LOGAN, Utah – Utah State's golf team will open the spring portion of its 2021-22 season this weekend at the Pizza Hut-Pat Hicks Thunderbird Invitational, hosted by Southern Utah at the Sunbrook Golf Club, in St. George.
One notable Aggie will not be there, though.
That's because freshman
Esteban Jaramillo will be teeing it up at the Astara Golf Championship presented by Mastercard, contested at the Country Club of Bogota (Colombia). The native of Bogota is one of 156 players in the field.
"Although we would love to have him competing for us this weekend, this is an amazing opportunity for Esteban," said Utah State head golf coach
Dean Johansen. "Not only does he get to compete in his home country and on his home course, but he gets to do so against some of the top players in the world on the Korn Ferry Tour. He played well for us during the fall season and has continued to improve his game during practice, so I expect him to have a very good experience this week."
The 2022 Korn Ferry Tour's fourth and final event outside the United States elevates from sea level to almost 9,000 feet at the multi-course facility.
As in its most recent 2020 edition, the Astara Golf Championship presented by Mastercard will be played across the two courses of the Country Club of Bogota. Pacos y Fabios, a 6,249-yard par-70, will once again challenge the field the first two days of play, while the club's flagship course, Lagos, a 7,237-yard par-71, will be active all four days of competition.
"It is a great honor to represent my country and Utah State University in such an important event, and the fact that the event takes place at my home course makes it even more special," Jaramillo said. "My goal for this tournament is to finish the week feeling like I gave my best effort. In tournaments like this, it is essential to remain focused and I feel that by focusing on giving my best effort on every shot, I'll give myself the best chance to succeed."
Jaramillo is one of three amateurs in the field, joining fellow Colombian Pablo Restrepo and Philippe Thorin of Ecuador. He qualified for this event back in December.
"The winner earned a sponsor's exemption into the event," Jaramillo said. "I shot 3-under in 36 holes and eventually won on a two-hole playoff where I made a 35-footer for birdie. The qualifier was quite the rollercoaster ride since I was trailing by four with four holes to play, and I somehow managed to tie him up and make it into the playoff."
This past fall for the Aggies, Jaramillo played in three tournaments with his best finish coming at the CSUN-hosted Bill Cullum Invitational, where he tied for fifth at 2-over 218. Utah State tied for fifth.
Jaramillo led the 79-player field with 15 birdies. He also ranked third in par-4 scoring with an average of 3.97. In the opening round of the invitational, Jaramillo shot a career-best 6-under par 66, the lowest score by a Utah State freshman since the 2016-17 season. It is also the lowest score shot by an Aggie this season.
For more information on the Utah State golf program, follow the Aggies on Twitter at @USUMensGolf, on Facebook at USUMensGolf and on Instagram at USUGolf.
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