Adam Scott, Joaquin Niemann, and Zach Johnson are all experienced golfers with over 1,000 PGA Tour appearances and numerous wins between them. Despite their experience and success, none of them were able to secure a spot in the U.S. Open on “golf’s longest day.” Instead, one of the coveted 44 spots in the tournament went to Colin Prater, a high-school science teacher at Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs.
The 29-year-old amateur will now have the opportunity to compete at Pinehurst No. 2 against some of the best professional golfers in the world. Prater qualified for the U.S. Open by shooting a 68-73 at Pronghorn Resort’s Nicklaus Course in Bend, Ore., narrowly securing one of the two spots available in the 44-player field. This achievement will undoubtedly be a remarkable story to share with his students when school is back in session.
For Prater, playing in a major tournament has been a childhood dream, and he feels incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to fulfill that dream. Despite being a science teacher, golf is not a new passion for Prater. He is a talented golfer in his own right, having won the Colorado Golf Association Player of the Year twice. Prater also coaches the Cheyenne Mountain golf team and played golf at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.
During the qualifying rounds at Pronghorn’s back nine, Prater impressively made seven birdies, including three in his final six holes, to secure his spot in the U.S. Open. He needed some luck from other players who were competing for the remaining spots, as he finished two strokes behind the medalist, Joey Vrzich. Prater’s dedication to practicing his game, even with a busy teaching schedule, has paid off in his golfing success.
Prater’s commitment to his game shows in his consistent practice routine of “30 minutes of chipping and putting every other day.” He sticks to the fundamental principles he teaches his players, and his strong performance at the U.S. Open qualifier is a testament to his hard work paying off. As he prepares to take on Pinehurst No. 2, Prater will undoubtedly bring the same dedication and passion to the golf course that has brought him success so far.