Western Colorado University Athletics

Ed Francese was the first great golfer at Western State. Francese golfed for WSC Hall of Famer Ollie Woods from 1970 to 1972. During those two seasons, Francese was the top golfer for the Mountaineers. During his junior season, Francese led Western to team victories in 80 percent of the tournaments the Mountaineers were entered in. During his senior year, Francese led Western to an upset victory over Fort Lewis and the Mountaineers fell just one stroke shy of qualifying to the National Championships. Francese’s biggest asset to the Western golf program may have been in the year after he graduated. According to Woods, because of the success Francese had at Western, it was easier for Woods to recruit and Western went on to win seven straight RMAC titles and qualified twice for the Nationals.