BOULDER — The University of Colorado men’s golf team will open the fall portion of its schedule Sunday in the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Invitational in South Bend, Ind.
The opener is breaking with some tradition, as CU has opened its fall season down Interstate 25 in Colorado Springs in Air Force’s Gene Miranda Invitational six of the last nine years. The Buffs will play in the 53rd annual edition of that tournament later in the week (Sept. 9-11).
“With Notre Dame moving their tournament up to Labor Day weekend, we are starting a little bit earlier than normal this year,” said CU head coach Roy Edwards, who is in his 17th season as CU’s head coach. “Qualifying was very competitive amongst the team and we are excited to get to South Bend and compete this weekend. We will see a really strong field and it is a tremendous opportunity to set the tone early in the season.”
The 54-hole tournament will be played over two days on the Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course, a par-70 layout that spans some 7,023 yards. Play features 36 holes on Sunday with a 6:30 a.m. MDT shotgun start and the final 18 on Monday with a 6 a.m. start off the No. 1 and 10 tees. The Buffs will play a couple of practice rounds Friday and Saturday after playing Butler National in Chicago on Thursday.
The weather could be a challenge, as the forecast calls for the possibility of rain throughout Sunday with thunderstorms in the afternoon; the outlook is better for Monday. Temperatures should be in the upper 60s and low 70s both days, and the wind does not appear to be much of a factor at this point.
The Buffaloes will get tested right out of the gate; 15 schools will be competing in the event; in addition to CU and host Notre Dame, California, Florida, Georgia Southern, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kent State, LSU, Michigan State, North Carolina, Utah and Virginia Tech. Three finished in the nation’s top 20 last year (UNC No. 5, Florida No. 9, Notre Dame No. 16), with seven in the top 50.
Edwards has high expectations for his team, despite it being perhaps one of the youngest in school history; the…
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