BOULDER — It has been the home course of the University of Colorado golf teams for just over three months, but Colorado National Golf Club in Erie has already earned some top national recognition, as the course has been selected as one of six to host the 2011 NCAA men’s golf regionals.

The University of Colorado will serve as the official host of the event, set for May 19-21, marking the first time the NCAA’s will return to the state since 1969, when the championships were held at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. Though yet unnamed, CU’s regional likely will be called the Central Regional, the first time a regional will be played in the state of Colorado since the NCAA began utilizing the format in 1989; the Broadmoor played host to five NCAA championship finals between 1953 and 1969.

“We’re all really excited that were named to host one of these regionals in 2011,” CU head coach Roy Edwards said. “It’s a testament to our administration and the leadership at Colorado National and their efforts in making securing this prestigious event a reality.”

“It’s another step in our progress, though it won’t as mean much if we don’t qualify,” Edwards said on what it could mean to his team, which would automatically be assigned to play at Colorado National if selected. “But we should have a pretty good team since we’re so young right now and we’ll have Luke Symons for his senior season back after he redshirts this fall. Regardless, it’s another step in the progress we’re making with CNGC and hopefully it’s the first of many.”

“We are honored that Colorado National Golf Club has been selected to host one of these prestigious regional events and recognize that this is the type of asset that a viable college golf course can bring to our community,” CU athletic director Mike Bohn said.

Other sites in 2011 will be Omni Tucson National Resort (Tucson, Ariz.); Golden Ocala Golf Club (Ocala, Fla.); Wolf Run Golf Club (Zionsville, Ind.); the Farms Golf Course (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.); and the Pete Dye River Course (Blacksburg, Va.). The NCAA Finals that year will be at Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Okla.

“The committee was very pleased with the bids we received and the caliber of golf courses these sites represent,” said Darin Spease, the chair of the NCAA Division I Men's Golf Committee and senior associate director of athletics at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. “The experience for our student-athletes is of utmost important to the committee, and we feel these courses will offer unforgettable championship events for them.”

Article courtesy of CU Athletics.