Two Buffs Advance Out of U.S. Open Golf Qualifying

            AURORA — Two members of the University of Colorado men's golf team advanced to U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying here Thursday.
 
            Both qualifying Buffaloes tied for second at CommonGround Golf Club in Aurora, which played to 7,405 yards and par-70 on Monday. 
 
            Victor Bjorlow, a senior who recently completed his CU career, carded a 3-under 67, as he had a very consistent day with three birdies and 15 pars.  He birdied No. 18 to secure one of the five qualifying spots.  Kristoffer Max, a junior, nearly matched his former teammate, as he obtained his 67 with four birdies, 13 pars and a single bogey, which he scored on his final hole of the day (No. 9).  Both finished one stroke back of Chris Thayer of Golden, who was the medalist with a 4-under 66, who birdied his 16th hole in the round (No. 7) to tie Max at the time before ending on top of the leaderboard by himself.
 
            A third Buffalo almost qualified as an alternate; sophomore-to-be Adam Matteson shot a 68, one of five players to do to and were in a playoff to determine two alternates, but was unable to advance.  He had six birdies, nine pars, two bogeys and a double in hoping to make it through qualifying to play in the June event, set to take place on his home course in San Diego.
 
            Other CU players also attempted to advance to the sectional round but came up short.  Also at CommonGround, freshman Jacob Mason (72), senior Cole Krantz (74), graduate Ross Macdonald (78) along with former Buff Mike Troyer (77) participated Monday.
 
            On Monday at Walnut Creek Golf Preserve in Westminster, Daniel O'Loughlin missed as he fired a 2-over 74; a recent graduate, his CU career continues next week as he qualified as an individual for the NCAA Southwest Regional in Albuquerque.  Freshman Canon Olkowski also tried his hand at Walnut Creek but shot an 81.  Several former Buffs also took their chances Monday: Dan Sniffin (73), Kane Webber (75), Derek Fribbs (76) and Steve Irwin (78),
 
            Last week at Collindale Golf Club in Fort Collins, former Buff and current CU assistant coach Derek Tolan recorded a 74, with another alum, Blake Moore (71) attempting to move on but fell short.
 
            Nine 36-hole U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying events will be held on Monday, June 7, in the United States and an additional one in Japan.  The 121st U.S. Open Championship will take place at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, June 17-20.
 
SO CAL OPEN AT INDIAN WELLS, CALIF. – Justin Biwer, a 2019 Colorado recruit who delayed his enrollment at CU until this fall, finished as the second low amateur here Thursday in the So Cal Open.  In tying for 16th overall, Biwer, from San Diego, turned in a 71-65-73—209 scorecard, good for 6-under par.  His second round 65 tied for the low score for that round as well as for the third-best 18 holes overall over the three days.  Biwer recorded 15 birdies, the 12th-most in the field, with 30 pars and just nine bogeys.  The event was played at the Indian Wells Resort, on its Player and Celebrity courses.