After 2 memorable years at U.S. Amateur Four-Ball, Coloradans Hunter Swanson and Max Lange fall in round of 16 at national championship
By Gary Baines – 5/28/2024
Hunter Swanson of Denver and Max Lange of Golden have known each other a long time — since well back into their days as junior golf regulars in Colorado.
In fact, Swanson was part of the foursome when Lange accomplished the jaw-dropping feat of making two holes-in-one in the course of three holes at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club’s par-3 course in 2020.
These last couple of years at the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship, Swanson and Lange have certainly added more memories. Last spring, the two teamed up and not only advanced to match play but won their first two matches before losing in the quarterfinals in Kiawah Island, S.C.
Then at this year’s Four-Ball at Philadelphia Cricket Club, the two college golfers — Swanson plays for the University of Colorado and Lange for Colorado School of Mines — again made match play. Then they defeated two-time U.S. Four-Ball runners-up Drew Stoltz and Drew Kittleson in the round of 32.
But the magical ride came to an end on Tuesday in the round of 16 as Michigan residents Ricky Shilts and Chester Vandenberg beat the Coloradans 3 and 2.
Shilts and Vandenberg were 4 up through six holes — at which point they were a better-ball 3 under par — and Swanson and Lange didn’t win a hole until No. 12. They cut the deficit to 2 down through 15, but Shilts and Vandenberg closed things out with a birdie on 16.
Swanson and Lange struggled somewhat overall on Tuesday, standing at 1 over better ball through 16 holes, making two birdies and three bogeys.
Results for players with strong Colorado ties in U.S. Amateur Four-Ball in Flourtown, Pa.:
MATCH PLAY ROUND OF 16 TUESDAY
Ricky Shilts, Byron Center, Mich. & Chester Vandenberg, Martin, Mich., def. Hunter Swanson, Denver & Max Lange, Golden, 3 and 2
MATCH PLAY ROUND OF 32 MONDAY
Hunter Swanson, Denver & Max Lange, Golden def. former Fort Collins resident Drew Stoltz & Drew Kittleson, Scottsdale, Ariz., 1 up
Javier Delgadillo, El Paso, Texas & Aidan Thomas, New Laguna, N.M. def. Colin Prater, CO Springs & Jimmy Makloski, Pueblo, 19 holes
STROKE PLAY (Saturday and Sunday)
Advance to Match Play
5. Colin Prater, CO Springs & Jimmy Makloski, Pueblo 63-67—130
10. Former Fort Collins resident Drew Stoltz & Drew Kittleson, Scottsdale, Ariz. 66-66–132
15. Hunter Swanson, Denver & Max Lange, Golden 66-67—133
Failed to Advance to Match Play
27. Kevin Carlin & Nick Sharp, Denver 69-66—135 (lost in playoff Monday)
27. Former UCCS golfer Jon Olson & Jon Brown 69-66—135 (lost in playoff Monday)
53. Tom Glissmeyer & Charlie Soule, Denver 71-67—138
53. Steven Burak, Denver & Jared Steger, Chicago 68-70—138
For all the results from the Four Ball, CLICK HERE.
About the Writer: Gary Baines has covered golf in Colorado continuously since 1983. He was a sports writer at the Daily Camera newspaper in Boulder, then the sports editor there, and has written regularly for ColoradoGolf.org since 2009. The University of Colorado Evans Scholar alum was inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame in 2022. He owns and operates ColoradoGolfJournal.com