The University of Colorado golf programs are thriving in the fall season.

The men’s and women’s teams have racked up individual wins, high team finishes and record-setting performances on the course.

On the men’s side, sophomore Zeqian “Michael” Fang battled tough conditions Tuesday to claim medalist honors in Colorado School of Mines’ Bob Writz Invitational played at Bear Creek Golf Club in Lakewood.

“This was a really nice performance by Michael on a tough course,” CU coach Roy Edwards said. “He has had some good moments this fall, and he was able to put it all together this week.”

Fang posted a 4-under par 66-74-140 to beat Colorado School of Mines’ Lucas Taggert, who is one of the best players in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, by one stroke. Taggert and Fang were the only players in the tournament to post rounds in the 60s under the tough conditions.

“I created a lot of opportunities with my approach shots, the birdies and the eagle,” Fang said. “They were super accurate. All of those in the first round were under 12 feet, and I made them all. We’ve been doing some practice drills (as a team) to improve our putting, and that’s been super helpful.”

Fang’s victory was the 77th all-time individual win by a Buffaloes player in a major tournament (36 or more holes).  

As a team, the Colorado men this fall have a second-place finish at the Mark Simpson Invitational and two third-place finishes.

The women’s team has had a strong fall as well. The Buffs finished second Sunday at the Ron Moore Intercollegiate at the University of Denver Golf Course.

The Buffaloes shot 4-under-par in the final round to finish at 11-under, a total of 853, which is the third-best 54-hole score on a par-72 course in team history and fourth-best for any course setup.

“It’s exciting to see this team playing at a high level,” Colorado coach Madeleine Sheils said. “They actually felt like we left a lot out there, but when you take a step back and look at the results of taking a first (at the Ram Classic) and then a second and finding a way to get an under-par score together today, even when we didn’t have our best stuff, to me it’s exciting. I’m so proud and excited for what’s to come.”

The CU women had plenty of team success, like the men’s squad. The Buffs won the Rams Classic as a team and have another top-five finish this fall.

The women’s team is back on the course on Oct. 17-19 at Stanford while the men are back Thursday in Stockton, Calif.

Bella Ridge Golf Club opens for play

The first new golf course in Colorado since 2022 is ready for play.

Bella Ridge Golf Club in Johnstown officially had tee times Monday. The course is the first 18-hole course to open since RainDance National in Windsor.

“As a family who has spent our entire lives in Johnstown, it’s an incredible honor to bring this course to our community,” Rick Podtburg, whose family owns the land, said in a press release. “We’ve poured over eight years into designing and building something truly special, and we always felt this land, with its elevation changes, lakes, and spectacular mountain views, was meant for golf.” 

The family owned and operated a dairy farm in Johnstown for over 45 years.

The idea of Bella Ridge Golf Club began about eight years ago. When the Podtburgs decided that a golf course would be great on their property, they contacted golf course architect Art Schaupeter. Schaupeter designed TPC Colorado in Berthoud and Highland Meadows in Windsor.

 “This has been an exciting project to be a part of,” Schaupeter said. “The Podtburgs have been committed from Day 1 to building a wonderful public-access golf course, and from my first tour around the property, I knew that this land could yield something special. I think the golf experience will be very fun and interesting for all golfers. Each hole has its own individual character and challenge. Golfers will find that the course continues to ratchet up in interest, challenge and fun throughout the round.”

Tee times are available here.

Three Colorado junior golfers qualify
for 2026 Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals

Junior golfers from Colorado will be making the trip to Augusta National.

On Sunday, three golfers qualified for the 2026 Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals on April 5 at Augusta National right before The Masters.

Castle Rock’s Sophia Eagan (girls 7-9), Westminster’s Shepherd Choi (girls 10-11), and Fort Collins’ Peyton Landon (girls 14-15) won regional qualifying titles at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn., which sends them to the finals.

Eagan’s brother, Jacob, lost in a putt-off during last year’s finals. Since 2014, 21 golfers from Colorado have competed in the national finals. No Colorado golfer has won the national title.

Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals are televised by Golf Channel.

What they’re saying

“That week in New York was mentally the toughest week of my career, but at the same time it was the most fun I’ve had. What happened there during those three days was something inhospitable. At times I couldn’t believe it.”

—Jon Rahm on Europe’s Ryder Cup win at Bethpage Black

Skins game

Odds to win Baycurrent Classic

Xander Schauffele +1000

Collin Morikawa +1600

Hideki Matsuyama +1800

Alex Noren +2200

Chris Gotterup +2200

This week in golf

PGA Tour

BAYCURRENT CLASSIC

Site: Yokohama, Japan.

Course: Yokohama CC. Yardage: 7,315. Par: 71.

Prize money: $8 million. Winner’s share: $1.44 million.

Television: Wednesday-Saturday, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. (Golf Channel).

Defending champion: Nico Echavarria.

European Tour

ACCIONA OPEN DE ESPANA

Site: Madrid.

Course: Club de Campo Villa de Madrid. Yardage: 7,112. Par: 71.

Prize money: $3.25 million. Winner’s share: $541,667.

Television: Thursday-Friday, 6-11 a.m. (Golf); Saturday, 5:30-10 a.m.(Golf); Sunday, 4:30-9:30 a.m. (Golf).

Defending champion: Angel Hidalgo.

LPGA Tour

BUICK LPGA SHANGHAI

Site: Shanghai.

Course: Qizhong Garden GC. Yardage: 6,703. Par: 72.

Prize money: $2.2 million. Winner’s share: $330,000.

Television: Wednesday-Saturday, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. (NBC Sports app); Sunday, 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m. (NBC Sports app); Thursday, 5-9 p.m. (Golf-tape delay); Friday, 7-9 p.m. (Golf-tape delay); Saturday, 7-9 p.m. (Golf-tape delay); Sunday, 7-10 p.m. (Golf-tape delay).

Defending champion: Ruoning Yin.

PGA Champions

SAS CHAMPIONSHIP

Site: Cary, N.C.

Course: Prestonwood CC. Yardage: 7,237. Par: 72.

Prize money: $2.1 million. Winner’s share: $315,000.

Television: Friday-Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (NBC Sports app), 5-7 p.m. (Golf-tape delay).

Defending champion: Jerry Kelly.

Korn Ferry Tour

KORN FERRY TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Site: French Lick, Ind.

Course: French Lick Golf Resort (Pete Dye). Yardage: 7,667. Par: 72.

Prize money: $1.5 million. Winner’s share: $270,000.

Television: Thursday-Sunday, 1-4 p.m. (Golf).

Previous winner: Braden Thornberry.