PALM DESERT — The University of Colorado men's golf team opened its spring season here Friday, earning a split in its two matches in the inaugural Wyoming Desert Match Play.
The Buffaloes dropped the morning match against No. 6 seed Texas El-Paso by a 4-1-1 count, but rebounded to defeat No. 7 seed Wichita State, 3-2-1 in the afternoon.
"It was a bit of an up and down day," head coach Roy Edwards said. "We really played poorly in the morning except for Jack, but the guys did a nice job in the afternoon to come out and gut out a win over Wichita State. The event is taking place at the Classic Club, which features a 7,322-yard, par-72 layout.
Junior Kristoffer Max recorded CU's best record on the day with a 1-0-1 effort (one win, one match that ended all squared); three Buffs posted 1-1 marks: junior John Patterson and freshmen Jack Holland and Dylan McDermott. Freshman Justin Biwer, playing the No. 1 position, was 0-1-1, while sophomore Adam Matteson was 0-2, though his first match was suspended with three holes remaining and down three holes, it counted as a loss.
The Buffaloes will face off against the University of Denver in the fifth place match that will commence at 8:24 a.m. MST Saturday. Host and No. 5 seed Wyoming will play No. 2 seed Boise State for the event's title.
"Denver has a strong veteran team and it should be a great match," Edwards predicted of Saturday's match for fifth place.
UTEP def. Colorado, 4-1-1
#1—Greg Yellin (UTEP) def. Justin Biwer, 4 & 3
#2—Jacob Presutti (UTEP) def. Dylan McDermott, 4 & 3
#3—Kristoffer Max (CU) tied. Danny Daniels, AS
#4—Marcus Khaw (UTEP) def. John Paterson, 5 & 4
#5—Damon Vikauskas (UTEP) def. Adam Matteson, 3 & 3
#6—Jack Holland (CU) def. Greg Holmes, 6 & 5
Colorado def. Wichita State, 3-2-1
#1—Justin Biwer (CU) tied Lucas Scheufler, AS
#2—Dylan McDermott (CU) def. Michael Winslow, 3 & 2
#3—Kristoffer Max (CU) def. Adam Balatka, 4 & 3
#4—John Paterson (CU) def. Tate Herrenbruck, 3 & 1
#5—Brock Pohill (WSU) def. Adam Matteson, 3 & 2
#6—Dawson Lewis (WSU) def. Jack Holland, 7 & 5
Quarterfinals
No. 1 San Francisco def. No. 8 Air Force, 5-1
No. 5 Wyoming def. No. 4 Denver, 3-3 (won tiebreaker)
No. 2 Boise State def. No. 7 Wichita State, 7-2
No. 6 UTEP def. No. 3 Colorado, 4-1-1
Semifinals
No. 2 Boise State def. No. 6 UTEP, 4-1-1
No. 5 Wyoming def. No. 1 San Francisco, 4-2
Semifinals (consolation bracket)
No. 3 Colorado def. No. 7 Wichita State, 3-2-1
No. 4 Denver def. No. 8 Air Force, 5-0-1