action at the NCAA Regionals.
With the top five team finishers after 54 holes advancing to the Finals, the University of Colorado sits in seventh place out of 13 teams in Stockton, Calif. Colorado State University is ninth out of 14 teams in Reunion, Fla. And the University of Northern Colorado is 12th out of 13 teams in Bryan, Texas.
More importantly, CU and CSU are each five strokes out of fifth place after Monday’s opening rounds, while UNC is 13 back of the fifth-place team.
CU is seeking its first berth in the NCAA Finals since 2002, while CSU is hoping to advance for the first time since 2011.
The Buffs, led by seniors Spencer Painton and Yannik Paul (both of whom shot 71), posted a 2-over-par 290 total, thanks in part to all five CU players making birdie on the par-5 16th. CU trails leader Iowa State by 12 shots in Stockton.
CSU checked in at even-par 288 in Reunion, which leaves the Rams 12 behind team leader Florida. Coloradans Jake Staiano and AJ Ott set the pace for CSU on Monday with 1-under-par 71s.
UNC recorded an 18-over-par 306 total. Big Sky Conference Player of the Year Joshua Matz led the way for the Bears by firing a 1-under-par 71.
Play will continue through Wednesday at each NCAA Regional.
In addition to the top five team finishers, the top individual not on one of those teams from each Regional will advance to the NCAA Finals, set for May 25-30 in Stillwater, Okla.
Men’s NCAA Division I Regionals
May 14-16, 2018 in Stockton, Calif.
7. (out of 13 teams) Colorado 290
19. Spencer Painton 71
19. Yannik Paul 71
37. Daniel O’Loughlin 73
52. John Souza 75
52. Ross Macdonald 75
May 14-16, 2018 in Reunion, Fla.
9. (out of 14 teams) Colorado State 288
21. AJ Ott 71
21. Jake Staiano 71
41. Max Oelfke 73
41. Parathakorn Suyasri 73
61. Jack Ainscough 76
May 14-16, 2018 in Bryan, Texas
12. (out of 13 teams) Northern Colorado 306
12. Joshua Matz 71
62. Coby Welch 78
62. Li Chen 78
65. Andrew Romano 79
75. Marcus Tait 84
Also
37. Coloradan Josh Seiple, Mississippi 74
May 14-16, 2018 in Norman, Okla.
51. Chris Korte, Denver (competing only as individual) 76
