U.S. Open 2024: Meet Colin Prater, the 29-year-old biology teacher who will compete at Pinehurst

Thirteen years ago, Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore undertook a $2.5 million restoration of Pinehurst No. 2, originally designed by Donald Ross. Their aim was to promote sustainability, which they achieved by removing over 35 acres of irrigated turf and 650 irrigation heads, and reintroducing natural areas of sand, wiregrass, and pine straw. This significant environmental effort is something that Colin Prater, a 29-year-old mid-amateur golfer and biology teacher, can greatly appreciate.

Prater, who teaches biology to over 120 ninth graders at Cheyenne Mountain High in Colorado Springs, Colorado, often merges his passion for science with golf in his lessons. He sees golf courses like Pinehurst as prime examples of how human activities can positively impact ecosystems. “The kids love it,” Prater jokes, noting how his enthusiasm can sometimes turn a short lecture into an extended discussion.

Next school year, Prater will have an even more exciting story to share with his students. The former D-II standout, who now also serves as a high school golf coach, has qualified for his first major championship: the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2. Reflecting on the experience, Prater says, “I feel like it’s going to be crazier and more awesome than even I’m dreaming about.”

Growing up in Colorado Springs, Prater admired Tiger Woods, often donning red on Sundays in homage to the golf legend. His other inspirations included his grandfather, Carl Fetters, a legendary high-school football coach, and Dow Finsterwald, a renowned PGA champion. Fetters, a long-time member of The Broadmoor, introduced Prater to the game and encouraged him to learn by observing Finsterwald’s smooth, consistent swings.

At Palmer High School, Prater was a multi-sport athlete, playing golf, baseball, and basketball. However, injuries led him to focus solely on golf, which became his ticket to college. He started at Colorado Mesa, where he won the Phil Mickelson Award as D-II’s top freshman, before transferring to Colorado State-Colorado Springs (UCCS). There, he became a four-time All-American, amassing 14 individual victories.

After graduating in 2019, Prater planned to pursue a professional golf career in Phoenix. However, while completing a student-teaching requirement at Doherty High in Colorado Springs, he discovered a passion for teaching. He chose to stay in Colorado Springs, where his now-wife Madi also preferred to remain close to family. Prater accepted a full-time teaching position and has been coaching golf at Cheyenne Mountain High, where his grandfather was a long-time coach and the first inductee into the school’s Hall of Fame.

Despite his shift to teaching, Prater has continued to excel in golf. He is one of only two players to have won Colorado’s state amateur, mid-amateur, and match play titles. His accomplishments include a remarkable six-week stretch in 2020 when he won the amateur and match play titles, and was the low amateur at the Colorado Open. He has also competed in three U.S. Amateurs, including at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2019, where he showcased his skill with a memorable 4-iron shot to save bogey and force extra holes in a match play.

Recently, Prater and his partner, Jimmy Makloski, advanced to the Round of 32 at the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball. This achievement is impressive given Prater’s limited practice time, often just a couple of hours a week. Despite his busy schedule, Prater remains dedicated to spending quality time with his family, including his 20-month-old daughter, Blake, and preparing for the arrival of his second child.

As Prater gears up for his U.S. Open debut, he remains grounded, acknowledging the challenges he might face at Pinehurst. His wife, Madi, plans to watch from home, likely anxious with every bogey he makes. Nevertheless, Prater is thrilled to be living a dream he once thought unattainable and is eager to see how the experience unfolds.

Looking ahead, Prater is excited about the possibility of playing practice rounds with golf greats, particularly Colorado native Wyndham Clark. “I’m going to be starstruck by 60 of the dudes who are there,” Prater admits. With his love for teaching and golf, Prater may even find himself imparting some wisdom to the pros.