AURORA — For a 22-year-old, he has a pretty big baritone, one that can still be heard clearly while fighter jets from nearby Buckley Air Force Base zoom overhead.
Aaron Goldberg’s golf game is also making a loud statement at the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship at Murphy Creek G.C.
The former San Diego State Aztec won the two-day stroke play qualifying for the tournament, shooting a 4-under 67 Tuesday to finish 10-under entering today’s first day of match play. That was one shot better than Rickie Fowler of Murietta, Calif., and three shots in front of Pueblo’s Zach Zaremba.
For Goldberg, who turns 23 on Saturday, things are shaping up nicely in the wrap-up of his amateur career. By this time next year, the native of Carlsbad, Calif., hopes to be cashing checks as a pro.
“I’ll have to see how this tournament finishes up, and then the U.S. Amateur (Championship),” Goldberg said. “I’m going to be turning pro pretty soon after that.”
Growing up, Goldberg preferred other sports to golf. But a frustration with team sports drew him to golf.
“It’s all on me. I can’t blame anything on my teammates,” Goldberg said. “That’s what I like about it. I guess I showed the most potential with golf, so I stuck with it.”
The 13th hole proved to be the lucky one for Goldberg Tuesday. He eagled it, then followed with birdies on Nos. 14 and 15. The hot, dry weather led to complaints about the hard and fast greens on Monday. The greens were heavily watered overnight, allowing for a better putting environment Tuesday.
“The greens were softer. You could tell a big difference,” Goldberg said. “There wasn’t much wind out here either, like a lot of people said they can get here. I don’t mind the wind. It makes you play harder and makes the top players come out on top. So, whatever happens happens.”
Several out-of-town golfers couldn’t get over the difference playing in the thin air of Colorado.
“The ball just takes off,” said Charlotte, N.C.’s Corey Nagy, who finished 5-under after stroke play. “You really have to adjust some to get used to the difference off the tee and with your irons. Where I’m from, there’s like 100 percent humidity and it slows the ball down. Not here.”
Said Seth Girouard of Keene, N.H.: “The difference in distance with the driver is pretty amazing. It’s so hot and dry here, the ball just flies.”
Zaremba, 20, who plays golf at the University of Wyoming, shot a 2-under 69 and enters match play as the state’s top amateur competitor. His father, Mike, was the 1995 Colorado Open champion.
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com
