Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
NCAA Regional Day 3
War Eagle to Grayhawk, Men’s Golf Punches Ticket NCAA Championship
5/17/2023 5:47:00 PM | Men's Golf
Christoph Bleier earns co-medalist at the Auburn Regional
AUBURN, Ala. – Colorado State men's golf is headed to the NCAA Men's Championship for the first time since 2011. It is the third time (1999, 2011) overall for the program.
The Rams earned the spot by six strokes thanks in part to Christoph Bleier earning co-medalist and Connor Jones finishing in third place.
"I'm so happy for these guys.They work hard and care deeply. This was something they set out to do at the start of the year and today they achieved that, said head coach Michael Wilson. "It's a big moment for Christoph too. He's been knocking on the door for a win the past couple of months and for him to get his first collegiate win this week and lead the team to the national championship is special. Connor Jones had a great performance as well. His eagle on the 16th today is the stuff of legend! We had a rocky start today but the team dug deep and finished three under par in the last three holes to get the job done. That's what great teams do. We're not done yet though. There are more things in Scottsdale that the team is looking to accomplish."
Nerves were high on the final day of the NCAA Regionals at Auburn University Country Club as Colorado State looked to clinch its first NCAA Championship spot since 2011 and it showed on the front nine. Entering the day nine strokes clear of the cut the line CSU struggled on the front nine recording just two birdies, both from Bleier.
CSU steadied the ship on the back nine finishing it 1-under as a team with their countable scores. Jones led the charge with a 4-under, 32. It started with back-to-back birdies on 10 and 11. He was his steady self, heading into the 571-yard par 5 16th. A great approach shot set him up with an eagle opportunity. He buried the putt and in turn, also put the final touches on the team's ticket to Grayhawk.
Jones shot a 2-under, 70 to finish 5-under for the regional and claim third place.
Bleier built his individual lead to as much as three midway through the round after his birdie on the par 4 12th. He avoided extra damage on the 14th with his scrambling ability limiting it only to a bogey. His scrambling was key to him earning the highest finish by a Ram ever at a regional. He returned to red numbers for the day with a birdie on the 16th.
He and Ohio State's Maxwell Moldovan bogeyed their final hole to shoot 7-under for the tournament. Bleier shot an even-par 72 on Wednesday.
The 16th hole turned out to be a pivotal hole for the Rams who combined to go 5-under on Wednesday with Jones's eagle and three birdies.
Colorado State is one of 30 teams that will descend upon Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. May 26-31. Finals play consists of three days of stroke play on Friday, May 26 thru Sunday, May 28 (54 holes), after which the top 15 teams and nine individuals not on an advancing team will be determined. That is followed by a final day of 18 holes of stroke play on Monday, May 29 to determine the top eight teams that will advance to match play as well as the 72-hole individual champion. The team national champion will be determined by a match-play format that will consist of quarterfinals and semifinals conducted on Tuesday, May 30, followed by finals on Wednesday, May 31.
Players Mentioned
