Colorado Men’s Golf Gears Up for Spring Season at The Prestige
LA QUINTA, Calif. - The University of Colorado men’s golf team has touched down in the desert, ready to kick off its spring campaign at the 26th annual The Prestige at PGA West. For a program that’s been steadily building momentum, this tournament marks more than just the start of a new season-it’s a chance to test themselves against some of the best collegiate golf has to offer.
This year’s Prestige, held on the Greg Norman Course at PGA West, brings together 24 teams, including 19 ranked in the nation’s top 102 and nine inside the top 50. The course itself is a unique challenge: a 7,185-yard, par-71 layout that sits 40 feet below sea level at the bottom of a prehistoric ocean bed. For Colorado, a team used to playing at altitude, this low-lying terrain adds an intriguing twist to their season opener.
The Buffs, currently ranked No. 42 in the country, are no strangers to this event. This will be their 13th appearance, and they’re coming in with a roster that’s both seasoned and sharp.
Sophomore Parker Paxton leads the way in the No. 1 spot, followed by senior Hunter Swanson, juniors Brandon Knight and Ty Holbrook, and graduate transfer Jackson Rivera rounding out the top five. Sophomore Michael Fang will also be in action, competing in the Prestige Individual event at The Golf Club at Terra Lago’s North Course.
Colorado wrapped up its fall season back in late October, and they did so in record-setting fashion. The team posted a program-best 70.39 stroke average, topping their previous mark of 70.53 set just last year.
Paxton led the charge with a blistering 68.80 average, followed closely by Swanson (69.73), Knight (69.93), and Holbrook (70.07). Those four now hold four of the top eight single-season averages in CU history, and all played 15 rounds in the fall.
As a team, the Buffs recorded 64 subpar rounds out of 108-44 of them in the 60s, already the fourth-most in a single season at CU.
Head coach Roy Edwards is energized by what he’s seen from his squad.
“Everyone is ready to go for the spring,” Edwards said. “We have a motivated, competitive, and hard-working group that put in a great deal of effort during the offseason. This is an exceptional group of young men, and we’re very proud of how they represent the University of Colorado.”
He also emphasized the importance of mindset and preparation, especially on a course like the Norman.
“When we combine smart decision-making with a free, confident mindset, we play our best golf,” Edwards added. “The PGA West Norman Course puts a premium on ball-striking and iron play, so that’s been a big area of focus for us.”
Last year, the Buffs finished fifth at The Prestige with a 7-under team total of 845, highlighted by a final-round 277-good for the sixth-best single-round score in the tournament’s 72-round history. That finish matched their second-best result at the event, trailing only a runner-up showing in 2001.
This year’s field includes a mix of powerhouse programs and rising contenders. Alongside co-hosts UC Davis and Stanford, teams from across the Big 12-including Texas Tech, Kansas, Kansas State, and Iowa State-will be in the mix.
Wake Forest, Clemson, Arkansas-Little Rock, Northwestern, and Oregon are just a few of the other notable names in a stacked lineup. In total, 14 of the country’s top 100 collegiate golfers will be teeing it up.
Paxton, Colorado’s top-ranked player at No. 151, will be looking to build on a fall season where he finished inside the top 20 in all five events.
The Buffs will begin play Monday afternoon, paired with UC Davis and Northwestern-just like in last year’s opening round. Fang, competing in the individual event, will tee off earlier in the day alongside players from Northwestern and Stanford.
Notes from the Fairway:
- Several Buffs are ranked inside the top 500 nationally, including Swanson (No. 309), Holbrook (No.
341), Knight (No. 355), and freshman Tyler Long (No. 483).
Rivera, Fang, and freshman Casey Kosney also hold national rankings, though Kosney has seen limited action so far.
- Colorado has four top-five finishes all-time at The Prestige, including that second-place showing in 2001 when the event was held in the fall.
That year, Joe Liley posted CU’s best individual finish at the tournament, finishing third at 9-under.
- The Buffs won’t be heading back to Boulder after The Prestige.
Instead, they’ll stay in Southern California to compete in the Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate from February 23-25 at the Classic Club in Palm Desert.
Buffs on the Pro Circuit:
It’s not just the current roster making waves-CU alums are also turning heads on the professional scene.
Justin Biwer, who graduated last May, has been on a tear on the Asher Tour, racking up three top-10 finishes in the last month. His best?
A runner-up showing at the Central Coast Championship in Nipomo, Calif., where he fired rounds of 64-67-67 for a 15-under total. He also tied for eighth and ninth in back-to-back events at the Wigwam courses in Arizona.
Dylan McDermott, another recent grad, kicked off his year with a ninth-place finish at the Bakersfield Open, closing with a strong 66. He also took second at the NAPA Open in December with a 10-under total.
Tucker Clark competed in Bakersfield as well but missed the cut after a 2-over total.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Paul (Class of ’17) is competing on the Korn Ferry Tour and made some noise with a second-round 62 at the Astara Golf Championship, the lowest round of the tournament. He also opened with a 64 at the Bahamas Golf Classic in January and finished tied for 44th.
Yannik Paul (Class of ’18) is playing on the DP and Hotel Planner tours. He’s currently competing in the NTT DATA Pro-Am in South Africa, where he sits tied for 32nd through two rounds at 5-under.
The spring season is officially underway, and for Colorado, the pieces are in place for a strong run. With a deep, experienced lineup and a head coach who knows how to get the best out of his squad, the Buffs are ready to make some noise in the desert-and beyond.