Kristoffer Ventura Looking For Win In El Paso

This morning, OSU golfer Kristoffer Ventura holds the lead at the Western Refining College All-America Classic. That may not seem like a big deal, but it’s actually where many of the best collegiate golfers go to compete. It is the only individual golf event the NCAA sanctions.

Here’s the premise of the tournament: 21 of the best collegiate golfers gather to compete in 36 holes on Saturday, and 18 on Sunday.

To qualify each player has to have made an All-American team.

Ventura was named a Ping All-Central Region pick and was also a first-team All-Big 12 selection. He shot two rounds of 67 on Saturday to give him the one shot lead over LSU’s Sam Burns.

Ventura’s Cowboy teammate Stratton Nolen is also competing in the tournament. Stratton tees off this morning alone in 17th place after carding rounds of 73 and 72 on Saturday.

This is the 42nd year of the Sun Bowl Western Refining College All-American Golf Classic. The last, and only other OSU alumni to win the tournament was Willie Wood in 1981.

Several current PGA golfers have won the yearly tournament, including Davis Love III, Tiger Woods, Matt Kuchar, and Webb Simpson. Other famous names who have competed include Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Davis Love III, Jordan Spieth, John Daly, Ricky Fowler, Ricky Barnes and Dustin Johnson.