Oraee Shot a 54-hole career best 195 as he hit 46 of 54 greens.
Photo by: J and L Photo
CU Alum Oraee Wins Wyoming Open
July 09, 2017 | Men's Golf
First Career Win As A Professional
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — University of Colorado alum David Oraee captured the 61st Wyoming Open here Sunday with an impressive 15-under par performance for his first win as a professional.
Oraee, who lettered four times for the Buffaloes and graduated in 2015, practically led from start-to-finish in recording a 63-65-67—195 performance to win by three strokes over another CU alum, Ben Portie, on the 6,424-yard, par-70 Airport Golf Club course layout.
Oraee entered the final round with a four-shot lead but no one could get closer than two strokes, and that was for a very brief period of time. In hitting 46 of 54 greens on the weekend, and with just two three-putts (one of which was just off the green from 50 feet away), he earned $7,000 for the victory.
"It feels good to break through," Oraee said. "I played a lot last year and it just seemed like I couldn't piece together a whole tournament. I'd play good at times but then sort of lackadaisical at others. I worked hard to get more consistent, and it paid off today. All aspects of my game came together.
"It was a pretty rough start (Sunday); the first few holes are pretty easy and I'm seeing everyone else making birdies but I couldn't get anything to drop early on," he added. "So I really had even more opportunities for a lower score had some of those putts had fallen."
Oraee, who holds CU's low 36-hole score at 13-under 131 (64-67), shot his first-sub 200 score for 54 holes in his competitive career. As a junior, he a 200 in an AJGA event in Aspen. His low 54-hole score as a Buff was a 205, ironically in the University of Wyoming's Cowboy Classic in Scottsdale as a junior.
(Note: several other former Buffs were among the top finishers, including defending champion Kane Webber, Derek Tolan, Derek Fribbs and Drew Trujillo, but the tournament results were incorrectly posted; those interested can check at https://wyomingopen.golfgenius.com/pages/3238278326518831482 once corrected.)
Two current Buffaloes also participated, as sophomore Ross Macdonald finished as the third low amateur with a 69-69-70—208 scorecard (2-under), which tied him for 24th overall. Wyoming senior Glenn Workman captured honors with an 8-under 202 score. Senior Kade Crossland was the seventh low amateur with a 73-68-74—215 effort.
Five different CU graduates have now won the Wyoming Open: Tim Brauch (1981), Larry Webb (1986-87), Tom Woodard (1993), Kane Webber (2006-11-16) and Oraee.
Oraee, who lettered four times for the Buffaloes and graduated in 2015, practically led from start-to-finish in recording a 63-65-67—195 performance to win by three strokes over another CU alum, Ben Portie, on the 6,424-yard, par-70 Airport Golf Club course layout.
Oraee entered the final round with a four-shot lead but no one could get closer than two strokes, and that was for a very brief period of time. In hitting 46 of 54 greens on the weekend, and with just two three-putts (one of which was just off the green from 50 feet away), he earned $7,000 for the victory.
"It feels good to break through," Oraee said. "I played a lot last year and it just seemed like I couldn't piece together a whole tournament. I'd play good at times but then sort of lackadaisical at others. I worked hard to get more consistent, and it paid off today. All aspects of my game came together.
"It was a pretty rough start (Sunday); the first few holes are pretty easy and I'm seeing everyone else making birdies but I couldn't get anything to drop early on," he added. "So I really had even more opportunities for a lower score had some of those putts had fallen."
Oraee, who holds CU's low 36-hole score at 13-under 131 (64-67), shot his first-sub 200 score for 54 holes in his competitive career. As a junior, he a 200 in an AJGA event in Aspen. His low 54-hole score as a Buff was a 205, ironically in the University of Wyoming's Cowboy Classic in Scottsdale as a junior.
(Note: several other former Buffs were among the top finishers, including defending champion Kane Webber, Derek Tolan, Derek Fribbs and Drew Trujillo, but the tournament results were incorrectly posted; those interested can check at https://wyomingopen.golfgenius.com/pages/3238278326518831482 once corrected.)
Two current Buffaloes also participated, as sophomore Ross Macdonald finished as the third low amateur with a 69-69-70—208 scorecard (2-under), which tied him for 24th overall. Wyoming senior Glenn Workman captured honors with an 8-under 202 score. Senior Kade Crossland was the seventh low amateur with a 73-68-74—215 effort.
Five different CU graduates have now won the Wyoming Open: Tim Brauch (1981), Larry Webb (1986-87), Tom Woodard (1993), Kane Webber (2006-11-16) and Oraee.
Players Mentioned
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