Wiedmer: A long side trip from Norway

Erling and Gro Kofstad long ago planned to fly to the United States this week from their Oslo, Norway, home to see their son Espen graduate from the University of Denver.

But when Espen qualified for one of six individual spots in this week's NCAA Men's Golf Championship at The Honors Course, the Kofstads had to add some miles and hours to their trip.

"We were already booked for Denver, so we flew there yesterday, then flew here today through Atlanta," Erling said late Tuesday afternoon as he watched his son struggle to an opening-round 76. "We finally got to the course about 2 o'clock, or about five minutes before Espen teed off."

If you're counting at home, the flight from Oslo to New York takes eight hours, the flight from New York to Denver takes four, the flight from Denver to Atlanta lasts three and the puddle jump from the Big Peach to Chattanooga is roughly 40 minutes.

That's close to 16 hours in the air, not including security checks, baggage claim, runway waits and just plain old-fashioned down time.

"It's been a long couple of days," Erling said while heading down the 18th fairway just before 7:30 p.m. "And we'll be back here in a little over 12 hours."

Parents are everywhere at the Honors this week. They possibly made up more than half the gallery Tuesday -- many, like the Kofstads, watching their sons play collegiately for the last time.

"We've tried to come over a couple of times a year," said Gro, a former championship snow skier who now drives a scooter around the golf course after blowing out her right knee while skiing. "But other than Florida, we've never been to the South before."

To that end, she said of the rain that threatened the Honors all afternoon, "It rains in Norway, too, but it usually comes down as snow."

The problem for Kofstad and anyone like him hoping to close the gap on co-leaders Jesper Kennegard and Henrik Norlander's 4-under-par 68 is that the course may never play easier than on Tuesday, when a week of rain left the greens soft and welcoming.

Even Espen said, "I left a lot of shots out there today."

But the more important fact is that he'll leave Denver with a degree in business and marketing before returning to Norway for the summer.

"Then I think he wants to try Q(ualifying) school," Erling said. "He needs some sponsors, though."

Perhaps ESPN could sponsor him, since Espen is asked at least once a week if his parents named him for the cable giant.

"Actually, it's a fairly common name in Norway," Erling said. "But there's also an Espen in a Norwegian fairytale. He always turns out to be the smart guy."

Added Espen of his fairytale counterpart: "He always wins."

Nevertheless, hole No. 17 did provide the senior at least one ESPN moment Tuesday. His approach shot on the par-5 hole landed within two feet of the hole for a tap-in birdie.

Gro was so excited she discreetly flapped her arms like a bird.

"She's been doing that for awhile whenever I make a birdie," he said. "If it makes her happy."

Regardless of what happens the rest of this week at the Honors, playing golf in the United States the past four years has made Espen very happy.

"I like the people here. You're all very nice," he said. "And you love sports here. If someone plays well here, he gets a lot of attention."

Kofstad first came to the attention of Denver coach Eric Hoos during the European Boys Championship in Finland four years ago.

"Espen's the hardest worker on our team, very coachable," Hoos said. "He's just a great kid. I'm really sorry to see him go. He's a coach's dream kid."

If you're a parent, those words are worth a sleepless night of flight any time.

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