The last time the University of Colorado and Colorado State men’s golf teams competed against one another, it was the same month that the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit its all-time high.
Yes, it was that long ago.
After not squaring off since October 2007, the in-state rivals will make up for lost time this season, playing in the same tournaments four times between now and February.
The first of those meetings will be at a newly-created event that marks the start of the 2009-10 college season. The Buffs and Rams, both ranked among the nation’s top 50 teams at the end of last season, will face off in a Ryder Cup-style competition Sunday at Ballyneal Golf Club in Holyoke in northeastern Colorado.
While the two coaches — CU’s Roy Edwards and CSU’s Jamie Bermel — are friends, don’t expect the competition to be like your typical Sunday game at the club.
“Whenever we play CU, it’s never friendly; let’s leave it at that,” Bermel said with a hint of a laugh. “There are some bragging rights at stake, and it’s a way to compare programs. We’ll be ready to play on Sunday.”
Said Edwards: “We don’t see each other much, so there’s a little unknown. There will be some rivalry and some friendliness. Both sides want to win; there’s no doubt about that. But we know we can help each other out. More attention is good for both of us.”
The competition will include three four-ball (best ball) matches in the morning, and seven singles matches in the afternoon. Like the Ryder Cup, each match will be worth one point. If there’s a tie at the end of the day, there will be a one-player playoff to determine the team winner.
Edwards said he hopes to make the “State of Colorado Cup” an annual event at Ballyneal. Two trophies are being created for the event, one awarded to the winning team and one staying at Ballyneal, the much-acclaimed private club near the Nebraska border. Golf Magazine recently ranked Ballyneal the world’s 24th-greatest course opened in the last 50 years.
Ballyneal co-founder Rupert O’Neal and Edwards had discussed holding a full-blown college invitational at the course, but it was decided a smaller event like the State of Colorado Cup would be more appropriate.
“It’s a nice trip and a bonding experience for the two teams, and it’ll bring attention to both teams,” Edwards said. “It’ll also be mutually beneficial because we can tell the story about how great a course it is. Ballyneal is a truly special deal. It’s such a unique experience for our players. Probably the links golf you see in Great Britain and Ireland is the only (other) place you get that kind of golf.”
The CSU and CU golf programs are similar in some respects. Both enjoyed success last season, with the Rams racking up five wins and one second, and the Buffs collecting one victory and four runner-up finishes. CSU has an impressive team house and practice facility at the Harmony Club in Timnath, and CU in the planning stage for similar digs at Colorado National Golf Club in Erie.
Three CSU players — Dustin Morris, Ryan Peterson and Bryce Hanstad — qualified for this week’s U.S. Amateur. CU sent one player to the Amateur, Justin Bardgett, and he advanced to match play.
But there’s also at least one big difference between the teams this season. CSU returns all but one of its key players (Zen Brown), while CU’s top three regulars from last season won’t play this year. Derek Tolan and Pat Grady were seniors last season, and Luke Symons recently underwent hip surgery and will sit out the 2009-10 campaign.
“We”˜ve got a lot of experience, so we’re looking forward to a good season,” CSU’s Bermel said.
As for the Buffs, “We’re very, very young,” Edwards said. “I expect a lot of freshmen and sophomores to play.”
Beyond their head-to-head matches on Sunday, CU and CSU will meet in at least three other tournaments this season — Air Force’s Falcon Invitational in September, the Alister Mackenzie Invitational near San Francisco in October, and the Battle at the Beach in Newport Beach, Calif., in February.
And, looking ahead to the 2010-11 season, CSU has committed to play in the new CU tournament that will be held at Colorado National Golf Club Sept. 27-28, 2010.
