At the NCAA men’s golf national championship, University of Colorado senior David Oraee finished with a six-over par 78, with a final score of 18-over 234 total. He tied for 126th place after the third round; Oraee opened with a 71 that had him tied for 13th, but had an unsuccessful second round with a score of 85.
The 156-man field that consisted of 30 five-man teams plus six individuals was cut to the low 15 schools and the top nine players not associated with those teams. Oraee missed the cut by 16 strokes, as those nine golfers all placed in the top 23.
Oraee knew that he did not make the final cut, but he still had to finish the last four holes. His round had been suspended on Sunday due to lightning, he was No. 15 when play was called. The 156-man field that consisted of 30 five-man teams plus six individuals was cut to the low 15 schools and the top nine players not associated with those teams. Oraee missed the cut by 16 strokes, as those nine golfers all placed in the top 23.
“He wasn’t going to bag it today, he went out with focus to finish it right” CU head coach Roy Edwards said. “It certainly wasn’t what he wanted the last two days, but it was still a tremendous accomplishment being here and had a great first round. He was just a little off these last two rounds, and when that happens on this golf course, you have a real hard time scoring.
“Over four years, he basically exceeded all expectations you can have for any player,” Edwards added. “The consummate teammate, golfer, student, person – the total package. I think we should all look back on his career with great fondness. He did about everything you can do as a player and as a Colorado Buffalo.”
Overall, Oraee had six birdies, 31 pars, 11 bogeys, five doubles and one triple here this weekend. His triples were not normal for him, but it was more than likely because of the difficulties of the Concession Club had given him.
“You can hit great shots and end up in really bad spots, and that seemed to what happened to me,” Oraee said. “And the few bad shots I hit did as well. This golf course is really difficult, and I didn’t make many putts the last two days like I did in the first round. All my birdie putts weren’t going in, and then some of my par putts stopped falling. If you get a little timid, this course will eat you alive.”
Oraee also reflected on his past four years as a member of the Buff’s Golf team, “It’s been awesome. I have a lot of memories these last four years, my experience as a whole with my teammates and coaches. Academically it’s been great, and I don’t regret anything over the last four years.”
Oraee will graduate in December with a degree in Integrated Physiology with dreams of becoming a surgeon when his playing days are over.