Colin Prater is ready for his U.S. Open debut

Colin Prater is ready for his U.S. Open debut

Colin Prater, a 29-year-old science teacher and golf coach, is gearing up for his U.S. Open debut while also anticipating the arrival of his second child this month. This exciting opportunity comes after Prater secured his spot in the U.S. Open through final qualifying, marking his third time participating in such an event.

Prater’s journey to the U.S. Open began at the Bend, Oregon qualifier at Pronghorn Resort, where he finished as the second qualifier with an impressive 2-under, just one shot behind medalist Joey Vrzich. Despite finishing early, Prater opted to stay away from the course to maintain his mental and physical readiness for a potential playoff.

Reflecting on his qualification, Prater expressed his excitement, stating, “I woke up this morning thinking there was a slight chance that the stars aligned, and everything went well; I could be playing in the U.S. Open and having the day finish and actually do it is pretty awesome.”

Having previously participated in the 2024 U.S. Four-Ball Amateur and boasting victories in the 2023 Colorado Mid-Amateur and the 2020 Colorado Amateur, Prater is no stranger to competitive golf. His experience at Pinehurst Resort during the 2019 U.S. Amateur provides him with familiarity with the challenging course.

While acknowledging the magnitude of the U.S. Open, Prater remains confident in his abilities, stating, “If I can tame the moment and turn it into just another round of golf, I think I can have some success.”

As Prater prepares to take on this prestigious tournament, his dedication to the sport and his unwavering focus on the game are sure to make his U.S. Open debut a memorable one.