University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Tuesday, April 23
Litchfield, Ariz.
University of Northern Colorado
vs
Big Sky Conference Championship
UNC Set to Defend Big Sky Championship
4/22/2024 12:25:00 PM | Men's Golf
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado opens defense of its Big Sky Championship Tuesday – Thursday at The Wigwam Golf Course (Par 72/7,051 yards) in Litchfield Park, Arizona.
The Bears seek their fourth title since 2018, claiming back-to-back championships in 2018 and 2019, while adding a third last season.
Competing for the Bears: Gage Messingham, Pietro Boeris, TJ Shehee, Antti Vahvaselka and Peter Grossenbacher.
Championship Field: Idaho, Northern Colorado, Sacramento State and Weber State.
Format: Each team plays 18 holes each day, with the first tee time set for 7:30 a.m. MT, with all five foursomes beginning on the first tee. Grossenbacher opens the day for the Bears at 7:30 a.m., followed by Vahvaselka at 7:45. Shehee, Boeris and Messingham get underway 15 minutes after the preceding group. Each five-member team will count the top four scores each round.
Live scoring: GolfStat.
ABOUT THE WIGWAM:
Known for boasting unmatched diversity, The Wigwam features three distinctive 18-hole championship golf courses: The Gold Course, recognized as one of Arizona's most challenging and respected golf courses, The Blue Course, a combination of character and contradiction, sporty and subtle, aggravating and invigorating, and the Red Course, the favorite among locals and club members.
Gold Course
PAR 72 | 7,345 YARDS
For over 50 years, the Gold Course has been recognized as one of Arizona's most challenging and respected golf courses. Nicknamed "Arizona's Monster," the Gold Course has hosted many signature tournaments over the years, including numerous U.S. Open Qualifiers, U.S. Amateur Qualifiers, several NCAA Regional Championships, and the annual Patriot All-America Invitational—one of the top amateur competitions in the world. Named one of the "Top 100 Golf Courses in America," this 7,345-yard, par-72 course has received various industry awards and accolades since opening in 1965.
Blue Course
PAR 70 | 6,000 YARDS
The Blue Course combines character and contradiction, sportiness and subtly, aggravation and invigoration. Though this course is a long-time favorite among skilled players, it offers an exciting challenge for beginning golfers as well.
A Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Design
Like its sister course, Gold, the Blue Course is also a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design that opened for play in 1965. Both courses feature Trent Jones' signature small, elevated greens. However, that's where the similarities end. The Blue Course is over 1,400 yards shorter from the tips and therefore isn't quite as demanding off the tee. Shorter hitters and golfers who excel at short and mid-iron play really enjoy the challenge presented by Trent Jones, Sr.
Red Course
PAR 72 | 6,852 YARDS
Built in 1972, the Red Course features a traditional layout lined with pine and eucalyptus trees. The course's closing stretch of holes (15-18) may just be the most challenging final four holes in the Phoenix area. The 15th hole is a 414-yard par-four that requires a well-placed tee shot to bring birdie or par into play. The 454-yard, par-four 16th features a dogleg left and an approach shot to an elevated, well-protected green with water right and back. The 17th hole is a lengthy par-three, measuring a solid 250 yards from the tips, and finally, the 591-yard 18th hole is a monster par-five with a dogleg left off the tee. Three well-played shots are required for a chance at birdie or par on the closing hole.
A Robert "Red" Lawrence Design
The Red Course was designed by Arizona Golf Hall of Fame member and golf course architect Robert "Red" Lawrence. Nicknamed the "Desert Fox" for his brilliant design of Desert Forest Golf Club in Carefree, Arizona, Lawrence has produced other notable designs, including the Championship Golf Course at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and Tubac Golf Resort in Tucson where the movie Tin Cup was filmed.
The Bears seek their fourth title since 2018, claiming back-to-back championships in 2018 and 2019, while adding a third last season.
Competing for the Bears: Gage Messingham, Pietro Boeris, TJ Shehee, Antti Vahvaselka and Peter Grossenbacher.
Championship Field: Idaho, Northern Colorado, Sacramento State and Weber State.
Format: Each team plays 18 holes each day, with the first tee time set for 7:30 a.m. MT, with all five foursomes beginning on the first tee. Grossenbacher opens the day for the Bears at 7:30 a.m., followed by Vahvaselka at 7:45. Shehee, Boeris and Messingham get underway 15 minutes after the preceding group. Each five-member team will count the top four scores each round.
Live scoring: GolfStat.
ABOUT THE WIGWAM:
Known for boasting unmatched diversity, The Wigwam features three distinctive 18-hole championship golf courses: The Gold Course, recognized as one of Arizona's most challenging and respected golf courses, The Blue Course, a combination of character and contradiction, sporty and subtle, aggravating and invigorating, and the Red Course, the favorite among locals and club members.
Gold Course
PAR 72 | 7,345 YARDS
For over 50 years, the Gold Course has been recognized as one of Arizona's most challenging and respected golf courses. Nicknamed "Arizona's Monster," the Gold Course has hosted many signature tournaments over the years, including numerous U.S. Open Qualifiers, U.S. Amateur Qualifiers, several NCAA Regional Championships, and the annual Patriot All-America Invitational—one of the top amateur competitions in the world. Named one of the "Top 100 Golf Courses in America," this 7,345-yard, par-72 course has received various industry awards and accolades since opening in 1965.
Blue Course
PAR 70 | 6,000 YARDS
The Blue Course combines character and contradiction, sportiness and subtly, aggravation and invigoration. Though this course is a long-time favorite among skilled players, it offers an exciting challenge for beginning golfers as well.
A Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Design
Like its sister course, Gold, the Blue Course is also a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design that opened for play in 1965. Both courses feature Trent Jones' signature small, elevated greens. However, that's where the similarities end. The Blue Course is over 1,400 yards shorter from the tips and therefore isn't quite as demanding off the tee. Shorter hitters and golfers who excel at short and mid-iron play really enjoy the challenge presented by Trent Jones, Sr.
Red Course
PAR 72 | 6,852 YARDS
Built in 1972, the Red Course features a traditional layout lined with pine and eucalyptus trees. The course's closing stretch of holes (15-18) may just be the most challenging final four holes in the Phoenix area. The 15th hole is a 414-yard par-four that requires a well-placed tee shot to bring birdie or par into play. The 454-yard, par-four 16th features a dogleg left and an approach shot to an elevated, well-protected green with water right and back. The 17th hole is a lengthy par-three, measuring a solid 250 yards from the tips, and finally, the 591-yard 18th hole is a monster par-five with a dogleg left off the tee. Three well-played shots are required for a chance at birdie or par on the closing hole.
A Robert "Red" Lawrence Design
The Red Course was designed by Arizona Golf Hall of Fame member and golf course architect Robert "Red" Lawrence. Nicknamed the "Desert Fox" for his brilliant design of Desert Forest Golf Club in Carefree, Arizona, Lawrence has produced other notable designs, including the Championship Golf Course at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and Tubac Golf Resort in Tucson where the movie Tin Cup was filmed.
Players Mentioned
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