Pioneers Finish 15th in Hawaii

HONOLULU, Hawai’i — Junior Jeff Koprivetz (Yorba Linda, Calif.) shot a final round 5-under par 67 Friday to finish in sixth place individually, leading the University of Denver men’s golf team to a 15th place at the John A. Burns Intercollegiate golf tournament held at Leilehua Golf Course. The Pioneers shot a final round 3-under par 285 for a 54-hole score of 857 (7-under par) and finished 37 strokes back of tournament winner Auburn, who shot a tournament record three-round score of 820 (44-under par). Texas A&M finished second with a score of 831.

Koprivetz shot 68-70-67 – 205 (11-under par) to finish just four strokes out of first place. Stephen Hale of Cal shot three consecutive rounds of 67 to take medalist honors with a 54-hole score of 201 (15-under par).

Next for Denver was sophomore Espen Kofstad (Oslo, Norway), who shot three consecutive rounds of 2-under par 70 to finish with a 54-hole score of 210 (6-under par) and in a tie for 25th place, nine strokes back.

Senior Scott Tashie (Memphis, Tenn.) was third for the Pioneers in a tie for 54th place with an even-par total of 216 (73-70-73), 15 shots back.

DU’s two other players were playing in their first collegiate tournaments. Freshman Austin Uhl (Phoenix, Ariz.) shot 77-76-75 – 228 to finish tied for 101st and sophomore Jon Lopez (Aurora, Colo.) shot 75-77-78 – 230 to finish in a tie for 104th.

DU is next in action beginning Monday, March 18 when the Pioneers play in the 2008 Barona Collegiate Cup in San Diego.

Major golf heading back to Colorado

Hale Irwin stood on a makeshift tee box on a third-floor balcony of The Broadmoor clubhouse on Monday, staring at a pin some 76 yards away.

Wearing dress shoes and no glove and swinging a borrowed a 56-degree wedge, he promptly lofted a shot to within five feet of the pin.

With that shot, Colorado was back on the clock for a return of professional golf. Irwin and his band of senior players will return to the state - at least for a year - with the 2008 U.S. Senior Open next July.

The state has been left with a void since the loss of The International earlier this year.

"Colorado's naked with professional golf now," Irwin said. "Colorado deserves professional golf."

Irwin still can't believe The International is no longer around. The tournament began in 1986 and featured a unique scoring system that rewarded aggressive play. But the tournament needed $8.5 million in sponsorships and Jack Vickers, the founder and president of Castle Pines Golf Club, wasn't going to cut corners.

"I'm either going to do it right or I'm not going to do it," Vickers said in February, and withdrew The International from the Tour.

"I was saddened by it," Irwin said. "I loved the whole idea behind The International. I think it was very popular. It's beyond me to say why it went on its way."

The 2008 Senior Open is already benefiting by the defunct tournament. The Senior Open has 1,700 volunteers lined up, most of whom used to work at The International.

"It's truly a shame we're not going to have an International this summer," Senior Open championship director Douglas Habgood said. "We're hoping that (fans) will be real hungry for golf in 2008. We're going to do our best to take care of those people."

This will be the sixth United States Golf Association event staged at The Broadmoor, and the first since the 1995 U.S. Women's Open, which was won by an up-and-coming golfer named Annika Sorenstam. Jack Nicklaus won the 1959 U.S. Amateur at this course.

Although the tournament is still more than a year away, some of the golfers expected to show include Mark O'Meara, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, Tom Watson and Craig Stadler. Irwin is the honorary chairman of the event that will be held July 28 to Aug. 3, 2008.

"This is a wonderful spot," Irwin said. "I think the players who come here for the 2008 Senior Open will be extremely pleased with what they find. It's unbelievable."

The purse for the Senior Open is expected to be $2.5 million with the winner getting around $470,000.

"It's never enough," Irwin said as media relations manager Pete Kowalski announced the winner's cut of the earnings.

Irwin would love nothing more than to be in contention on the final day at the Senior Open.

"That would be another one of those dreams," said Irwin, who was a defensive back for the Buffaloes before focusing on golf. "Just give me a chance. That's all I've ever said. Give me a chance going into the last nine holes, then it's up to me."

Top 10 True Western Towns of 2008 by True West Magazine

TRINIDAD, CO We’ll admit it—we didn’t think of Trinidad (the one in Colorado, not the one in the Caribbean) as a big tourist spot. We were wrong. More than 400,000 people visited in 2006. And they’re following a lot of folks from the past. In the 1800s, thousands passed through Trinidad on the Santa Fe Trail. Others stopped by en route from New Mexico to Denver (now I-25). In 1882, that group included Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, fresh from the infamous Vendetta Ride and running from Arizona authorities; their pal Bat Masterson was Trinidad’s town marshal. Things haven’t changed much since they dropped by. The El Corazon de Trinidad National Historic District basically covers downtown and more than 40 buildings. Some 6.5 miles of brick streets meander through Trinidad, giving even greater authenticity to structures like the Baca House, an 1870 adobe restored to its traditional look and containing period furnishings and art. The Bloom Mansion, built in 1882, is currently being renovated. The Santa Fe Trail Museum is housed in the former workers’ quarters at the Baca House and features exhibits of the area’s past. Several other preservation projects are either underway or in the planning stages. One of Trinidad’s largest commercial buildings, the McCormick, is almost finished. The Toltec Building is being converted to retail and residences. Owners had to replace a back brick wall and strengthen the first floor supports of the Barela Building. The White/Glenn residence is being changed from a B&B into meeting rooms and antiques. The Jaffa Opera House has a new owner who plans to restore it to its 1882 appearance. All of those are private efforts, undertaken by individuals or businesses. Some public projects include a facelift for city hall, stabilization of the Bloom House and restoration of the Temple Aaron. The bottom line: Trinidad works hard to maintain its heritage. The city celebrates that heritage by hosting events like the Santa Fe Trail Festival and the County Rodeo and Fair, which dates back to 1910. Frankly, this description covers just a fragment of the historic sites, institutions, events and preservation efforts that make Trinidad special. You’d be surprised, just as we were. Maybe the best way to find out is to join the hundreds of thousands who visit this Top True Western Town each year.

Colorado Buffalo Golfers Move Into 10th In Hawai'i

HILO, Hawai’i — The University of Colorado men’s golf team moved into 10th place after recording its best round of school year here Thursday in the second round of the first round of the Hawai’i-Hilo Intercollegiate.

No. 5 Stanford took over the team lead with a 22-under par team score of 538; the Cardinal was on fire with a 263 score for the second round, or 17-under. Arizona State is five shots off the lead (543), with No. 7 USC in third, six back (544).

Colorado moved up two notches from 12th into 10th, as the Buffaloes shot a 6-under 274 Thursday for a 2-under 558 total. It was the sixth best team total for the day in the 18-team tournament.

CU, Stanford and Oregon State were the only three teams to have five of their players shoot par or better on the 6,738-yard, par-70 Waikoloa Village Golf Course layout.

Senior Michael Baird matched his CU career low score by carding a 4-under 66, which gave him a 5-under 135 score through two rounds, tying him for 11th place overall.

Senior Jim Grady, who had recorded his first round in the 60’s in his college career on Wednesday with a 1-under 69, matched that effort again and is tied for 18th with a 2-under 138 total.

Sophomore Justin Bardgett also shot a 1-under 69 and stands at 2-over par 142, tied for 51st; it bettered his previous college best by four strokes as he put his first sub-70 score in the books.

Freshman Michael Imperato and sophomore Luke Symons each shot even par 70, and have 143 and 144 totals, respectively, entering Friday’s final round.

“I felt good about how the way guys responded from yesterday,” head coach Roy Edwards said. “Everything we stressed last night in our team meeting we did well. We really were focused on our next shot ahead of us and were more confident.

“The guys are doing the important things that will make you better, and we’re starting to see the results,” he added. “We still left some shots out there, which is good in a manner of speaking because there’s room to improve.

“But I am encouraged we’re doing this so early. The guys have done a good job of getting out in Colorado, even though the weather hasn’t been the greatest, so to see these results this early, I am happy with that, for sure.”

Two players share the leads, as Arizona State’s Jesper Kennegard and USC’s Jamie Lovemark are in with 9-under 131 totals through 36 holes; Kennegard was one of two players to record a 63 Thursday.

The tournament concludes with the final round Friday.

BUFFALO INDIVIDUALS

T11. Michael Baird............................ 69-66—135

T18. Jim Grady................................. 69-69—138

T51. Justin Bardgett.......................... 73-69—142

T60. Michael Imperato...................... 73-70—143

T64. Luke Symons............................ 74-70—144

TOP 5 INDIVIDUALS

1. Jamie Lovemark, USC................ 66-65—131

1. Jesper Kennegard, Arizona St. ... 68-63—131

3. Rob Grube, Stanford .................. 65-67—132

3. Sihwan Kim, Stanford................. 69-63—132

3. Cameron Tringale, Ga. Tech....... 65-67—132

3. Stephan Gross, Arizona State...... 64-68—132

TEAM SCORES

1. Stanford................................. 275-263—538

2. Arizona State......................... 271-272—543

3. Southern California............... 274-270—544

4. Texas Tech............................ 271-275—546

5. Georgia Tech......................... 275-272—547

6. Washington........................... 280-270—550

7. Oregon State......................... 273-278—551

8. Oklahoma............................. 277-276—553

9. Oregon.................................. 279-276—555

10. COLORADO........................... 284-274—558

11. TCU....................................... 284-275—559

12. UC-Davis................................ 288-277—565

13. CSU-Bakersfield.................... 283-283—566

14. Kansas................................... 285-282—567

15. Hawai’i-Hilo.......................... 282-286—568

16. Hawai’i.................................. 292-278—570

17. Santa Clara............................ 288-284—572

18. Pacific................................... 291-282—573

Pioneers Wrap Up 13th Place Finish at Regional Challenge

LAS VERDES, Fla. — The seventh-ranked University of Denver women’s golf team shot a final round 27-over par 311 Wednesday and finished in 13th place at the Northrup Grumman Regional Challenge held at Palos Verdes Golf Club. The Pioneers, playing their first competitive tournament since November, shot 316-303-311 – 930 in the 54-hole event and finished back in the pack. Second-ranked UCLA won with a 24-over par total of 876, defeating runner-up Florida by seven shots (931).

Pacing the Pioneers was junior Katie Kempter (Albuquerque, N.M.), who shot 79-76-76 – 231 (18-over par) to finish the tournament in a tie for 38th place. Kempter’s final round score of 76 was DU’s best on Wednesday.

Next for the Pioneers was sophomore Stephanie Sherlock (Barrie, Ontario), who shot a final round 80 and 54-hole score of 232 to finish in a tie for 43rd. Junior Dawn Shockley (Estes Park, Colo.) finished in a tie for 57th; and senior Chelsea Benton (Englewood, Colo.) and freshman Ellie Givens (Darlington, England) finished tied for 63rd to round out DU’s scorers.

Being from warm-weather climates seriously helped the teams in the tournament, as 11 of the 15 schools in the event come from warmer climates and those schools took each of the top 11 spots. BYU finished 12th (925) followed by Denver (930), Michigan State (939) and Ohio State (942).

DU is next in action beginning Friday, March 7 when the Pioneers tee it up at the Texas A&M “Mo” Morial at Traditions Golf Club in College Station, Texas.

Nicklaus/PGA teaching grants awarded to 18 chapters of The First Tee --CO Chapter is Recipient

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- The PGA Foundation, in conjunction with golf legend Jack Nicklaus, has begun the 2008 golf season awarding teaching grants totaling $90,000 to 18 chapters of The First Tee representing 14 states.

To date, 155 of the 206 active chapters of The First Tee nationwide have been recipients of either a PGA of America or Nicklaus/PGA teaching grant. The combined PGA and Nicklaus/PGA grants total $1,810,000.

Since 2001, The PGA of America and Nicklaus have partnered to create a $2 million endowment to provide teaching grants to certified chapters of The First Tee that utilize PGA Professionals for instruction.

"The PGA of America is proud to kick off this New Year with our partner Jack Nicklaus to extend Nicklaus/PGA Teaching Grants coast to coast," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "The wonderful messages and reports we receive are that these grants continue to produce success stories in communities. The First Tee momentum has helped grow the game of golf and brought many young people into the game."

The program continues to highlight The PGA of America's commitment to partner with its PGA Professionals to grow participation in golf.

The current Nicklaus/PGA teaching grants totaling $5,000 each have been awarded to The First Tee Chapters in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Washington.

Since its inception in 1997, there are 206 chapters of The First Tee in operation and 264 golf-learning facilities that have introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 2.2 million participants and students (which include the students of the National School Program). The focus is to give young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.

The PGA Growth of the Game Program is one of a number of initiatives administered by The PGA of America through its PGA Foundation

The PGA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, is dedicated to enhancing lives through the game of golf. The Foundation provides people of every ability, race, gender, and social and economic background an opportunity to experience the game and learn vital life lessons. The PGA Foundation achieves its mission through programs which provide instruction and access to playing the game of golf along with enriching those lives by providing educational, employment and scholarship opportunities.

For more information about the PGA Foundation, visit www.pgafoundation.org, or call (561) 624-7612.

Nicklaus/PGA of America Teaching Grant - $5,000 awarded to each chapter
The First Tee of Greater Trenton - Hamilton, N.J.
The First Tee of The Tri-Valley - Pleasanton, Calif.
The First Tee of Myrtle Beach - Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The First Tee of Columbia Basin - Pasco, Wash.
The First Tee of New Orleans - New Orleans, La.
The First Tee of Albany - Albany, Ga.
The First Tee of Clearwater - Clearwater, Fla.
The First Tee of Modesto - Modesto, Calif.
The First Tee of Metropolitan NY/Essex County - Newark, N.J.
The First Tee of Northern Nevada - Reno, Nev.
The First Tee of Eagle County - Edwards, Colo.
The First Tee of Idaho - Boise, Idaho
The First Tee of the Lake Norman Region - Cornelius, N.C.
The First Tee of Central Louisiana - Pineville, La.
The First Tee of Harford County, Md. - Aberdeen, Md.
The First Tee of Metropolitan NY/Nassau County - East Meadow, N.Y.
The First Tee of Metropolitan NY/Golf Club at Chelsea Piers - New York, N.Y.
The First Tee of Brazoria County - Lake Jackson, Texas

Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $195 billion golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere.

The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.