Matteson Ties For Sixth In Southern Colorado Masters

PUEBLO — Sophomore Adam Matteson led a quartet of University of Colorado golfers competing here as individuals, as he finished in a tie for sixth place in the Southern Colorado Masters which was completed Tuesday.
 
As if the 7,243-yard, par-72 Walking Stick Golf Course on the northeast outskirts of Pueblo isn't a tough test to begin with, high winds marred the second 27 holes of the event, particularly on Tuesday.  The winds picked up midway through Monday's second round and returned in force for the final round to the tune of up to 40-45 mile per hour gusts at times, making some holes virtually unplayable. 
 
It was definitely reflected in the scores, as the average for 74 players in the final round was a gaudy 79.64 as only one player broke par (a 1-under 71) and one other equaled it.  Over half the field (39 players) shot 80 or higher.
 
 "The wind only really let up for a couple of holes," assistant coach Derek Tolan said.  "You know its windy when I had a cart that was in park that actually started moving.  Some holes were borderline unplayable, but they did a good job setting up the course knowing wind would be a factor so most of the pin placements were in friendly locations."
 
The four Buffs didn't record many birdies (seven total), but did a good job of avoiding big numbers, with just seven double bogeys; the other 70 players combined for 125 holes of double bogeys or worse.
 
Matteson finished with a 5-over 77, and he was 3-over par overall with a 219 total after opening with rounds of 69 and 73 Monday.  His 10 birdies tied for the 10th-most here, and he was also in the top 10 in playing the par-4s (4-over, tied for eighth) and the par-5s (6-under, tied for sixth).
 
Freshman Frederik Eisenbeis recorded CU's best final round score – a 4-over-76, in tying for 12th with a 6-over 222 total.  He had one birdie with a team-high 12 pars opposite five bogeys, with his 34 pars for the event tied for fifth.  He also played the par-4s well, tied for sixth in the field (3-over).
 
Freshmen Jack Holland and Jack Hughes both wrapped things with 9-over 81s; Holland tied for 38th with a 17-over 233 total, while Hughes tied for 46th (19-over 235).  Holland did match Eisebeis' seven birdies for the most behind Matteson, while Hughes played the par-5s at 5-under, tied for 14th-best in the field.
 
 "Freddie from tee to green was world class today," Tolan said.  "He had some problems putting at times, but 76 was a good if not great score in these conditions, as was Adam's 77.  He was solid throughout for the most part as well, he was under par until the winds picked up Monday afternoon."
 
Host CSU-Pueblo won the team competition, finishing with an even-par score of 864 despite shooting 20-over par Tuesday, with Fort Lewis the runner-up some 19 strokes behind the Thunderwolves, who also had the individual medalist in Andrew Ni.  He shot a 74 to finish with a 5-under 211 and won by four strokes over Fort Lewis' Darren Edwards.  They were the only players under par.
 
The Buffaloes compete next in the Pac-12 Championships in Sammamish, Wash., April 25-27.  Six players will represent Colorado.
 
BUFFALO INDIVIDUALS

   T6.  Adam Matteson................................. 69-73-77—219
T12.  Frederik Eisenbeis............................. 70-76-76—222
T38.  Jack Holland..................................... 75-77-81—233
T46.  Jack Hughes..................................... 78-76-81—235
 
TOP FIVE INDIVIDUALS
   1.  Andrew Ni, CSU-Pueblo........................ 66-71-74—211
   2.  Darren Edwards, Fort Lewis................. 71-71-73—215
   3.  Sanjay Nithiyalingham, CSU-Pueblo.... 71-73-73—217
 T4.  Matt Millar, CSU-Pueblo....................... 73-73-72—218
 T4.  Dakota Gillman, Colorado Mesa.......... 69-73-76—218