Colorado Buffaloes Set to Compete in “The Prestige” Golf Tournament
La Quinta, California – The University of Colorado men’s golf team is ready to kick off the spring season as they arrive in La Quinta, gearing up to participate in the prestigious 26th annual The Prestige tournament at PGA West starting Monday. This esteemed event was initiated back in 2000 by the late Mark Simpson, a former head coach at CU, to showcase the best academic programs in college golf. The Buffaloes will be competing in this tournament for the 13th time.
Tournament Details
The three-day, 54-hole event will feature a challenging field of 19 of the nation’s top 102 college teams, including nine ranked in the top 50. The tournament will take place on the Greg Norman Course at PGA West with a par-71 configuration stretching over 7,185 yards. Unique to this year, it is the lowest elevation course the Buffaloes will encounter, located approximately 40 feet below sea level, offering a distinct playing experience compared to their high-altitude home.
While the official practice round is scheduled for Sunday, the Buffaloes have arrived early, a strategy they employ to maximize their preparation, having completed the fall season at the end of October.
Buffaloes Line-Up
The initial lineup for the tournament showcases promising talent—Colorado is currently ranked 42nd nationally. The lineup includes:
- Parker Paxton (Sophomore) – Ranked number one
- Hunter Swanson (Senior)
- Brandon Knight (Junior)
- Ty Holbrook (Junior)
- Jackson Rivera (Graduate Transfer)
Additionally, sophomore Michael Fang will compete in the Prestige Individual, held separately at The Golf Club at Terra Lago.
Strong Fall Performance
The Buffaloes concluded their fall season with a record-setting stroke average of 70.39, outperforming their previous mark of 70.53 in 2024. This accomplishment was driven by exceptional performances from players like Paxton (68.80), Swanson (69.73), Knight (69.93), and Holbrook (70.07), all of whom achieved some of the top averages in CU history, contributing to a total of 64 subpar rounds during the fall.
Head coach Roy Edwards expressed enthusiasm about the team’s readiness: “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 proud of how they represent the University of Colorado.”
Previous Performance at The Prestige
Last year, the Buffaloes achieved a remarkable fifth-place finish at The Prestige, with a team score of 7-under par (845). They matched their best-ever finish in the tournament’s history, previously securing second place in its second edition.
Edwards noted, “The PGA West Norman Course emphasizes ball-striking and iron play, areas we’ve specifically focused on in our preparations.”
Competitive Field
The 24-team event includes several notable competitors, such as co-hosts UC Davis and Stanford along with five other Big 12 schools, among them No. 9 Texas Tech and No. 42 Colorado. The field also features ranked teams like No. 27 Wake Forest, No. 32 Clemson, and No. 47 Kansas. Furthermore, the lineup includes 14 of the nation’s top 100 golfers, with Paxton positioned as the highest-rated Buffalo at 151st.
Important Upcoming Events
In addition to The Prestige, the Buffaloes plan to stay in Southern California for the upcoming Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate, which takes place from February 23-25, thus avoiding a cross-country return before resuming competitive play.
Buffs on the Professional Circuit
Three CU graduates continue their golf careers on the Asher Tour, achieving significant results in recent tournaments. For instance, Justin Biwer secured a runner-up finish in the Central Coast Championship, while Dylan McDermott and Tucker Clark are also making strides in their professional endeavors.
Additionally, CU alumni like Jeremy Paul and Yannik Paul are participating in higher-level tours, showcasing the strong foundation they built during their college experiences.
The Buffaloes are eager to showcase their talent in the upcoming competitions, building on a successful fall season and setting the stage for a promising spring. Stay tuned for updates as this dedicated team seeks to make their mark in collegiate golf.
