This is becoming old hat for Arvada’s Zahkai Brown — in a good way, mind you.

Three times in the last four HealthOne Colorado Opens, the former Colorado State University golfer has been either the outright leader or a co-leader after 54 holes.

Brown finished second in the 2012 tournament, then won in 2013, so he’s handled the pressure pretty well, which should bode well for Sunday.

The 2011 CGA Player of the Year (left) shot a 5-under-par 67 Saturday at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club to move into a share of the lead with defending champion Ian Davis of Edmond, Okla. They and the other players on the leaderboard going into Sunday’s final round will be battling it out for a $23,000 first prize.

“I’m going to still play aggressive,” the 25-year-old Brown said about his plan for Sunday. “The year that I ended up finishing second (one behind Derek Tolan), I played conservative and ended up losing. The year after that I won and played aggressive (firing a 64 on Sunday and prevailing by five). I think I’m going to stick with that approach. It seems to (result in) a lot of birdies.”

Davis (left), who bogeyed the 18th hole on Saturday after hitting his ball into two greenside bunkers, and Brown stand at 14-under-par 202 through three rounds. Davis, the former Oklahoma State golfer who’s bidding to become the first back-to-back Colorado Open champion since Dave Hill in 1976 and ’77, carded a 69 on Saturday but played his final eight holes in 1 over par.

As for Brown, Saturday marked the sixth time in the last four Colorado Opens that he’s shot 67 or lower. He capped his third round with a 2-putt birdie on No. 18 from 80 feet.

“For me (this course) sets up for a cut,” he said, explaining his success at GVR. “If you miss and have a cut, you’re OK. So that seems to fit my game well because if I do miss it’s going to be a little cut. So I do feel comfortable. And growing up 25 minutes from here, it’s nice. And I know how far the ball goes too (at a mile high in elevation).”

But Brown and Davis will have plenty of company in having a realistic shot at the title on Sunday. In fact, there’s 10 players either in the lead or within four strokes of it.

That includes Jimmy Gunn, who finished 27th at this year’s U.S. Open, and who has Keegan Bradley’s regular caddie, Coloradan Steve Hale, looping for him this week; and five former champions: Brown, Davis, Nathan Lashley, Tolan and Wil Collins. (Gunn and Hale are pictured at left.)

A 66 by Gunn left the Scot two out of the lead and in third place. Lashley is in fourth place at 205 with Kurt Kitayama of Chico, Calif. And Tolan and Collins share sixth place at 206 with Riley Arp of Fort Collins, former Air Force Academy golfer Kyle Westmoreland and Chris Ward of McKinney, Texas.

Tolan, bidding to join Bill Bisdorf, Dave Hill and Bill Loeffler as winner of at least three Colorado Opens, came from five back going into the final round to win at GVR in 2012.

“I’m glad I’m kind of lurking,” Tolan (left) said Saturday after firing a 67. “I made up some ground (with a final-round 65 in 2012). It’s doable. It’s more feasible when there’s just one guy leading by three or four rather than it being bunched up. It’ll take a low number but you can do it.”

Of course, Davis also is very familar with being on the leaderboard at the Colorado Open. He prevailed by five strokes last year in his first time playing the tournament. And he’s led or shared the lead after rounds 2 and 3 this year.

“I’m going to go out there and try to be as aggressive as I can — kind of like yesterday (when he shot 64),” said the 23-year-old. “I’ll try to keep the pedal down tomorrow and hopefully do the same thing I did yesterday.

“I’m going to try not to go out and worry about what Zahkai or anyone else is doing. It’s like last year. I just tried to make as many birdies as I could. I know if I go out and play as well as I can, I can get it done tomorrow.”

Notable: Like the overall tournament leaderboard, the low-am leaderboard is bunched. Colorado State University golfer Jimmy Makloski of Pueblo will go into Sunday with a one-stroke advantage over three players: former University of Colorado golfer David Oraee of Greeley, Connor Klein of Lone Tree and Blake Cannon of Mesa, Ariz. Klein, the CGA Match Play runner-up, would have actually been leading by one if not for the two-stroke penalty he received for being late for his tee time. Makloski shot his second consecutive 3-under-par 69 and stands at 7-under 209 overall. … Sunday’s final-round tee times will run from 7:30 a.m. to 9:25 a.m., off both the first and tenth tees. The leading threesome after 54 holes — Zahkai Brown, Ian Davis and Jimmy Gunn — will tee off on No. 1 at 9:25 a.m.

For scores from the Colorado Open, CLICK HERE.
 

For Sunday tee times, CLICK HERE.

It’s been 13 years since Shane Bertsch of Parker last played in the HealthOne Colorado Open, a tournament he won in 1998.

And there’s a reason he’s back this week after his extended absence. A month ago, the 45-year-old virtually assured himself of returning to the PGA Tour for the 2015-16 wraparound season.

Bertsch (left) won the Rust-Oleum Championship on the Web.com Tour in June and currently stands in seventh place on the 2015 money list. That means he’s basically a lock to finish in the top 25 on the Web.com regular-season money list, which assures him of a PGA Tour exemption for 2015-16.

So ironically, while the two players in this week’s Colorado Open field that have PGA Tour wins to their credit — Notah Begay and Chris Riley — received more attention at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, Bertsch is the only Colorado Open competitor who is virtually certain to have fully-exempt status on the world’s premier golf tour next year.

“That’s what I’ve always been striving for,” Bertsch said after shooting a 3-under-par 69 Friday at the Colorado Open. “I’ve been out there a few different years, but it’s been a while.”

With his situation largely settled, Bertsch felt comfortable returning to the Colorado Open instead of needing to grind out his status down the home stretch of the Web.com Tour. The Denver native last played in the event in 2002, when he finished fifth, behind champion Kevin Stadler and runner-up Gary Hallberg — two players who now have PGA Tour victories — among others. That means that Bertsch hasn’t ever competed in the Open since it moved to Green Valley Ranch in 2004.

“Fortunately, a month ago I won and put myself in good shape,” he said. “I haven’t had the opportunity to stick around Colorado for more than a week at a time in the summer for a long time. But I’ve spent the last three weeks here, and I’m using this week as a refreshing time to stay at home, play in a tournament, and keep my game sharp. Then I’ll be heading out on the road again next week.”

So far this week, Bertsch has posted rounds of 70-69 for a 5-under-par 139 total, leaving him six shots out of the lead that’s held by defending champion Ian Davis of Edmond, Okla.

“I feel like I’ve played pretty solid,” he said. “I don’t think this course is playing too easy, and we’ve got 36 holes left. I feel good about it.

“This is a good track. I’m good buddies with Derek Tolan and Nick Mason, and they both said how good a shape it gets as far as firmness and the greens getting quick. It really is a good test. It’s no pushover.”

Bertsch has played full schedules on the PGA Tour six years between 1996 and 2012, but hasn’t been able to regain his card since — until now. He has five top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour to his credit, and has won $2.45 million on that circuit, in addition to the $1.28 million he’s earned on the Web.com Tour, where he’s won three times.

“I’ve been close (to regaining his PGA Tour card) the last couple of years but I haven’t done it,” he said. “It’s tough playing the Web. I’ve got no problems doing it but you always want to be up at the next level. That’s the only thing you really play for is to be up there. But the win really helps. I’m really looking forward to going back.

“And it’s nice to get it done early this year so I didn’t have to sweat it all the way through the year.”

Davis Ahead in Title Defense: The Colorado Open hasn’t crowned back-to-back champions since Dave Hill took home the trophy in both 1976 and ’77, but Ian Davis of Edmond, Okla., will try to change that this week.

The former Oklahoma State golfer shot an 8-under-par 64 on Friday — the low round this week — to reach the halfway point at 11-under 133, good for a two-stroke lead.

It’s as if he’s picking up right where he left off last year at Green Valley Ranch. On Friday, he racked up nine birdies, offset by one bogey.

“You have some good memories already around this place,” said the 23-year-old, who’s playing primarily this year on PGA Tour Latinoamerica, where he stands 23rd on the money list. “I came out a couple of days early and saw the course and everything. Those memories kind of come back to you and you can draw on those.”

The 64 Davis shot Friday was his best at GVR by two strokes.

The four players who share second place — two strokes behind Davis — include two other former champions, Zahkai Brown (left) of Arvada (2013 winner) and Wil Collins of Rapid City, S.D. (2005). Brown, the first-round leader, carded a 70 on Friday, while Collins had a 65.

Also at 9-under-par 135 are John Hurley of Spring, Texas (66 Friday) and Kurt Kitayama of Chico, Calif. (69).

Brown birdied his final hole of the day — No. 9 — but lamented going 2 over par through the first eight holes of his back nine — which is normally a good stretch for scoring.

“I hit it just as good today as yesterday (when he shot 65), but there were a couple of mental errors where I made a bogey,” he said. “I just wasn’t thinking very well on the back nine and made some dumb bogeys. I was kind of rushing it. I don’t know why. I just wish I could have gotten three or four more (under par).”

Among those another shot back, at 136, are Parker Edens of Greeley, who bogeyed his last three holes for a 70, and former Air Force Academy golfer Kyle Westmoreland (65).

Notable: The field was cut to the low 60 players and ties after Friday’s second round, with all competitors at 1 over par or better advancing to the weekend. Both of the PGA Tour winners in the field — Notah Begay and Chris Riley — posted 2-over-par 146 totals and missed the cut by one. … Amateur Robb Bierbaum of Arvada made the second hole-in-one of the week, acing the 182-yard fifth hole with a 5-iron. Bierbaum shot a 77 for a 157 total and missed the cut. On Thursday, Barry Milstead of Castle Rock made a hole-in-one on No. 13. It’s the first time since 1998 that two aces have been recorded in the same Colorado Open. … Tee times, off both the first and 10th holes, will run from 7:30 a.m. to 9:25 a.m. on Saturday.

For scores from the Colorado Open, CLICK HERE.

For Saturday tee times, CLICK HERE.

Wyndham Clark has played a grand total of 17 official rounds of college golf — six tournaments.

But, despite a redshirt season as a true freshman, the Greenwood Village resident appears to be a quick learner, which should come as no surprise to anyone who has followed his career over the last five years.

Competing for one of the top programs in the country, Oklahoma State, Clark was more than a steady performer during the just-completed fall season. He was a standout.

The 19-year-old redshirt freshman shares the best scoring average for the Cowboys so far this season, with a 70.33. And that was while playing a schedule featuring some of the top tournaments of the fall.

Clark, a two-time 4A state high school champion at Valor Christian, has posted these individual finishes in four fall tournaments: 21st, fourth (Jack Nicklaus Invitational), fourth (U.S. Collegiate Championship) and second (Royal Oaks Intercollegiate). Oklahoma State won team titles in two of those events.

Five of Clark’s last eight tournament rounds have been in the 60s, including a fall-closing 65.

So where does that leave him in the overall scheme of college golf at its mid-season intermission?

He’s ranked sixth in the nation individually by Golfweek magazine, and 20th by Golfstat.

“(Senior Ian Davis) has really taken over and has been our best player this fall, but it’s been exciting to see Wyndham’s improvement,” first-year OSU men’s head coach Alan Bratton told Golfweek. “He had a rough first year (as a true freshman last season), but has played very well this fall. I think he’s just scratching the surface of what kind of player he can be.”

Considering the foundation Clark built in Colorado — and nationally — as a young player, his performance shouldn’t be a shock to anyone. After all, here’s a golfer who won the CGA Stroke Play at age 16, becoming that tournament’s youngest champion since Bob Byman won in 1971. Before turning 20, he’s competed in three U.S. Amateurs. And in his final high school tournament, he shot 64-64 at the 2011 4A state meet to win by eight strokes.

But as golfers make jumps from one level to another, it’s not always easy to predict how they’ll fare. Clark played in just two tournaments as a true freshman last season before redshirting. But he’s certainly broken from the gate very quickly in his second year in Stillwater.

While Clark has been the top college performer with strong Colorado ties so far this season, he’s certainly not alone in having had a strong fall.

Here are others who are ranked among the top 200 men’s college players in the nation: Colorado State junior Cameron Harrell (ranked 76th by Golfstat, 116th by Golfweek); University of Oklahoma senior Michael Schoolcraft, a former teammate of Clark’s at Valor Christian (112th by Golfweek, 167th by Golfstat); Air Force Academy senior Kyle Westmoreland (119th by Golfstat, 192nd by Golfweek); Colorado Mines junior Jordan Arndt (130th by Golfstat); Colorado Mesa freshman Colin Prater (131st by Golfstat).

And here are the locals in the nation’s top 200 on the women’s side: University of Denver senior Tonje Daffinrud (pictured at left) (25th by Golfstat, 31st by Golfweek); University of Colorado senior Jennifer Coleman (93rd by Golfweek, 150th by Golfstat); Pepperdine junior Somin Lee, a Denver resident (144th by Golfweek, 195th by Golfstat); CU sophomore Jamie Oleksiew (149th by Golfweek, 231st by Golfstat); CU senior Kristin Coleman (159th by Golfweek, 249th by Golfstat).

As for national team rankings, here’s the rundown for Colorado-based NCAA Division I men’s programs: Colorado (ranked 82nd by Golfstat, 84th by Golfweek); Colorado State (90th by Golfstat, 98th by Golfweek); Denver (115th by Golfstat, 118th by Golfweek); Air Force (125th by Golfweek, 158th by Golfstat); Northern Colorado (155th by Golfstat, 168th by Golfweek).

And for in-state NCAA Division I women’s programs: Denver (40th by Golfstat; 42nd by Golfweek); Colorado (49th by Golfstat; 51st by Golfweek); Colorado State (103rd by Golfstat; 111th by Golfweek); Northern Colorado (208th by Golfstat; 209th by Golfweek).

All the Colorado-based Division I college teams will begin their “spring” season in February, with the exception of the UNC men, who will resume tournament action in early March.
 

Conference championships, which mark the start of the most important part of the school season, begin within the next week and continue through early May for Colorado teams.

Two in-state NCAA Division I programs — the University of Denver and University of Northern Colorado women — won conference titles last year and will be looking to extend their success. In fact, the University of Denver women, now led by new head coach Lindsay Hulwick (pictured), are taking aim at a rather remarkable feat: winning 10 straight conference championships. The Pioneers won the Sun Belt Conference title the last nine seasons, and now are focused on claiming the Western Athletic Conference championship early next week in Mesa, Ariz.

“We’re in a new conference, and our goal for sure is to win and keep our streak going,” DU junior Tonje Daffinrud said recently. Denver is ranked among the top 35 Division I women’s teams in the nation.

This will be the only season in the WAC for both the DU women and men as they will move to the Summit League this summer.

Meanwhile, two Colorado Division I golf teams — the University of Colorado and Air Force Academy men — have each won two team titles so far in the 2012-13 college season.

After the conference tournaments, local teams will hope to land spots in NCAA regional events. Division I regionals are scheduled for May 9-11 (women) and May 16-18 (men). The top performers at regionals then will advance to the NCAA championship finals, set for May 21-24 (women) and May 28-June 2 (men).

Here’s the schedule of all the Division I conference tournaments featuring Colorado teams, plus the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference men’s and women’s meets. The events are listed in chronological order:

Big Sky Conference Women, April 21-23 in Chandler, Ariz. — Colorado team competing: Northern Colorado. … After claiming its first Big Sky championship last year, the Bears and senior Carleigh Silvers will both be defending conference titles. … Northern Colorado recently won the Monterey Bay Invitational, with Silvers claiming the individual title. … UNC is ranked 174th in the nation by Golfstat.

Pac-12 Conference Women, April 22-24 in Valencia, Calif. — Colorado team competing: Colorado. … Last spring, CU hosted an NCAA regional tournament at Colorado National Golf Club and for the first time in program history earned a spot in the NCAA Championship finals, where the Buffs finished 18th. … Earlier in the spring of 2012, CU placed sixth in the Pac-12 Conference tournament. … After losing three top players in 2012, the Buffs haven’t posted a top-five team finish yet this season. … CU junior Jennifer Coleman won one individual title — the Dick McGuire Invitational in Albuquerque in mid-September — during the 2012-13 campaign. She’s ranked 113th in the country individually by Golfweek. … CU is ranked 74th in the nation by Golfweek.

Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Men, April 22-23 in Goodyear, Ariz. — Colorado teams competing: Adams State, Colorado Christian, Colorado Mesa, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State-Pueblo, Fort Lewis, Regis, Colorado-Colorado Springs. … Last year, the Colorado School of Mines men won the RMAC spring title, with Colorado Mesa placing second. It was Mines’ first conference championship since 1968. … The Orediggers went on to finish 11th in the NCAA Division II Championship Finals. … Going into this week, CSM has won four team titles this season. … Three programs in the RMAC field are ranked among the top 50 teams in the nation in NCAA Division II: Mines (21st), CSU-Pueblo (40th), and CU-Colorado Springs (44th). … CSM’s Michael Lee is ranked 74th in the nation by Golfstat, which combines all classes in its individual rankings. Colorado Mesa’s Brandon Bingaman is 80th nationally, according to Golfstat.

Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Women, April 22-23 in Goodyear, Ariz. — Colorado teams competing: Adams State, Colorado Christian, Colorado Mesa, Colorado State-Pueblo, Regis. … Last spring, CSU-Pueblo earned the RMAC title… Later, Colorado Mesa finished 11th in its first trip to the NCAA Division II Championship Finals. … Currently, CSU-Pueblo is the highest-ranked local Division II women’s team, sitting at 36th, according to Golfstat.

Western Athletic Conference Women, April 22-24 in Mesa, Ariz. — Colorado team competing: Denver. … After winning the last nine Sun Belt Conference championships they competed in, the Pioneers will be going for their 10th straight league crown. … DU recorded a 17-stroke victory last year in the SBC championship. Denver’s Rachael Watton won the individual conference title, with teammate Tonje Daffinrud fourth and Kelly Drack seventh. … This season, Daffinrud has recorded five top-10 finishes and is ranked 38th in the nation individually by Golfweek and Golfstat. … Watton is ranked 163rd in the country individually by Golfweek, while Elyse Smidinger is 196th. … DU is 32nd in the Golfstat women’s national team rankings.

Mountain West Conference Women, April 25-27 in Rancho Mirage, Calif. — Colorado team competing: Colorado State. … CSU finished fifth in this tournament last year. … The Rams are playing in the Fresno State Lexus Classic Monday and Tuesday (April 15-16) before gearing up for the conference tourney. … CSU sits 129th in the Golfweek team rankings.

Pac-12 Conference Men, April 29-May 1 in Los Angeles — Colorado team competing: Colorado. … CU finished eighth in the Pac-12 tourney last year. … This season, the Buffs own two team victories and three seconds. … CU’s Jason Burstyn won one individual title in the fall and finished third in the Bandon Dunes Championship in March. Burstyn is ranked 128th in the nation individually by Golfstat. … CU sits 67th in the national Golfstat team rankings.

Western Athletic Conference Men, April 29-May 1 in Henderson, Nev. — Colorado team competing: Denver. … DU placed seventh in its Sun Belt title defense last year, with Chun-Ji Kim finishing fourth individually. … DU recently took second place at its own Desert Shootout. … The Pioneers are ranked 101st in the nation by Golfstat and Golfweek.

American Sky Conference Men, April 29-May 1 in San Antonio — Colorado team competing: Northern Colorado. … UNC was fifth in the conference last year as Steven Kupcho finished sixth individually. Kupcho subsequently had a 2012 summer season that earned him CGA Player of the Year honors. … UNC stands 150th in the Golfstat national rankings.

Mountain West Conference Men, May 3-5 in Tucson, Ariz. — Colorado teams competing: Colorado State and Air Force Academy. … CSU made it to the NCAA regionals last year after advancing to the championship finals in 2011. … In the 2012 MWC Championship, CSU finished fifth and Air Force seventh. … CSU’s Kirby Pettitt placed fifth individually last year in the conference tournament. … Pettitt and teammate Jordan Wetsch won individual titles in the fall of 2012. … CSU’s Parker Edens took third recently in DU’s Desert Shootout. … Air Force won its second team title of the season at the Jackrabbit Invitational in March, with Kyle Westmoreland claiming the individual crown. … Both CSU and Air Force still have one significant tournament remaining before the MWC championship, the Ping Cougar Classic April 26-27 in Provo, Utah. … CSU is ranked 69th nationally by Golfstat, while Air Force is 119th.
 

“I look back on the past few years and I don’t know if I actually wanted it,” the Arvada resident and Colorado State University-Pueblo golfer said Tuesday. “I was more afraid of what would happen. You’re nervous. You say you want it but you’re not really sure. But yesterday I came in thinking, ‘I really want to go (to the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship). I’m playing really good and I want to do this and I have the game to do it.’ And I came out and played really well.”

The result is that Thomas will join two other Colorado-based college golfers in not only making their first appearance in the U.S. Publinks, but in any USGA championship.

CSU’s Kirby Pettitt, Air Force’s Kyle Westmoreland and CSU-Pueblo’s Thomas earned the three available qualifying spots out of a field that originally numbered 78 Tuesday at Twin Peaks Golf Course in Longmont. And the reward is trips to the U.S. Publinks that will be played July 9-14 at Soldier Hollow Golf Course in Midway, Utah.

Pettitt, a senior-to-be at CSU, shot rounds of 67-72 for a 1-under-par 139 total at Twin Peaks. Westmoreland, who will be a junior at the Air Force Academy, went 68-71 to tie his fellow Mountain West Conference golfer. (Westmoreland is pictured above at left with his co-medalist Pettitt.) And Thomas, who’s entering his final season at CSU-Pueblo, carded scores of 66-74 to gain the final qualifying spot at even-par 140.

For both Pettitt and Westmoreland, it was their first time even attempting to qualify for the U.S. Publinks.

“I’m very excited,” said Pettitt, an Iowan now living in Fort Collins full-time. “To be able to go play in a USGA event and showcase your talent and compete at a very high level is exactly what I’m looking to do. I’ve got one more year at school and then I’ll just see what happens. I’ll try to play professional golf after that, I believe.”

Being at the Air Force Academy, Westmoreland hasn’t gotten a lot of chances to play tournaments in recent summers, but he made the most of his opportunity on Tuesday. He finished the day with an eagle, six birdies and seven bogeys over the 36 holes.

Suffice it to say qualifying for a USGA championship ranks up there with winning his first college tournament last fall — the Service Academy Golf Classic against rival players from Navy and Army.

“It was a fun season for me, and this makes it even more fun,” said Westmoreland, who hails from Katy, Texas near Houston. “This means a lot. It’s a great opportunity to get to play some real high-quality golf. I’m thrilled.”

Pettitt’s performance Tuesday bore much resemblance to Westmoreland’s as he recorded six birdies and five bogeys. Thomas, meanwhile, went bogey-free in his 66 and carded six birdies and six bogeys overall.

“I played so good today,” said the 24-year-old Thomas, who needed just 24 putts in his first round. “… I drove three par-4s on my second 18 holes, and a couple of them were almost 400 yards. So I was hitting it really solid.

“I can’t tell you what this means to me. It’s fantastic.”
 

U.S. Amateur Public Links Qualifying
At Par-70 Twin Peaks GC in Longmont

ADVANCE TO U.S. PUBLINKS
Kirby Pettitt, Fort Collins, Colo., 67-72–139
Kyle Westmoreland, Katy, Texas, 68-71–139
Sean Thomas, Arvada, Colo., 66-74–140

ALTERNATES (in order)
Brandon Bingaman, Montrose, Colo., 72-69–141
Kory Harrell, Colorado Springs, Colo., 70-71–141

FAILED TO QUALIFY
Chun-Ji Kim, Chandler, Ariz., 73-70–143
Eric Parish, Laramie, Wyo., 70-73–143
Steven Kupcho, Westminster, Colo., 71-72–143
Cameron Harrell, Colorado Springs, Colo., 73-70–143
Jeff Chapman, Denver, Colo., 71-73–144
James Kurtenbach, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 74-70–144
Wlad Colmenares, Aurora, Colo., 73-71–144
David Schroeder II, Colorado Springs, Colo., 71-73–144
Jon Lindstrom, Broomfield, Colo., 72-72–144
Stu Allen, Lakewood, Colo., 72-73–145
Lanny Cameron, Loveland, Colo., 73-72–145
Andrew Moore, Loveland, Colo., 77-68–145
Cameron Freeman, Fort Collins, Colo., 72-74–146
Derek Fribbs, Boulder, Colo., 74-72–146
Tristan Sanders, Denver, Colo., 71-76–147
Nick Burns, Denver, Colo., 76-72–148
Robert Clever, Firestone, Colo., 72-76–148
Wesley Martin, Denver, Colo., 73-76–149
Minkyu Jeon, Littleton, Colo., 73-76–149
Nicholas Sheedy, Denver, Colo., 75-75–150
Matt Porter, Castle Rock, Colo., 74-76–150
Russell Einspahr, Arvada, Colo., 75-75–150
Andy Yang, Denver, Colo., 76-74–150
Jason Coffin, Denver, Colo., 74-77–151
Brian Richmeier, Aurora, Colo., 75-76–151
Clint Miller, Englewood, Colo., 73-78–151
Nick Berry, Littleton, Colo., 76-75–151
Chris Ortiz, Rio Rancho, N.M., 77-74–151
Jonathan S Park, Denver, Colo., 78-73–151
Nicholas Tarasiewicz, Colorado Springs, Colo., 72-81–153
Christian Rundberg, Laramie, Wyo., 76-77–153
Steve Connell, Thornton, Colo., 77-77–154
Chris Longfellow, Castle Rock, Colo., 78-77–155
Kyle Beard, Denver, Colo., 75-80–155
Bryan Kruse, Westminster, Colo., 76-79–155
Christopher Good, Denver, Colo., 76-79–155
Charles Santaularia, Denver, Colo., 77-78–155
Robert Burke, Longmont, Colo., 76-79–155
Austin Vanderbloom, Cheyenne, Wyo., 75-81–156
Chad Hess, Colorado Springs, Colo., 80-76–156
Wes Adkins, Fort Collins, Colo., 76-80–156
Michael Glaesel, Arvada, Colo., 80-76–156
Adam Thoutt, Westminster, Colo., 77-80–157
Jordan Burgess, Windsor, Colo., 76-81–157
Chris Weinstein, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 79-79–158
Erik Helton, Brighton, Colo., 79-80–159
Bryan Doyea, Peyton, Colo., 75-84–159
Christopher Raap, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 79-82–161
Grant Rogers, Boulder, Colo., 81-80–161
Bill Parker, Aurora, Colo., 83-78–161
Danny Hahn, Denver, Colo., 78-83–161
Shane Unfred, Windsor, Colo., 84-77–161
Nathan Gruda, Golden, Colo., 83-81–164
Joshua Kim, Aurora, Colo., 80-85–165
Chase Nathe, Parker, Colo., 85-80–165
Jon Baldwin, Lone Tree, Colo., 83-84–167
Rupert Lona, Westminster, Colo., 86-84–170
Tom Trexler, Littleton, Colo., 85-86–171
Mitchell Smith, Elizabeth, Colo., 75-WD
Gary Driber, Castle Pines, Colo., 80-NC
Nicholas Purvis, Montrose, Colo., 88-WD
Travis Fore, Windsor, Colo., 79-WD
Scott Steger, Fort Collins, Colo., 86-NS
Troy Duerr, Colorado Springs, Colo., 83-WD
Branden Barron, Centennial, Colo., 76-WD
Dale Bonati, Colorado Springs, Colo., 97-NS
 

Winning major college invitational tournaments is no small feat, yet a handful of local players pulled it off this fall. Senior Brian Dorfman of Greenwood Village won twice for Georgetown, while fellow Coloradans Becca Huffer (a senior at Notre Dame, pictured) and Beau Schoolcraft (a junior at Colorado) both posted their first college victories. In addition, Coloradan Lindsay McGetrick, a freshman at North Carolina State, won a tournament — though it wasn’t part of the Wolfpack’s varsity schedule — and Air Force Academy sophomore Kyle Westmoreland claimed the title at the Service Academy Golf Classic.

Beyond that, several other Coloradans recorded their best Division I college finishes with top-10 showings, including Michael Schoolcraft for Oklahoma (Beau’s brother placed third in an event), Beth Buchner for New Mexico (third place) and Alex Gutesha for Kansas (eighth place).

Team-wise, the CU men won one tournament and lost a playoff in another, while the CU women and Air Force men also posted team victories.

Here’s a brief rundown on how Colorado-based Division I teams fared in the fall:

Air Force Men

National rankings — 150th (Golfstat), 152nd (Golfweek).

Best team finish — First.

Top-five team finishes — One in five tournaments.

Top-five individual finishes — Kyle Westmoreland (first), Robert Belz (second).

Begins Spring season — Feb. 20-21 at Rice Intercollegiate.

Notable — The Falcons won the Service Academy Golf Classic for the 15th consecutive time, defeating Navy and Army. Air Force’s Kyle Westmoreland earned the individual title at the tournament.

Colorado State University Men

National rankings — 61st (Golfstat), 64th (Golfweek).

Best team finishes —  Third (twice).

Top-five team finishes — Three in five tournaments.

Top-five individual finishes — Zahkai Brown (third), Kirby Pettitt (third).

Top individual national rankings — Zahkai Brown (126th Golfstat, 163rd Golfweek), Kirby Pettitt, (139th Golfstat, 186th Golfweek).

Begins Spring season — Feb. 15-17 at John Burns Intercollegiate is first spring invitational.

Notable — The Rams placed in the top six four times in five fall invitational tournaments.

CSU Women

National rankings — 72nd (Golfstat), 68th (Golfweek).

Best team finishes — Fourth (twice).

Top-five team finishes — Two in five tournaments.

Top-five individual finishes — Betsy Kelly (fourth).

Begins Spring season — Feb. 20-21 at UNLV Spring Invitational.

Top individual national rankings — Betsy Kelly (84th Golfstat, 147th Golfweek), Brianna Espinoza (139th Golfstat, 198th Golfweek).

Notable — The Rams had an up-and-down fall, finishing fourth twice, seventh, 10th and 16th. Kelly posted three top-seven individual performances in the fall.

University of Colorado Men

National rankings — 36th (Coaches), 55th (Golfstat), 56th (Golfweek).

Best team finishes — First outright, and tie for first (lost playoff).

Top-five team finishes — Two in four tournaments.

Top-five individual finishes — Beau Schoolcraft (first), Kevin Kring (third and fifth).

Top individual national rankings — Kevin Kring (124th Golfstat, 182nd Golfweek).

Begins Spring season — Feb. 1-3 at Hawaii-Hilo Intercollegiate.

Notable — The Buffs started the season in stellar fashion, winning their Mark Simpson Invitational and tying for first before losing in a playoff at the Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational. And Colorado product Beau Schoolcraft won an individual title in his first official competition for CU. But the Buffs tailed off later in the fall, placing ninth and 16th in their last two tournaments.

CU Women

National rankings — 24th (Coaches), 23rd (Golfstat), 20th (Golfweek).

Best team finish — First.

Top-five team finishes — Two in four tournaments.

Top-five individual finishes — Alex Stewart (fourth), Emily Talley (fifth), Jenny Coleman (fifth).

Begins Spring season — Feb. 5-7 at Arizona Wildcat Invitational.

Top individual national rankings — Alex Stewart (76th Golfstat, 75th Golfweek), Emily Talley (101st Golfstat, 104th Golfweek), Jessica Wallace (125th Golfstat, 123rd Golfweek), Jennifer Coleman (172nd Golfstat, 163rd Golfweek).

Notable — With first- and second-place finishes in the fall, the Buffs are in the top 25 in all of the national rankings.

University of Denver Men

National ranking — 98th (Golfstat), 93rd (Golfweek).

Best team finish — Third.

Top-five team finishes — One in four tournaments.

Top-five individual finishes — Oskar Arvidsson (fifth).

Begins Spring season — Feb. 15-17 at John Burns Intercollegiate.

Notable — The Pioneers placed in the top six in all four of their fall tournaments.

DU Women

National rankings — 39th (Coaches), 40th (Golfstat and Golfweek).

Best team finish — Second.

Top-five team finishes — One in four tournaments.

Top-five individual finishes — none.

Begins Spring season — Feb. 4-6 at Arizona Wildcat Invitational.

Top individual national rankings — Rachael Watton (92nd Golfstat, 90th Golfweek), Tonje Daffinrud (133rd Golfstat, 121st Golfweek).

Notable — Three different DU players — Tonje Daffinrud, Rachael Watton and Kelly Drack — posted top-10 individual finishes in the fall.

University of Northern Colorado Men

National rankings — 220th (Golfstat), 234th (Golfweek).

Best team finish — Fifth.

Top-five team finishes — One in six tournaments.

Top-five individual finishes — none.

Begins Spring season — March 16-17 at National Invitational Tournament.

UNC Women

National rankings — 180th (Golfstat), 181st (Golfweek)

Best team finish — Third.

Top-five team finishes — One in four tournaments.

Top-five individual finishes — Carleigh Silvers (third).

Notable — Carleigh Silvers finished sixth and third in her last two tournaments of the fall season.

Meanwhile, at the NCAA Division II level, the CU-Colorado Springs men are ranked 13th in the nation, while the Colorado School of Mines men are No. 32 and the Colorado State-Pueblo men are No. 44.