RADCLIFFE EXPANDS LEAD TO 4 IN CGA SENIOR STROKE PLAY: Scott Radcliffe of Rolling Hills Country Club shot his second consecutive 2-under-par 70 to increase his lead to four strokes Wednesday in the CGA Senior Stroke Play Championship at Cherry Creek Country Club in Denver.
Radcliffe, winner of the 2004 CGA Senior Match Play title, carded four birdies and two bogeys for the second straight day and is the only player under par after 36 holes. He’ll go into Thursday’s final round four ahead of five-time Senior Stroke Play champion John Olive of the Broadmoor Golf Club and Jerry Kidney of Overland Golf Course. Kidney fired a 72 Wednesday and Olive a 73.
Sean Forey and Hal Marshall, both of Bear Creek Golf Club, share fourth place at 147. Forey, low amateur in last week’s HealthOne Colorado Senior Open, posted a second-round 69, while Marshall recorded a 73.
The field was cut to the low 40 players and ties after round 2, with 161 or better necessary to qualify for the final day.
The leaders will tee off for Thursday’s final round at 9:27 a.m.
RADCLIFFE TAKES EARLY LEAD AT CGA SR. STROKE PLAY: Scott Radcliffe of Rolling Hills Country Club shot a 2-under-par 70 Tuesday to grab a one-stroke lead after the first round of the CGA Senior Stroke Play Championship at Cherry Creek Country Club in Denver.
Radcliffe, winner of the 2004 CGA Senior Match Play, made four birdies and two bogeys in posting one of just three sub-par rounds on Tuesday. Also breaking par, with 71s, were five-time Senior Stroke Play champion John Olive of the Broadmoor Golf Club and Bruce Hogg of Colorado Springs Country Club.
Matching par in the opening round were Jerry Kidney of Overland Golf Course, Glynn Hopkins of the Pinery Country Club and Ray Makloski of Pueblo Country Club.
Defending champion Robert Polk, the CGA Senior Player of the Year the last three years, opened with an 80.
The 54-hole tournament will continue through Thursday. A cut to the low 40 players and ties will take place after Wednesday’s second round.
EATON HOLDS NARROW ADVANTAGE IN CWGA SR. STROKE PLAY: Defending champion Kim Eaton of Greeley fired a 6-over-par 78 Tuesday and leads by one after the opening round of the CWGA Senior Stroke Play Championship at Perry Park Country Club in Larkspur.
Eaton, the CWGA Player of the Year and Senior Player of the Year in 2009, made seven bogeys and one birdie on Tuesday. Going into Wednesday’s final round, the Colorado Golf Hall of Famer holds a one-stroke advantage over Mary Doyen of Broken Tee Englewood.
Kay Griffel of the Meadows and Lisa Stone of Saddle Rock share third place at 86.
AFTER REHABILITATING BROKEN HAND, BERTSCH SET TO RETURN: Shane Bertsch of Parker, a PGA Tour player who has been sidelined since early February with a broken right hand, is in the field for this week’s Utah Championship on the Nationwide Tour. The event runs Thursday through Sunday in Sandy, Utah.
Bertsch last played in a PGA/Nationwide event in late January, when he finished 54th in the Farmers Insurance Open PGA Tour stop. Shortly thereafter, on Feb. 7 in Monterey, Calif., Bertsch said heavy bags fell on his hand and broke it when he was moving some things around underneath his recreational vehicle.
Bertsch, 40, probably will receive a medical extension from the PGA Tour, which means that in 2011 he’ll have a set number of events to earn a given amount of money. If he doesn’t meet the threshold, he’ll lose his Tour card.
Bertsch played three January tournaments on Tour this year before being injured, making three cuts and earning $57,108. His best finish was a 25th in the Sony Open.
The broken hand was but the latest of Bertsch’s medical problems. Just in the last few years, his career has been interrupted by a case of vertigo and a broken foot.
LAIRD SIXTH IN PGA TOUR PLAYOFF STANDINGS: Former Colorado State University golfer Martin Laird stands in sixth place at the halfway point of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs.
By finishing 25th in the Deutsche Bank Championship that ended Monday, Laird dropped from third to six in the playoff point standings. The top 70 players advance to the third playoff stop, the BMW Championship, which runs Thursday through Sunday in Lemont, Ill. The top 30 after the BMW event earn spots in the Tour Championship Sept. 23-26 in Atlanta.
Laird finished second, losing in a playoff, in the first FedEx Cup playoff stop, the Barclays. For the year, he’s won $1.62 million on Tour.
POLK, EATON SET TO DEFEND CGA/CWGA SENIOR STROKE TITLES: The CGA and CWGA will both hold their Senior Stroke Play Championships beginning Tuesday (Sept. 7). The CGA tournament runs Tuesday through Thursday at Cherry Creek Country Club in Denver, while the CWGA event is set for Tuesday and Wednesday at Perry Park Country Club in Larkspur.
Robert Polk of Parker will defend his title at Cherry Creek after winning the Senior Stroke Play in 2005, ’07 and ’09. Steve Murphy, the champion in ’06 and ’08, also is in the field along with fellow former Senior Stroke winners John Olive (a five-time champ), Kelly Crone, Ronald Knapp, Charlie Post and Roger Gunderson.
Joining them will be Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Kent Moore; Sean Forey, low amateur in last week’s HealthOne Colorado Senior Open; and 2010 CGA Senior Match Play champion Guy Mertz.
In all, 84 players will compete, with the field cut to the low 40 and ties after two rounds.
In the CWGA tournament at Perry Park, Kim Eaton of Greeley will defend the title she won shortly after turning 50 last year. Eaton, a member of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, also won the senior division of the CWGA Match Play earlier this summer. Eaton will attempt to be the first person to win the CWGA Senior Stroke Play in consecutive years since Patty Crigler claimed three straight championships from 2002 through ’04.
A total of 112 players will compete in eight flights, including 11 in the championship division.
Sept. 1, 2010
EATON, MOORE EARN RETURN TRIPS TO U.S. WOMEN’S MID-AM: Kim Eaton of Greeley shot a 1-under-par 71 Wednesday at Inverness Golf Club to earn medalist honors by five strokes in U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Sectional Qualifying.
Also among the six players advancing to the national tournament was Janet Moore of Greenwood Village, who like Eaton is a member of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame. Both Eaton and Moore made it to the match play round of 32 at last year’s U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur.
The 2010 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, a tournament limited to players 25 and older, will be played Sept. 25-30 in Wichita, Kan.
Joining Eaton (71) and Moore (76) in qualifying were USGA Executive Committee member Christie Austin of Cherry Hills Village (76), Samantha Bartron of Boulder (78), Stacey Arnold of Westminster (80) and Shannon Lutynski of Castle Rock (80). Arnold and Lutynski prevailed in a playoff over Jill Gaschler of Denver, who will be the first alternate. The second alternate is Mo Gronning of Aurora (82).
A total of 18 players competed for six spots in the national tournament.
Aug. 31, 2010
2-YEAR TITLE SPONSORSHIP EXTENSION FOR COLO. OPEN TOURNEYS FINALIZED: HealthOne has formalized the title sponsorship extension that CEO Jeff Dorsey announced three months ago, after the HealthOne Colorado Women’s Open. HealthOne has added two years to its sponsorship of the Colorado Open, Colorado Women’s Open and Colorado Senior Open. The extension means HealthOne’s sponsorship agreement now runs through 2015.
HealthOne has been the title sponsor of the Colorado Open Championships since 2004. The 11th annual HealthOne Colorado Senior Open will be played Wednesday through Friday (Sept. 1-3) at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in northeast Denver.
PUEBLO WEST’S WHITE TAKES SECOND AT GATEWAY TOUR EVENT: Dustin White of Pueblo West finished second last week in the Gateway Tour’s Spring Series Championship in Arizona. The 2006 HealthOne Colorado Open champion shot rounds of 68-71-73 for a 4-under-par 212 total. In finishing two strokes behind champion James Drew, White earned $6,350.
Aug. 30, 2010
DENVER’S MASON WINS UTAH OPEN: Nick Mason, a professional from Denver, won the Utah Open by one stroke on Sunday in Farmington. Mason edged Nathan Lashley, winner of the HealthOne Colorado Open last month, by one stroke with a 12-under-par 204 total. He earned $20,000 for the victory.
Aug. 29, 2010
EX-CSU GOLFER LAIRD LOSES IN PGA TOUR PLAYOFF AT BARCLAYS: Former Colorado State University golfer Martin Laird never trailed during regulation play in Sunday’s final round of the Barclays, but nevertheless was denied his second victory on the PGA Tour.
Laird could have won the Tour playoff event with a par on the 18th hole in regulation, but a three-putt bogey led to a playoff with Matt Kuchar. Playing the 18th hole again in sudden death, Kuchar hit a remarkable approach from the left rough that curled around the right side of the green and finished just 3 feet from the flag. After Laird made a regulation par, Kuchar sank the birdie putt for the victory in Paramus, N.J.
Despite not winning, Laird moved up from 95th place to third in the Tour’s FedEx Cup playoff standings. The top 100 players in the FedEx standings advance to the second playoff stop, the Deutsche Bank Championship in Norton Mass., Sept. 3-6.
"Obviously, not the finish I was looking for," Laird said. "But I'm very proud of the way I played today. I was kind of battling all day, and probably holed two or three of the biggest putts I've ever holed just to be where I was."
Laird held a five-stroke lead after opening Sunday’s round with two straight birdies. Making several putts of 7 feet or more -- most of the par-saving variety -- kept Laird in front most of the day. He needed just 25 putts in regulation play on Sunday, when he shot an even-par 71 for a 12-under 272 total.
Kuchar caught Laird with a 2-putt birdie on No. 17, but the Scotsman pulled ahead again with an 8-foot birdie of his own on the same hole. Laird’s bogey on 18, however, opened the door for Kuchar.
Sunday marked Laird’s second top-10 performance at the Barclays, where he finished seventh in 2008.
Last October, the Scottsdale, Ariz., resident won Justin Timberlake’s tournament in a playoff for his first Tour victory.
Two other players with Colorado ties, David Duval of Cherry Hills Village and Kent Denver High School graduate Kevin Stadler, didn’t qualify for the second tournament of the Tour playoffs. Duval finished at 3-over-par 287, placing 64th in the Barclays and ending up 117th in the FedEx standings. Stadler missed the cut and finished 122nd in the standings.
Aug. 28, 2010
MEN, WOMEN GEAR UP FOR U.S. MID-AM QUALIFYING: Qualifying tournaments for both the U.S. Mid-Amateur and the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur will take place in the coming days, with only players 25 and older eligible to compete.
Sectional Qualifying for the U.S. Mid-Amateur will be held Monday (Aug. 30) at Flatirons Golf Course in Boulder, with 73 players competing for five spots in the national tournament. Included in the field is Steve Irwin of Golden, who made it to match play but lost in the first round of last year’s U.S. Mid-Amateur. Also entered are 2010 U.S. Amateur qualifier Michael Harrington of Colorado Springs, Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Kent Moore, and 2008 CGA Stroke Play champion Jonathan Marsico.
The U.S. Mid-Amateur will be played Sept. 25-30 at Atlantic Golf Club in Bridgehampton, N.Y.
As for the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Sectional Qualifying, it’s set for Wednesday (Sept. 1) at Inverness Golf Club in Englewood. There, 18 players will compete for six spots in the national tournament, which will be contested Sept. 25-30 in Wichita, Kan.
In the women’s field are two players who advanced to the match play round of 32 at last year’s U.S. Women’s Mid-Am: Colorado Golf Hall of Famers Kim Eaton and Janet Moore. Also competing Wednesday will be USGA Executive Committee member Christie Austin.
Aug. 26, 2010
CU-COLO. SPRINGS, SHOOP DRAW PRESEASON RMAC HONORS: The University of Colorado-Colorado Springs was picked to win the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference men’s golf title in the RMAC’s preseason poll, while Mesa State in Grand Junction shared the favorite’s role with Western New Mexico in women’s golf. The UCCS men and Mesa State women won RMAC championships last season.
Chris Shoop of UCCS was chosen the RMAC’s men’s preseason golfer of the year. Other Colorado-based players on the preseason all-conference team were Colorado Mines’ Jim Knous, who recently shot a course-record 60 at Boulder Country Club in the final round of the CGA Stroke Play Championship; Spencer Biersdorff of UCCS and David Schroeder of Fort Lewis.
Among those on the women’s preseason all-RMAC team were Lara Pocs of Regis and Jennifer Hilts and Kristina Casillas of Mesa State.
Aug. 25, 2010
WIEBE OUSTED IN ROUND OF 64 AT U.S. AMATEUR: After tying for 13th place in the stroke play portion of the U.S. Amateur, Gunner Wiebe of Aurora lost in Wednesday’s opening round of match play at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash.
The CGA Match Play champion, the only Coloradan to advance to match play, lost 2 and 1 in the round of 64 to Richard Werenski of South Hadley, Mass. Hadley finished three shots higher than Wiebe in stroke play on Monday and Tuesday.
In Wednesday’s match, Wiebe was 1 down after 10 holes, but lost the next three holes to go 4 down. He rallied to win holes 15 and 16 -- with a par and a birdie -- before Werenski halved the 17th with a par to end the match. Wiebe was 1 over par through 17 holes when the match ended.
Earlier Wednesday, 16-year-old Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village participated in a playoff to determine the final match play qualifiers, but he failed to advance. Sixteen players competed in the playoff, with six making match play.
Aug. 24, 2010
GUNNER WIEBE ADVANCES TO MATCH PLAY AT U.S. AMATEUR: Gunner Wiebe of Aurora easily qualified for match play at the U.S. Amateur, finishing 13th in the 36-hole stroke play portion of the event in University Place, Wash.
The CGA Match Play champion shot a 3-over-par 74 Tuesday at Chambers Bay to end up at 1-over 144, one of the best scores in the 312-man field. Jeff Wilson of Fairfield, Calif., earned medalist honors with a 7-under 136 total.
The 64 players who qualify for match play will complete their first-round matches on Wednesday.
Sixteen-year-old Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village may join Wiebe in advancing to match play, but he’ll need a playoff Wednesday morning to do it. Clark posted rounds of 78-71--149, good for 59th place. Clark will be one of 16 golfers playing off for the final six spots in match play.
Here is how the other Coloradans fared in stroke play at the U.S. Amateur, which included one round each at Chambers Bay and The Home Course: 2009 U.S. Amateur quarterfinalist Steve Ziegler of Broomfield 78-73--151 (94th place); Beau Schoolcraft of Englewood 80-75-155 (155th place); Michael Harrington of Colorado Springs 81-77--158 (212th place); Cody Kent of Castle Rock 80-79--159 (233rd place); Mark Hubbard of Denver 84-77-161 (262nd place); Parker Edens of Greeley 86-78--164 (284th place).
Colorado State University golfer Ryan Peterson (73-77--150, 75th place) missed the playoff for match play by one stroke.
Aug. 23, 2010
GUNNER WIEBE 11TH AFTER OPENING DAY AT U.S. AMATEUR: Gunner Wiebe of Aurora shot a 2-under-par 70 Monday to share 11th place after the first day of stroke play at the U.S. Amateur in University Place, Wash.
Wiebe’s 2-under total at The Home Course left him just one stroke out of second place going into Tuesday’s final round of stroke play. After 36 holes -- one round each at Chambers Bay and The Home Course -- the top 64 players will advance to match play, which starts Wednesday.
Wiebe, the CGA Match Play champion and runner-up in the HealthOne Colorado Open, made four birdies and two bogeys in his Monday round. With his dad, Champions Tour player Mark Wiebe, watching, Gunner hit all 18 greens in regulation.
Here is how the other Coloradans fared Monday at the U.S. Amateur: 2009 Amateur quarterfinalist Steve Ziegler of Broomfield (7-over-par 78 at Chambers Bay, 180th place); 16-year-old Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village, the CGA Stroke Play champion (7-over-par 78 at Chambers Bay, 180th place); Beau Schoolcraft of Englewood (9-over-par 80 at Chambers Bay, 224th place); Cody Kent of Castle Rock (9-over-par 80 at Chambers Bay, 224th place); Michael Harrington of Colorado Springs (9-over-par 81 at The Home Course, 224th place); Mark Hubbard of Denver (13-over-par 84 at Chambers Bay, 271st place); Parker Edens of Greeley (15-over-par 86, 287th place).
Jeff Wilson of Fairfield, Calif., shot the lowest score of the day by six strokes -- a 10-under-par 62 at The Home Course.
MARK WIEBE, STADLER POST TOP-10S IN CHAMPIONS MAJOR: Two Colorado residents, Mark Wiebe of Aurora and Craig Stadler of Evergreen, recorded top-10 finishes Sunday in the Jeld-Wen Tradition, the fourth major championship of the year on the Champions Tour.
Wiebe placed sixth in Sunriver, Ore., marking his best finish on the Champions Tour since October. It was Wiebe’s third top-10 of the year, which moved him up to 31st on the 2010 money list.
Stadler, meanwhile, matched his best finish of the year by ending up 10th at the Tradition. He stands 48th on this year’s Champions money list.
The fifth and final Champions Tour major of the year will be the Senior Players Championship Oct. 7-10.
DU MEN’S TEAM EARNS NATIONAL ACADEMIC HONOR: The University of Denver men’s golf team has been named to the 2009-10 All-Academic Team by the Golf Coaches Association of America.
With a 3.46 grade point average during the academic year, the Pioneers narrowly missed finishing among the top 10 Division I men’s golf teams in GPA as 3.5 was the cutoff for that honor.
Aug. 22, 2010
WESTMINSTER’S PORTIE WINS ROCKY MOUNTAIN OPEN: Former University of Colorado golfer Ben Portie won the 72nd Enstrom’s Rocky Mountain Open going away on Sunday in Grand Junction. The professional from Westminster shot a 1-under-par 70 in the final round at Tiara Rado Golf Course to post a four-stroke victory, which earned him $8,500.
The 33-year-old left-hander finished at 16-under-par 197. Three golfers from Utah -- Boyd Summerhays, Nick Killpack and Dusty Fielding -- shared second place at 201. Fielding and Summerhays closed with 68s, while Killpack had a 70.
Meanwhile, Gregg Jones of Colorado Springs won the senior professional division by five strokes. He shot a 4-under-par 67 on Sunday at Tiara Rado to finish at 5-under 208. Roy Christensen (69-213) placed second.
This year, with the RMO replacing Lincoln Park Golf Course with Bookcliff Country Club as one of the host sites, and Tiara Rado having undergone a $3.5 million renovation, the tournament attracted 33 percent more players than it did last year.
LAIRD, DUVAL, STADLER MAKE PGA TOUR PLAYOFFS: Three players with strong Colorado ties -- former Colorado State golfer Martin Laird, Cherry Hills Village resident David Duval and Kent Denver High School graduate Kevin Stadler -- qualified for the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs, which start Thursday.
To earn spots, players had to be in the top 125 in the 2010 point standings after the Wyndham Championship, which ended on Sunday. Despite missing the cut in the Wyndham event, Duval and Stadler narrowly qualified -- Duval in the 120th position and Stadler in the 121st. Laird made it easily, in the 95th spot.
All three will compete in the playoff opener, The Barclays Aug. 26-29 in Paramus, N.J. In order to qualify for the second of the four playoff events, competitors will need to be in the top 100 on the points list after The Barclays.
Aug. 21, 2010
PORTIE FIRES 62 TO TAKE LEAD IN ROCKY MTN. OPEN: Former University of Colorado golfer Ben Portie shot a 9-under-par 62 at Bookcliff Country Club on Saturday to take a three-stroke lead going into the final round of the Enstrom’s Rocky Mountain Open in Grand Junction.
The left-hander from Westminster made nine birdies in a bogey-free round to leave his overall total at 15-under-par 127. Another former Buff golfer, two-time Big Eight champion Bob Kalinowski stands in second place at 130 after posting a 67 at Bookcliff.
Nick Killpack of St. George, Utah (62 at Tiara Rado Golf Course on Saturday) and Eric Winder of Grand Junction (66 at Bookcliff) share third place at 131.
After a 36-hole cut for the professionals, Sunday’s final round for the pros will be played at Tiara Rado.v
In the senior professional division, Gregg Jones of Colorado Springs and Nevadan Tom Storey share the lead after 36 holes at 1-under-par 141. Jones carded a 71 Saturday at Bookcliff, while Storey had a 72 at the same course.
Aug. 20, 2010
BOB KALINOWSKI, GEYER SHARE LEAD AT ROCKY MTN. OPEN: Three former University of Colorado golfers shot 65 or better in Friday’s first round of the Enstrom’s Rocky Mountain Open in Grand Junction, including co-leader Bob Kalinowski.
Kalinowski birdied seven of his first eight holes and shot a 29 on the front nine en route to an 8-under-par 63 at Tiara Rado Golf Course. The two-time Big Eight champion, who made 10 birdies on the day, shares first place with ex-University of New Mexico player Nick Geyer, who carded two eagles on his way to a 63 at Bookcliff Country Club. The competitors will switch courses on Saturday, then will play the final round Sunday at Tiara Rado.
Former CU players Ben Portie and Pat Grady are among the five golfers who are tied for second place at 65. Also at that figure is former Colorado State golfer Riley Arp, who turned pro last month, and Kyle Hansen and Eric Winder.
In the senior professional division, Ron Vlosich of Lakewood fired a 3-under-par 68 at Bookcliff to grab a one-stroke lead over Tom Storey, who played Tiara Rado.
Aug. 17, 2010
ZEN BROWN POSTS TWO STRAIGHT SECONDS ON DAKOTAS TOUR: Professional Zen Brown of Arvada has had a strong stretch on The Dakotas Tour, finishing second in back-to-back tournaments in August.
The former Colorado State University golfer shot 66-68-63-71 for a 20-under-par 268 total and a runner-up showing in an event ending Aug. 8. Then last week, he tied for second after posting rounds of 68-66-66 for a 13-under-par 200 total.
Aug. 16, 2010
JOBE MAKES MORE INROADS ON NATIONWIDE TOUR: Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Brandt Jobe posted his third straight top-20 finish on the Nationwide Tour -- and sixth of the year -- on Sunday when he placed fifth in the Price Cutter Charity Championship in Springfield, Mo.
The former PGA Tour player carded rounds of 63-71-66-69 for a 19-under-par 269 total and ended up seven strokes behind champion Hunter Haas. With the $23,750 he won, Jobe moved up to 30th on the 2010 Nationwide money list with $114,212.
Aug. 14, 2010
SHERLOCK FALLS IN SEMIFINALS OF U.S. WOMEN’S AMATEUR: The U.S. Women’s Amateur title hopes of Stephanie Sherlock came to an end Saturday as 11th-seeded Jessica Korda of Bradenton, Fla., defeated the former University of Denver golfer 4 and 3 in the semifinals in Charlotte, N.C.
Sherlock was 2 over par through the 15 holes of the match.
Korda will face 12th-seeded Danielle Kang of Thousand Oaks, Calif., in Sunday’s 36-hole final.
Sherlock, a Canadian, will make her professional debut starting Tuesday at the Canadian PGA Women's Championship.
CWGA TEAM PLACES SIXTH IN MARY CAVE CUP: Golfers representing Colorado and the CWGA finished sixth in a 16-team field on Friday at the Mary Cave Cup in El Cajon, Calif.
The two-player team from Colorado ended up with a 142 total for the two-day, four-ball stroke play competition, eight strokes behind the champions from Hawaii. Individually, Coloradans Allie Johnston and Shinwoo Lee took sixth and 14th place, respectively. Johnston, from Castle Rock, posted scores of 78-74--152 and Lee, from Aurora, went 75-81--156.
The Mary Cave Cup features 16 two-person teams from the western U.S.
Aug. 13, 2010
SHERLOCK ADVANCES TO U.S. WOMEN’S AMATEUR SEMIFINALS: Former University of Denver golfer Stephanie Sherlock continued her run at the U.S. Women’s Amateur on Friday, advancing to the semifinal round in Charlotte, N.C.
Sherlock, seeded 26th, defeated Junthima Gulyanamitta of West Lafayette, Ind., 2 and 1 in the quarterfinals. Sherlock was 1 under par through 17 holes.
Sherlock will face 11th-seeded Jessica Korda of Bradenton, Fla., in Saturday’s semifinals. The 36-hole final will be held on Sunday.
Aug. 12, 2010
EX-DU GOLFER SHERLOCK MAKES U.S. WOMEN’S AM QUARTERFINALS: Former University of Denver golfer Stephanie Sherlock won two matches on Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur in Charlotte, N.C.
Sherlock defeated Caroline Hedwall of Sweden with a birdie on the 19th hole in the round of 32, then ousted Kelly Shon of Port Washington, N.Y., 3 and 1 in the round of 16. Sherlock will face 31st-seeded Junthima Gulyanamitta of West Lafayette, Ind., in Thursday’s quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, Kristin Walla of Aspen lost in the round of 32, falling 3 and 1 to Lisa McCloskey of Houston. Walla was 6 over par through 17 holes.
Aug. 11, 2010
ASPEN’S WALLA WINS OPENING MATCH AT U.S. WOMEN’S AMATEUR: Kristin Walla of Aspen played her last 11 holes in 3 under par on Wednesday to win her first-round match at the U.S. Women’s Amateur in Charlotte, N.C.
Walla, seeded 38th, defeated Brooke Beeler of Butler, Ill., 2 and 1 to advance to Thursday’s round of 32.
Becca Huffer of Denver lost her match-play opener 4 and 3 to eighth-seeded Doris Chen of Bradenton, Fla. The 57th-seeded Huffer was 5 over par for 15 holes.
Former University of Denver golfer Stephanie Sherlock, seeded 26th, cruised to a 6-and-4 victory over Hannah O’Sullivan of Cupertino, Calif.
HOLMES CAPTURES COLORADO PGA SENIOR TITLE: Perry Holmes of Green Gables Country Club won his first Colorado Senior PGA Professional Championship on Wednesday at Highlands Ranch Golf Club.
Holmes, winner of the open-age Colorado PGA Professional Championship in 2008, shot rounds of 66-70 for an 8-under-par 136 total. That was good for a three-stroke victory and $1,020 in prize money for the Boulder resident.
Dale Smigelsky of Collindale Golf Club (69-70) and Ron Vlosich of Lakewood (69-70) tied for second place at 139.
Here are the top 10 finishers: 1. Perry Holmes 66-70--136 $1,020; 2. (tie) Dale Smigelsky 69-70--139 $780; Ron Vlosich 69-70--139 $780; 4. Rick Cole 69-71--140 $540; 5. (tie) Erroll Miller 70-71--141 $386; Dave Arbuckle 73-68--141 $386; Russ Clark 69-72--141 $386; Mike Zaremba 69-72--141 $386; 9. Gregg Jones 71-71--142 $270; 10. (tie) Bill Loeffler 74-69--143 $243; Tom Nosewicz 70-73--143 $243.
BRYANT, HAWKINS-KIMMEL CLAIM CJGA 10-AND-UNDER TITLES: Davis Bryant of Green Valley Ranch Golf Club and Empress Hawkins-Kimmel of Fox Hill Country Club won the final CJGA Junior Series Championship of the year, this one for players 10 and under.
Bryant, son of Green Valley Ranch director of golf Matt Bryant, shot a 7-over-par 61 on Wednesday at Boulder Country Club’s Fowler Course, which was good for a one-stroke victory over Jack Castiglia of Fossil Trace Golf Club and Luca Falagrady of The Heritage at Westmoor.
Hawkins-Kimmel had a much more comfortable margin of victory in the girls division, winning by 10 with a 10-over-par 64. Amy Chitkoksoong of Aurora Hills Golf Course (74) and Amisha Singh of South Suburban Golf Course (75) placed second and third, respectively.
Junior Series Championship winners earlier this month in the other age divisions were Cody Vance and Somin Lee (14-18) and Jake Staiano and Jennifer Kupcho (11-13).
CJGA Junior Series Championship (10 and Under)
At Par-54 Fowler Course at Boulder Country Club
BOYS Davis Bryant, Green Valley Ranch GC 31-30--61
Jack Castiglia, Fossil Trace GC 33-29--62
Luca Falagrady, Heritage at Westmoor 30-32--62
Henry Rock, Coal Creek GC 31-33--64
Riley J Thomson, Colorado GC 34-31--65
Darren Edwards, Olde Course at Loveland 34-34--68
Dillon Baker, Ridge at Castle Pines 35-34--69
Ben Zimmerman, Denver CC 34-36--70
Jackson Crist, The Links GC 37-33--70
Jackson Klutznick, Denver CC 37-33--70
Samuel Skye Taylor, Flatirons GC 33-37--70
Drew Anderson, Blackstone CC 36-36--72
Cade Kilkenny, South Suburban Family Sports 37-37--74
Johnny Schlager, Omni Interlocken 38-36--74
Christian Agelopoulos, South Suburban Family Sports 39-36--75
Sam Blackwood, Columbine CC 37-38--75
Reese Taylor, The GC at Bear Dance 41-35--76
Rizzul Karki, South Suburban Family Sports 43-35--78
Robby Redfern, Coal Creek GC 38-41--79
Zaden Gomez, Green Valley Ranch GC 40-44--84
GIRLS Empress Hawkins-Kimmel, Fox Hill CC 34-30--64
Amy Chitkoksoong, Aurora Hills GC 39-35--74
Amisha Singh, South Suburban GC 39-36--75
Anna Roh, Broadlands GC 39-38--77
Amelia Lee, South Suburban Family Sports 38-40--78
Jenna Chun, Lone Tree GC 45-36--81
Lindsay Taylor, The GC at Bear Dance 43-39--82
Gabriella Danae Esquibel, Broken Tee Englewood 44-39--83
Mackenzi Kirschner, West Woods GC 40-50--90
Lindsey Benson, South Suburban Family Sports 53-46--99
Aug. 10, 2010
COLORADANS WALLA, HUFFER MAKE MATCH PLAY AT U.S. WOMEN’S AM: Kristin Walla of Aspen and Becca Huffer of Denver qualified for match play on Tuesday at the U.S. Women’s Amateur in Charlotte, N.C.
Walla shot a 3-over-par 75 on Tuesday to finish stroke-play qualifying in a tie for 29th place at 3-over 147. Huffer, meanwhile, rallied to advance by shooting a second-round 73 for a 150 total, good for 55th place. The top 64 players after two rounds of stroke play earned spots in match play, which starts Wednesday.
It marked the second time this year that Huffer has qualified for match play in a USGA championship. She made it to the round of 32 at the U.S. Women’s Publinks.
Former University of Colorado golfer Stephanie Simich (79-83--162) and University of Denver player Sarah Faller (80-83--163) failed to make match play.
ZIEGLER SET TO DEFEND CGA STROKE PLAY TITLE: Steve Ziegler of Broomfield, who swept the titles in the CGA’s two most prominent tournaments last year, will head the field for this week’s 74th CGA Stroke Play Championship.
Eighty-four players will compete in the event Thursday through Sunday at Boulder Country Club. The club is hosting the event for the second time in the last five years and for the fifth times since 1978.
Ziegler, a senior-to-be on the Stanford golf team, won the CGA Stroke Play last year, then advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Amateur later in the same month. As of Tuesday morning, Ziegler was one of three 2010 U.S. Amateur contestants in the Stroke Play field. Mark Hubbard of Denver and Beau Schoolcraft of Englewood also will compete at the U.S. Am in University Place, Wash., later this month.
Also scheduled to play at Boulder Country Club this week are 16-year-old Wyndham Clark, one of the top-25 ranked junior players in the country; 2009 CGA Public Links champion Zahkai Brown; 2004 CGA Player of the Year Steve Irwin; 2010 CGA junior champions Jonathan Park and Nick Allen; this year’s CGA Senior Match Play winner, Guy Mertz; 1997 Stroke Play champion Scott Mendelsohn; and 2009 CGA Junior Player of the Year (Cody Kent) and Senior Player of the Year (Robert Polk).
The field will be cut to the low 40 players and ties after the second round.
Among the golfers who have won the CGA Stroke Play are three who went on to win on the PGA Tour -- Hale Irwin (Stroke champ in 1963, ’64 and ’65), Bob Byman (1971, ’72 and ’73) and Steve Jones (1981) -- along with longtime Tour player Brandt Jobe (1985).
STAIANO, KUPCHO CLAIM CJGA JUNIOR SERIES 11-13 TITLES: Jake Staiano of Glenmoor Country Club overcame a five-stroke deficit and prevailed in a playoff on Tuesday at The Homestead Golf Course in Lakewood to win the CJGA Junior Series Championship for players 11-13.
Staiano made a birdie on the second hole of sudden death to beat AJ Ott of Ptarmigan Country Club. Ott took a five-shot lead into Tuesday, but Staiano rallied with a 4-over-par 69 in the final round, while Ott posted a 74. Both players finished regulation at 9-over-par 139.
Jackson Vacek of Indian Peaks Golf Course and Ross Macdonald of Meridian Golf Club shared third place at 142.
In the girls division, Jennifer Kupcho of CommonGround Golf Course shot her second straight 71 for a three-stroke victory. Kylee Sullivan of Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club placed second at 145 and Sydney Merchant of Red Rocks Country Club was third at 146.
The 11-13 tournament was the second of three age-division Junior Series Championships conducted by the CJGA. The 14-18 event was held last week, and the 10-and-under tourney is set for Wednesday at Boulder Country Club.
CJGA Junior Series Championship (Age 11-13)
At Par-65 Homestead GC in Lakewood
X-won on second hole of playoff
BOYS X-Jake Staiano, Glenmoor CC 70-69--139
AJ Ott, Ptarmigan CC 65-74--139
Jackson Vacek, Indian Peaks GC 73-69--142
Ross Macdonald, Meridian GC 73-69--142
Taylor Rodriguez, Elmwood GC 72-72--144
Dylan Hall, Springs Ranch GC 75-71--146
Tyler Zhang, South Suburban Family Sports 75-73--148
Cooper Gould, Eagle Ranch GC 77-72--149
Chase Federico, Elmwood GC 81-72--153
Coby Welch, The Links GC 78-75--153
Cole Anderson, Garden of the Gods Club 75-78--153
Christopher Raap, Highlands Ranch GC 74-80--154
Andrew McCormick, Denver CC 75-82--157
Erik Young, CommonGround GC 81-78--159
Braden Bentley, Antler Creek GC 83-77--160
Austin Lienemann, Lone Tree GC 84-80--164
Jack Lazzeri, Columbine CC 80-85--165
Kyle Davis Colen, South Suburban Family Sports 95-81--176
Bretton Krantz, Ptarmigan CC 96-84--180
GIRLS Jennifer Kupcho, CommonGround GC 71-71--142
Kylee Sullivan, Cheyenne Shadows GC 73-72--145
Sydney Merchant, Red Rocks CC 77-69--146
Gillian Vance, Green Gables CC 75-74--149
Alexandria Trask, Colorado National 73-80--153
Morgan Sahm, South Suburban Family Sports 80-79--159
Adara Pauluhn, Flatirons GC 85-78--163
Mary Weinstein, South Suburban Family Sports 80-83--163
Sydney Gillespie, South Suburban Family Sports 86-84--170
Kacey Godwin, South Suburban Family Sports 92-92--184
COAKLEY, TOLAN FINISH IN TOP 10 AT ADAMS TOUR EVENT: Two former University of Colorado golfers posted top-10 finishes last week in the Southwest Kansas Pro-Am, an Adams Golf Pro Tour Series event held in Garden City.
Kenny Coakley placed fifth overall, earning $4,120, by posting rounds of 69-67-70-68--274. And 2009 HealthOne Colorado Open champion Derek Tolan finished ninth and won $2,351 after scores of 67-68-71-70--276. Another Colorado Open winner, Wil Collins, claimed the Southwest Kansas title, shooting 21-under-par 265 for four days and earning $15,000.
Aug. 9, 2010
ASPEN’S WALLA OPENS WITH 72 AT U.S. WOMEN’S AMATEUR: Kristin Walla of Aspen shot an even-par 72 Monday at Charlotte (N.C.) Country Club to stand in 16th place after the first round of stroke-play qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Amateur.
Stroke play will conclude Tuesday and the top 64 players after round 2 will advance to match play.
Becca Huffer of Denver fired a 77 on Monday and shares 89th place. Former University of Colorado golfer Stephanie Simich is 120th after a 79 and University of Denver golfer Sarah Faller is 133rd following an 80.
Rachel Rohanna of Waynesburg, Pa., posted a 7-under-par 65 to hold a three-stroke lead in stroke play.
OTT, KUPCHO LEAD IN CJGA JUNIOR SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP: AJ Ott of Ptarmigan Country Club in Fort Collins shot an even-par 65 on Monday at The Homestead Golf Course in Lakewood to grab a five-stroke lead at the midway point of the CJGA Junior Series Championship for players 11-13.
Ott, who recently won his age division in the Fort Collins city junior golf championships, will go into Tuesday’s final round five shots ahead of Glenmoor Country Club’s Jake Staiano, the 2009 runner-up. Taylor Rodriguez of Elmwood Golf Course in Pueblo stands in third place at 72.
In the girls division, Jennifer Kupcho of CommonGround Golf Course posted a 6-over-par 71, good for a two-stroke lead. Alexandria Trask of Colorado National Golf Club in Erie and Kylee Sullivan of Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club in Fort Carson share second place at 73. Defending champion Sydney Gillespie of South Suburban Family Sports fired an 86.
The 11-13 tournament marks the second of three age-division Junior Series Championships conducted by the CJGA. The 14-18 event was held last week, and the 10-and-under tourney is set for Wednesday at Boulder Country Club.
Aug. 7, 2010
DOUGLASS PICKED FOR CU ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME: Dale Douglass of Castle Rock, winner of three PGA Tour events and 11 on the Champions Tour, will be one of 10 people inducted into the University of Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame on Nov. 11. Douglass will be the second former CU golfer to be so enshrined, joining three-time U.S. Open champion Hale Irwin.
Douglass went 33-6 in dual meets as a CU golfer in the late 1950s and made the All-Big Seven Conference team three times. He went on to success on both the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour, including winning the 1986 U.S. Senior Open, Douglass also played on the 1969 U.S. Ryder Cup team.
Douglass is a member of both the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame.
Aug. 6, 2010
WIEBE MEDALIST IN U.S. AMATEUR QUALIFYING AGAIN: For the second straight year, Gunner Wiebe of Aurora has earned medalist honors in a U.S. Amateur Sectional Qualifying tournament. After pulling off the feat last year in Fort Collins, Wiebe made it two in a row Tuesday in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.
Wiebe, the CGA Match Play champion, posted a 137 total for 36 holes at The Farms Golf Club, good for the low score of the day by seven strokes over University of San Diego teammate Alex Ching. Kenneth McCready of San Diego also earned a spot in the U.S. Amateur, which will be played Aug. 23-29 in University Place, Wash.
Wiebe, son of Champions Tour player Mark Wiebe, qualified in southern California this year because he is currently attending summer school at USD.
Aug. 5, 2010
DELMAN WINS COLORADO PGA ASSISTANT TITLE: Bradley Delman of Sonnenalp Golf Club shot a 5-under-par 67 on Thursday to win the Colorado Section PGA Callaway Golf Assistant Championship at Heritage Eagle Bend in Aurora.
Delman finished the two-day event at 12-under-par 132, good for a one-stroke victory and a $825 payday. U.S. Open qualifier Jason Preeo placed second after a 67 Thursday left him at 133.
Here are the top 10 finishers -- 1. Bradley Delman 65-67--132 $825; 2. Jason Preeo 66-67--133 $605; 3. (tie) Jay Osmon 72-69--141 $488; Rob Hunt 70-71--141 $488; 5. (tie) Jeremy Lederer 68-74--142 $388; Caine Fitzgerald 65-77--142 $388; 7. (tie) Will Panella 74-69--143 $273; Jesse Wheeler 74-69--143 $273; Erin Vohryzek-Bolden 73-70--143 $273; Robert Quaratino 71-72--143 $273; Dan Sniffin 72-71--143 $273.
Joining Delman and Preeo in qualifying for the national Callaway Golf Assistant Professional Championship were Osmon and Hunt.
CSU FRESHMAN WINS WISCONSIN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: Steve Sorenson, an incoming freshman for the Colorado State University golf team, won the Wisconsin Junior Boys Championship on Wednesday.
Sorenson shot rounds of 66-72-70 for an 8-under-par 208 total, which was good for a three-stroke victory.
Aug. 4, 2010
REGISTRATION DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR ROCKY MOUNTAIN OPEN: The registration deadline for the 2010 Enstrom’s Rocky Mountain Open in Grand Junction is Monday (Aug. 9).
The 72nd RMO will be played Aug. 19-22 at Tiara Rado Golf Course and Bookcliff Country Club.
Golfers interested in participating can register online by CLICKING HERE.
SOMIN LEE, VANCE CLAIM CJGA JUNIOR SERIES TITLES: Somin Lee of Denver continued her domination of the girls division of the CJGA Junior Series Championship, winning the event for the third time in the three years it’s been held.
Lee, runner-up in last week’s Optimist International Junior Golf Championships, shot an even-par 71 at The Ranch Country Club for the second consecutive day to claim the girls title by nine strokes in the tournament for 14-18 year-olds. Lindsay McGetrick of Colorado Golf Club, who defeated Lee in the finals of the CWGA Junior Match Play in June, finished second at 151 after a 73 on Wednesday. Katie Moats of Applewood Golf Club (72-153) placed third.
Meanwhile, in his final junior event, Cody Vance of Raccoon Creek Golf Course won the boys division. Vance, a Dakota Ridge High School graduate who will play golf at Hastings (Neb.) College, closed with a 71 Wednesday for a 1-under-par 141 total.
Ethan Freeman of Glenmoor Country Club and Kent Denver took second place at 143 after a final-round 70. Connor Klein of Lone Tree Golf Club and Highlands Ranch High School, placed third at 145 after a 69 Wednesday.
CJGA Junior Series Championship (Age 14-18)
At Par-71 Ranch CC in Westminster
BOYS Cody Vance, Raccoon Creek GC 70-71--141
Ethan Freeman, Glenmoor CC 73-70--143
Connor Klein, Lone Tree Mens GC 76-69--145
Chris Weinstein, South Suburban Family Sports 71-75--146
Clay LaBrec, Ranch CC 74-72--146
Nicholas Reisch, Thorncreek GC 69-77--146
Dario Ortega, Olde Course at Loveland 73-74--147
Nicholas Allen, Raccoon Creek GC 73-74--147
Benjamin Moore, Glenmoor CC 77-74--151
Ryan Schwark, Colorado National GC 77-74--151
Sam Rock, Coal Creek Mens GC 71-80--151
Ryan Burke, Twin Peaks GC 75-78--153
Austin Raap, Highlands Ranch GC 76-78--154
Bryan Fickle, Perry Park CC 76-78--154
Chris Dillon, CommonGround GC 77-77--154
Cole Cunningham, Valley CC 78-76--154
Eric Hallberg, Colorado GC 75-79--154
Ethan Yamada, Omni Interlocken Resort 82-72--154
Palmer Giro, Ptarmigan CC 77-77--154
Blake Basham, Lone Tree GC 75-80--155
Chris Beabout, South Suburban GC 72-83--155
Clayton Crawford, Maroon Creek Club 76-79--155
Dominick Bregar, Elmwood GC 77-78--155
Jimmy Makloski, Pueblo CC 76-79--155
Joey Saad, Bookcliff CC 80-75--155
Kevin Wohlfarth, Green Valley Ranch GC 79-78--157
Tanner Jenson, Colorado GC 79-78--157
Calvin Dorsey, Meridian GC 76-84--160
Taylor Wild, Plum Creek Golf & C.C. 83-80--163
Andrew Vance, Raccoon Creek GC 87-78--165
Zachary Hull, South Suburban GC 86-81--167
Drew Tobin, Colorado GC 84-87--171
GIRLS Somin Lee, Heatheridge GC 71-71--142
Lindsay McGetrick, Colorado GC 78-73--151
Katie Moats, Applewood GC 81-72--153
Shinwoo Lee, Kennedy GC 75-79--154
Seungha Choi, CommonGround GC 78-77--155
Katy Dyachkova, South Suburban GC 77-82--159
Kathleen Kershisnik, Columbine CC Lga 83-77--160
Calli Ringsby, Denver CC 81-80--161
Jessie Joachim, Green Valley Ranch Gc 78-83--161
Sara Shafer, CC at Castle Pines 82-80--162
Kasha Scott, Vail GC 84-83--167
Mackenzie Cohen, Inverness GC 88-80--168
Emily Woodard, Cheyenne CC 86-83--169
Taylor Dorans, Eagle Trace GC 84-85--169
Jennifer Kempton, Lone Tree GC 88-83--171
Alexandra O'Laughlin, West Woods GC 84-88--172
Hannah Wood, South Suburban Family Sports 88-84--172
Jocelyn Thompson, Estes Park GC 87-85--172
Jenni Chun, Lone Tree GC 89-90--179
Rachel Marie Reiling, Meadows GC 97-93--190
Aug. 3, 2010
TOP SEEDS ADVANCE IN CWGA MATCH PLAY: The top two seeds -- medalist Dana Zamprelli of Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course and 2006 champion Alison Whitaker of Green Valley Ranch Golf club won two matches each on Tuesday to advance to the semifinals of the CWGA Match Play Championship at CommonGround Golf Course.
Zamprelli posted 2-and-1 and 5-and-4 victories in her matches, while Whitaker won in routs -- 9 and 7 and 5 and 3. Joining Zamprelli and Whitaker in the semis were 2005 champion Becca Huffer of Overland Golf Course and University of Denver golfer Anna Christenson. Huffer defeated Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Janet Moore of Cherry Hills 1 up in their quarterfinal matchup.
In the senior championship flight, the top four seeds won their quarterfinal matches, including top-seeded Kim Eaton of the Riverdale Golf Courses.
The finals are set for Thursday, including the 36-hole championship match for the open division.
SOMIN LEE BEATS CLOCK, TAKES JUNIOR SERIES LEAD: Somin Lee of Denver, playing with her dad’s clubs after hers were delayed in a flight-related foul-up, shot an even-par 71 on Tuesday to grab a four-stroke lead in the girls division of the CJGA Junior Series Championship for players 14-18.
The 5A state high school champion, fresh off her runner-up finish in the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships in Florida, arrived at The Ranch Country Club in Westminster just five minutes before her tee time after missing her original flight. Lee bought new golf shoes upon arriving, then proceeded to post her 71, which was good for a four-shot advantage over Shinwoo Lee of Kennedy Golf Course. Katy Dyachkova of South Suburban Golf Course carded a 77 and trails by six going into Wednesday’s final round.
In the boys division, Nicholas Reisch of Thorncreek Golf Club and Broomfield High School fired a 2-under-par 69 and holds a one-stroke edge over Cody Vance of Raccoon Creek Golf Course. Chris Weinstein of South Suburban Family Sports and Sam Rock of Coal Creek Golf Course share third place at 71.
Aug. 2, 2010
LIGHTNING DELAYS U.S. AMATEUR QUALIFYING: Two interruptions of play due to lightning Monday evening postponed the completion of U.S. Amateur Sectional Qualifying at the Broadmoor Golf Club’s West Course in Colorado Springs.
The second round of the 36-hole qualifier is scheduled to resume Tuesday at 6:45 a.m.
Three golfers out of the original field of 78 will earn spots in the U.S. Amateur, which will be played Aug. 23-29 at the Chambers Bay course in University Place, Wash.
A second 36-hole U.S. Amateur Sectional Qualifying tournament will be held Aug. 10 at Saddle Rock Golf Course in Aurora.
ZAMPRELLI MEDALIST IN CWGA MATCH PLAY: Dana Zamprelli of Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course shot a 3-under-par 70 Monday at CommonGround Golf Course to earn medalist honors in the CWGA Match Play Championship.
Just four players scored under 78 in the championship flight open division. Joining Zamprelli were 2006 champion Alison Whitaker of Australia (72), Leslie McGetrick of Colorado Golf Club (73) and Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Janet Moore of Cherry Hills Country Club (74).
Kim Eaton of the Riverdale Golf Courses and Susan Jennings of Fox Hill Country Club shot 74 for the low scores in the senior division.
Two rounds of matches are scheduled for Tuesday. The finals are set for Thursday.
SOMIN LEE PLACES SECOND IN OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL TOURNEY: Somin Lee of Denver, the 5A state high school girls champion, finished second on Sunday in the girls division of the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Lee, a senior-to-be at Overland High School, shot rounds of 78-69-72-75 for a 6-over-par 294 total. The 2009 CWGA Player of the Year finished two strokes behind champion Manuela Carbajo Re of Argentina.
Aug. 1, 2010
RAKOWSKI WINS CGA WESTERN CHAPTER TITLE: Connor Rakowski of Carbondale shot a 2-under-par 70 on Sunday and won the CGA Western Chapter Championship by four strokes at The Links at Cobble Creek in Montrose.
Rakowski, a golfer at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont., finished the two-day tournament with a 7-under-par 137 total. The Basalt High School graduate shared the lead after the first round with Dean Clapp of Aurora and Drew Trujillo of Montrose.
Clapp, winner of the last two CGA Two-Man Team Championships with Jon Lindstrom, fired a 74 on Sunday and tied for second place at 141 with Mesa State College golfer Brandon Bingaman, who closed with a 68. --RESULTS
July 31, 2010
VLOSICH FALLS SHORT AT U.S. SENIOR OPEN: Lakewood’s Ron Vlosich, who made it into the U.S. Senior Open field after being an alternate in qualifying at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, missed the cut by two at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Wash.
Vlosich, who has also played in the 2009 and 2010 Senior PGA Championship and the 2007 U.S. Senior Open, shot rounds of 75-77 on Thursday and Friday for a 12-over-par 152 total at Sahalee.
Meanwhile, Ben Portie of Westminster, who Monday qualified for the Nationwide Tour’s Cox Classic in Omaha, missed the 36-hole cut in the event by three despite posting a 3-under-par total. Portie shot rounds of 66-73.
July 30, 2010
COLORADAN CONDON FINISHES 19TH AT PAC COAST: Greg Condon of Monte Vista shot a 2-over-par 73 and finished in 19th place Friday at the 44th Pacific Coast Amateur at Eugene (Ore.) Country Club.
Condon’s 7-over 291 total for four days left him 14 strokes behind individual champion Andrew Putnam from University Place, Wash. Putnam led after each of the final three rounds.
As for other Coloradans in the field, Michael Harrington of Colorado Springs carded a final-round 73 and finished in 45th place at 298, while 16-year-old Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village placed 60th after a 75 Friday left him at 302.
University of Denver golfer Klinton Krieger, from Cheyenne, Wyo., ended up in 70th place as a 79 on the final day gave him a 307 total.
Harrington, Clark and Krieger represented the CGA in the team competition that wrapped up on Wednesday. The CGA finished 12th.
Complete results can be found at pacificcoastamateur.com.
COMMONGROUND SET TO HOST CWGA MATCH PLAY: Next week, the CWGA will hold its first championship ever at CommonGround Golf Course, the one-year-old Tom Doak-designed course which is owned and operated by the CWGA and the CGA. The CWGA Match Play will run Monday through Thursday (Aug. 2-5).
Two of the last five champions in the event -- Becca Huffer of Denver (2005) and Australian Alison Whitaker (2006) -- are entered in the open-division competition. Huffer has qualified for two USGA championships this year and Whitaker, a former Duke standout, finished fourth in the HealthOne Colorado Women’s Open in June.
Also signed up for the Match Play are Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Janet Moore, former Colorado state high school champion Bethany Buchner and University of Denver golfer Anna Christenson.
Competing in the senior division will be Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Kim Eaton and USGA Executive Committee member Christie Austin.
Stroke-play qualifying, which will set the match play bracket, will be held on Monday. The finals are scheduled for Thursday, including the 36-hole match for the open division.
July 29, 2010
CGA LANDS 8TH-PLACE FINISH AT JR. AMERICAS CUP: The team representing the CGA gained another two spots in the standings on Thursday to finish tied for eighth in the Junior Americas Cup at Isleta Eagle Golf Course in Albuquerque, N.M.
The CGA stood 15th after the first day, but jumped up seven spots in the team race in the final two rounds of the competition that features players from 17 golf associations from the western U.S., Canada and Mexico.
For the second straight day, no Colorado golfer shot higher than a 73. As a team, the CGA posted an even-par 213 round on Thursday and finished at 7-over-par 646. Southern California won the three-day event with a 618 total.
John Ahern of Morrison was the top Colorado finisher as he placed 14th after a final-round 69 left him at 1-under 212. David Oraee of Greeley (71-215) was 17th, Cameron Harrell of Colorado Springs (73-219) was 36th and Steven Kupcho of Westminster (73-225) was 52nd.
Zach Foushee of Oregon won the individual competition with a 204 total.
CWGA PLACES NINTH IN GIRLS JR. AMERICAS CUP: The CWGA team jumped up two spots and ended up in ninth place after Thursday’s final round of the Girls Junior Americas Cup in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.
The CWGA saved its best for last as it shot a 10-over-par 226 in the final round after posting scores of 235 and 228 in the previous days. The Coloradans’ three-day total of 689 was 41 strokes behind team champion Hawaii.
In all, 18 golf associations from the western U.S., Canada and Mexico competed in the 54-hole event.
Lindsay McGetrick of Highlands Ranch finished 11th individually to lead the CWGA as her 1-under-par 71 in the final round left her at 221 overall. Kathleen Kershisnik, also of Highlands Ranch, shared 33rd place after a 77 put her at 233. Allie Johnston of Castle Rock (82-241) was 51st and Shinwoo Lee of Aurora (78-246) was 57th.
Hawaii’s Cassy Isagawa and San Diego’s Brittany Mai shared the individual title with 2-under-par 214 totals.
COLORADAN CONDON IN 19TH AT PACIFIC COAST AMATEUR: Greg Condon of Monte Vista shot a 1-over-par 72 on Thursday and shares 19th place after three rounds of the 44th Pacific Coast Amateur at Eugene (Ore.) Country Club.
Condon’s 54-hole total of 5-over 218 leaves him 11 strokes behind Andrew Putnam of University Place, Wash., who posted a 70 on Thursday and leads by five shots.
Meanwhile, Michael Harrington of Colorado Springs (74-225) stands in 42nd place going into Friday‘s final round, while 16-year-old Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village (78-227) is 49th. University of Denver golfer Klinton Krieger, of Cheyenne, Wyo., shares 60th place after a 77 left him at 228.
The team portion of the Pacific Coast Amateur concluded on Wednesday, with the squad representing the CGA finishing 12th.
Complete results can be found at pacificcoastamateur.com.
July 28, 2010
CGA JUMPS UP 5 SPOTS IN JUNIOR AMERICAS CUP: The team representing the CGA posted the second-best round of the day on Wednesday to move up to 10th place in the standings at the Junior Americas Cup at Isleta Eagle Golf Course in Albuquerque.
The CGA shot a 2-under-par 211, which leaves the team at 7-over 433 for two days. Southern California leads with a 416 total in the 17-team competition, which features players from 17 golf associations from the western U.S., Canada and Mexico.
The CGA jumped up five spots in the team standings as no Colorado player shot over 73 in the second round. John Ahern of Morrison (71-72--143) is the CGA’s top individual, sitting in 16th place overall. David Oraee of Greeley (75-69--144) is in 22nd, Cameron Harrell of Colorado Springs (76-70--146) is 31st, and Steven Kupcho of Westminster (79-73--152) is 57th.
The tournament will conclude on Thursday.
TEAM OF CGA PLAYERS PLACES 12TH IN PACIFIC COAST AMATEUR: The CGA team finished in a tie for 12th place Wednesday in the 44th Pacific Coast Amateur at Eugene (Ore.) Country Club.
The CGA posted a two-day total of 13-over-par 297, ending up 18 strokes behind the winners from the Pacific Northwest Golf Association. The 16-team competition, which features golf associations from the western U.S. and Canada, concluded on Wednesday, but the individual portion of the tournament will continue through Friday.
Sixteen-year-old Wyndham Clark from Greenwood Village stands in 40th place individually after rounds of 73-76 left him at 7-over-par 149. Teammates Michael Harrington of Colorado Springs (75-76--151) and Klinton Krieger of Cheyenne, Wyo., (78-73--151), share 50th place.
Andrew Putnam of University Place, Wash., leads the individual competition at 5-under-par 137 after carding rounds of 68-69. Greg Condon of Monte Vista, Colo., playing for the New Mexico-based Sun Country Amateur Golf Association, shot 69-77--146 to stand in 23rd place.
Complete results can be found at pacificcoastamateur.com.
CWGA STANDS 11TH IN GIRLS JUNIOR AMERICAS CUP: The team representing the CWGA dropped one spot, to 11th place, after the second round of the Girls Junior Americas Cup in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.
The CWGA shot a 12-over-par 228 on Wednesday and stands at 31-over-par 463. Hawaii leads the team competition -- which involves 18 golf associations from the western U.S., Canada and Mexico -- with a 431 total.
Lindsay McGetrick of Highlands Ranch is the CWGA’s top individual heading into Thursday’s final round, standing in 16th place after a pair of 75s. Kathleen Kershisnik of Highlands Ranch is 40th (77-79--156), Ellie Johnston of Castle Rock is 48th (85-74--159) and Shinwoo Lee of Aurora is 61st (83-85--168).
NILSSON NAMED DU MEN’S ASSISTANT COACH: University of Denver men’s golf head coach Eric Hoos announced that he’s hired former playing professional Par Nilsson as an assistant coach for the Pioneers.
Nilsson, 29, played college golf at Oklahoma State -- he was an honorable mention All-American in 2001 and 2002 -- and competed professionally in Europe. The Swede was a member of the European team that won the Palmer Cup in 2003.
July 27, 2010
CGA TEAM IN 13TH PLACE AT PACIFIC COAST AMATEUR: The CGA team shot a 6-over-par 148 and stands in 13th place after Tuesday’s opening round of the 44th Pacific Coast Amateur at Eugene (Ore.) Country Club.
Utah recorded a 137 total and leads the tournament by one stroke over host Oregon. The 16-team competition features golf associations from the western U.S. and Canada.
Sixteen-year-old Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village shot a 2-over-par 73 to lead the way for the CGA team, while Michael Harrington of Colorado Springs posted a 75 and Klinton Krieger of Cheyenne, Wyo., a 78. In the individual competition, which also includes invitees from around the world, Clark is in 29th place, Harrington 40th and Krieger 61st.
Another Coloradan, Greg Condon of Monte Vista, playing for the New Mexico-based Sun Country Amateur Golf Association, fired a 69, good for seventh place. Greg Moss of Sherman Oaks, Calif., leads the tournament after a 4-under-par 67.
The team competition concludes Wednesday, while the individual event continues through Friday.
Complete results can be found at pacificcoastamateur.com.
McGETRICK LEADS CWGA TEAM AT GIRLS JR. AMERICAS CUP: Lindsay McGetrick of Highlands Ranch shot a 3-over-par 75 and the CWGA team stands in 10th place following Tuesday’s first round of the Girls Junior Americas Cup tournament at Morgan Run Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.
Other individual scores for CWGA players are a 77 by Highlands Ranch’s Kathleen Kershisnik, an 83 by Aurora’s Shinwoo Lee and an 83 by Castle Rock’s Allie Johnston.
The CWGA team shot a 19-over-par 235 and trails leader Hawaii by 24 strokes.
The competition, which features teams from 18 golf associations from the western U.S. Canada and Mexico, will continue through Thursday.
CGA’S AHERN FIRES 71 IN JUNIOR AMERICAS CUP: John Ahern of Morrison shot an even-par 71 and shares 14th place after the first round of the Junior Americas Cup at Isleta Eagle Golf Course in Albuquerque, N.M.
The four-player CGA team stands 15th in the 17-team competition, which features representatives from 17 golf associations from the western U.S., Canada and Mexico.
The CGA squad posted a 9-over-par 222 total and trails leader British Columbia by 14 strokes.
David Oraee of Greeley fired a 75 and shares 48th place, while Cameron Harrell of Colorado Springs carded a 76 and is tied for 53rd, and Steven Kupcho of Westminster shot a 79 and sits in 62nd place.
The 54-hole tournament continues through Thursday.
July 26, 2010
CLARK, KRIEGER, HARRINGTON PLAYING FOR CGA AT PAC COAST: Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village, Klinton Krieger of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Michael Harrington of Colorado Springs will represent the CGA in the 44th Pacific Coast Amateur, which runs Tuesday through Friday (July 27-30) at Eugene Country Club in Oregon.
The CGA will be one of 16 golf associations from the western U.S. and Canada competing in the stroke-play event, which features both team and individual competitions. In each of the first two rounds, the best two scores of the three teammates will count toward the team total in the 36-hole Morse Cup portion of the tournament.
The 16-year-old Clark is ranked among the top 25 junior golfers in the U.S., having advanced to match play in the last two U.S. Junior Amateurs. Krieger, a University of Denver golfer, finished second in this month’s CGA Match Play Championship. And Harrington won the 2009 CGA Mid-Amateur and qualified for the 2009 U.S. Amateur.
Another Coloradan, Greg Condon of Monte Vista, will compete for the New Mexico-based Sun Country Amateur Golf Association.
Three USGA champions are scheduled to compete in the Pac Coast: Kevin Marsh of Nevada (2005 U.S. Mid-Am), Phillip Francis of Arizona (2006 U.S. Junior Amateur) and Cameron Peck of Washington (2008 U.S. Junior Amateur).
Live scoring for the Pacific Coast Amateur will be available at pacificcoastamateur.com.
COLO. PLAYERS GEAR UP FOR JUNIOR AMERICAS CUP: The boys and girls’ versions of the Junior Americas Cup matches will be held Tuesday through Thursday (July 27-29) at two different sites in the western U.S., and four Coloradans will compete in each event.
The boys tournament will be played at Isleta Eagle Golf Course in Albuquerque, N.M., and David Oraee of Greeley, John Ahern of Morrison, Steven Kupcho of Westminster and Cameron Harrell of Colorado Springs will represent the CGA. The competition features teams from 17 golf associations from the western U.S., Canada and Mexico.
The girls event will be contested at Morgan Run Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. Representing the CWGA will be Lindsay McGetrick of Highlands Ranch, Allie Johnston of Castle Rock, Shinwoo Lee of Aurora and Kathleen Kershisnik of Highlands Ranch. The girls competition likewise includes 18 teams from across the western U.S., Canada and Mexico.
July 21, 2010
CLARK, McGETRICK OUSTED IN OPENING MATCHES AT U.S. JR. TOURNEYS: Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village, the No. 7 seed in the match play bracket at the U.S. Junior Amateur in Ada, Mich., lost in the round of 64 to the No. 58 seed.
Andrew Fogg of Greenwood, Ind., grabbed a 3 up lead over Clark and held on for a 1-up victory. Clark advanced to the round of 16 at last year’s Junior Amateur.
Meanwhile, at the U.S. Girls’ Junior in The Village at Pinehurst, N.C., Lindsay McGetrick of Highlands Ranch also lost on the 18th hole. No. 12-seeded Erica Herr of New Hope, Pa., scored a 1-up victory in the round of 64 over the No. 53-seeded McGetrick, who was 2 up after 13 holes.
July 20, 2010
CLARK, McGETRICK MAKE MATCH PLAY AT U.S. JR. TOURNEYS: Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village finished seventh in stroke-play qualifying and advanced to match play in the U.S. Junior Amateur in Ada, Mich.
Clark, who made the round of 16 in the Junior Amateur last year, shot rounds of 68-70 for a 6-under-par 138 total. He finished four strokes behind medalist Curtis Thompson of Coral Springs, Fla.
The other two Coloradans in the U.S. Junior Amateur failed to qualify for the 64-man match play bracket. Spencer Sheets of Centennial finished 138th with rounds of 80-78--158, and Jimmy Makloski of Pueblo was 141st after shooting 80-79--159.
At the U.S. Girls’ Junior in The Village at Pinehurst, N.C., Lindsay McGetrick of Highlands Ranch qualified for the 64-player match play bracket by finishing 50th in stroke play with rounds of 78-78--156. Shinwoo Lee of Aurora failed to advance to match play, placing 112th after posting rounds of 81-83--164.
July 19, 2010
CLARK IN FOURTH PLACE AT U.S. JUNIOR AMATEUR: Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village, who went to the round of 16 at the 2009 U.S. Junior Amateur, shot a 4-under-par 68 and shares fourth place after Monday’s first round of stroke-playing qualifying for this year’s Junior Amateur in Ada, Mich. Clark trails the leaders by one stroke.
Spencer Sheets of Centennial and Jimmy Makloski of Pueblo each posted an 80 on Monday and share 139th place. The top 64 players after Tuesday’s round will advance to match play.
Meanwhile, at the U.S. Girls’ Junior in The Village of Pinehurst, N.C., Lindsay McGetrick of Highlands Ranch shot a 78 and shares 43rd place after the first round of stroke-play qualifying. Shinwoo Lee of Aurora recorded an 81 and is in 95th place. Players with the best 64 scores after Tuesday will earn spots in the match play bracket.
MILLS, ROGERS FIRE 64 IN COLO. OPEN QUALIFYING: Dustin Mills of Arvada and Jacob Rogers of Tucson, Ariz., shot 7-under-par 64 to tie the course record at Legacy Ridge in the final qualifying tournament for this week’s HealthOne Colorado Open.
Also earning spots in the Thursday through Sunday tournament at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in northeast Denver were: Richard Gaona of Miami, Ariz. (66), James Woodson of Richmond, Va. (66), Sujjan Singh of India (66), Zac Blair of Ogden, Utah (67), Nick Geyer of Albuquerque (68), Ryan Hogue of Mesa, Ariz. (68), Jake Yount of Danville, Ariz. (68), Kyle McCarthy of Gulfport, Fla. (69), Danny Luirette of Scottsdale, Ariz. (69), Chadd Cocco of Bend, Ore. (69), Nick Killpack of St. George, Utah (70), Brett Dean of Evergreen (70), David Schroeder of Colorado Springs (70) and Aaron Johnson of Laramie, Wyo. (70).
July 18, 2010
ELWAY PLACES SECOND IN NATIONAL CELEBRITY TOURNEY: Despite a double bogey on his final hole Sunday, former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway finished tied for second in the American Century Championship celebrity tournament in Stateline, Nev. Elway accumulated 20 Stableford points in the final round for a total of 65 for the three-day event, which was good for a tie with Tony Romo, John Smoltz and Jack Wagner. Billy Joe Tolliver ran away with the title with 84 points.
Next up for Elway is the HealthOne Colorado Open, which starts Thursday at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in northeast Denver.
STADLER RECORDS FOURTH TOP-10 OF 2010 ON PGA TOUR: Kent Denver graduate Kevin Stadler posted his best PGA Tour finish since last August by placing fifth Sunday in the Reno-Tahoe Open. Stadler, who birdied the final two holes and played his last 10 holes in 4 under par, finished at 8-under-par 280, three shots behind champion Matt Bettencourt.
Sunday’s showing marked Stadler’s fourth top-10 of the year on the PGA Tour. He finished second at the Reno-Tahoe Open in 2007.
HUFFER HEADS FIELD FOR U.S. WOMEN’S AMATEUR QUALIFIER: Becca Huffer of Denver, who advanced to the round of 32 in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship last month, will try to gain a spot in another USGA championship on Monday.
The Notre Dame golfer will be one of 38 players vying for five spots in the U.S. Women’s Amateur in Sectional Qualifying at Green Gables Country Club in Denver. The national tournament will be played Aug. 9-16 at Charlotte Country Club in North Carolina.
Among those also competing on Monday are Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Janet Moore; Colorado State University golfer Melissa Martin, winner of the last two CWGA Stroke Play titles; Australian Alison Whitaker, who’s finished in the top four in three of the last five HealthOne Colorado Women’s Opens; and 2008 CWGA Match Play champion Kristin Walla.
July 17, 2010
WANG PLACES EIGHTH IN CALLAWAY JUNIOR WORLD TOURNEY: Two Colorado players posted top-25 finishes in their age divisions this week at the prestigious Callaway Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego.
Elizabeth Wang of Parker placed eighth in the girls 9-10 competition, posting a 16-over-par total for three rounds, eight strokes behind the champion.
In the girls 11-12 division, Sydney Merchant of Morrison finished 23rd at 18 over par. The winner came in at 9 under par.
July 15, 2010
COFFIN TOP QUALIFIER FOR COLO. OPEN: Jason Coffin of Longmont shot a 5-under-par 66 Thursday at Legacy Ridge Golf Course in Westminster for the low score in a qualifying tournament for next week’s HealthOne Colorado Open.
Also earning spots in the Open, which will be played July 22-25 at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, were Tony Aguilar of Arvada (69), Grant Jackson of Australia (69), Mike Troyer of Boulder (70), Stuart Drahota of Fort Collins (70), Brandon Putnam of Albuquerque (70), Aaron Weston of Scottdale, Ariz. (70), Chad Gorney of Seattle (71), Ty Capps of Palm Coast, Fla. (71), Mike Kitowski of Fort Collins (71), Kaleb Mahanes of Erie (71), Brant Kummerfield of Thermopolis, Wyo. (71), Thom Gonzalez of Brighton (72), Tom Gempel of Parker (72) and Sean Thomas of Arvada (72).
Thursday marked the third of four qualifying tournaments for the Colorado Open.
July 14, 2010
ARP, CONDON FALL IN FIRST-ROUND MATCHES AT U.S. PUBLINKS: Both Coloradans who qualified for match play in the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship lost in the first round on Wednesday in Greensboro, N.C.
In what is likely his final event as an amateur, Riley Arp of Fort Collins fell 2 and 1 to Griffin Wood of Boonville, Ind. Arp was seeded eighth in the 64-man field after stroke-play qualifying. And Greg Condon of Monte Vista, seeded 52nd, was ousted by 2010 NCAA individual champion Scott Langley of St. Louis 2 and 1.
July 13, 2010
ELWAY, WATTS, PREEO, TOLAN SPICE UP COLORADO OPEN FIELD: The field for next week’s HealthOne Colorado Open is nothing if not diverse.
It includes former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway, who’s competing in the event for the fourth time (he finished 37th in 2001); two players who once qualified for the U.S. Open as 16-year-olds (defending Colorado Open champion Derek Tolan and Tom Glissmeyer); Brian Watts, who finished second in the British Open 12 years ago after losing a four-hole playoff to Mark O’Meara; Matt Zions, who’s played four events on the European PGA Tour this year; Denver-area teaching professional Jason Preeo, who stood 16th after 36 holes of this year‘s U.S. Open before faltering on the weekend; Broomfield‘s Steve Ziegler, a quarterfinalist in the 2009 U.S. Amateur; Aurora amateur Gunner Wiebe, who qualified for the San Diego PGA Tour event in January; and three-time Colorado Open champion Bill Loeffler, winner of three national championships (U.S. Mid-Amateur, PGA Assistant Professional Championship and the Senior PGA Professional National Championship).
The 46th Colorado Open will run July 22-25 at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in northeast Denver. Once again this year, the total purse will be $125,000, with $23,000 going to the winner.
EX-CSU GOLFER LAIRD SET FOR BRITISH OPEN IN HIS HOME COUNTRY: Former Colorado State University golfer Martin Laird, whose parents live about 15 miles from St. Andrews in Scotland, will be competing in the British Open at the historic Old Course beginning on Thursday. It will be the second British Open for the Scot, who missed the cut last year. Laird earned a spot in this year’s Open through a 36-hole qualifier in Texas in late May.
One other local player, David Duval of Cherry Hills Village, also is in the British Open field this week. Duval’s last PGA Tour win came in the 2001 British Open.
ARP, CONDON MAKE MATCH PLAY AT U.S. PUBLINKS: Riley Arp of Fort Collins and Greg Condon of Monte Vista will advance to the 64-man match play bracket at the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship in Greensboro, N.C.
Though a weather delay didn’t allow everyone in the field to finish stroke-play qualifying on Tuesday, Arp is expected to be seeded eighth for match play after shooting 71-67 for a 4-under-par 138 total. Condon (73-73--146) also will make match play. John-Tyler Griffin of Wilson, N.C. (66-67--133) captured medalist honors.
The other two Coloradans at the Publinks didn’t finish their round Tuesday, but neither will qualify for match play. Nicholas Tarasiewicz of Colorado Springs is 10 over par for two days, while Stuart Allen of Lakewood is 14 over.
CONSER TOP FINISHER IN COLO. OPEN QUALIFYING: Barry Conser of Scottsdale, Ariz., shot a 5-under-par 67 at Eagle Ranch Golf Course on Tuesday to lead qualifying for the HealthOne Colorado Open.
Also earning spots in the Open, which will be held July 22-25 at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, were Michael Baird of Castle Rock (69), John Buffalo of Pueblo (69), Christopher Douglas of Denison, Texas (69), Chris Ming of Edgewood, Wash. (70), Kenny Coakley of Lakewood (71), Vincent Johnson of Portland, Ore. (71), John Passmore of Aurora (71), Kyle Daniell of Boise, Idaho (71), Justin Walters of Raleigh, N.C. (72), Darrin Hall of Golden (72), Christopher Manning of Cody, Wyo. (72), Scott Lamothe of Highlands Ranch (72), Brett Blackburn of McHenry, Ill. (72) and Jordan Holley of Greensboro, N.C. (73).
Tuesday marked the second of four qualifying tournaments for the Colorado Open.
July 12, 2010
5 LOCAL COLLEGE PLAYERS NAMED SCHOLAR ALL-AMERICANS: Five Division I college golfers with Colorado connections have been named Scholar All-Americans by the Golf Coaches Association of America.
To be eligible for the honor, an individual must be a junior or senior academically, compete in at least two full years at the collegiate level, participate in 70 percent of his team’s competitive rounds or in the NCAA Championships, have a stroke average under 76, and maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.2.
Among the local players named Scholar All-Americans were Bryce Hanstad of Colorado State, Espen Kofstad of the University of Denver, Tom Whitney of Air Force, Pueblo resident Zach Zaremba of Wyoming, and Steve Ziegler of Stanford.
ARP IN 17TH PLACE AT U.S. PUBLINKS: Riley Arp of Fort Collins shot an even-par 71 on Monday and shares 17th place after the first round of the stroke-play qualifying for the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship in Greensboro, N.C.
Arp is six strokes out of the lead heading into Tuesday’s final round of stroke play. The top 64 competitors after Tuesday will advance to match play.
Other Coloradans and their scores and position: Greg Condon of Monte Vista (73, 45th place), Stuart Allen of Lakewood (74, 67th place) and Nicholas Tarasiewicz of Colorado Springs (78, 123rd place).
COLORADO GIRLS TEAM PICKED FOR JR. AMERICAS CUP: The CWGA has selected its four players for the Girls Junior Americas Cup matches that will be played July 27-29 at Morgan Run Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. Representing Colorado will be Lindsay McGetrick of Highlands Ranch, Allie Johnston of Castle Rock, Shinwoo Lee of Aurora and Kathleen Kershisnik of Highlands Ranch.
The Colorado team will be one of 18 representing golf associations in the western U.S., Canada and Mexico. Kershisnik helped Colorado take 12th place in the event last year.
Johnston qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship this year, while McGetrick won the CWGA Junior Match Play, and Lee was medalist in the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship qualifying that was held in Colorado.
GRADY, BRET GUETZ FINISH SECOND IN WYO. OPEN: Pat Grady of Broomfield and former Coloradan Bret Guetz tied for second over the weekend in the Wyoming State Open in Cheyenne.
Grady, winner of two Adams Pro Tour Series events this year, and Guetz finished at 16-under-par 194 for three rounds, along with Boyd Summerhays. Nathan Lashley of Scottsdale, Ariz., was one stroke better and claimed the $7,000 first prize.
EX-DU PLAYER KIM MISSES CUT IN PRO DEBUT AT U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN: In her first tournament as a professional, former University of Denver golfer Kimberly Kim missed the cut by 11 strokes at the U.S. Women’s Open, which concluded Sunday in Oakmont, Pa.
Kim, the medalist in Women’s Open qualifying at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, shot 79-84 at Oakmont Country Club. The 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion, who played just one season at DU, finished with two birdies, 14 bogeys, three double bogeys and a triple bogey in two rounds.
Meanwhile, Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Jill McGill missed the cut by one stroke, posting rounds of 79-74.
The 2011 U.S. Women’s Open will be played at the Broadmoor’s East Course July 7-10.
July 11, 2010
PARK, ORAEE SET FOR CGA JUNIOR MATCH PLAY: Jonathan Park of CommonGround Golf Course, winner of the CGA Junior Stroke Play last month, and David Oraee of Greeley Country Club, runner-up in the CGA Junior Match Play last year, will be among the favorites when the 2010 Junior Match Play is contested Monday through Friday (July 12-16) at Bear Creek Golf Club in west Denver.
Qualifying for the 64-man match play bracket will be held Monday, with the first round of match play taking place Tuesday. The second and third rounds are set for Wednesday, with the quarterfinals and semifinals scheduled for Thursday. The 36-hole final will be contested Friday.
Derek Fribbs, now a sophomore-to-be on the University of Colorado golf team, defeated Oraee 2 and 1 last year in the Junior Match Play final, but Fribbs is too old to defend his championship. Last month, Oraee won the AJGA event in Aspen for the second straight year.
All four members of the Colorado team for the upcoming Junior Americas Cup matches will be in the field for the Junior Match Play -- Oraee, John Ahern of Morrison, Steven Kupcho of Westminster and Cameron Harrell of Colorado Springs (see below). Also competing at Bear Creek will be Cody Kent of Castle Rock, the CGA Junior Player of the Year in 2009 and the runner-up in the 2010 CGA Junior Stroke Play.
COLO. BOYS TEAM SET FOR JUNIOR AMERICAS CUP: David Oraee of Greeley, John Ahern of Morrison, Steven Kupcho of Westminster and Cameron Harrell of Colorado Springs have been selected to represent Colorado at the Boys Junior Americas Cup competition. The tournament, which features teams from 17 golf associations from the western U.S., Canada and Mexico, runs July 27-29 at Isleta Eagle Golf Course in Albuquerque, N.M.
Oraee (141 for two rounds), Ahern (141) and Kupcho (143) were the top three finishers Thursday and Friday in the Big I Junior Classic State Championship in Greeley. Katherine Scott (146), Bryce Schroeder (152) and Seungha Choi (153) went 1-2-3 in the girls competition.
Oraee, winner of the AJGA event in Aspen the last two years, played on the Colorado team that finished 10th in the 2009 Junior Americas Cup. Ahern recently placed second in the national PGA Junior Series event at the Air Force Academy. Late last month, Kupcho won the Colorado Junior PGA Championship. And last week, Harrell finished third at the AJGA Nebraska Junior.
July 10, 2010
SOMIN LEE SCORES ANOTHER AJGA WIN FOR COLORADANS: Somin Lee of Denver, who swept the CWGA junior championship titles last year and won the 5A state high school meet in the spring, is now proving she can succeed at regional and national tournaments. On Thursday, Lee recorded her first victory on the American Junior Golf Association circuit, winning the AJGA Nebraska Junior in Ashland.
Lee shot rounds of 70-70-73 for an even-par 213 total, which was good for a five-stroke triumph. In the boys division, Cameron Harrell of Colorado Springs placed third at 212, three strokes behind champion Lorens Chan of Hawaii.
Lee’s AJGA victory was one of several by Coloradans in the last two months. Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village, one of the top 25-ranked juniors in the nation, picked up his first AJGA win in May, capturing the Under Armour/Vicky Hurst Championship in Gold Canyon, Ariz. And David Oraee of Greeley and Patricia Lee of Lone Tree earned titles in the AJGA Aspen Junior Classic last month.
July 9, 2010
BEAU SCHOOLCRAFT, BESLER LEAD WAY IN COLO. OPEN QUALIFYING: Amateur Beau Schoolcraft of Englewood and professional Brad Besler of Blessing, Texas shot 6-under-par 66 Thursday at Springs Ranch Golf Club in Colorado Springs to lead the way in the first of four qualifiers for the HealthOne Colorado Open.
Also qualifying for the July 22-25 tournament on Thursday were Jeremy Berbert of Westminster (68), David Cosel of Monument (69), Jonathan Leslie of Spokane, Wash. (69), Jeffrey Becker of Colorado Springs (70), Jason Brandt of Arvada (70), Nolan Martin of Colorado Springs (70), Branson Real of Wray (70), Nate Stevenson of Steamboat Springs (70), Luke Sestero of Idaho Falls, Idaho (70), Seth Berliner of Littleton (71), Dale Smigelsky of Fort Collins (71) and Patrick Reidy of Littleton (72).
July 8, 2010
SPIRANAC WINS GOING AWAY IN CWGA JR. STROKE PLAY: Paige Spiranac of Monument went wire-to-wire to score a 10-stroke victory Thursday in the CWGA Junior Stroke Play Championship at Broken Tee Englewood.
Spiranac shot her third straight under-par round, a 1-under 72, and finished the three-day event with a 12-under 207 total.
Two recent qualifiers for the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship finished second and third. Shinwoo Lee of Kennedy Golf Course was the runner-up as a final-round 75 left her at 217. Lindsay McGetrick of Colorado Golf Club, the 2010 CWGA Junior Match Play winner, ended up third after a 73 gave her a 218 total.
July 7, 2010
SPIRANAC AHEAD BY 7 IN CWGA JR. STROKE PLAY: Paige Spiranac of Monument expanded her lead to seven shots Wednesday in the CWGA Junior Stroke Play Championship at Broken Tee Englewood.
Spiranac fired a 4-under-par 69 to finish two rounds at 11-under 135. She made an eagle and five birdies on Wednesday, offset by three bogeys.
Shinwoo Lee of Kennedy Golf Course, who qualified last week for the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, stands in second place at 142 after matching Spiranac’s 69. The only other player under par is CWGA Junior Match Play champion Lindsay McGetrick of Colorado Golf Club, who posted a 72 for a 1-under 145 total.
The final round of the 54-hole event will be held Thursday.
July 6, 2010
SPIRANAC FIRES 66 IN CWGA JR. STROKE PLAY: Paige Spiranac of Monument shot a 7-under-par 66 Tuesday at Broken Tee Englewood to grab a three-stroke lead after the first round of the CWGA Junior Stroke Play Championship.
Spiranac made eight birdies in her round to build a three-shot margin over Claudia Davis of Glenmoor Country Club. The only other player to break par Tuesday was Taylor Buck of Arrrowhead Golf Club, who opened with a 72.
Lindsay McGetrick of Colorado Golf Club, winner of the CWGA Junior Match Play last month, started off with an even-par 73.
The Junior Stroke Play will continue through Thursday.
July 5, 2010
McGETRICK, SHINWOO LEE HEAD FIELD FOR CWGA JR. STROKE PLAY: Lindsay McGetrick of Colorado Golf Club will go for a sweep of 2010 CWGA junior championships when the CWGA Junior Stroke Play is held this week at Broken Tee Englewood.
The 54-hole tournament runs Tuesday through Thursday (July 6-8).
Last month, McGetrick won the CWGA Junior Match Play, defeating two-time defending champion Somin Lee in the finals. Lee also won the CWGA Junior Stroke Play in 2009, but she won’t be defending her title this week.
Joining McGetrick in the CWGA Junior Stroke Play field is Shinwoo Lee of Kennedy Golf Course, the medalist in last week’s U.S. Girls’ Junior qualifying in Aurora. McGetrick also earned a spot in that national tournament.
July 2, 2010
ARP FALLS IN 19 HOLES IN QUARTERFINALS OF NORTH & SOUTH: Riley Arp of Fort Collins, winner of the CGA Public Links Championship on Sunday, advanced to the quarterfinals of the prestigious North & South Amateur before losing in 19 holes on Friday in Pinehurst, N.C.
Arp, seeded 12th, was ousted in the quarterfinals by 13th-seeded Kelly Kraft of Denton, Texas, who rallied after being 2 down after 14 holes. Kraft won his third straight extra-holes match, and he later added to that streak with a 22-hole victory over top-seeded David Chung in Friday afternoon’s semifinals.
Arp, a former Colorado State University golfer, plans to turn pro later this month before the HealthOne Colorado Open.
LOEFFLER FINISHES 83RD IN NATIONAL PGA TOURNEY: Bill Loeffler of Castle Rock, who made the cut in May’s Senior PGA Championship at Colorado Golf Club, did likewise this week at the PGA Professional National Championship in French Lick, Ind.
Loeffler started out with a 70, but struggled after that with rounds of 76-81-80 and finished at 21-over-par 307, good for 83rd place overall.
July 1, 2010
FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD FENDS OFF COLORADANS IN PGA JR. SERIES: Though boys from Colorado finished in 11 of the top 12 spots in the oldest age division, San Diego 15-year-old Bobby Gojuangco won the national PGA Junior Series tournament that concluded Thursday at the Air Force Academy’s Eisenhower Golf Club.
John Ahern of Morrison rallied on the back nine to catch Gojuangco, but the Californian went birdie-par on the final two holes to win by two.
In the other age divisions, the champions were two-time PGA Junior Series Player of the Year Shelby Phillips of Gilbert, Ariz. (girls 16-18), Benjamin Moore of Englewood (boys 13-15) and Jennifer Kempton of Littleton (girls 13-15).
HARRELL CLOSES IN ON LEAD AT PGA JUNIOR SERIES: Cameron Harrell of Colorado Springs trails the leader by one stroke heading into Thursday’s final round of the national PGA Junior Series tournament at Eisenhower Golf Club at the Air Force Academy north of Colorado Springs.
Harrell, who has posted rounds of 71-71 for an even-par 142 total, is one behind leader Bobby Gojuangco of San Diego (66-75) in the boys 16-18 age division. John Ahern of Morrison (74-71--145) is third.
In the girls 16-18 division, Shelby Phillips of Gilbert, Ariz. (72-74--146) leads by five strokes.
In the boys 13-15 division, Benjamin Moore of Englewood (74-77--151) holds a one-stroke advantage over Clayton Crawford of Aspen (74-78--152).
June 29, 2010
SHINWOO LEE, McGETRICK ADVANCE TO U.S. GIRLS’ JUNIOR: Coloradans Shinwoo Lee (pictured) and Lindsay McGetrick advanced to the U.S. Girls’ Junior through Sectional Qualifying Tuesday at Valley Country Club in Aurora.
Lee, who lives in Aurora, shot a 2-under-par 70 to earn medalist honors, while McGetrick, of Highlands Ranch, posted a 72. Earlier this month, McGetrick won the CWGA Junior Match Play. The other two national qualifiers were Paveenunch Sritragul of Thailand (71) and Lili Cammisa of Argentina (73), who birdied the first playoff hole to beat Jenny Hahn of Henderson, Nev., for the final spot.
Twenty-nine players entered Tuesday’s qualifier, though five withdrew.
The U.S. Girls’ Junior will be held July 19-24 in the Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
KEVIN TWAY, ZIEGLER, GUNNER WIEBE HIGHLIGHT TRANS-MISS FIELD: The field for next month’s Trans-Mississippi Championship at Denver Country Club has taken shape, and many of the best young amateur players from Colorado are competing, along with some college golfers with familiar surnames.
The 107th Trans-Miss is set for July 13-15, with 54 holes of stroke play at DCC.
Among those playing in the championship division are U.S. Amateur quarterfinalist Steve Ziegler of Broomfield (and Stanford) and Gunner Wiebe of Aurora (and the University of San Diego). Wiebe, son of Champions Tour regular Mark Wiebe, finished 25th and Ziegler 41st in the NCAA Championship Finals earlier this month. Ziegler swept the CGA Match and Stroke Play Championships in 2009.
Also in the field are Oklahoma State’s Kevin Tway, son of 1986 PGA Championship winner Bob Tway. Kevin Tway placed 14th in the recent NCAA Finals.
Likewise scheduled to compete are 16-year-old Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village, who advanced to the round of 16 at the U.S. Junior Amateur last year; and former CGA state amateur champions Steve Irwin of Golden, Jonathan Marsico of Denver and Ziegler.
Steve’s father, three-time U.S. Open champion Hale Irwin, is scheduled to speak at the pre-tournament players’ dinner on July 12.
HARRELL, BROWN IN 2ND AT PGA JR. SERIES EVENT IN COLORADO: Cameron Harrell of Colorado Springs and Cameron Brown of Edwards shot 1-over-par 71 and share second place in the boys 16-18 division after the first round of the national PGA Junior Series tournament at Eisenhower Golf Club at the Air Force Academy north of Colorado Springs.
Harrell and Brown trail leader Bobby Gojuangco of Chula Vista, Calif., who opened with a 4-under-par 66.
In the girls 16-18 division, Shelby Phillips of Gilbert, Ariz. shot a 2-over-par 72 for one-shot lead over Shelby Martinek of Tempe, Ariz.
And in the boys 13-15 competition, Clayton Crawford of Aspen and Benjamin Moore of Englewood share the lead at 4-over-par 74.
Players from 15 states are competing in the 54-hole tournament, which continues through Thursday.
June 28, 2010
PLAYERS FROM 15 STATES SET FOR PGA JR. SERIES EVENT IN COLO.: Competitors from 15 states are scheduled to play in this week’s national PGA Junior Series tournament at Eisenhower Golf Club at the Air Force Academy north of Colorado Springs. This will be the first time since 2007 that a PGA Junior Series event will be held in Colorado. The tournament begins Tuesday and runs through Thursday (June 29-July 1).
The competition at the Air Force Academy marks one of nine PGA Junior Series events leading up to the Junior PGA Championship in early August. Age-group tournaments for both boys and girls will be held. Steven Kupcho of Westminster, winner of the Colorado Junior PGA Championship last week, and 2009 5A state high school champion Caleb Barker of Highlands Ranch are in the boys 16-18 field. Kristin Kempton of Littleton, sister of 2007 PGA Junior Series Colorado winner Kayley Kempton, will vie for the girls title.
Winners at the Eisenhower Golf Club will receive exemptions into the Junior PGA Championship.
June 26, 2010
ARP FIRES 65 TO TAKE LEAD IN CGA PUBLINKS: Riley Arp of Collindale Golf Club, the runner-up last year, made nine birdies Saturday in a round of 7-under-par 65 to grab a one-stroke lead in the CGA Public Links Championship at Hyland Hills Golf Course in Westminster.
The former Colorado State University golfer, who earlier in the week qualified for the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, stands at 10-under-par 134 going into Sunday’s final round.
Sean Thomas of Indian Tree Golf Course trails Arp by one after chalking up eight birdies en route to a 66 on Saturday. Defending champion and first-round leader Zahkai Brown, also of Indian Tree, stands in third place at 136 after a 70 on Saturday.
The 41 players who shot 152 or better for two days survived the 36-hole cut.
Arp, Thomas and Brown will tee off for the final round at 8:27 a.m. on Sunday.
THREE USGA QUALIFIERS SET FOR NEXT WEEK: Three qualifying tournaments for USGA championships will be held in Colorado Monday and Tuesday (June 28-29).
The 18-hole qualifier for the U.S. Senior Open will be contested Monday at the Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs. Seventy-six players will vie for two spots in the U.S. Senior Open, set for July 29-Aug. 1 at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Wash. Among those in the field are Colorado Golf Hall of Famers Bill Loeffler, Kent Moore and John Olive.
Also on Monday, 36-hole qualifying for the U.S. Junior Amateur will be held at Boomerang Golf Links in Greeley. Three national berths will be available out of the field of 47. This year’s U.S. Junior Amateur is scheduled for July 19-24 in Ada, Mich. Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village, who advanced to the round of 16 at last year’s U.S. Junior Amateur, will be among the contestants to watch.
Then on Tuesday, 29 players will compete at the U.S. Girls’ Junior qualifier at Valley Country Club in Aurora. The national tournament is set for July 19-24 in the Village of Pinehurst, N.C. Among those in the field are Shannon Lubar, who on Friday won the Colorado Junior PGA Championship, and Lindsay McGetrick, winner of the CWGA Match Play earlier this month.
KUPCHO, LUBAR PREVAIL AT COLO. JR. PGA CHAMPIONSHIP: Steven Kupcho and Shannon Lubar claimed titles Friday in the Colorado Junior PGA Championship at Indian Tree Golf Course in Arvada.
Kupcho fired a 1-under-par 69 in the final round for a even-par 140 total, good for a two-stroke win over Austin Rapp and Tanner Jensen.
Meanwhile, Lubar shot a 3-under-par 71 Friday and finished at 2-under 146, which was six shots better than runners-up Bryce Schroeder and Shinwoo Lee.
June 25, 2010
BROWN OPENS WITH 66 IN CGA PUBLINKS TITLE DEFENSE: Defending champion Zahkai Brown of Indian Tree Golf Course shot a 6-under-par 66 to gain a share of the lead after Friday’s first round of the CGA Public Links Championship at Hyland Hills Golf Course in Westminster.
Brown, a Colorado State University golfer, made nine birdies Friday, including five in a row. Dario Ortega of the Olde Course at Loveland used eight birdies to match Brown’s 66.
Branson Real of Wray Country Club fired a 67, while former CSU golfer Riley Arp of Collindale Golf Club led a group of four players at 69. Arp, the runner-up to Brown in the 2009 CGA Publinks, qualified earlier this week for the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.
The CGA Publinks will continue through Sunday.
CLARK PLACES THIRD IN WESTERN JUNIOR: Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village finished third Friday in the 93rd Western Junior Championship, the oldest national junior tournament in the U.S.
Clark shot rounds of 68-71 on Friday for a 1-under-par 279 total, ending up four strokes behind winner Patrick Rodgers. Michael Schoolcraft of Englewood, who led after two rounds, went 74-75 on Friday for a 286 total, good for 12th place in the tournament in Wauwatosa, Wis.
June 24, 2010
HUFFER, KIM OUSTED IN U.S. WOMEN’S PUBLINKS: Becca Huffer of Denver lost in 20 holes to second-seeded Martina Gavier of Argentina in Thursday’s round-of-32 matches at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship in Indiana.
Also ousted Thursday was former University of Denver golfer Kimberly Kim, the 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion. Kim won her round-of-32 match 4 and 3, then fell in the round of 16 2 and 1 to Victoria Sungmin Park of Irvine, Calif.
VALOR CHRISTIAN PLAYERS SHINING AT WESTERN JUNIOR: Two players who competed together on the Valor Christian High School golf team last season are in the top 10 after two rounds of the Western Junior Championship, the oldest national junior tournament in the U.S.
Englewood’s Michael Schoolcraft, who will play golf for the University of Oklahoma beginning in the fall, shot a 67 Thursday to share the lead at 137 with Gregory Yates. Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village fired a 66 Thursday for a 140 total to stand in eighth place in the tournament in Wauwatosa, Wis.
BROWN SET TO DEFEND CGA PUBLINKS TITLE: Defending champion Zahkai Brown of Arvada and the three qualifiers for the 2010 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship will be in the field for this weekend’s CGA Public Links Championship at The Courses at Hyland Hills in Westminster.
The tournament runs Friday through Sunday (June 25-27).
All three players who qualified on Tuesday for the U.S. Publinks -- Nicholas Tarasiewicz, Riley Arp and Stu Allen -- will be among those vying for the state title reserved for players who aren’t members of private clubs. Last year, Brown birdied the final hole at Flatirons Golf Course in Boulder to defeat then-Colorado State University teammate Arp by one stroke.
June 23, 2010
EATON LEADS DEFENDING CHAMPION BY 2: Defending champion Melissa Martin of Bookcliff Country Club made eight birdies in a round of 2-under-par 73 on Wednesday to close to within two of the lead in the CWGA Stroke Play Championship at Lakewood Country Club.
Four-time champion Kim Eaton of Riverdale Golf Courses shot an even-par 75 to retain a two-stroke lead going into Thursday’s final round. She stands at 1-over-par 151 for 36 holes.
Sarah Faller of Highlands Ranch Golf Club is in third place at 156 after a second-round 76. Janet Moore of Cherry Hills Country Club, a five-time winner of this event, is fourth at 158 after an 80 on Wednesday.
The leaders will tee off for their final round at 11:39 a.m. Thursday.
WIN MOVES HUFFER TO ROUND OF 32 AT U.S. WOMEN’S PUBLINKS: Becca Huffer of Denver advanced to the round of 32 at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship with a 4 and 3 first-round victory over Joanna Coe of Mays Landing, N.J., on Wednesday in Indiana.
Huffer, a Notre Dame golfer, is playing her team’s home course this week, Warren Golf Course at Notre Dame.
Also winning a first-round match Wednesday was former University of Denver golfer Kimberly Kim, who defeated Simone Hoey of Long Beach, Calif., 4 and 3.
June 22, 2010
EATON TWO AHEAD IN CWGA STROKE PLAY: Four-time champion Kim Eaton of Riverdale Golf Courses shot a 1-over-par 76 Tuesday to grab a two-stroke lead after the first round of the CWGA Stroke Play Championship at Lakewood Country Club.
Eaton, trying to win her first Stroke Play since 2004, made five birdies on Tuesday.
Janet Moore of Cherry Hills Country Club, winner of five Stroke Play titles in the 1990s, opened with a 78 to stand in second place. Anna Christenson of Highlands Ranch Golf Club posted a 79 and was the only other player to break 80 on Tuesday.
The tournament will continue through Thursday.
June 21, 2010
BROOMFIELD’S GRADY WINS AGAIN ON ADAMS TOUR: Pat Grady of Broomfield, a University of Colorado graduate, on Sunday won for the second time this year on the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series, moving to the top of the 2010 money list in the process.
Grady, using his old CU golf bag, posted rounds of 70-68-65-70 for a 15-under-par 273 total and a one-stroke victory in the Capital One Classic in Houma, La.
The $15,195 first-place check Grady earned on Sunday pushes his 2010 earnings on the Adams Tour to $37,112. He also won an Adams Tour event in March, the Coca-Cola Wal-Mart Open.
ARP OPENS WITH 67 IN U.S. AMATEUR PUBLINKS QUALIFYING: Two former Colorado State University golf teammates who finished 1-2 in the CGA Public Links Championship last year are at the top of the leaderboard after Monday’s first round of the U.S. Amateur Public Links Qualifying at Highlands Meadows Golf Course in Windsor.
Riley Arp of Fort Collins, who just completed his CSU golf career, shot a 4-under-par 67 to take a one-stroke lead into Tuesday’s final round. Current CSU golfer Zahkai Brown, an Arvadan who edged Arp for the CGA Publinks title in 2009, was one of four players who opened with a 68. Joining him at that figure are Stu Allen of Lakewood, Jordan Burgess of Windsor and Nicholas Tarasiewicz of Colorado Springs.
The three players with the best 36-hole scores will advance to the U.S. Amateur Publinks, set for July 12-17 in Greensboro, N.C.
Arp started his Monday round with two straight bogeys, but used an eagle and five birdies to post the low score of the day. Brown and Allen also recorded an eagle in the first round. Burgess overcame a triple bogey with seven birdies on Monday.
June 20, 2010
PREEO, DUVAL STRUGGLE ON WEEKEND AT U.S. OPEN: The two Coloradans competing in the U.S. Open had finishes they’d like to forget over the weekend at Pebble Beach Golf Links in California.
Teaching professional Jason Preeo of Highlands Ranch, who was in 16th place after two rounds, went 24 over par on the weekend, shooting 82 on Saturday and 84 on Sunday, when he finished with a triple bogey. His 27-over-par 311 total left him in 82nd place overall, tied for last place among competitors who survived the 36-hole cut.
Meanwhile, after David Duval of Cherry Hills Village nearly got on the leaderboard in the middle of the third round, he played his final 27 holes on the weekend in 16 over par. And like Preeo, he triple-bogeyed No. 18 on Sunday, shooting an 80 and finishing at 302, in 70th place. The back nine didn’t treat Duval well on the weekend as he posted a 7-over-par 43 there on Saturday and a 44 on Sunday.
June 19, 2010
PREEO FALTERS; DUVAL MAKES RUN THEN FALLS BACK: After entering the weekend in 16th place at the U.S. Open, Jason Preeo of Highlands Ranch struggled in a big way on Saturday at Pebble Beach, shooting an 11-over-par 82 in the third round.
The teaching professional and coach at Valor Christian High School had shot 75-70 in the first two rounds, but made a quadruple-bogey 8 on the eighth hole Saturday to go along with a double bogey and five bogeys. He didn’t make a birdie in the third round and finished the day at 14-over-par 227, in 73rd place.
The other Colorado resident in the field, David Duval of Cherry Hills Village, made a surge on the front nine Saturday, shooting 31, but he backed that up with a 7-over-par 43 on the second nine for a round of 74. He stands at 222, in 42nd place going into Sunday’s final round.
Meanwhile, NBC did a feature during Saturday’s U.S. Open telecast on the 1960 Open that Arnold Palmer won at Cherry Hills Country Club in Colorado. Included in that piece was the subplot of Coloradan Skip Manning, who as an 11-year-old grabbed the visor that Palmer threw in the air after holing his final putt. Forty-eight years later, in 2008, Manning met with Palmer to show him the visor before it went to the USGA Museum in Far Hills, N.J.
3 NATIONAL SPOTS AVAILABLE AT U.S. PUBLINKS QUALIFYING IN WINDSOR: Three spots in the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship will be up for grabs when 36-hole qualifying is held Monday and Tuesday at Highland Meadows Golf Course in Windsor.
The national tournament is scheduled for July 12-17 in Greensboro, N.C.
Sixty-two competitors will play one round each day at Highland Meadows. In the field is Colorado State University golfer Zahkai Brown, the 2009 CGA Publinks champion, and Jon Lindstrom of Broomfield, the 2008 CGA Mid-Amateur winner.
COLORADO PGA OFFERING FREE LESSONS JUNE 26 AT CITY PARK: Professionals from the Colorado PGA will provide free 10-minute lessons as part of Free Family Golf Day June 26 at City Park Golf Course in Denver. This Play Golf America event is open to golfers of all skill levels and ages. Participants will receive a free PGA T-shirt as well as food and beverages.
June 18, 2010
PREEO IN TOP 20 AT U.S. OPEN: Jason Preeo, the teaching professional from Highlands Ranch, not only made the cut in the U.S. Open on Friday, but stayed within six strokes of the lead. Preeo made three birdies and two bogeys in a round of 1-under-par 70 that left him in the top 20 at the halfway point at Pebble Beach Golf Links in California. Preeo, the golf coach at Valor Christian High School, stands at 3-over-par 145 overall.
Also qualifying for the weekend was another Coloradan, 2009 U.S. Open runner-up David Duval of Cherry Hills Village. With two birdies and four bogeys on Friday, Duval shot a 73 for a 6-over 148 total.
Graeme McDowell leads the way at 71-68--139.
COLORADO HOSTING WESTERN STATES GOLF ASSN. CHAMPIONSHIP: Three Colorado golf courses will host the 56th annual Western States Golf Association Championship June 24-26. Over 300 male and female golfers will compete in various age and skill-level divisions at the Omni Interlocken Golf Club in Broomfield, Willis Case Golf Course in Denver and Coal Creek Golf Course in Louisville.
The Omni Interlocken Resort will serve as headquarters for the weeklong event, which also includes a pro-am and skills challenge on June 22, opening ceremonies on June 23 and closing ceremonies on June 26.
The Western States Golf Association was founded to encourage people from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds to participate in the game of golf. It particularly focuses on providing opportunities for junior golfers at its member clubs.
DUVAL, PREEO OPEN WITH 75 AT U.S. OPEN: David Duval of Cherry Hills Village and Jason Preeo from Highlands Ranch both shot 4-over-par 75 in Thursday’s first round of the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links in California. The two Coloradans trail the leaders by six strokes going into round 2.
Duval made one birdie, three bogeys and a double bogey on Thursday. Preeo, a teaching professional at the MetaGolf Learning Center in Englewood, played his first nine holes in even par. But he went 4 over par on the back nine, bogeying the final two holes.
June 17, 2010
DEFENDING CHAMP ADVANCES TO CGA SR. MATCH PLAY SEMIS: Robert Polk of Colorado Golf Club, attempting to become the first back-to-back winner of the CGA Senior Match Play since 2002-2003, posted two victories Thursday to reach the semifinals at Heritage Todd Creek in Thornton.
Polk defeated 2006 champion Kent Moore of Cherry Hills Country Club 2 up in the round of 16, then ousted Steve Murphy of Black Bear Golf Club 3 and 2 in the quarterfinals.
Polk will be joined in Friday’s semifinals by Chuck Fisher of Riverdale Golf Courses, Guy Mertz of Fox Hill Country Club and Sean Forey of Black Bear Golf Club. Polk will face Fisher and Mertz will meet Forey in the semis.
Mertz, who lost to Polk in last year’s Senior Match Play final, scored two 3 and 2 wins on Thursday, defeating Jim Reynolds of Bear Creek Golf Club and Bob Chandler of CommonGround Golf Course.
Friday’s semifinals will begin at 7 a.m., with the final scheduled to start at noon.
In the super-senior division for players 60 and older, W. Patrick Mooney of Colorado Golf Club and David Farabaugh of The Ranch Country Club scored 1-up wins Thursday to advance to Friday’s 7:16 a.m. championship match.
June 16, 2010
POLK SURVIVES DAY OF UPSETS AT CGA SENIOR MATCH PLAY: Defending champion Robert Polk of Colorado Golf Club won his match, but four of the top five seeds lost in Wednesday’s second round of the CGA Senior Match Play Championship at Heritage Todd Creek in Thornton.
Polk, winner of the last three CGA Senior Player of the Year awards, defeated Frank Wilkinson of Lincoln Park Golf Course 3 and 2 to advance to the round of 16. Also moving on were former Senior Match Play champions Kent Moore of Cherry Hills Country Club and Ken Sady of Eagle Ranch Golf Course.
Moore overcame fellow former champ Kelly Crone of Highlands Ranch Golf Club in 22 holes, while Sady ousted James Pullin of The Olde Course at Loveland 5 and 3.
Players who knocked off top-five seeds Wednesday included Bob Chandler of CommonGround Golf Course, Bruce Hogg of Colorado Springs Country Club, Rick George of Castle Pines Golf Club and Chris Fisher of Riverdale Golf Courses.
Only three of the top 10 seeds survived the second round of match play: No. 1 Polk, No. 6 Steve Ivy of Pelican Lakes and No. 10 Guy Mertz of Fox Hill Country Club.
Round of 16 and quarterfinal matches will be played Thursday, with the semifinals and finals set for Friday.
In the super-senior division for players 60 and older, No. 3 David Farabaugh of The Ranch was the highest seed to advance to Thursday’s semifinals.
LEE RETURNS TO FINALS OF CWGA JUNIOR MATCH PLAY: Somin Lee of the Golf Club at Heather Ridge kept alive her hopes for a third straight CWGA Junior Match Play title with a 1-up semifinal victory over Loren Forney of Bookcliff Country Club at Thorncreek Golf Club in Thornton.
Lee and Forney were all-square going into the 18th hole, but Lee won the match with a par.
In Thursday’s championship match, Lee will face Lindsay McGetrick of Colorado Golf Club. McGetrick defeated Gina Larson of Boulder Country Club 6 and 4 in the other semifinal.
June 15, 2010
KENT KEEPS LEAD IN CGA JUNIOR STROKE PLAY: On a day when the best score was a 2-over-par 74, Cody Kent of Plum Creek Golf & Country Club retained a one-stroke lead in the CGA Junior Stroke Play Championship at the Country Club at Castle Pines in Castle Rock.
Kent, the CGA Junior Player of the Year in 2009, shot a 4-over-par 76 Tuesday to finish two rounds at 5-over 149. The University of Tulsa-bound golfer will go into Wednesday’s final round with a one-shot advantage over Jonathan Park of CommonGround Golf Course, who managed a 74 Tuesday. Park is planning to play golf at Colorado State University-Pueblo beginning in the fall.
Optimist International Junior Championships qualifier Chris Weinstein, of South Suburban Family Sports, stands in third place at 151 after a second-round 77.
The 36-hole cut fell at 168, 16 strokes higher than in the 2009 Junior Stroke Play at Eaton Country Club.
Kent, Park and Weinstein will tee off for Wednesday’s final round at 9:06 a.m.
TOP SEEDS ADVANCE IN CGA SENIOR MATCH PLAY: Defending champion Robert Polk of Colorado Golf Club and the rest of the top seven seeds won first-round matches Tuesday in the CGA Senior Match Play Championship at Heritage Todd Creek in Thornton.
Polk, the CGA Senior Player of the Year for the last three years, defeated Craig Stephenson of Saddle Rock Golf Course 7 and 6. Second-seeded Hal Marshall of Bear Creek Golf Club won on the other side of the bracket, beating Mike Campbell of the Golf Club at Heather Ridge 3 and 1.
Two players seeded in the top 10 lost in the first round, with No. 8 Thomas Roos of Plum Creek falling to No. 57 Richard Griggs of Desert Hawk in 20 holes, and No. 9 Jeff Salter of the Ranch being ousted by No. 56 Jerry Beren of Coal Creek 4 and 2. Also exiting was 2007 champion David Delich of the Broadmoor, who lost to No. 38 Randy Miller of Boulder Country Club 3 and 1.
In the super-senior division for players 60 and over, both of the top two seeds lost in the first round. Defending champion Roger Gunderson of CommonGround Golf Course fell to Tom Keltner of Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks 1 up, and qualifying medalist John Olive of the Broadmoor lost 2 and 1 to Louis Liley of Pelican Lakes.
Play in both divisions will continue through Friday’s finals.
LEE CRUISES INTO CWGA JUNIOR MATCH SEMIFINALS: Two-time defending champion Somin Lee of HeatherRidge won her quarterfinal match Tuesday in the CWGA Junior Match Play Championship at Thorncreek Golf Club in Thornton.
The top-seeded Lee defeated Sarah Moore of Cherry Hills Country Club 4 and 2 to advance to Wednesday’s semifinals. There, she’ll face Loren Forney of Bookcliff Country Club, who edged Shannon Lubar of The Meadows Golf Club in 19 holes on Tuesday.
In the other semifinal, Gina Larson of Boulder Country Club will square off with Lindsay McGetrick of Colorado Golf Club.
The finals are set for Thursday morning.
June 14, 2010
KENT TAKES LEAD IN CGA JUNIOR STROKE PLAY: Cody Kent of Plum Creek Golf & Country Club, the 2009 CGA Junior Player of the Year, shot a 1-over-par 73 in Monday’s first round to grab a one-stroke lead in the CGA Junior Stroke Play Championship at the Country Club at Castle Pines in Castle Rock.
The University of Tulsa-bound Kent holds a one-stroke advantage over Chris Weinstein of South Suburban Family Sports and a two-stroke margin over Benjamin Moore of Glenmoor Country Club and Josh Borgmann of Perry Park Country Club. Weinstein, 15, recently qualified for next month’s Optimist International Junior Championships in Florida.
The 54-hole Junior Stroke Play will continue Tuesday and conclude on Wednesday.
3 PLAYERS FIRE 72 AS CGA SENIOR MATCH PLAY BRACKET SET: Harry Johnson of Eagle Ranch Golf Course, Hal Marshall of Bear Creek Golf Club and Larry Netherton of Highlands Ranch Golf Club shot even-par 72 Monday in stroke-play qualifying for the CGA Senior Match Play at Heritage Todd Creek.
Robert Polk of Colorado Golf Club fired a 75, but will be the No. 1 seed as the defending champion.
On Tuesday, 64 players will begin match play, which continues through Friday’s finals.
In the super-senior division for players 60 and older, four-time open-division Senior Match Play champion John Olive recorded the low round Monday with a 2-under-par 70. Sixteen super-senior players advance to match play.
SOMIN LEE SHOOTS 67 IN CWGA JUNIOR MATCH PLAY: Somin Lee of HeatherRidge, the two-time defending champion, fired a 5-under-par 67 Monday in stroke-play qualifying for the CWGA Junior Match Play at Thorncreek Golf Club in Thornton.
Only one other player shot better than 77 on Monday. Kathleen Kershisnik of Columbine Country Club posted a 1-under-par 71.
Match play will begin on Tuesday and continue through Thursday.
June 13, 2010
CGA SENIOR MATCH, 2 JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS START MONDAY: Three state amateur championships -- one for senior players and two for juniors -- will be contested this coming week.
The CGA Senior Match Play will run Monday through Friday at Heritage Todd Creek in Thornton. A stroke play qualifier will be held on Monday, with 64 contestants advancing to match play. The final is set for Friday. Robert Polk of Colorado Golf Club, winner of the last three CGA Senior Player of the Year awards, will defend his title. The field features every champion of the event since 2004: Polk, Ken Sady (2008), David Delich (2007), Kent Moore (2006), Kelly Crone (2005) and Scott Radcliffe (2004).
The CGA Junior Stroke Play is set for Monday through Wednesday at the Country Club at Castle Pines. Wyndham Clark, who won the event last year by 11 strokes, won’t be back to defend his title, but runner-up Ben Krueger of Colorado Springs is in the field, along with five other top-10 finishers in 2009.
The CWGA Junior Match Play will be held Monday through Thursday at Thorncreek Golf Club in Thornton, with a stroke play qualifier on Monday and match play running Tuesday through Thursday’s final. Somin Lee of Denver will attempt to become the first player to win three straight CWGA Junior Match Plays since Shannon Johnson pulled off the feat from 1970 to ‘72. Late last month, Lee captured the 5A state high school title.
June 12, 2010
KEPHARTS LEAD IN BID FOR THIRD CGA FATHER/SON TITLE: Two-time champions Gary and Alex Kephart of Eisenhower Golf Club shot a 6-under-par 66 Saturday at Eagle Ranch Golf Course in Eagle to grab a one-stroke lead in the CGA Father/Son Championship.
The Kepharts, who won the event in 2005 and 2007, were one of just two teams that broke 70 in Saturday’s Chapman Scotch format. Kelly and Kyle Crone of Highlands Ranch Golf Club trail by one going into Sunday’s final round, when the format will switch to Foursome Stroke Play.
Defending champions Kent and Steven Moore of Cherry Hills Country Club shot a 71 on Saturday.
June 11, 2010
ORAEE WINS ANOTHER AJGA TITLE IN ASPEN: David Oraee of Greeley won an American Junior Golf Association event in Aspen for the second straight year, rallying Thursday to capture the Aspen Golf Classic.
Oraee shot a 2-under-par 69 in the final round to overtake Tyler Engel of Castle Rock. Oraee finished at 1-under-par 212 overall, while Engel came in at 214.
Last year, Oraee won the AJGA Junior All-Star at Aspen for players 15 and under, setting an AJGA record with an 18-stroke margin of victory.
Patricia Lee of Lone Tree captured the girls division by three shots over Shannon Aubert of Championsgate, Fla. on Thursday. Lee fired a 4-over-par 75 in the final round for an 8-over 221 total and her first AJGA open-division win.
June 10, 2010
7 COLORADANS QUALIFY FOR JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Seven junior golfers from Colorado -- five girls and two boys -- qualified this week for the prestigious Callaway Junior World Championships that will be held in San Diego July 13-16.
Advancing through qualifying tournaments Wednesday and Thursday were Palmer Giro of Fort Collins and Zach Tripp of Littleton (boys 15-17 division), Shinwoo Lee of Aurora and Bryce Schroeder of Pueblo (girls 15-17), Calli Ringsby of Cherry Hills Village and Hannah Wood of Centennial (girls 13-14) and Sydney Merchant of Morrison (girls 11-12).
The boys qualifier was held at Pelican Lakes Golf Club in Windsor (Giro shot 139 for two rounds and Tripp 142). The girls competition was at Flatirons Golf Course in Boulder (Lee posted a 147 total for two rounds, Schroeder 149, while Ringsby fired a single-round 78, Wood 81 and Merchant 76).
A qualifying tournament for the boys 11-12 and 13-14 age divisions will be held next Wednesday at Heather Ridge Golf Course.
MOORES SET FOR FATHER/SON TITLE DEFENSE: Kent and Steven Moore of Cherry Hills Country Club will defend their title Saturday and Sunday (June 12-13) in the CGA Father/Son Championship at Eagle Ranch Golf Club in Eagle.
In fact, winners of four of the last five Father/Son trophies will be in the field at Eagle Ranch. Joining the Moores are Tom and Elliot Lawrence (2008 champions) and Gary and Alex Kephart (winners in 2005 and 2007).
ZIEGLER, DU’S KOFSTAD HONORABLE MENTION ALL-AMERICANS: Steve Ziegler of Broomfield, a junior on the Stanford golf team, and University of Denver senior Espen Kofstad were named honorable mention Division I Ping All-Americans this week.
Ziegler, who owned a 72.3 stroke average, helped Stanford earn one of eight berths in the match play portion of the NCAA Championship Finals. He finished 41st individually in the Finals.
Kofstad qualified for the NCAA Finals as an individual and owned a 71.26 scoring average for the season. He finished in the top 10 in 10 tournaments as a senior.
June 9, 2010
AMATEURS LEAD 2 DIVISIONS, PROS 1 IN COLO. CUP MATCHES: The amateurs hold the lead in the men’s open and women’s divisions, while the professionals have the advantage in the men’s senior division after Wednesday’s four-ball matches in the 40th annual Colorado Cup at The Golf Club at Bear Dance in Larkspur.
The Colorado Golf Association amateurs are up 3.5-2.5 in the men’s open competition, while the Colorado Women’s Golf Association amateurs lead 2.5-0.5 in the ladies’ division. But the Colorado PGA’s senior men’s team went up 5-1 Wednesday after four 1-up victories.
The Colorado Cup matches will conclude Thursday with singles matches in all three divisions.
COLORADO CUP RESULTS
MEN’S OPEN DIVISION
Four-ball matches: CGA Amateurs 3.5, Colorado PGA Professionals 2.5 Caine Fitzgerald/Barry Milstead (Pros) def. Jon Lindstrom/Dean Clapp 4 and 3
Michael Harrington/Jim Doidge (Amateurs) def. Matt Schalk/Dan O’Shaughnessy, 3 and 2
John Ogden/Jeff Hanson (Pros) def. Keenan Holt/Erik Hogan, 7 and 6
Alex Buecking/Chris Carlson (Amateurs) def. Kirk Rider/Jeff Carlson, 4 and 3
Zahkai Brown/Klinton Krieger (Amateurs) halved with Robert Quaratino/Will Panella
Jim Knous/Joe Schwark (Amateurs) def. Chris Johnson/Tad Holloway, 1 up
MEN’S SENIOR DIVISION
Four-ball matches: Colorado PGA Professionals 5, CGA Amateurs 1 Rick Cole/Gregg Jones (Pros) def. Pat Bowe/David Brown, 3 and 1
Russell Clark/Scott Walter (Pros) def. David Delich/Sean Forey, 1 up
David Arbuckle/Tom Woodard (Pros) def. Robert Polk/John Olive, 1 up
Kelly Crone/Larry Netherton (Amateurs) def. Jim Johnson/Craig Palmer, 3 and 2
Craig Stephens/Ken Krieger (Pros) def. Jerry Kidney/Steve Murphy, 1 up
Barry Jennings/Perry Holmes (Pros) def. Hal Marshal/Guy Mertz, 1 up
WOMEN’S DIVISION
Four-ball matches: CWGA Amateurs 2.5, Colorado PGA Professionals 0.5 Brooke Collins/Chelsey Collins (Amateurs) def. Casey McKinnon/Jaime Sniffin, 1 up
Christie Austin/Susan Jennings (Amateurs) def. Katie Garcia/Courtney Rudolph, 2 and 1
Singles: Cathy Matthews (Pro) halved with Lynette Duran
EATON BREAKS THROUGH, WINS MASHIE TITLE WITH MARTIN: After finishing second seven times in the CWGA Mashie Championship, Kim Eaton of Greeley finally earned the top spot Wednesday at Colorado National Golf Club in Erie. Eaton, of Riverdale Golf Course, teamed with Melissa Martin of Bookcliff Country Club to defeat Cindy Pallatino and Kelly Schaub of CommonGround Golf Course 5 and 4 in the Mashie finals.
Eaton, a member of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, has claimed CWGA championships at the junior, open-age and senior levels, and she’s coming off a year in which she was named both CWGA Player of the Year and Senior Player of the Year.
June 8, 2010
AMATEURS, PROS SET TO SQUARE OFF IN COLO. CUP MATCHES: The 40th annual Colorado Cup matches, in which some of the best professional and amateur players in the state compete against one another, will be held Wednesday and Thursday at The Golf Club at Bear Dance in Larkspur. The matches feature three separate competitions -- men’s open division, men’s senior division and women’s division.
Four-ball matches will be contested Wednesday afternoon, and singles on Thursday morning.
Players on the 2010 amateur teams are:
Men’s open division -- Jon Lindstrom, Dean Clapp, Michael Harrington, Jim Doidge, Jim Knous, Joe Schwark, Zahkai Brown, Klinton Krieger, Keenan Holt, Erik Hogan, Alex Buecking and Chris Carlson.
Men’s senior division -- Robert Polk, John Olive, Pat Bowe, David Brown, David Delich, Sean Forey, Kelly Krone, Larry Netherton, Jerry Kidney, Steve Murphy, Guy Mertz and Hal Marshall.
Women -- Brooke Collins, Chelsey Collins, Christie Austin, Susan Jennings, Lynette Duran and Becca Huffer. Huffer has a schedule conflict for Wednesday, so she will just play in Thursday’s singles matches.
As for the pros, the rosters will include:
Men’s open division -- Caine Fitzgerald, Barry Milstead, Matt Schalk, Dan O’Shaughnessy, Chris Johnson, Tad Holloway, Bobby Quaratino, Will Panella, John Ogden, Jeff Hanson, Kirk Rider and Jeff Carlson.
Men’s senior division -- Dave Arbuckle, Gregg Jones, Perry Holmes, Ken Krieger, Barry Jennings, Jim Johnson, Russ Clark, Scott Walter, Rick Cole, Craig Stephens, Craig Palmer and Tom Woodard.
Women -- Courtney Rudolph, Katie Garcia, Casey McKinnon, Jaime Sniffin and Cathy Matthews.
Last year, the professionals won both men’s divisions, while the amateurs captured the women’s title.
The amateurs have won the women’s trophy all five years the competition has been held. The pros have claimed the last four men’s senior division championships. And pros and amateurs have split the last four men’s open titles.
PALLATINO/SCHAUB, EATON/MARTIN IN MASHIE FINAL: Former champions Cindy Pallatino and Kelly Schaub of CommonGround Golf Course will face Kim Eaton of Riverdale Golf Course and Melissa Martin of Bookcliff Country Club on Wednesday for the title in the CWGA Mashie Championship at Colorado National Golf Club in Erie.
Pallatino and Schaub defeated Janet Moore and daughter Sarah of Cherry Hills Country Club, 2 and 1 in Tuesday’s semifinals. Eaton and Martin beat D’Ann Kimbrel of Willis Case Golf Course and Stacey Arnold of Broken Tee Englewood, 3 and 2 in the other semi.
Eaton and Martin will be seeking their first Mashie title.
June 4, 2010
ZIEGLER’S SEASON ENDS IN NCAA MATCH PLAY: Morgan Hoffmann of Oklahoma State defeated Stanford junior Steve Ziegler, a Broomfield resident, 1 up on Friday as top-seeded OSU ousted Stanford 4-1 in the quarterfinals of the match play portion of the NCAA Championship Finals in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Oklahoma State will face Oregon, and Florida State will meet Augusta in the match play semifinals.
ELWAY, HART SETTLE FOR SECOND IN COE INVITATIONAL: Former Broncos quarterback John Elway and partner Tom Hart faltered in the final round and finished second Friday in the Charlie Coe Invitational at Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock. Elway and Hart shot an even-par 72 in the best-ball format to end up at 12-under 204 for the three-round event. Jim Strickland and Warren Vickers of Scottsdale, Ariz., overtook Elway and Hart with a final-round 67 that gave them a one-stroke victory. Strickland and Vickers have won the Coe title three of the last five years.
Rick George of Denver and Paul Schlachter of Bridgeville, Pa., claimed the senior-am division for the second time in three years. They closed with a 66 for a 15-under-par 201 total.
June 3, 2010
WIEBE FINISHES 25TH IN NCAA FINALS: Gunner Wiebe of Aurora shot an even-par 72 Thursday to finish 25th in the individual competition at the NCAA Championship Finals in Chattanooga, Tenn. The University of San Diego junior posted a 1-under 215 total for three rounds.
Steve Ziegler of Broomfield, a junior at Stanford, placed 41st overall after a 74 left him at 217. And University of Denver senior Espen Kofstad wrapped up his college career with a 71 and a 225 total that was good for 103rd place.
ELWAY, HART GRAB LEAD IN COE INVITE: Former Broncos quarterback John Elway and partner Tom Hart of Denver grabbed a three-stroke lead going into Friday’s final round of the Charlie Coe Invitational at Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock.
Elway and Hart, the reigning Trans-Mississippi Four-Ball champions, shot their second-straight 6-under-par 66 in the best-ball competition. Their 132 total is three better than first-round leaders Brad Kelly and Cooper Johnson of Oklahoma City, who shot a second-round 70 on Thursday.
In the senior-am division, Bill Jackson of Oklahoma City and Donald Weeks of Palm City, Fla., retained their lead with a second-round 69. They’re two ahead of former champions Rick George of Denver and Paul Schlachter of Bridgeville, Pa.
TWO U.S. OPEN SPOTS UP FOR GRABS AT COLUMBINE: The USGA has informed the CGA that two spots in the U.S. Open will be available at Monday’s Sectional Qualifying at Columbine Country Club in Littleton.
Twenty-nine players will vie for those two spots in the 36-hole event, one of 15 Sectionals that are being held worldwide. The U.S. Open will be contested June 17-20 at Pebble Beach in California.
World Golf Hall of Famer Tom Kite, who won the 1992 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, heads the field at Columbine.
ELWAY-HART IN SECOND PLACE AT CHARLIE COE INVITE: Former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway and partner Tom Hart share second place in the mid-am division after Wednesday's opening round of the 21st annual Charlie Coe Invitational at Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock.
Elway and Hart, winner of the Trans-Mississippi Four-Ball in September, shot a 6-under-par 66 in the best-ball format and trail leaders Brad Kelly and Cooper Johnson of Oklahoma City by one stroke.
Bill Jackson of Oklahoma City and Donald Weeks of Palm City, Fla., lead the senior-am division with an 8-under-par 64.
The 54-hole event continues through Friday.
June 2, 2010
WIEBE, ZIEGLER MOVE INTO TOP 25 AT NCAA FINALS: Gunner Wiebe of Aurora, a junior for the University of San Diego, shot a 4-under-par 68 Wednesday to move up to 21st place in the NCAA Championship Finals in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Wiebe stands at 1-under-par 143 going into Thursday’s final round of individual stroke play. Also at that figure is Steve Ziegler of Broomfield, a Stanford junior who posted a 71 on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, University of Denver senior Espen Kofstad dropped to 134th place after rounds of 76-78.
COAKLEY FINISHES EIGHTH IN SOUTH CAROLINA: Former University of Colorado golfer Kenny Coakley finished eighth last week in an eGolf Professional Tour event in South Carolina.
Coakley posted a 14-under-par 271 total in the Grand Harbor Open and ended up six strokes behind the champion. He earned a check for $4,817.
June 1, 2010
ZIEGLER OPENS WITH 72 AT NCAA FINALS: Steve Ziegler of Broomfield, a junior for the Stanford golf team, shot an even-par 72 Tuesday and shares 36th place after the first round of the NCAA Championship Finals in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Gunner Wiebe of Aurora, a University of San Diego junior, fired a 75 and is tied for 90th place, while University of Denver senior Espen Kofstad shot 76 and shares 103rd place.
Jesper Kennegard of Arizona State and Henrik Norlander of Augusta State share the lead at 4-under-par 68. The individual stroke-play portion of the event continues through Thursday.
COLORADANS HELP ARIZ. TEAM WIN NATIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE TITLE: Three former Colorado high school players recently helped South Mountain Community College in Arizona win the National Junior College Division II golf championship.
Branden Barron, a graduate of Chaparral High School, and Nick Umholtz, a Greeley Central product, finished 11th and 26th, respectively, in the NJC Division II individual competition that was held May 18-22 in Goodyear, Ariz. Jordan Burgess, formerly of Greeley Central, also played for South Mountain at the national tournament.
Barron was named a first-team NJC Division II All-American, while Umholtz was an honorable mention selection. The Golf Coaches Association of America made Barron a first-team All-American and Barron a second-teamer.
May 31, 2010
COLO. WOMEN’S OPEN FEATURES 5 ACTIVE LPGA TOUR PLAYERS: Five players active on the 2010 LPGA Tour, including Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Jill McGill, will highlight the field for this week’s HealthOne Colorado Women’s Open at Green Valley Ranch Golf club in northeast Denver.
The 54-hole tournament, which runs Wednesday through Friday, will include $73,000 in total prize money -- $55,000 in the championship competition and $18,000 in the concurrently-run pro-am. The championship winner will receive a check for $11,000.
Players in the field who have won money on the 2010 LPGA Tour include Kris Tamulis (73rd on money list), Moira Dunn (80th), McGill (106th), Samantha Richdale (118th) and Katie Kempter (123rd).
McGill, a Cherry Creek High School graduate, won the 1993 U.S. Women’s Amateur and the 1994 U.S. Women’s Amateur Publinks. Kempter is a rookie on the LPGA Tour after wrapping up her University of Denver golf career last year.
Also competing at Green Valley Ranch is Anne Marie Palli, the now-retired winner of two LPGA events.
The field will be cut to the low 40 championship players and ties after two rounds. Tee times begin at 7 a.m. on Wednesday.
May 30, 2010
TOM KITE ENTERED IN U.S. OPEN QUALIFYING IN LITTLETON: PGA Tour players occasionally have been included in the field for the U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying that’s held annually in Colorado, but it’s safe to say that a former U.S. Open champion or a World Golf Hall of Fame member has never competed.
This year, that’s scheduled to change when Columbine Country Club in Littleton hosts Sectional Qualifying on June 7. Tom Kite, who won the 1992 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and who was subsequently inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, is among the entrants at Columbine.
Coincidentally, this year’s U.S. Open will be played at Pebble Beach in California June 17-20.
Kite is one of 29 players competing over 36 holes, and though the number of U.S. Open qualifiers hasn’t been determined, two spots were up for grabs last year at Columbine.
Asked Sunday after completing the Senior PGA Championship at Colorado Golf Club why he picked Columbine for his Sectional site, Kite said, “We’re in Colorado this week and I get to play a practice round.”
Kite, a Texan who turned 60 in December, has won 19 PGA Tour events and another 10 on the Champions Tour. He finished 29th Sunday in the Senior PGA after struggling on the weekend (79-75).
Despite his age, Kite said he’s tried to qualify for the U.S. Open just about every year except 2009. And with Pebble Beach being the site of his lone major championship victory, that would make qualifying this year a little more special.
“I wouldn’t say (it’s) a big priority, but I’d like to do it,” he said.
Kite is scheduled to tee off at 7:55 a.m. and 1:25 p.m. on June 7 with Ben Portie of Westminster and Clay Ogden of Farmington, Utah.
In all, eight Coloradans are scheduled to compete at Columbine: Portie, Jason Preeo of Highlands Ranch, Zen Brown of Arvada, Kane Webber of Australia, Tyler Bishop of Longmont, Dustin White of Pueblo, Mike Kitowski of Aurora and Pete Severson of Aurora. In addition, two out-of-state players with Colorado ties are in the field: former Fort Collins resident Drew Stoltz and former Columbine member Bret Guetz.
Also competing at Columbine is former PGA Tour player Stephen Allan, an Australian who qualified for the U.S. Open last year at Columbine.
Columbine is one of 15 U.S. Open Sectionals scheduled worldwide.
KOFSTAD WRAPPING UP DU CAREER AT NCAA FINALS: University of Denver golfer Espen Kofstad will try to cap off his stellar senior season in fitting fashion as he competes in the NCAA Championship Finals starting Tuesday in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Kofstad, the only Division I player from a Colorado-based school to qualify for the NCAA Finals, is ranked 15th in the nation among college golfers according to Golfstat. He owns a 70.94 scoring average, and has been a fixture in the top 10 all season.
In 12 tournaments as a senior, Kofstad has posted 10 top-10 finishes, including one second place and four thirds. He placed third in the NCAA regional in Bremerton, Wash., to lock up a spot in the national tournament.
May 29, 2010
McGILL, KEMPTER, KIM HEAD U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN QUALIFYING FIELD: Two LPGA Tour players with local ties, Jill McGill and Katie Kempter, will be among the golfers competing in Monday’s U.S. Women’s Open Sectional Qualifying at the Broadmoor Golf Club’s East Course in Colorado Springs.
Fifty-seven women will be playing 36 holes for three spots in the national tournament, which will be contested July 8-11 at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club. The Broadmoor is one of 20 Sectional Qualifying sites for the U.S. Women’s Open, which received a record 1,296 entrants this year.
Cherry Creek High School graduate McGill, a member of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, has won two USGA Championships, the 1993 U.S. Women’s Amateur and the 1994 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links. Meanwhile, Kempter is an LPGA Tour rookie after wrapping up her University of Denver golf career last year.
Other LPGA Tour players in Monday’s qualifier include Moira Dunn and Kris Tamulis. McGill, Kempter, Dunn and Tamulis also will compete in the HealthOne Colorado Women’s Open Wednesday through Friday (June 2-4) at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in northeast Denver.
Also in the field Monday at the Broadmoor are DU golfer Kimberly Kim, the 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion; two-time Colorado state high school champions Becca Huffer and Kelly Jacques; and former HealthOne Colorado Women’s Open winner Erin Houtsma.
May 28, 2010
LINDSTROM, CLAPP REPEAT AS CGA TWO-MAN CHAMPIONS: Jon Lindstrom of The Heritage at Westmoor and Dean Clapp of Meadow Hills Golf Course won their second consecutive CGA Two-Man Team Championship on Friday, becoming the first pair to win the open division of the event twice.
Lindstrom and Clapp made a par on the first playoff hole (No. 9) at Coal Creek Golf Course to defeat Erik Hogan of Buffalo Run Golf Course and Kai Koponen of Ptarmigan Country Club. Both teams matched scores for the second straight day -- 64-70 -- to force sudden death. Tad Willenbrock of Glenmoor Country Club and Jim Doidge of Pueblo Country Club finished third with a 138 total.
DEFENDING CHAMPS SHARE LEAD IN CGA TWO-MAN TEAM: Defending champions Jon Lindstrom of The Heritage at Westmoor and Dean Clapp of Meadow Hills Golf Course made two eagles and shot an 8-under-par 64 Thursday to share the lead after the first round of the CGA Two-Man Team Championship at Coal Creek Golf Course in Louisville.
Also posting a 64 in the Chapman Scotch format used Thursday were Erik Hogan of Buffalo Run Golf Course and Kai Koponen of Ptarmigan Country Club. Four teams opened with 67s in the event, which will conclude Friday with a round of Foursomes.
Pat Bowe of CommonGround Golf Course and Dave Brown of Flatirons Golf Course fired a 6-under 66 Thursday to grab a four-stroke lead in the senior division competition. Bob Cloud and Jim Reynolds of Bear Creek Golf Club, and Dave R. Brown of Highlands Ranch Golf Club and John Sostmann of Columbine Country Club share second place at 70.
May 26, 2010
HUFFER, SOMIN LEE, JOHNSTON, CHOI EARN U.S. PUBLINKS BERTHS: Becca Huffer, who won two high school state championships, and three current Colorado high school players qualified at Meadow Hills Golf Course Wednesday for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship.
Allie Johnston, the Class 4A state high school runner-up this week, shot a 4-over-par 76 to earn medalist honors. Huffer, who just completed her sophomore year at Notre Dame, fired a 77, while 5A state champion Somin Lee and Overland teammate Seungha Choi posted 78s.
All four will advance to the national Publinks, which will be held June 21-26 at Warren Golf Course at Notre Dame in Indiana. With Huffer being a Notre Dame player, the course should be very familiar to her.
May 25, 2010
STADLER WITHDRAWS FROM SENIOR PGA: Over the last several days, seven players have withdrawn from this week’s Senior PGA Championship in Parker. Among them is one of the Champions Tour regulars from Colorado, Craig Stadler of Evergreen. The 1982 Masters champion cited medical reasons for bowing out.
Also pulling out were Jerry Pate (bad knees), Scott Hoch (wrist injury), Allen Doyle (bad back), Mark McCumber (bad back), Jim Dent (medical) and Tom Pernice (playing PGA Tour Colonial instead).
Their replacements in the Senior PGA field are Jodie Mudd, Dick Mast, Steve Waugh, Robert Thompson, Jeff Coston, Michael Podolak and Todd Smith.
The Senior PGA runs Thursday through Sunday at Colorado Golf Club.
ALLEN HOSTS PGA CHAMPIONS DINNER: Michael Allen, the 2009 Senior PGA Championship winner, hosted a dinner south of Denver Friday night for all former Senior PGA champions as well as PGA Championship winners. The dinner was being held in conjunction with the 2010 Senior PGA Championship that’s being played Thursday through Sunday at Colorado Golf Club in Parker.
Among the Senior PGA champions invited to Tuesday’s dinner were Hale Irwin, Tom Watson, Jay Haas, John Jacobs, Mike Reid, Tom Wargo, Dennis Watson and Fuzzy Zoeller. PGA champions expected to attend were Paul Azinger, Dow Finsterwald, Nick Price, Jeff Sluman, Hal Sutton and Bob Tway.
As is tradition at the Masters, the defending champion picks out the menu for the dinner, so Allen received those honors Tuesday.
EX-CSU GOLFER LAIRD RETURNING TO SCOTLAND FOR BRITISH OPEN: Former Colorado State University golfer Martin Laird earned a trip back to his homeland of Scotland this week when he qualified for the British Open that will be played at St. Andrews July 15-18.
Laird shot round of 69-63 for an 8-under-par 132 total in a 36-hole qualifier in Plano, Texas.
Laird’s parents live about 15 miles from St. Andrews. As he said earlier this year, “If ever there’s a tournament I want to qualify for, it’s St. Andrews. Every time I go to St. Andrews, I get chills down my spine.”
HUFFER HEADS FIELD AT WOMEN’S PUBLINKS QUALIFYING: Twenty-one players will compete for four spots in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Qualifying that will be held Wednesday at Meadow Hills Golf Course in Aurora.
This year’s U.S. Women’s Publinks will be contested June 21-26 at the Warren Golf Course at Notre Dame. One of the players in Wednesday’s field who should be very familiar with that course is two-time Colorado 5A high school champion Becca Huffer, who just completed her sophomore season for the Notre Dame women’s team.
Also in Wednesday’s field is Somin Lee, the 2009 CWGA Junior Player of the Year.
LINDSTROM/CLAPP GO FOR TWO STRAIGHT IN CGA TWO-MAN: Jon Lindstrom and Dean Clapp will attempt to defend their title in this week’s CGA Two-Man Team Championship at Coal Creek Golf Course in Louisville. The tournament will run Thursday and Friday.
Steve Murphy and Richard Gorbell, the 2009 Senior Division champions, are not in the field for this year’s tournament.
May 24, 2010
JOHNSTON LEADS 4A STATE MEET BY TWO STROKES: Allie Johnston of Rock Canyon shot a 2-over-par 74 Monday at The Links at Cobble Creek in Montrose to grab a two-stroke lead in the State 4A Girls High School Golf Championship.
Kathleen Kershisnik of Regis, the 4A runner-up last year, stands in second place at 76 going into Tuesday’s final round. Salida’s Emily Wood, the 2009 champion, leads a group of three players tied for third at 78. Also at that figure are Lindsay McGetrick of Valor Christian and freshman Taylor Dorans of Broomfield.
HIGH WINDS SUSPEND 5A GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL STATE TOURNEY: Very strong winds -- some powerful enough to make golf balls at rest start to roll -- caused a suspension of play in the middle of Monday’s first round of the State 5A Girls High School Golf Championship at CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora.
None of the competitors completed the first round, though some finished 13 holes, when play was stopped shortly after noon on Monday. Steady winds of 30 mph, with gusts exceeding 50 mph, led tournament officials to suspend play for the day. At that point, sand was blowing out of bunkers and the wind was so strong that it was difficult to keep balls in place on the greens.
“You couldn’t do anything but laugh at what was happening,” said senior Callie Hodgkinson of defending state champion Skyline.
The first round will resume -- from the point at which it was halted -- shortly after 6:50 a.m. Tuesday. Then the second and final round is scheduled to begin about noon. Players turned in their scorecards to event officials for safe-keeping overnight.
May 22, 2010
DU’S KOFSTAD ADVANCES TO NCAA FINALS; CSU FALLS SHORT: University of Denver senior Espen Kofstad finished third at the NCAA West Regional in Bremerton, Wash., earning an individual berth in the NCAA Finals, which will start June 1 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
However, the Colorado State University men won’t be joining Kofstad at the national championships. The Rams, needing a top-five finish in the team competition to advance, placed eighth, four shots out of fifth place.
The Rams’ final-round 292 at Bremerton left them at 881 overall, 37 strokes behind champion and host Washington.
CSU seniors Bryce Hanstad and Dustin Morris shared eighth place individually in their final college tournament with 215 totals.
Kofstad shot his second straight 71 for 5-under-par 211 overall, finishing three strokes behind champion Richard Lee of Washington. Kofstad earned a spot in nationals by virtue of being the top finisher not on a team that advanced.
Gunner Wiebe of Aurora (71-213) placed fifth in Bremerton, helping his University of San Diego squad finish third and earn a team berth to the NCAA Finals.
Meanwhile, two other Colorado-based players closed out their college careers at the NCAA Southwest Regional in Santee, Calif. The Air Force Academy’s Tom Whitney shot a final-round 76 for a 226 total and a 39th-place finish, and the University of Colorado’s Justin Bardgett posted his third straight 76 for 228 overall and a 49th-place showing.
8. Colorado State 291-298-292--881
8. Bryce Hanstad 71-72-72--215; 8. Dustin Morris 69-75-71--215; 43. Zahkai Brown 73-74-77--224; 64. Ryan Peterson 79-80-72--231; 66. Riley Arp 78-77-77--232.
May 21, 2010
PIKES PEAK LINKERS SEEKING VOLUNTEERS: The Pikes Peak Linkers program, which provides golf opportunities for Colorado Springs-area kids of all economic levels, is looking for senior golfers in Colorado Springs interested in volunteering, and possibly becoming Board members.
Volunteers, men or women, will assist professionals in teaching the game -- including etiquette and rules -- and its values to kids age 6 to 13 at Cherokee Ridge Golf Course in Colorado Springs. The weekly sessions take place on Tuesdays from the beginning of June through Aug. 10, with a group of 100 youngsters going from 1 to 3 p.m., and a second group from 3 to 5 p.m. The Pikes Peak Linkers charge $45 to youngsters who can afford the fee, and comp those who can’t.
The Pikes Peak Golf Links program receives financial support from the USGA. PPGL is looking for more volunteers and Board members who have the time and interest to make regular meetings and the majority of the sessions at Cherokee Ridge.
Senior golfers interested in volunteering should contact Carl Donner at cpdonner2@earthlink.net.
DENVER’S KOFSTAD 2ND IN NCAA REGIONAL; CSU SIXTH IN TEAM RACE: University of Denver senior Espen Kofstad shares second place after Friday’s second round of the 54-hole NCAA West Regional in Bremerton, Wash.
Kofstad shot a 1-under-par 71 for a 4-under 140 total and trails leader Darren Wallace of Washington by one stroke.
Meanwhile, Colorado State dropped to sixth place in the team competition and will need to move up at least one spot in Saturday’s final round to qualify for the NCAA Finals in Chattanooga, Tenn., starting June 1. The Rams posted a 298 second-round total and stands at 589 overall, two strokes out of fifth place.
CSU seniors Bryce Hanstad (143, sixth place) and Dustin Morris (144, eighth place) remain in the top 10.
Gunner Wiebe of Aurora, a junior at the University of San Diego, stands in fourth place at 142 after a second-round 70.
At the Southwest Regional in Santee, Calif., Air Force Academy senior Tom Whitney shot his second straight 75 to share 35th place, while University of Colorado senior Justin Bardgett is in 50th place at 76-76--152.
6. Colorado State 291-298--589
6. Bryce Hanstad 71-72--143; 8. Dustin Morris 69-75--144; 22. Zahkai Brown 73-74--147; 57. Riley Arp 78-77--155; 69. Ryan Peterson 79-80--159.
DU’S KIM PLACES 27TH IN WOMEN’S NCAA FINALS: University of Denver freshman Kimberly Kim finished 27th Friday in the Women’s NCAA Finals in Wilmington, N.C. Kim shot a final-round 75 to end up at 5-over-par 293, 17 strokes behind champion Caroline Hedwall of Oklahoma State.
Meanwhile, 2009 5A state high school champion Bethany Buchner of Loveland, a freshman from the University of New Mexico, placed 86th in the NCAA meet. Buchner closed with a 74 for a 304 total.
May 20, 2010
CSU MEN TIED FOR SECOND IN NCAA REGIONAL: The Colorado State men’s golf team shares second place after the first round of the 13-team NCAA West Regional in Bremerton, Wash.
The Rams, seeded sixth, shot a 3-over-par 291 and is tied with Oregon State, five strokes behind host Washington. The top five teams after three rounds will advance to the NCAA Finals in two weeks in Chattannooga, Tenn.
CSU senior Dustin Morris and University of Denver senior Espen Kofstad both shot 3-under-par 69s to share the individual lead. Also in the top 10 locally is CSU’s Bryce Hanstad (sixth place, 71). Gunner Wiebe of Aurora, a junior at San Diego, shares eighth place at 72.
Meanwhile, Air Force Academy senior Tom Whitney opened with a 3-over-par 75 in the Southwest Regional in Santee, Calif., and shares 25th place. University of Colorado senior Justin Bardgett shot a 76 and is tied for 40th place at the same site.
In the NCAA Division II Championship in Noblesville, Ind., Colorado Christian’s Jon Klingensmith missed the cut as a 73 left him at 236.
2. Colorado State 291
1. Dustin Morris 69; 6. Bryce Hanstad 71; 15. Zahkai Brown 73; 51. Riley Arp 78; 57. Ryan Peterson 79.
DU’S KIM CLOSES WITH EAGLE, FIRES 74: University of Denver freshman Kimberly Kim made three double bogeys but finished with an eagle Thursday and shot a 2-over-par 74 in the third round of the Women’s NCAA Finals in Wilmington, N.C.
Kim stands at 2-over-par 218, good for 19th place going into Friday’s final round. She trails leader Jennifer Johnson of Arizona State by 11 strokes.
Meanwhile, Bethany Buchner of Loveland, a freshman for the University of New Mexico, posted a third-round 75 for a 230 total. She shares 96th place.
SENIOR PGA JUNIOR CLINIC SET FOR SUNDAY AT COMMONGROUND: The Senior PGA Championship Junior Clinic will take place Sunday (May 23) at CommonGround Golf Course, which is owned and operated by the CGA and CWGA. Attending youngsters, age 8-14, will receive free instruction from Colorado PGA professionals as well as a Colorado PGA T-shirt , a Senior PGA Championship cap and a complimentary lunch. There will also be a golf show conducted by Dennis Walters, a noted trick-shot artist who is paralyzed from the waist down.
Registration runs from 9 to 10 a.m. Sunday at the Aurora course, with instruction from professionals from 10 a.m. to noon, lunch at noon, and the Walters golf show at 12:30 p.m.
The Colorado PGA, which is putting on the event, is hoping 300 youngsters attend Sunday’s festivities, but pre-registration is required. Call 303-681-0742 or 303-641-0414.
The Senior PGA Championship will be held May 27-30 at Colorado Golf Club in Parker. Kids age 17 and under will be admitted free with a ticketed adult.
May 19, 2010
DU’S KIM 7 SHOTS OUT OF LEAD AT NCAA FINALS: University of Denver freshman Kimberly Kim fired a 1-under-par 71 Wednesday at the Women’s NCAA Finals and moved up to 12th place in the individual competition in Wilmington, N.C.
Kim’s even-par 144 total leaves her seven strokes behind leader Jennifer Johnson of Arizona State. Not all players completed the second round due to weather-related delays.
Kim, the 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion, made five birdies, two bogeys and one double bogey on Wednesday.
Loveland’s Bethany Buchner, a freshman at New Mexico, stands in 100th place after rounds of 78-77.
Meanwhile, Colorado Christian’s Jon Klingensmith posted rounds of 82-81 for a 19-over-par 163 total at the NCAA Division II Championship in Noblesville, Ind.
May 18, 2010
DU’S KIM OPENS WITH 73 AT NCAA FINALS: University of Denver freshman Kimberly Kim shot a 1-over-par 73 on Tuesday to share 30th place after the first round of the Women’s NCAA Championship Finals in Wilmington, N.C.
Kim rebounded from an opening-hole double bogey to post three birdies and two bogeys the rest of the way. Competing as an individual only, Kim trails tournament leaders Jennifer Song of Southern California, Purdue’s Maude Aimee LeBlanc and Jennifer Johnson of Arizona State by six strokes.
Meanwhile, 2009 girls state high school champion Bethany Buchner of Loveland opened with a 78 Tuesday for New Mexico and is tied for 101st place.
SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR DINNER HONORING CRENSHAW: There are still spots available for Monday’s fifth annual Nicholson Award Dinner, which will honor World Golf Hall of Famer Ben Crenshaw. The two-time Masters champion will attend the dinner to start off a week in which he’ll compete in the Senior PGA Championship at Colorado Golf Club, which he co-designed with Bill Coore.
Those interested in attending the Nicholson Dinner, scheduled for The University Club in Denver on Monday, May 24 (6 p.m. reception, 6:30 dinner), can call Gary Potter at 303-885-4538. The cost is $125 per person.
Crenshaw will be the fifth recipient of the Nicholson Award, following former USGA president Will Nicholson himself, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson. The award is given for a lifetime of commitment and dedication to the game of golf.
May 16, 2010
KEMPTER, DOUMA SCORE BREAKTHROUGHS: University of Denver graduate Katie Kempter earned her first official money on the LPGA Tour on Sunday, finishing 68th in the Bell Micro LPGA Classic in Mobile, Ala.
The LPGA rookie pro, who went through the tour’s qualifying process late last year, shot rounds of 72-71-76 for a 3-over-par-219 total in the rain-shortened tournament. The performance was worth $2,727 to Kempter.
Meanwhile, former University of Colorado golfer John Douma made his first check in seven events this year on the Nationwide Tour, placing 20th Sunday in the BMW Charity Pro-Am in the Carolinas and earning $6,744. Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Brandt Jobe finished 11th in the same event.
May 15, 2010
TOLAN MISSES CUT IN TEXAS OPEN: Coloradan Derek Tolan, who qualified on Monday for the PGA Tour’s Valero Texas Open, missed the 36-hole cut in the event on Saturday.
Tolan, the 2009 HealthOne Colorado Open champion, shot rounds of 76-74 for a 6-over-par 150 total, falling five shots shy of making the cut. He recorded three double bogeys in his two rounds in San Antonio.
It was the former University of Colorado golfer’s second PGA Tour event. He qualified for the 2002 U.S. Open as a 16-year-old, but also failed to make the cut there.
May 13, 2010
POST, FRANZ DECLARED WINNERS OF CGA FOUR-BALL SENIOR DIVISION: Charlie Post of Colorado Golf Club and Mark Franz of Saddle Rock Golf Course were officially named champions of the Senior Division of the CGA Four-Ball after it was decided that the postponed final round of the event won’t be rescheduled. High winds made The Heritage at Westmoor course unplayable for competition on May 4, the second and final day of the Four-Ball.
The CGA Tournament Committee and the host course decided not to reschedule the round, so the 18-hole leaders were declared the champions. Post and Franz shot a 67 on May 3 at Legacy Ridge Golf Course for a one-stroke victory over Pat Bowe and Dave Brown, and Scott Radcliffe and Sean Forey.
May 12, 2010
COLORADO JUNIOR GOLF BENEFIT TOURNEY RAISES $8,000: Monday’s Colorado Junior Golf Fundraising Tournament at CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora grossed more than $8,000 for various junior development programs supported by the CGA and CWGA. Sixty-four players participated in the event at CommonGround, which is owned and operated by the CGA and CWGA.
Among the junior development programs that will benefit from Monday’s tournament are Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Colorado, the Colorado PGA’s in-school golf programs, Open Fairways, Special Olympics, Boy Scouts of Colorado, Pike’s Peak Golf Links and LPGA/USGA Girls Golf.
COAKLEY PLACES SIXTH IN TAR HEEL TOUR EVENT: Former University of Colorado golfer Kenny Coakley finished a season-best sixth over the weekend at the Tar Heel Tour’s Cowans Ford Open in North Carolina.
Coakley posted a 17-under-par 271 total for four rounds, ending up six strokes out of first place. The performance was worth $5,432.
May 11, 2010
TOLAN EARNS SPOT IN PGA TOUR’S TEXAS OPEN: Coloradan Derek Tolan shot a 4-under-par 68 Monday in Kerrville, Texas, to qualify for the PGA Tour’s Valero Texas Open, which will be played in San Antonio Thursday through Sunday. The 2009 HealthOne Colorado Open champion was one of four players to successfully advance out of Monday’s “four-spotter.”
The tournament will mark the former University of Colorado golfer’s second PGA Tour event. He played in the 2002 U.S. Open as a 16-year-old.
“I’ll be a whole lot less nervous this time around, not some wide-eyed 16-year-old trying to compete against the best golfers in the world,” Tolan said.
Tolan will tee off Thursday at 1:10 p.m. (MT).
The Texas Open includes a purse of $6.1 million, with $1.098 million going to the winner.
May 10, 2010
CSU MEN SEEDED SIXTH AT WASHINGTON NCAA REGIONAL: One Colorado-based team and three other individuals earned spots in the NCAA men’s regional tournaments that were announced on Monday.
Colorado State, which won the Mountain West Conference title over the weekend, garnered a sixth seed out of a 13-team regional that will compete May 20-22 in Bremerton, Wash. University of Denver senior Espen Kofstad landed an individual berth at the same regional.
Meanwhile, Air Force Academy senior Tom Whitney and University of Colorado senior Justin Bardgett will compete as individuals on the same dates at a regional in San Diego.
In all, 81 teams qualified for one of six 54-hole regionals. The top five team finishers, plus one individual not on those teams, will advance to the NCAA Championship Finals June 1-6 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
May 8, 2010
CSU MEN RUN AWAY WITH CONFERENCE TITLE: The Colorado State men’s golf team won its second Mountain West Conference championship in the last three years, and CSU junior Ryan Peterson captured the individual title Saturday in Tucson, Ariz.
The Rams, with an MWC championship-record 834 total for three days, finished 13 strokes ahead of second-place San Diego State. The team victory was CSU’s fourth of the season and second in a row.
Peterson posted a final-round 70 for a 205 total and a two-stroke win over UNLV’s Eddie Olson. Also finishing in the top 10 individually for CSU were Bryce Hanstad (211, fourth), Riley Arp (212, fifth) and Dustin Morris (213, seventh).
The Air Force Academy finished sixth in the team competition.
1. Colorado State 283-274-277--834
1. Ryan Peterson 70-65-70--205; 4. Bryce Hanstad 73-70-68--211; 5. Riley Arp 71-69-72--212; 7. Dustin Morris 72-74-67--213; 21. Zahkai Brown 70-70-78--218. 6. Air Force 304-292-291--887
19. Robert Belz 76-69-72--217; 26. Andrew Hoops 74-75-72--221; 31. Tom Whitney 76-71-78--225; 38. Caleb Leestma 78-77-75--230; 41. Kyle Bailey 78-82-72--232.
DU WOMEN FALL SHORT OF TEAM BERTH FOR NATIONALS: The University of Denver, which finished sixth and fifth in the NCAA Women’s Finals the last two years, won’t be making a return trip to the national tournament as a team.
With eight schools from the NCAA Central Regional advancing to nationals, DU finished ninth on Saturday, one stroke out of an eighth place. The Pioneers ended up at 941 for three days -- ending their season as a team -- while eighth-place Kent State came in at 940.
Freshman Kimberly Kim was DU’s top individual finisher, placing 11th, which was good for an individual berth to the NCAA Finals May 18-21.
9. Denver 312-313-316--941
11. Kimberly Kim 73-81-75--229; 22. Ellie Givens 79-75-79--233; 38. Kelly Drack 80-76-81--237; 73. Sarah Faller 81-81-82--244; 73. Stephanie Sherlock 80-83-81--244.
CSU WOMEN PLACE 14TH IN WEST REGIONAL: The Colorado State women’s golf team wrapped up its season Saturday with a 14th-place showing in the NCAA West Regional in Stanford, Calif. With the top eight teams advancing to the NCAA Finals, CSU came up short in its bid to extend its season. Senior Natalie Stone led the Rams individually with a 27th-place finish.
14. Colorado State 304-302-306--912
27. Natalie Stone 75-73-76--224; 60. Emily Roering 76-79-76--231; 66. Kasey Claussen 75-74-83--232; 72. Melissa Martin 78-80-75--233; 86. Brianna Espinoza 81-76-79--236.
May 7, 2010
EATON, AUSTIN CLAIM TRANS SENIOR FOUR-BALL TITLE: Kim Eaton of Greeley and Christie Austin of Cherry Hills Village won the Women’s Trans National Golf Association’s Senior Four-Ball title last week in San Antonio, Texas.
Eaton, a member of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, and Austin, a member of the USGA’s Executive Committee, recorded rounds of 70-67-69 for a 206 total. That was good for a four-stroke victory. Eaton and Austin also shared medalist honors by tying for the low score after two rounds of the better-ball tournament.
May 6, 2010
COLORADAN ORTEGA NAMED ONE OF NATION’S TOP FEMALE INSTRUCTORS: Colorado’s Lana Ortega, who owns and operates Lana Ortega Golf, has been named one of America’s 50 best women golf instructors by Golf Digest magazine in its June issue. Ortega ranks No. 49 on the list, as voted by fellow instructors.
Ortega works out of Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in northeast Denver as part of a partnership with the Colorado Golf Academy. She previously instructed there when she taught for the McGetrick Golf Academy. Ortega was named the LPGA’s Central Section Teacher of the Year in 2005.
May 5, 2010
AIR FORCE ACADEMY’S WHITNEY FINALIST FOR NELSON AWARD: Senior Tom Whitney, who is wrapping up his record-breaking career at the Air Force Academy, has been named one of six finalists for the Byron Nelson Award.
The award goes to a graduating senior on the basis of his academic and golf career in college, as well as his character, integrity and good citizenship. The award winner will be announced May 28.
Whitney, who will compete in the Mountain West Conference Championship this week, owns a 71.11 stroke average this season and is set to break his own single-season record for an Air Force Academy golfer (72.0, set last season).
Other Byron Nelson Award finalists are Jack Newman of Michigan State (who won the 2008 U.S. Amateur Public Links title in Aurora), Seth Fair of Indianapolis, Brendan Gielow of Wake Forest, Adam Long of Duke and Corey Nagy of Charlotte.
KLINGENSMITH EARNS SPOT IN DIVISION II NATIONALS: The nationally ranked University of Colorado-Colorado Springs men’s golf team just missed qualifying for the NCAA Division II national tournament, but a player from another Colorado-based school earned an individual berth to the national meet on Wednesday.
Colorado Christian’s Jon Klingensmith shot rounds of 74-71-74 for a 3-over-par 219 total at the Central/West super regional in Palm Desert, Calif., finishing seventh overall. The top five teams and top two individuals not on those teams advance to the Division II NCAA Finals, which will be played May 18-21 in Noblesville, Ind. Klingensmith was one of the two individuals.
UCCS finished sixth in the team competition, one position out of what was necessary to gain a team berth to nationals. UCCS ended up three strokes out of fifth place.
May 3, 2010
LOVE, CARLSON LEAD CGA FOUR-BALL; ELWAY, HART 2 BACK: Michael Love of The Club at Pradera and Chris Carlson of Highlands Ranch Golf Club teamed up to shoot a 4-under-par 68 Monday at The Heritage at Westmoor for a one-stroke lead in the CGA Four-Ball Championship.
Carlson won the CGA Mid-Amateur title in 2004.
Defending Four-Ball champions Steve Irwin of Lakewood Country Club and Alex Buecking of Columbine Country Club trail by one going into Tuesday’s final round of the better-ball competition. Joining them at 69 are reigning CGA Mid-Amateur Player of the Year Michael Harrington of Kissing Camels at Garden of the Gods Club and teammate Jim Doidge of Pueblo Country Club.
Former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway and partner Tom Hart, who won the national Trans-Mississippi Four-Ball title last September at Cherry Hills Country Club, are one of four teams that shot 70 on Monday.
Meanwhile, in the Senior Four-Ball, Charlie Post of Colorado Golf Club and Mark Franz of Saddle Rock Golf Course fired a 4-under-par 67 at Legacy Ridge Golf Course to grab a one-shot advantage.
Glen Gude and Michael D’epagnier of Riverdale Golf Club lead the CGA Net Four-Ball by two strokes after a 69 at The Heritage at Westmoor, while Tom Stein and Thomas Gross of South Suburban Golf Course are one ahead in the Senior Net Four-Ball following an opening 65 at The Heritage at Westmoor.
Players will switch courses for Tuesday’s 8 a.m. final round.
HALLBERG MAKES INROADS ON CHAMPIONS TOUR: Gary Hallberg of Castle Rock placed ninth Sunday in the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic for his best showing on the Champions Tour since June. It was just Hallberg’s second top-10 performance on the Champions circuit in the last 21 months.
The 51-year-old posted a 5-under-par 211 total in Mississippi, which earned him $41,600.
KAYE CRACKS TOP-10 IN NATIONWIDE TOUR EVENT: Former University of Colorado golfer Jonathan Kaye, who lost his fully-exempt status on the PGA Tour last year, finished 10th Sunday in the Stadion Athens (Ga.) Classic, marking his best showing in a Nationwide Tour event since 1995.
The Denver native recorded a 4-under-par 280 total, ending up eight strokes behind champion Martin Piller. The performance pushed Kaye from 94th to 68th on the 2010 Nationwide money list.
Kaye has been a regular on the PGA Tour since the mid-1990s, winning twice. But without fully-exempt status now, he’s split time between the PGA and Nationwide circuits in 2010. Sunday marked his first top-10 on the Nationwide Tour since 1995, though he’s played in just 13 Nationwide tournaments overall. Kaye’s best finish on the PGA Tour this year is a 45th in the Puerto Rico Open.
April 30, 2010
PUEBLO WEST’S WHITE POSTS ANOTHER TOP-10 ON GATEWAY TOUR: Dustin White of Pueblo West notched his second straight top-10 finish on the Gateway Tour on Friday, finishing fourth in the Tonto Verde Ranch event in Arizona.
White shot rounds of 69-70-69 for a 5-under-par 208, ending up four strokes behind winner Michael Derminio. The performance was worth $3,000 to White, a former HealthOne Colorado Open champion.
White has finished eighth and fourth in the first two Spring Series events on the Gateway circuit.
April 28, 2010
KEMPTER WILL USE DU BAG IN LPGA TOURNAMENT: Former University of Denver golfer Katie Kempter is playing the second LPGA event of her career this week in Mexico, and in the process she’ll pay tribute to DU and the late Ron Moore, a big supporter of -- and benefactor for -- the Pioneer program.
Kempter said in her blog this week that she’ll be using a DU golf bag during the Tres Marias Championship since a restriction on such bags has been lifted for this event.
“It’s a special program and a special place (at DU), and I will always be honored to carry its tradition in my heart!” Kempter said in her blog.
The Tres Marias tournament runs Thursday through Sunday in Morelia, Mexico.
DU’S KOFSTAD PLACES SIXTH IN SUN BELT TOURNEY: University of Denver senior Espen Kofstad shot a final-round 68 Wednesday to finish sixth individually, but the Pioneers ended up last as a team in the Sun Belt Conference Championship in Muscle Shoals, Ala.
Kofstad completed three rounds in 1-over-par 217, finishing nine strokes behind champion Oscar Zetterwall of New Orleans. DU teammate Troy Anderson, who was third entering the final round, dropped back to 14th with a final-day 75.
12. Denver 308-309-299--916
6. Espen Kofstad 76-73-68--217; 14. Troy Anderson 72-73-75--220; 54. Klinton Krieger 76-80-82--238; 57. Jon Lopez 84-84-78--246; 58. Kevin Gillick 87-83-78--248.
April 27, 2010
UNC MEN FINISH SECOND IN CONFERENCE: The University of Northern Colorado men finished in second place, three strokes behind the team champions, after Tuesday’s final round of the America Sky Conference Championships in McAllen, Texas.
UNC wrapped up its season by posting a 920 total for three rounds, which put the Bears behind only Texas Pan American in the 11-team field. UNC placed four players in the top dozen individually: Troy Sidabras (fourth, 225), Steve Bidne (eighth, 232), Rich Lash (11th, 233) and Nick Bisogno (12th, 234). Sidabras was named first-team all-conference, while Bidne was a second-team pick.
2. Northern Colorado 300-318-302--920
4. Troy Sidabras 71-80-74--225; 8. Steve Bidne 82-74-76--232; 11. Rich Lash 73-83-77--233; 12. Nick Bisogno 78-81-75--234; 34. Jon Peterson 78-87-78--243.
CLARK RANKED 24TH NATIONALLY AMONG JUNIOR PLAYERS: Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village, who finished 11th over the weekend in the AJGA Hunter Mahan Championship in McKinney, Texas, is now ranked 24th among junior players nationally.
A year ago at this time, Clark was 616th in the nation. But since then he made it to the final 16 of the 2009 U.S. Junior Amateur, and, locally, he won the CGA Junior Stroke Play and the Class 4A state high school title. Clark is finishing up his sophomore year at Valor Christian High School.
April 25, 2010
JOBE PLACES THIRD IN NATIONWIDE TOUR EVENT: Brandt Jobe, a member of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, recorded his best finish since 2005 in a PGA Tour-co-sponsored tournament when he placed third Sunday in the Nationwide Tour’s South Georgia Classic in Valdosta.
Jobe shot rounds of 70-70-70-69 for a 9-under-par 279 and finished two strokes back of champion Ewan Porter. The performance, Jobe’s second top-10 of the year on the Nationwide Tour, was worth $42,500.
Jobe, who lost his PGA Tour card last year after about a decade on that circuit, last posted a top-three performance in a Tour co-sponsored event in 2005, when he finished second in the International in Castle Rock and third in the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro.
CU’S TALLEY FINISHES 5TH IN BIG 12 WOMEN’S MEET: University of Colorado sophomore Emily Talley posted the second top-five finish of her college career, tying for fifth Sunday in the Big 12 Championships in Norman, Okla.
Talley ended up at 6-over-par 222 for three rounds, 12 strokes behind champion Caroline Hedwall of Oklahoma State. Only one player in CU women’s golf history has placed higher than Talley in the Big 12 meet; Sarah Bellinger was fourth in 1999.
As a team, the Buffs finished sixth at the Big 12 meet.
As for the CU men, they wrapped up their season Sunday with a ninth-place finish in the Big 12 Championships in Trinity, Texas.
CU posted a 1,188 total for four rounds and ended up 55 strokes behind champion Oklahoma State. Sophomore Sebastian Heisele (293) finished 19th individually to pace the Buffs.
For complete Big 12 results for the CU women’s and men’s teams, go to http://www.cogolf.org/college.php
IRWIN, WIEBE POST ANOTHER TOP-10: University of Colorado graduate Hale Irwin and Aurora resident Mark Wiebe tied for eighth with separate partners in the Legends of Golf team event in Savannah, Ga.
Irwin and Larry Nelson shared eighth place with Wiebe and Russ Cochran at 20-under-par 196. Irwin and Nelson got into contention with a second-round 61 in the best-ball event, but fell back with a double bogey on their 17th hole of Sunday’s final round.
Both Irwin and Wiebe have posted two top-10 finishes on the Champions Tour this year.
April 24, 2010
COLO. GOLF HALL OF FAMER SPIKE BAKER PASSES AWAY: Robert “Spike” Baker of Fort Collins, a member of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, died on Monday at age 86.
One of 15 children and a former caddie at Park Hill Golf Course, the Denver native won the CGA Stroke Play Championship in 1957 and stood out as a senior player in the 1970s and ‘80s. He won the World Seniors at the Broadmoor twice and qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur three times, advancing to the semifinal round in 1981.
In the 1940s and ’50s, Baker was a member of the Fort Collins Golf Association, serving as president at one point. He’s also a Governor Emeritus of the Colorado Golf Association.
CSU MEN POST THIRD WIN OF SEASON: The Colorado State men’s golf team won its third tournament of the season -- and first of the spring -- on Saturday with a two-stroke victory in the 18-team Ping Cougar Classic in Provo, Utah.
The Rams posted an 850 total for three round to hold off host BYU.
CSU put three players in the top 10 individually: Bryce Hanstad (fourth, 209), Riley Arp (eighth, 213) and Dustin Morris (10th, 214). Also posting a top-10 finish was Air Force Academy senior Tom Whitney (sixth, 210).
CU-COLO. SPRINGS TOP SEED IN DIVISION II REGIONAL: The University of Colorado-Colorado Springs men’s golf team is seeded No. 1 in the NCAA Division II Central Regional tournament, the NCAA announced on Friday.
The Central and Western Regionals will be played together May 3-5 in Palm Desert, Calif.
In all, 80 teams qualified for the Division II regional tournaments. Other Colorado-based teams in the regionals are Fort Lewis (fifth in Central), Colorado School of Mines (sixth in Central), Colorado Christian (ninth in Central) and Colorado State-Pueblo (10th in Central). In addition, Regis’ Greg Johnson will play as an individual.
The top five teams from each 10-team regional will advance to the NCAA Division II Finals May 18-21 in Noblesville, Ind.
April 23, 2010
PUEBLO WEST’S WHITE PLACES 8TH IN GATEWAY EVENT: Dustin White of Pueblo West finished eighth Friday in the first tournament of the Spring Series on the Gateway Tour in Arizona. The former HealthOne Colorado Open champion recorded a three-round total of 4-under-par 212 (69-70-73) to end up 10 strokes back of champion Brett Swedberg.
White earned $2,050 for his top-10 performance in Rio Verde.
April 21, 2010
DU WOMEN, KIM CLAIM CONFERENCE TITLES: The University of Denver women won their seventh straight Sun Belt Conference title and finished 1-2-3 in the individual competition Wednesday in Muscle Shoals, Ala.
DU freshman Kimberly Kim, the 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion, won the first individual title of her college career by finishing a shot better than teammate Ellie Givens. Another DU player, Kelly Drack, placed third, two strokes back of Kim. Kim closed with a 1-under-par 71 to end up at 1-under 215 for three rounds.
The Pioneers, with a 1-over-par 865 total, won the team competition by 34 shots.
Five DU players -- Kim, Givens, Drack, Stephanie Sherlock and Sarah Faller -- were named to the all-conference team, while Kim earned Sun Belt Freshman of the Year honors. DU's Sammie Chergo once again was named SBC Coach of the Year.
1. Denver 281-298-286--865
1. Kimberly Kim 69-75-71--215; 2. Ellie Givens 70-74-72--216; 3. Kelly Drack 71-75-71--217; 5. Stephanie Sherlock 72-75-72--219; 7. Sarah Faller 71-74-76--221.
GUNNER WIEBE WINS FOR SECOND TIME IN APRIL: It’s been quite a month for Aurora’s Gunner Wiebe, who captured his second college tournament title of April on Tuesday.
The junior from the University of San Diego won his second straight event by posting an even-par 216 total for three rounds in the West Coast Conference Championships in Vallejo, Calif. Scores of 73-71-72 were good for a two-stroke win over Pepperdine’s Carl Smith.
Two weeks ago, Wiebe notched a victory in the Wyoming Cowboy Classic in Scottsdale, Ariz. Wiebe is the son of Champions Tour player Mark Wiebe.
CU-COLO. SPRINGS’ SHOOP WINS RMAC GOLFER OF YEAR HONOR: Chris Shoop, a junior for the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs golf team, captured the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Golfer of the Year award on Tuesday by sharing medalist honors in the RMAC Spring Championship in Florence, Ariz.
Shoop, from Phoenix, posted rounds of 69-69-74--212 to tie for the top spot in the Spring Championship with Western New Mexico’s Gordon Webb.
UCCS finished second to Western New Mexico in the team standings.
April 18, 2010
IRWIN HITS 1,000-TOURNAMENT MILESTONE: This weekend, University of Colorado graduate Hale Irwin played in his 1,000th career tournament when combining his PGA Tour and Champions Tour starts. He became just the 11th player to reach the milestone.
Irwin, the all-time leader in Champions Tour victories with 45, finished 58th Sunday in the rain-shortened Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am in Lutz, Fla., posting rounds of 74-73. It was the 341st Champions Tour event for Irwin, who will turn 65 in June. The World Golf Hall of Famer also played 659 PGA Tour events, winning 20 times, including three U.S. Opens.
Between the two tours, Irwin has won more than $31 million.
Miller Barber holds the record for most all-time combined starts on the PGA and Champions Tour with 1,292.
April 17, 2010
CGA TEAM PLACES 11TH IN PERU: Jon Lindstrom of Broomfield and Dean Clapp of Aurora, representing the CGA, finished 11th out of 34 teams at the International Championship of Amateurs in Lima, Peru.
Lindstrom and Clapp posted a combined cumulative total of 19-over-par 595, ending up 22 strokes behind the winning Argentine team. Teams from North and South America, Europe and Asia were among the participants.
In the individual competition, Lindstrom tied for eighth at 3-over-par 291. He posted three sub-par rounds, but was derailed by a third-round 81 (71-68-81-71).
Clapp placed 39th individually at 16-over-par 304 (79-76-74-75).
CSU WOMEN FINISH THIRD IN CONFERENCE MEET: The Colorado State women’s golf team placed third Saturday at the Mountain West Conference meet in Seaside, Calif., marking its best showing at the conference tournament since 2006.
CSU’s 914 total came in behind New Mexico (898) and Texas Christian (907).
Seniors Natalie Stone and Kasey Claussen tied for sixth in the individual competition at 228. Claussen earned a spot on the All-MWC team. New Mexico’s Jodi Ewart won the tournament with a 217 total.
3. Colorado State 306-302-306--914
6. Natalie Stone 76-74-78--228; 6. Kasey Claussen 77-74-77--228; 12. Melissa Martin 81-76-74--231; 16. Brianna Espinoza 77-80-77--234; 19. Emily Roering 76-78-81--235.
April 16, 2010
MATE FILLING IN AS CO-HOST FOR “IN THE FAIRWAY”: Ed Mate, executive director of the CGA, will be sitting in as co-host of the “In the Fairway” radio show on Saturday, April 17, from 6 to 8 a.m. on The Fan (104.3 FM). Mate, who is filling in this week for Sam Heavrin, will be on the air with longtime show host Jerry Walters.
The highlight of Saturday’s program should be guest Ken Green, who is scheduled to be interviewed live at 6:30 a.m. Green, winner of the 1986 International PGA Tour event in Castle Rock, will team with Mike Reid for next week’s Champions Tour Legends of Golf tournament in Savannah, Ga. It will mark Green’s first professional event since an RV accident last June led to the amputation of his lower right leg. His brother and girlfriend were killed in the crash.
Green is expected to become the first amputee to compete in a PGA Tour-sanctioned event.
April 15, 2010
COMMONGROUND OUTREACH PROGRAM FEATURED ON TV: A youth outreach program the CGA and CWGA conduct through CommonGround Golf Course was featured Wednesday in a segment on KDVR-Fox television in Denver.
The 3-minute, 20-second piece, which aired on the “Good Day Colorado” show, can be accessed by CLICKING HERE.
CommonGround, the Aurora-based course that is owned and operated by the CGA and CWGA, works with kids who might not otherwise be exposed to the game of golf. In Wednesday’s live TV segment, Gary Davis, one of the directors of the CommonGround Learning Center, was at Aurora Academy teaching students some of the basics of the game. It’s part of an initiative that gives youngsters first-hand experience with golf at their schools through P.E. classes. The CGA, CWGA, Colorado PGA and The First Tee have similar outreach programs.
At Aurora Academy, KDVR showed a line of students hitting BirdieBalls toward a target area in the school’s gym.
April 13, 2010
DU’S KIM NAMED TO U.S. CURTIS CUP TEAM: University of Denver freshman Kimberly Kim, winner of the 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur, has been picked by the USGA for the 2010 U.S. Curtis Cup team. Kim is the only holdover from the 2008 Curtis Cup squad that defeated its Great Britain & Ireland counterparts in Scotland.
Eight American amateurs are selected for the Curtis Cup competition, which this year will be held June 11-13 in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass.
In addition to winning the 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur, Kim finished runner-up in two USGA championships in 2009. She leads DU in stroke average this season (73.65).
Kim will be joined on the U.S. team by Jennifer Song, winner of two 2009 USGA titles; 2008 U.S. Girls’ Junior champion Alexis Thompson; Cydney Clanton; Jennifer Johnson; Stephanie Kono; Jessica Korda; and Tiffany Lua.
The U.S. has won the last six Curtis Cup matches and leads the all-time series 26-6-3.
STOLTZ PLACES THIRD AT GATEWAY TOUR WINTER FINALE: Former Fort Collins resident Drew Stoltz finished third over the weekend at the Gateway Tour’s Winter Series Championship in Arizona.
Stoltz, a winner of both the CGA Stroke Play and Colorado state high school tournament, ended up at 9-under-par 279, four strokes behind champion Charlie Beljan. In the process, Stoltz earned $5,567.
April 9, 2010
DUVAL, STADLER MISS CUT AT MASTERS: The two Coloradans competing at the Masters this week both missed the 36-hole cut on Friday. David Duval of Cherry Hills Village, the 2001 British Open champion, posted rounds of 76-75 to come up four shots shy of qualifying for the weekend. Craig Stadler of Evergreen, the 1982 champion, shot 79-78 to miss the cut by 10.
Stadler, 56, last made the cut at the Masters in 2007. Duval hasn’t made it to the final two rounds since 2001, when he finished second. This was Duval’s first Masters since 2006.
April 8, 2010
BANQUET AREA, PLAYER LOCKER ROOM ON TRACK FOR SENIOR PGA: Though the clubhouse at Colorado Golf Club in Parker won’t be 100 percent complete before next month’s Senior PGA Championship, the player locker room and a banquet area -- both in the clubhouse -- will be ready for the tournament, said Tom Ferrell, a media consultant working with Colorado Golf Club and the Senior PGA. The cart barn at the facility is likewise expected to receive a temporary certificate of occupancy.
Tournament officials are planning for fans with clubhouse ticket passes to have access to the clubhouse banquet area.
Colorado Golf Club opened in 2006 and was awarded the 2010 Senior PGA in the mid-fall of 2008. The tournament will take place May 27-30.
BIG 12 HONORS CU’S TALLEY: University of Colorado sophomore Emily Talley was named Big 12 Conference Women’s Golfer of the Month after posting three top-11 finishes in March.
Talley placed 11th at the San Jose State Spartan Invitational, sixth at the BYU Entrada Classic, and a career-best third at the MountainView Collegiate Invitational, where she finished a shot out of the lead.
Talley becomes just the fourth CU women’s player to earn Big 12 Golfer of the Month honors.
April 7, 2010
DU’S KOFSTAD EARNS CONFERENCE AWARD: University of Denver senior Espen Kofstad shared Sun Belt Conference men’s Golfer of the Month award for March with Arkansas State’s Lloyd du Preez.
Kofstad finished ninth in the Desert Shootout tournament and 16th at the ASU Thunderbird Invitational during March.
Kofstad owns DU’s best scoring average this season, 71.19 through nine tournaments. This marks the second SBC Golfer of the Month Award of his career.
HARMONY CLUB RECEIVES HONOR: Earlier this year at its annual meeting in San Diego, the National Golf Course Owners Association named Harmony Club in Timnath its Colorado Golf Course of the Year.
The Jim Engh-designed private course opened in 2007 and is the home for the Colorado State University golf teams.
The NGCOA bases its state and regional course awards on four criteria: exceptional quality of the course, exceptional management, outstanding contribution to its community, and significant contribution to the game.
April 6, 2010
GUNNER WIEBE WINS WYOMING COWBOY CLASSIC: Gunner Wiebe of Aurora shot a 4-under-par 66 Tuesday to win the Wyoming Cowboy Classic in Scottsdale, Ariz.
The University of San Diego’s Wiebe, son of Champions Tour regular Mark Wiebe, finished three rounds at 7-under-par 203 for a two-stroke victory.
Meanwhile, the Air Force Academy’s Tom Whitney (67-211) and the University of Colorado’s Sebastian Heisele (70-211) shared fourth place individually.
CU tied for fourth in the team competition. Wiebe’s San Diego squad placed second behind champion Cal State-Northridge.
April 5, 2010
DUVAL, CRAIG STADLER SET FOR MASTERS: Two Colorado residents, David Duval of Cherry Hills Village and Craig Stadler of Evergreen, are in the field for this week’s Masters in Augusta, Ga. The first major championship of the year will get underway on Thursday.
Duval, who qualified by finishing second in the 2009 U.S. Open, is competing at Augusta National for the first time since 2006. The last time he made the cut at the Masters was in 2001, when he placed second.
The 56-year-old Stadler, the 1982 Masters champion, last made the cut at Augusta in 2007, when he finished 49th.
April 4, 2010
ANOTHER TOP-10 ON TOUR FOR KEVIN STADLER: Kent Denver High School graduate Kevin Stadler continued his strong play on the 2010 PGA Tour, finishing a season-best sixth Sunday at the Shell Houston Open.
Stadler recorded a final-round 68 for a 9-under-par 279 total. It marked his third top-10 finish since the beginning of February, and his fifth top-20 showing of the year.
Stadler ended up three strokes out of a playoff between Anthony Kim and Vaughn Taylor, which Kim won on the first extra hole.
April 3, 2010
DU’S KIM MISSES CUT BY 6 IN LPGA’S KRAFT NABISCO: University of Denver freshman Kimberly Kim missed the 36-hole cut by six shots in this week’s Kraft Nabisco Championship, the first major of the year on the LPGA Tour. Kim posted rounds of 81-75 in Rancho Mirage, Calif., finishing 104th in the 112-player field.
Kim, winner of the 2006 U.S. Women’s amateur and runner-up in two USGA championships last year, was one of seven amateurs competing in the Kraft Nabisco. Four of those seven survived the cut.
It was Kim’s sixth time playing a major on the LPGA circuit.
March 31, 2010
COUPLES, WATSON HEAD COMMITMENTS FOR SENIOR PGA: The PGA of America on Wednesday released a preliminary list of player commitments for the Senior PGA Championship that will be held in Colorado in late May, and contestants include Fred Couples and Tom Watson.
Couples, a rookie on the Champions Tour, has three wins and a second in his first four Champions events. The former Masters champ is the first player in history to win three of his first four starts on the 50-plus Tour. Watson, meanwhile, is the only player to have beaten Couples in a Champions Tour event, winning the Mitsubishi Electric Championship in January.
The Senior PGA, the first senior major of the year, is set for May 27-30 at Colorado Golf Club in Parker. The field will be finalized on April 7, but early commitments include 22 winners of major championships and eight World Golf Hall of Famers: Watson, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite, Bernhard Langer, Larry Nelson, Nick Price, Curtis Strange and Lanny Wadkins. Another Hall of Famer, former University of Colorado athlete Hale Irwin, is also planning to compete.
Colorado residents in the field are Dale Douglass, Craig Stadler, Mark Wiebe, Bill Loeffler, Ron Vlosich and Mike Zaremba.
March 30, 2010
EVENTS RAISE $20,000 FOR JUNIOR GOLF: Several fundraising efforts for junior golf have netted almost $20,000 in the last couple of months.
Donated and consigned clubs that were purchased at the Denver Golf Expo and Southern Colorado Golf Expo Golf Swaps brought in a combined $12,722. And a silent auction held at last month’s CWGA Annual Meeting raised another $7,277.
Another source of funds for junior golf will be the annual Colorado Junior Golf Fundraising Tournament, which will be held May 10 at 8 a.m. at CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora. All the money from that event goes to CGA/CWGA junior development programs.
DU’S KIM SET FOR KRAFT NABISCO CHAMPIONSHIP ON LPGA TOUR: University of Denver freshman golfer Kimberly Kim will be one of seven amateurs in the field for the first major championship of the LPGA season, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, which will be held Thursday through Sunday in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
It will mark the sixth LPGA major for Kim, who won the 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur and was the runner-up in the 2009 U.S. Women’s Publinks and the U.S. Girls’ Junior.
1960 U.S. OPEN AT CHERRY HILLS REVISITED: The March 29 issue of Golf World magazine features a cover photo of Arnold Palmer tossing his visor into the air after winning the 1960 U.S. Open at Cherry Hill Country Club south of Denver.
In an accompanying story, Golf World proclaims 1960 “the greatest year in golf” 50 years after the fact. Among other things, the magazine notes the confluence of three eras at Cherry Hills -- those of Ben Hogan, Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, all of who were in contention for the title. “The epic ’60 U.S. Open was arguably golf’s greatest-ever tournament, mostly because of who won it and how …” Golf World said.
Also included in this “Backspin Issue” was the fact that then-11-year-old Skip Manning (now of Fort Collins) retrieved Palmer’s visor, which he donated in 2008 to the USGA Museum in Far Hills, N.J.
A TOP-10 FINISH FOR CRAIG STADLER: On Sunday, Craig Stadler of Evergreen recorded his first top-10 finish on the Champions Tour since last August, placing 10th in the Cap Cana Championship in the Dominican Republic. The former Masters champion ended up at 8-under-par 208.
Before Sunday, Stadler hadn’t finished better than 30th this year on the Champions circuit.
SENIOR PGA PRO-AM RAFFLE BENEFITS DEPLOYED SOLDIERS: A raffle, conducted in conjunction with the Senior PGA Championship that will be played in Colorado in two months, will be held to benefit the “Support A Soldier” project. All funds raised will be devoted to supporting deployed U.S. soldiers.
A $100 non-profit donation will give participants a 1-in-100 chance to play with one of the Senior PGA competitors in the May 25 pro-am at Colorado Golf Club in Parker. Donors will be notified of the public drawing date for the raffle.
For more information, go to http://supportasoldier.us/2010seniorpgaproam.html
March 28, 2010
BROOMFIELD’S GRADY 27TH IN NATIONWIDE DEBUT: Former University of Colorado golfer Pat Grady, fresh off a victory in Louisiana on the Adams Tour, made his first start on the Nationwide Tour and finished 27th in the Louisiana Open on Sunday. The Broomfield resident won $3,580 after posting a 1-under-par 283 for four rounds.
Grady, who turned pro 10 months ago, shared third place at the midway point of the tournament with scores of 67-68, but he dropped off the leader board with weekend rounds of 74-74. He played his last three holes of the event in 3 over par, closing with a double bogey on No. 18.
March 27, 2010
CSU WOMEN CAPTURE TOURNAMENT TITLE: The Colorado State women’s team won the Mountain View Intercollegiate tournament in Tucson on Saturday after prevailing in a scorecard playoff with Texas Tech. In picking up their first victory of the season, the Rams ended up at 26-over-par 890.
Senior Kasey Claussen led CSU with a 5-over-par 221 total, good for fifth place individually. Also placing in the top 20 for the Rams were Natalie Stone (223, 11th) and Emily Roering (225, 18th).
Colorado, paced by sophomore Emily Talley’s third-place individual finish, placed 11th in the 18-team field. Talley ended up one shot behind the co-champions.
Here are the results for CSU and CU:
1. Colorado State 292-305-293--890
5. Kasey Claussen 71-76-74--221; 11. Natalie Stone 76-76-71--223; 18. Emily Roering 71-71-77--225; 23. Brianna Espinonza 74-78-74--226; 40. Melissa Martin 80-76-74--230; 58. Cecelie Krefting (competing as individual only) 82-79-72--233.
11. Colorado 302-309-304—915
3. Emily Talley 74-74-72—220; 34. Christine Kim 74-78-76—228; 58. Taylor Doyle 78-78-77—233; 65. Dominique Pytlewski 76-79-79—234; 80. Jamie Befort (competing as individual only) 77-79-83—239; 81. Meaghan Kari 79-82-79—240; T92. Devin Dougherty (competing as individual only) 81-86-80—247.
March 25, 2010
EX-BUFF GRADY WINS MINI-TOUR EVENT: Former University of Colorado golfer Pat Grady won a tournament on the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series over the weekend, earning an $18,000 check. The Broomfield golfer, in his first year as a pro, posted rounds of 68-63-69-69 for a 19-under-par 269 total in the Coca-Cola Walmart Open in Alexandria, La. Grady won by three strokes.
Grady also qualified to compete in the Nationwide Tour’s Louisiana Open this week. He shot a first-round 67 on Thursday and shares second place, trailing lead John Riegger by one stroke.
March 16, 2010
HEAVRIN JOINING WALTERS FOR “IN THE FAIRWAY”: Weekly shows begin for the new season of “In the Fairway” on April 3, and one of the hosts will change this year for the radio program on The Fan (104.3 FM).
The show will air from 6 to 8 a.m. on Saturdays from April through the end of October. It once again will be hosted by Jerry Walters, but his co-host will be new. Instead of Jon Lawrence, who has worked with Walters for about eight years at KOA and The Fan, it will be Sam Heavrin, an instructor at what has been known as the McGetrick Golf Academy at Broken Tee Englewood.
COLORADO PGA GIVING LESSONS BEFORE APRIL 10 NUGGETS GAME: Colorado PGA professionals will conduct free 10-minute lessons at the Pepsi Center in Denver on April 10, prior to the Nuggets’ 7 p.m. game against the San Antonio Spurs.
The lessons will run from 1 to 5 p.m. that Saturday. Colorado PGA pros also will be featured during the game’s halftime show that night.
In addition, as part of a partnership between the Colorado PGA and the Nuggets that day, discounted tickets to the game can be purchased at coloradopga.com or pepsicenter.com/nuggets/PGA.asp. Proceeds will benefit the Colorado PGA Foundation.
March 12, 2010
HALL OF FAMER FADDIS PASSES AWAY: Colorado Golf Hall of Fame inductee Carl Faddis, who served as head professional and director of golf at Valley Country Club in Aurora for a quarter-century until retiring in 2001, passed away on Friday after battling cancer. He was 71.
Faddis gave golf lessons to some of the most famous sports figures in Colorado history, including John Elway and Doug Moe. He was named the Colorado PGA’s Professional of the Year in 1982 and shortly thereafter served as president of the Colorado Section.
Before returning to Valley Country Club in the mid-1970s -- he also worked there during the early 1960s -- Faddis was the head pro and superintendent at a course in Sidney, Neb., for a decade.
Faddis, a graduate of Denver North High School, was inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame in 2004.
Services for Faddis will be held Friday, March 19 at 11 a.m., at the Englewood campus of the Denver First Church (3800 E. Hampden Ave.).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Carl Faddis Junior Golf Foundation, P.O. Box 2838, Parker, CO 80134.
EX-BUFF McGLASSON INVENTIVE IN SEEKING SPONSORSHIPS: Funding a career as a playing professional isn’t always easy, but former University of Colorado golfer Ed McGlasson has taken a unique approach. As CU director of sports information Dave Plati notes in his blog, McGlasson will hold the inaugural McGlasson Golf Classic on April 12 in Tustin, Calif., with the hope of raising sponsorship money for his 2010 playing season. McGlasson, CU’s No. 1 player as both a junior and senior (2004-06), is primarily playing on mini-tours, with the hope of earning his PGA Tour card.
McGlasson hopes to have 120 players, including 30 pros, for the McGlasson Classic at Tustin Ranch Golf Club in Orange County. The cost is $300 per player. For more information, go to www.EdMcGlassonIV.com.
March 8, 2010
SOUTHERN COLORADO GOLF EXPO SET TO MAKE DEBUT: Mark Cramer hopes to draw 2,500 people to the inaugural Southern Colorado Golf Expo this weekend, but he’s really not sure what to expect.
“My crystal ball broke many years ago,” said Cramer, who along with wife Lynn owns and manages the Denver Golf Expo and the Southern Colorado Expo.
The new show will be held Saturday and Sunday (March 13-14) at the Phil Long Expo Center in northern Colorado Springs (1515 Auto Mall Loop, east of where North Academy Blvd. meets I-25). The Expo hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and 10-5 on Sunday. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for those 50 and over and military personnel with I.D., and free for juniors 16 and under.
The Southern Colorado Expo will incorporate many of the popular elements of the Denver Golf Expo -- a club demo area, free individualized instruction by Colorado PGA professionals, the Junior Golf Experience, a Golf Swap, various seminars and a long putt challenge. But the new show will have a distinct southern Colorado flavor with many local exhibitors, seminar leaders and Colorado Section pros providing tips.
“We don’t want to be seen as Denver coming down to glom onto the Southern Colorado Expo,” Mark Cramer said. “We want the southern Colorado market, and we want to give them a good golf experience.”
Cramer, who’s running plenty of media ads in the 10 days leading up to the show, said that as of Monday 50 exhibitors had committed to 70 booths for this weekend’s Expo.
The Junior Golf Experience, which aims to get youngsters interested in the game with supervised instruction, interactive games and information about junior golf, will be taken to Colorado Springs after two years at the Denver Golf Expo. In addition, a Golf Swap -- in which donated and consigned clubs and equipment are sold -- will raise money that will be devoted to junior golf in southern Colorado.
After attracting 599 kids over three days to the Junior Golf Experience in Denver last month, CGA director of youth programs Dustin Jensen hopes to draw 100-200 kids per day in Colorado Springs.
“If we had 100 per day, that would be 100 kids that we wouldn’t normally see,” Jensen said.
And Jensen reports that he has more equipment dedicated to the Golf Swap than he did for the Denver Expo a month ago. “You can’t walk into the storage room,” he said.
March 7, 2010
THIEL BECOMES TOURNEY CHAIRMAN FOR BOB HOPE CLASSIC: Larry Thiel, the International’s executive director for its entire 21-year run as a Castle Rock-based PGA Tour event, has been named tournament chairman for the Bob Hope Classic in southern California. The 2011 Hope Classic will be held Jan. 19-23.
Thiel served as the point man for the International from its inception in 1986 through 2006, its final year. During that time, the tournament was considered one of the most player-friendly events on Tour.
Before coming to Colorado in 1984, Thiel was president of the Jack Nicklaus Management Group from 1970 to ‘84. In addition to the International, Thiel was a key figure in the success of The Memorial and The Skins Game.
March 6, 2010
WHITE, TOLAN POST STRONG FINISHES ON MINI-TOURS: Two winners of the HealthOne Colorado Open recently recorded top-15 finishes on prominent mini-tours.
Dustin White of Pueblo West, who will compete on the Nationwide Tour again this year, finished ninth this week at the Gateway Tour event in Arizona. He posted a 7-under-par 209 total and won $3,000.
Meanwhile, 2009 Colorado Open champion Derek Tolan of Highlands Ranch finished 13th last week at the Tarheel Tour’s Savannah Quarters Classic in Georgia. Tolan shot a 1-under-par 215 and won $3,293.
March 4, 2010
CU COACH FRANKLIN NAMED TO CANADIAN GOLF HALL OF FAME: University of Colorado assistant women’s golf coach Brent Franklin has been chosen for induction into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.
Franklin, Graham Cooke and the late Ben Kern will be inducted this summer in Vancouver.
“This is something I’m very proud of,” Franklin said.
Franklin, who is also a golf instructor at Colorado National Golf Club in Erie, has worked with the CU women’s golf program since 2003. After two years as a volunteer coach, he became an assistant in 2005.
Franklin won the Canadian Junior Boys Championship and the British Columbia Junior Boys Championships in both 1983 and ’84 before playing golf at Brigham Young University. During his college years, Franklin won three straight Canadian Men’s Amateur Championships (1985-87) in addition to the 1985 Alberta Amateur Championship.
He turned pro in 1988 and was named the Canadian Tour’s Rookie of the Year after winning the Canadian PGA Championship. Franklin then played on the Japanese Tour from 1989 to ‘95, finishing second 10 times.
March 1, 2010
JOBE FINISHES NINTH IN NATIONWIDE EVENT: Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Brandt Jobe, who hadn’t played an official event on the PGA or Nationwide Tour since July, finished ninth Sunday in the Panama Claro Championship on the Nationwide circuit.
Jobe, who lost his PGA Tour status last year after being a regular on the circuit for a decade, posted a 7-under-par 273 total and ended up eight strokes behind champion Fran Quinn, earning $12,729.
Another local player who owned a PGA Tour card last year, former Golden resident Leif Olson, missed the cut in Panama. Meanwhile, former Littleton resident Bret Guetz, normally a regular on the Nationwide Tour, Monday qualified for the WM Phoenix Open on the PGA Tour, but missed the 36-hole cut.
CU-COLORADO SPRINGS MEN 22ND IN NATIONAL DIV. II POLL: Despite not having played a tournament since October, the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs men’s golf team dropped eight spots in the most recent Nike men’s coaches’ national poll for Division II programs.
The Mountain Lions, who won two tournaments in the fall, fell from 14th place to 22nd in the coaches’ rankings. UCCS begins the spring portion of its schedule on March 22.
Feb. 26, 2010
BUNCH ELECTED VICE CHAIRMAN OF WGA: Jim Bunch of Denver, who served on the USGA Executive Committee until earlier this year, was recently elected vice chairman of the Western Golf Association, which operates the PGA Tour’s BMW Championship and oversees the Evans Scholars Caddie Scholarship.
Bunch, himself a former caddie, has been a WGA director since 1992 and has long served on the organization’s Board of Governors. One of the Evans Scholars chapter houses is located at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
Feb. 24, 2010
DUVAL EIGHTH IN U.S. RYDER CUP STANDINGS: If the Ryder Cup teams were finalized today, David Duval would make the U.S. roster for the 2010 competition in Wales Oct. 1-3. The Cherry Hills Village resident sits in eighth place in the U.S. standings, and the top eight players off that list after the PGA Championship will automatically make the American team. The other four U.S. competitors will be chosen by captain Corey Pavin.
Duval stands as high as he does thanks to two runner-up finishes -- in the 2009 U.S. Open and this month’s AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
Duval, winner of 13 PGA Tour in his career but none since 2001, has played on two U.S. Ryder Cup teams -- in 1999 and 2002.
Feb. 23, 2010
ZIEGLER ON WATCH LIST FOR BEN HOGAN AWARD: Steve Ziegler, who swept the CGA Match Play and Stroke Play titles in 2009, earlier this month was named to the watch list for the Ben Hogan Award, which is given to the top player in college golf based on his amateur and college performances over a 12-month period.
The junior from Stanford, who advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2009 U.S. Amateur, is one of 25 players on the watch list. Semifinalists for the award will be named on April 14, and the three finalists will be unveiled on May 11. The winner will be announced on May 24.
Ziegler, a resident of Broomfield who won two state high school individual championships while at Legacy, has posted one top-10 finish in the current college season, a sixth-place showing at the season opener in Illinois. He’s averaging 73.2 strokes per round this season.
Ziegler is one of three Stanford players to make the Hogan watch list.
Feb. 19, 2010
LOCAL PLAYERS MAKE INROADS ON GATEWAY TOUR: Several players with Colorado connections have posted top-10 finishes in the last two weeks on the Gateway mini tour in Arizona.
In this week’s tournament in Maricopa, former Fort Collins resident Drew Stoltz and former University of Denver golfer Barrett Jarosch tied for ninth place. Last week in Goodyear, former Durango resident Tom Kalinowski finished fifth, while ex-DU golfer James Love and former Colorado Springs resident Tom Glissmeyer shared ninth place.
VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR CLUBHEAD-SPEED STUDY: The Denver-based Rose Center for Health and Sport Science, in conjunction with GolfTEC, is seeking male volunteers for a 30-day research study that will test how several variables affect clubhead speed and distance a golf ball travels.
The study, which begins on March 15, will include pre-study golf testing (about 60 minutes), and weekly golf lessons or one of three golf fitness programs.
Study volunteers must be males age 35-65 with handicaps of 10 to 20. They cannot have orthopedic, muscular or health issues, and they can have spent no more than 90 minutes per week in formal exercise, on average, over the last three months.
After completing post-study testing, participants will receive a certificate good for a free one-hour lesson at GolfTEC.
Those interested who meet the specified criteria can contact Neil Wolkodoff at neil.wolkodoff@healthonecares.com
Feb. 16, 2010
CRENSHAW WILL RECEIVE NICHOLSON AWARD: For the fourth straight year, the Will Nicholson Award will go to a World Golf Hall of Fame inductee. Named for former USGA president Will Nicholson and presented in his hometown of Denver, the Nicholson Award will honor Ben Crenshaw this spring.
Crenshaw will accept the award at the University Club on May 24, the same week he will compete in the Senior PGA Championship at Colorado Golf Club, a course Crenshaw co-designed with Bill Coore.
The Nicholson Award is given annually to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and dedication to golf, as well as someone who has made significant contributions to the game. The previous honorees were Nicholson himself, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.
Crenshaw has won 19 times on the PGA Tour, including the 1984 and 1995 Masters, and he claimed three straight NCAA titles in the early 1970s. The Texan was also captain of the 1999 U.S. team that rallied on the last day to win the Ryder Cup, and he also played on four Ryder Cup teams. Crenshaw is a noted golf historian and a respected course designer.
Feb. 14, 2010
DUVAL ALMOST BREAKS THROUGH AT PEBBLE BEACH: David Duval of Cherry Hills Village, who lost his fully-exempt status on the PGA Tour last year, very nearly earned a two-year exemption Sunday at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. But defending champion Dustin Johnson made a 3½-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole for a one-stroke victory to deny Duval.
Nevertheless, Duval posted his second runnerup finish in the last eight months on Tour. He tied for second Sunday with J.B. Holmes at 15-under-par 271. Duval posted four rounds in the 60s at a Tour event for the first time since 2001.
“I played real well today,” Duval said on CBS after rallying from six strokes out of the lead with his final-round 69. “All in all, I did exactly what I tried to do for four days, and I’m very proud of that.”
Duval also tied for second place at last June’s U.S. Open, but since then he hadn’t posted any top-60 finishes on Tour. The former No. 1-ranked player in the world hasn’t won since the 2001 British Open. He was in the Pebble Beach field by virtue of a sponsor exemption.
The $545,600 Duval won on Sunday moved him up to 16th place on the 2010 PGA Tour money list.
Feb. 12, 2010
HANEY SET FOR “SUMMIT” IN COLORADO: Hank Haney, best known as the swing coach for Tiger Woods, will be in Colorado on Monday to conduct a private “teaching and coaching summit” for the Colorado PGA at Heritage Eagle Bend Golf & Country Club.
In its August 2009 issue, Golf Digest ranked Haney No. 2 on its list of America’s 50 greatest teachers, behind only Butch Harmon.
Haney has been consistent about not commenting regarding Woods, who hasn’t competed since crashing a vehicle in front of his Florida home on Thanksgiving weekend.
As Haney conveyed to Golf.com in December: "Tell my media friends, no thanks."
Feb. 10, 2010
CHRISTINE KIM OVERTAKES SISTER KIMBERLY AT COLLEGE TOURNEY: Two Colorado-based college golf teams competed this week at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge in Palos Verdes Calif., and each brought a member of the Kim family as part of its lineup. By the time the tournament concluded on Wednesday, University of Colorado senior Christine Kim and University of Denver freshman Kimberly Kim both finished in the top 30.
Christine fired a final-round 71 to end up 21st overall, while Kimberly, the 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion, closed with a 77 to end up in 28th place, two strokes behind her older sister.
DU, led by 12th-place finishes by Ellie Givens and Stephanie Sherlock, placed sixth in the 15-team tournament, while CU was 14th.
Feb. 9, 2010
BILLINGER, SCHOOLCRAFT WIN SCRATCH PRO-AM AT PEBBLE BEACH: Two Coloradans, professional Erik Billinger from Highlands Ranch and amateur Michael Schoolcraft from Englewood, teamed up over the weekend to win the TaylorMade Pro-Scratch Invitational, a prelude to this week’s AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro Am.
Billinger, an instructor at Highlands Ranch Golf Club, and Schoolcraft, a senior at Valor Christian High School, finished the 54-hole best-ball event with an 11-under-par 205 total. They came from three strokes behind entering the final day to shoot a 7-under 65 at Pebble Beach and win by one stroke. Billinger earned $9,000 as the pro on the winning team.
Forty-two teams competed in the third annual event, which is played at Spyglass (one round) and Pebble Beach (two rounds).
Schoolcraft, who finished third in the 4A state high school tournament in October, has signed a letter of intent to play college golf at the University of Oklahoma beginning in the fall.
“He hits it 30 or 40 yards past me,” said Billinger, Schoolcraft’s golf instructor. “He was my little ringer.”
Feb. 7, 2010
BIRTHDAY BOY STADLER POSTS TOP-10 FINISH ON PGA TOUR: Kent Denver High School graduate Kevin Stadler celebrated his 30th birthday on Friday while playing the Northern Trust Open. Two days later, he posted his best PGA Tour finish since August, placing 10th in Pacific Palisades, Calif., despite a double bogey on his final hole Sunday.
Stadler, who played college golf nearby in L.A. at the University of Southern California, moved up to 46th on the Tour’s 2010 money list with $205,950.
Feb. 6, 2010
COLORADO GOLF HALL OF FAMER BOB CLARK PASSES AWAY: Robert E. Clark, one of the first 11 inductees into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, passed away recently in Castle Rock on his 89th birthday.
Better known as Bob, Clark won four CGA championships from 1938 to ’51 -- three Stroke Plays and one Match Play -- and qualified for a dozen national amateur championships from 1939 to ’52. He also won 14 club championships at Lakewood Country Club and played to a 2 handicap at age 70.
Clark was inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame in 1975, part of the third class that was enshrined.
Clark’s son, Bill, was also a top-level amateur, winning two CGA Match Play titles in the early 1970s.
Feb. 5, 2010
PAVIN, 2 ASSISTANT CAPTAINS SET FOR SENIOR PGA IN PARKER: U.S. Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin named his assistant captains earlier this week, and two of them will be joining Pavin in competing at the Senior PGA Championship at Colorado Golf Club in Parker May 27-30, the PGA of America confirmed Friday.
Pavin, the 1995 U.S. Open champion, will be making his Senior PGA debut, while former British Open winner Tom Lehman will be playing in the event for the second time, and Jeff Sluman for the third.
The 2010 Ryder Cup will be held Oct. 1-3 in South Wales.
Feb. 2, 2010
SPORTSWOMEN HONOR DU TEAM, CHERGO AND EATON: The University of Denver women’s golf team and coach Sammie Chergo, along with Greeley amateur Kim Eaton, will be honored at the Sportswomen of Colorado’s awards banquet March 7 at the Marriott Denver Tech Center.
The Sportswomen of Colorado recognize female accomplishments in many different sports, and Eaton and the Pioneers were the honorees in golf for 2009.
DU, led by Chergo, has finished sixth and fifth, respectively, in the last two NCAA Women’s Golf Championships. Eaton, meanwhile, was the CWGA’s Player of the Year and Senior Player of the Year after completing the feat of winning CWGA individual titles at the junior, open-age and senior levels. She also advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur.
Jan. 31, 2010
LIST OF 100 BEST GOLF SHOPS IN U.S. INCLUDES 3 IN COLORADO: In its Feb. 1 issue, Golf World magazine named its choices for the 100 best golf shops in the U.S., and three facilities in Colorado were included.
Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock made the list of best shops at private courses, while the Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs and Beaver Creek Golf Club were named in the resort category.
Jan. 29, 2010
GUNNER WIEBE MISSES CUT AS AMATEUR IN PGA TOUR EVENT: Amateur Gunner Wiebe of Aurora briefly made a run at making the cut at the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego, but a rocky nine-hole stretch on Friday cost him a shot at competing on the weekend.
The University of San Diego golfer shot a 6-over-par 78 at the North Course at Torrey Pines and finished with a two-round total of 7-over-par 151.
Wiebe stood 1 under par for the tournament -- 2 under for the day -- through two holes on Friday, but he played the next nine holes in 8 over par.
Gunner, the son of Champions Tour player Mark Wiebe, earned an amateur spot in the Farmers Insurance Open through a qualifying tournament and a subsequent playoff held late last year.
Jan. 28, 2010
GUNNER WIEBE FIRES 73 IN SAN DIEGO PGA TOUR EVENT: Aurora amateur Gunner Wiebe, who is playing the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego this week, shot a 1-over-par 73 at Torrey Pines’ South Course in Thursday’s opening round.
Wiebe, who went through a qualifying tournament to earn the amateur berth in the event, stands in 107th place and trails Scott Piercy by nine strokes. Wiebe made three birdies and four bogeys in Thursday’s round. If he moves up enough Friday to survive the cut, he’ll be the first amateur since 1996 to do so at the San Diego Tour stop.
Wiebe plays golf for the University of San Diego and is the son of Champions Tour player Mark Wiebe.
GREELEY’S EATON WINS SENIOR TITLE AT NATIONAL TOURNEY: Kim Eaton of Greeley claimed the senior title in a national tournament last week in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., winning the over-50 championship in the 78th annual Ione D. Jones/Doherty Women’s Amateur.
The Colorado Golf Hall of Famer and 2009 CWGA Player of the Year defeated Lisa Schlesinger 1-up in the championship match. All five of Eaton’s matches went at least 18 holes, with one going 24 and another 20. Eaton was one of 64 senior amateurs in the field. Four former USGA champions were competing and Eaton defeated two of them.
Eaton turned 50 last year and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur.
Fourteen-year-old sensation Alexis Thompson won the open division of the Jones/Doherty tournament for the second straight year. Among the past winners of the event are LPGA Hall of Famers Patty Berg and Louise Suggs.
COLORADO GOLF HALL OF FAMER DORSEY PASSES AWAY: Vivian Dorsey, one of the first 10 women elected to the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, passed away on Sunday (Jan. 24) at age 91.
Dorsey was one of the top women’s amateur players in Denver during the middle part of the 20th century. She won the CWGA Stroke Play Championship in 1951, and the Colorado Senior Women’s Golf Championship six times. She also claimed 16 club championships between Denver’s City Park Golf Course and Wellshire Golf Course.
On the national level, Dorsey competed in the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur, the Women’s Western Amateur and the Trans-Mississippi. She was named Senior Woman Golfer of the Year by the Colorado PGA in 1978 and ’82, and earned the YWCA Sportswoman’s Award for Golf in 1978. Dorsey was inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame in 1982.
Memorial plans for Dorsey will be announced later.
Jan. 27, 2010
SORENSTAM NAMED HONORARY CHAIR OF 2011 U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN AT BROADMOOR: The first of Annika Sorenstam’s 72 LPGA Tour victories came at the 1995 U.S. Women’s Open at the Broadmoor, and though she won’t be competing when the Women’s Open returns to the Colorado Springs club next year, it’s only appropriate that she play some prominent role in the event.
The World Golf Hall of Famer has been named honorary chair of the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open. Sorenstam, a three-time Women’s Open champion, will help promote the tournament, will appear at the ticket-launch press conference at the Broadmoor this year, and will host an exhibition during tournament week next year.
“The U.S. Women’s Open is our premier championship and when I won at the Broadmoor in 1995 it was my first professional victory in the United States,” said Sorenstam, who won 10 LPGA major championships during her career before retiring at the end of 2008. “Both the championship and the venue will always hold a special place in my heart, and I look forward to going back.”
The 2011 Women’s Open is set for July 7-10 at the Broadmoor’s East Course.
LOCAL PROFESSIONAL MINI-TOUR GEARING UP: A Colorado-based professional golf mini-tour, one that is aiming to play 20-25 one-round events this year, is being launched this week with a kickoff party. The C&B Waterworks Professional Golf Tour is scheduled to play its inaugural event March 3 at Riverdale Dunes in Brighton. Other courses currently on the tour schedule are Heritage Eagle Bend, Deer Creek, Pelican Lakes, Colorado National, Saddleback, Willis Case, Buffalo Run and Legacy Ridge. Tournaments are scheduled for Wednesdays.
Jan. 25, 2010
IRWIN POSTS BEST CHAMPIONS TOUR FINISH SINCE 2007: Former University of Colorado athlete Hale Irwin recorded his best finish on the Champions Tour in more than two years, placing fifth Sunday at the season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship in Hawaii. Irwin’s last top-five performance on the Champions circuit had been a runner-up showing in September 2007.
The 64-year-old finished eight shots behind champion Tom Watson Sunday on the Big Island of Hawaii. After going almost two years without a top-10 on the Champions Tour, Irwin has now recorded two straight. He placed sixth in his final tournament of 2009. Overall for his Champions Tour career, Irwin has finished in the top 10 197 times. A record 45 of those are victories.
Irwin wasn’t the only player with strong Colorado ties to post a top-10 at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship. Mark Wiebe of Aurora finished ninth, extending his streak of consecutive top-25 showings on the Champions Tour to nine.
GREELEY’S ORAEE RECEIVES DENVER POST HONOR: The record-setting 18-stroke victory by Greeley’s David Oraee in the American Junior Golf Association’s Junior All-Star at Aspen last June was chosen the overall winner of the Denver Post’s Youth Excellence in Sports contest for 2009. Oraee’s feat beat out 11 other monthly “Youth Excellence” award winners for the overall 2009 honor, which was announced on Sunday.
Oraee, a student at Greeley West High School, recorded the biggest margin of victory in the history of the AJGA, which dates back to 1978. He finished the 54-hole tournament with a 16-under-par 200 total.
Jan. 23, 2010
LOCAL PLAYERS STARTING FAST ON GATEWAY TOUR: The Gateway Tour Desert Winter Series is three tournaments old, and already three players with strong Colorado connections have posted top-five finishes.
Denver native and former University of Colorado golfer John Douma, who has his Nationwide Tour card this year, placed third in the season opener in Arizona. Then former Durango resident Tom Kalinowski came in fourth in week 2. And this week, Drew Stoltz, who grew up in Fort Collins, finished third in a rain-shortened tournament.
Overall, Douma stands eighth on the 2010 Gateway Tour money list with almost $9,000.
Jan. 22, 2010
DU’S KIM RECEIVES ANOTHER INVITE TO LPGA MAJOR: University of Denver freshman Kimberly Kim, winner of the 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur and a finalist in two USGA championships in 2009, has been invited to play in the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the first women’s major of the year, set for April 1-4 in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
The tournament would mark the sixth LPGA major for Kim. She was one of seven amateurs, including five collegians and two junior players, to be extended sponsor exemptions for the 2010 Nabisco.
Kim was the 2009 runner-up in both the U.S. Women’s Amateur Publinks and the U.S. Girls’ Junior.
DU TO HOST GOLF COACHES’ CLINIC: The University of Denver men’s and women’s golf teams will host a coaches’ clinic on Feb. 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The clinic, set for room 205 in the Daniels College of Business, is open to high school boys and girls golf coaches and prospective golf coaches.
DU head coaches Eric Hoos and Sammie Chergo, along with teaching professional Trent Wearner, will be guest speakers. Women’s associate head coach Lindsay Hulwick and men’s assistant Barrett Lais will host the clinic.
The cost for the function is $50 if received by Feb. 1 and $75 after. Register with Hulwick at lhulwick@du.edu.
Jan. 21, 2010
BERTSCH POSTS HIS BEST ROUND EVER ON THE PGA TOUR: Shane Bertsch of Parker shot the low round of his PGA Tour career on Wednesday, recording a 10-under-par 62 for the lead after the first day of the Bob Hope Classic in La Quinta, Calif. Bertsch’s previous best round on the PGA Tour was a 63 at the 2006 Sony Open in Hawaii.
Ironically, Bertsch didn’t have time for a practice round after travel complications in coming from the Sony Open in Hawaii, and he hadn’t played the Nicklaus Course at PGA West in about 10 years before Wednesday.
“It was like a new adventure over every hill,” he said. “… (But) it was just one of those rounds that everything kind of flowed together.”
Jan. 20, 2010
TOWN OF GYPSUM BUYS COTTON RANCH CLUB: The town of Gypsum has purchased the Cotton Ranch Club golf course, which sits about 40 miles west of Vail, it was announced on Wednesday. The 13-year-old course, designed by Pete Dye, will continue to be managed as a semi-private daily-fee facility by Edge Golf Group, but it’s expected to be renamed.
Gypsum purchased the Cotton Ranch Club out of foreclosure for $2.5 million. That’s less than a third of the amount spent to build the facility.
BROKEN TEE ENGLEWOOD ALSO RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION: Last month we pointed out various Colorado golf courses that had received recognition in national best-course lists in the last year. One facility that was overlooked in our story was Broken Tee Englewood, which appeared in the January 2010 issue of Golf Digest.
After listing its choices for the best newly-remodeled courses in the country, the magazine cited five other best new remodels with rates less than $65, and Broken Tee was included among the five. Broken Tee reopened in 2008.
Jan. 19, 2010
CRAIG STADLER JOINS SON KEVIN IN BOB HOPE FIELD: Evergreen resident Craig Stadler has a long, successful history at the Bob Hope Classic in southern California. The first of his 13 wins on the PGA Tour came at the 1980 Hope, and his last top-20 finish on Tour was at the 2005 Hope, where he placed 14th.
In the last 3½ years, Stadler has competed in only one PGA Tour event other than the Masters, where he’s a past champion. That’s not surprising given that Stadler is 56 years old and a regular on the Champions Tour.
But for the first time in five years, Stadler is in the field for the Bob Hope Classic, which begins on Wednesday. Not coincidentally, son Kevin, a PGA Tour member himself, is also competing this week in La Quinta, Calif. The Kent Denver High School graduate is coming off his best season on the PGA Tour as he finished 97th on the 2009 money list.
Jan. 18, 2010
BERTSCH MAKES FIRST CUT ON PGA TOUR SINCE 2008: Parker resident Shane Bertsch finished 25th Sunday at the Sony Open in Hawaii, surviving a cut on the PGA Tour for the first time since October 2008. Bertsch broke his foot late that year and played only two Tour events in 2009, missing the cut both times.
With the $35,436 Bertsch earned in Hawaii, the Denver native ranks 45th on the 2010 Tour money list. Bertsch regained his fully-exempt status on Tour by placing 15th in the final stage of 2009 Q-school.
Jan. 11, 2010
LAIRD NOTCHES ANOTHER TOP-5 FINISH ON PGA TOUR: Former Colorado State University golfer Martin Laird continued his recent hot streak on the PGA Tour by finishing fourth Sunday at the season-opening SBS Championship in Hawaii. Laird earned $300,000 in the event that featured only winners of 2009 Tour events.
The 27-year-old Laird, who spent a week in Colorado around Christmastime, has recorded three top-four finishes in his last seven Tour events, dating back to August 2009. His prize money from just those three finishes totals $1.32 million. --READ MORE ABOUT LAIRD IN 2009
January 12 update: The selection committee for the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame voted Tuesday to award Laird a citation for his October 2009 victory at the Justin Timberlake PGA Tour event in Las Vegas. Laird’s citation, along with numerous others, will appear in the program for the April 20 Colorado Sports Hall of Fame dinner that will take place in downtown Denver.
Jan. 10, 2010
DU’S SHERLOCK CANADA’S TOP FEMALE AMATEUR AGAIN: University of Denver senior Stephanie Sherlock was named the top female amateur golfer in Canada in 2009, and freshman teammate Sue Kim finished No. 2 on the Royal Canadian Golf Association’s National Order of Merit standings.
Sherlock claimed 11th place at the NCAA women’s finals and was named a second-team All-American for the third time. In Canada, the Ontario resident placed third in the Canadian Women’s Amateur and second in the Ontario Women’s Amateur.
Sherlock also finished atop the Canadian Order of Merit in 2008.
Kim, a British Columbia resident, joined the DU program in the fall of 2009.
Jan. 7, 2010
ROCKY MOUNTAIN OPEN LEAVING LINCOLN PARK: Officials from the Enstrom’s Rocky Mountain Open confirmed this week that the 71-year-old Grand Junction-based tournament will no longer be held at its original venue, Lincoln Park Golf Course. While Tiara Rado will continue to be one of two host courses used for the oldest continuously-run “open” tournament held in Colorado, the second club utilized will be Bookcliff Country Club, a newcomer to the RMO.
This year’s tournament is scheduled for Aug. 20-22.
Nine-hole Lincoln Park has been a host site for the RMO every year from 1939 to 2009, but the move to 18-hole Bookcliff was made with the hopes of increasing the field by 90 or 100 golfers, and subsequently increasing the money raised for college scholarships funded by the Western Colorado Golf Foundation.
The RMO has a rich history in western Colorado. Among the winners of the tournament is Orville Moody, who captured the 1975 title six years after claiming victory at the U.S. Open. Babe Didrikson Zaharias, named the top female athlete of the first half of the 20th century, finished third in the 1946 RMO as an amateur and competed in 1950 as a pro.
Jan. 1, 2010
COLORADANS LARSON, KRUEGER NAMED RMJGT PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: Two golfers from Colorado -- Gina Larson of Longmont and Ben Krueger of Colorado Springs -- were recently named the Rocky Mountain Junior Golf Tour’s players of the year in the oldest age divisions.
Larson won six RMJGT tournaments in 2009, including the Tournament of Champions on Dec. 20 in Scottsdale, Ariz. After that victory, Golfweek magazine named the 16-year-old Niwot High School junior its girls player of the week on Dec. 23. Larson -- who finished sixth individually in the 5A state high school tournament in 2009, helping Skyline win the team title -- has verbally committed to play at Colorado State beginning in the fall of 2011.
Krueger received his player of the year honor after winning five RMJGT events in 2009. Krueger was the runner-up in the CGA Junior Stroke Play last year.
The RMJGT hosts about 50 tournaments in eight states throughout the western U.S.
Dec. 17, 2009
NEW CU TOURNAMENT NAMED FOR MARK SIMPSON: The new invitational tournament the University of Colorado men’s golf team will host beginning next year has been named the Mark Simpson Colorado Invitational, honoring the longtime CU coach who passed away in 2005 after battling cancer.
The inaugural tournament will be held Sept. 27-28 at Erie’s Colorado National Golf Club, the home course of the Buffs. It will be the first Colorado-based intercollegiate tournament hosted by the CU men since the 1993 Fox Acres Invitational in Red Feather Lakes.
Among the teams currently scheduled to compete at the 2010 Mark Simpson tournament are Colorado State, Denver, Air Force, Northern Colorado, Wyoming, Brigham Young, East Carolina, Kansas, Louisville, New Mexico, New Mexico State and San Jose State.
Meanwhile, an indoor hitting area and putting green are currently being constructed for the CU men’s and women’s teams at Colorado National.
Dec. 9, 2009
DU’S KOFSTAD EARNS MID-SEASON HONOR: University of Denver senior Espen Kofstad was one of 12 golfers named to Golf World magazine’s mid-season men’s All-American team.
Kofstad never finished outside the top eight in his five fall tournaments, and he was second once and third twice. His stroke average was 71.13.
CU-COLORADO SPRINGS TOP-RANKED MEN’S COLO. COLLEGE TEAM: While Division I college programs usually attract the most attention, the top-ranked college golf team from Colorado after the fall portion of the season comes from Division II.
The men’s team at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs is ranked eighth in the country in Division II by Golfstat and 14th in the coaches’ poll. The Mountain Lions won two tournaments during their fall schedule.
The only top-25 Division I golf team from Colorado after the fall was the University of Denver women, who were ranked 18 or 19 nationally, depending on the poll.
Dec. 6, 2009
EX-DU GOLFER KEMPTER IN SIXTH AT LPGA Q-SCHOOL: Former University of Denver golfer Katie Kempter will go into the final round of the LPGA Tour qualifying finals in sixth place.
The rookie pro was tied for the lead after three rounds, but dropped three strokes behind during the course of Sunday’s fourth round. Kempter posted her second straight 1-over-par 73 Sunday to finish the day at 3-under-par 285. Marianne Skarpnord leads the five-round tournament with a 6-under-par 282 total.
Dawn Shockley of Denver, a former teammate of Kempter at DU, missed the 72-hole cut to the top 70 playes at ties, Shockley shot 73-71 in rounds 3 and 4 to finish at 11-over-par 299, two strokes off what was necessary to qualify for Monday’s final round. She tied for 76th place.
The top 40 players in the field after five rounds will have some eligibility on the LPGA Tour next year, with the top 20 being fully exempt.
KAYE JUMPS UP TO 26TH IN PGA TOUR QUALIFYING: Former University of Colorado golfer Jonathan Kaye, who lost his fully-exempt status on the PGA Tour this year, moved up into 26th place after Sunday’s play in the final stage of Tour qualifying in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Kaye, winner of two Tour events in his career, shot a 3-under-par 69 in the fifth round despite a bogey on the final hole. He stands at 8-under-par 352 for 90 holes.
Troy Merritt, who has been near the top of the leaderboard throughout the tournament, is in first place after Sunday at 18 under par through 84 holes. Play was suspended Sunday night due to darkness, but tournament officials expect the rest of the fifth round and the final round to be completed Monday on schedule.
Meanwhile, former University of Denver golfer Barrett Jarosch, who had been among the leaders for three days, dropped to 42nd place on Sunday.
The top 25 finishers and ties after six rounds will earn their 2010 PGA Tour cards, while roughly the next 50 competitors will be fully exempt on the Nationwide Tour. The remainder of the Q-school finalists will be conditionally exempt on the Nationwide circuit next year.
Here’s the rundown on where all nine golfers with strong Colorado connections stand after Sunday’s play:
Denver native and former University of Colorado golfer Jonathan Kaye (8 under par through 90 holes; 26th place); former University of Denver golfer Barrett Jarosch (5 under par through 87 holes; 42nd place); Shane Bertsch of Parker (3 under par through 86 holes; 57th place); Kent Denver High School graduate Brandt Jobe (3 under par through 85 holes; 57th place); Esteban Toledo of Castle Rock (1 over par through 85 holes; 81st place); David Duval of Cherry Hills Village (4 over par through 90 holes; 102nd place); Denver native and former CU golfer John Douma (4 over par through 90 holes; 102nd place); Dustin White of Pueblo West (6 over par through 90 holes; 113th place); former Littleton resident Bret Guetz (6 over par through 90 holes; 113th place).
Dec. 5, 2009
DUVAL FALTERS IN PGA TOUR QUALIFYING: David Duval of Cherry Hills Village struggled considerably Saturday, greatly diminishing his chances of regaining his fully-exempt status on the PGA Tour for 2010.
The former No. 1-ranked player in the world stood 7 over par through 17 holes in Saturday’s rain-interrupted round of the final stage of Q-school in West Palm Beach, Fla. Duval made a quadruple bogey, a double bogey, four bogeys and three birdies on Saturday.
But even if Duval doesn’t earn his fully-exempt status by finishing in the top 25 and ties after six rounds, he’ll have conditional status on Tour in 2010, meaning he’ll likely get into about 20 tournaments.
Troy Merritt and Jay Williamson share the lead in West Palm Beach after Saturday at 15 under par. Former University of Denver golfer Barrett Jarsoch stands in eighth place at 12 under par through nine holes of his fourth round. Next best among players with strong Colorado ties is former University of Colorado golfer Jonathan Kaye, a two-time Tour winner who is in 32nd place.
The top 25 finishers and ties after 108 holes will earn their 2010 PGA Tour cards, while roughly the next 50 competitors will be fully exempt on the Nationwide Tour. The remainder of the 170 Q-school finalists will be conditionally exempt on the Nationwide circuit next year.
Here’s the rundown on where all nine players with strong Colorado connections stand after Saturday’s play:
Former University of Denver golfer Barrett Jarosch (12 under par through 63 holes; eighth place); Denver native and former University of Colorado golfer Jonathan Kaye (5 under par through 66 holes; 32nd place); Shane Bertsch of Parker (4 under par through 66 holes; 37th place); Kent Denver High School graduate Brandt Jobe (3 under par through 69 holes; 43rd place); Esteban Toledo of Castle Rock (2 under par through 66 holes; 54th place); David Duval of Cherry Hills Village (4 over par through 71 holes; 111th place); Dustin White of Pueblo West (4 over par through 65 holes; 111th place); Denver native and former CU golfer John Douma (5 over par through 69 holes; 128th place); former Littleton resident Bret Guetz (6 over par through 66 holes; 136th place).
SATURDAY A WASHOUT AT LPGA Q-SCHOOL: Overnight rain and the wet condition of the courses led to a washout of play Saturday in the LPGA Tour qualifying finals in Daytona, Beach, Fla. The third round of the five-round event is scheduled to resume Sunday morning.
Former University of Denver golfer Katie Kempter remains in third place at 4 under par, two strokes behind leader Nikki Garrett. Former DU teammate Dawn Shockley, at 14 over par, stands in 99th place.
The top 40 players in the field after five rounds will have some eligibility on the LPGA Tour next year, with the top 20 being fully exempt.
GUNNER WIEBE BEATS COACH FOR SPOT IN TOUR EVENT: Aurora resident Gunner Wiebe made a 7-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole at Torrey Pines South on Saturday to beat his college coach in a playoff and earn a spot in next month’s San Diego PGA Tour stop.
Wiebe shot a 1-over-par 73 Saturday, while his coach at the University of San Diego, Tim Mickelson, recorded a 74. The two had tied in the Nov. 21 qualifier for one amateur spot available in the field for the Jan. 28-31 San Diego Open. After halving four straight holes in a sudden-death playoff that day, an 18-hole playoff was set.
The San Diego Open will be the first Tour event for the 20-year-old Wiebe, son of longtime PGA Tour regular Mark Wiebe.
“I’m definitely at a loss for words," said Gunner Wiebe, who worked on his short game with his dad over Thanksgiving break in Colorado. "I’m super excited, I’m going to be the youngest Wiebe to play in a Tour event, and my dad is going to be there. You can’t ask for anything better.”
Mark Wiebe, a former resident of the San Diego area, finishing second in the 1989 San Diego Open.
Though it was at Mickelson's expense, Gunner Wiebe getting this opportunity was a big consolation for the younger brother of three-time San Diego Open champion Phil Mickelson.
“I’m happy he gets to play in it,” Tim Mickelson said. “I wish there was a way we could both play, but that’s not going to happen. I hope this will jump-start his career.”
Dec. 4, 2009
FIRST TEE OF GREEN VALLEY RANCH RECEIVES $40,000 GRANT: The First Tee of Green Valley Ranch in northeast Denver has received a $40,000 grant from the Daniels Fund.
The First Tee of GVR is one of four First Tee chapters in Colorado. The First Tee program focuses on youth development by providing programs and facilities that promote key character values through the game of golf. The First Tee’s nine core values are honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, courtesy, judgment and perseverance.
The GVR First Tee program, based in a new learning center near the Green Valley Ranch course, served 1,370 youngsters in 2009.
EX-DU GOLFER JAROSCH IN NINTH IN TOUR QUALIFYING: Former University of Denver golfer Barrett Jarosch stayed in the top 10 as he reached the halfway point of the final stage of PGA Tour qualifying in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Jarosch’s 4-under-par 68 Friday left him at 9-under 207 overall and three strokes behind co-leaders J.P. Hayes and Troy Merritt. Play was suspended by weather late in the day, but only 20 golfers hadn’t completed the third round of the six-round event.
Jarosch leads the 170-player field with 20 birdies in three rounds.
Meanwhile, four other competitors with strong Colorado ties -- all of whom played at least some on the PGA Tour in 2009 -- are in the top 40 after three rounds. Shane Bertsch (211) is in 23rd place, Jonathan Kaye and Brandt Jobe share 32nd place, and David Duval is 36th. Jobe helped his cause with an eagle on the par-4 ninth hole Friday.
The top 25 finishers and ties after six rounds will earn their 2010 PGA Tour cards, while roughly the next 50 competitors will be fully exempt on the Nationwide Tour. The remainder of the 170 Q-school finalists will be conditionally exempt on the Nationwide circuit next year.
Here’s the rundown on where all nine players with strong Colorado connections stand after Friday’s third round:
Former University of Denver golfer Barrett Jarosch 73-66-68--207 (ninth place); Shane Bertsch of Parker 71-71-69--211 (23rd place); Denver native and former University of Colorado golfer Jonathan Kaye 73-69-70--212 (32nd place); Kent Denver High School graduate Brandt Jobe 73-70-69--212 (32nd place); David Duval of Cherry Hills Village 71-73-69--213 (36th place); Esteban Toledo of Castle Rock 76-69-69--214 (50th place); Dustin White of Pueblo West 74-74-69--217 (82nd place); former Littleton resident Bret Guetz 73-72-74--219 (104th place); Denver native and former CU golfer John Douma 74-75-72--221 (128th place).
KEMPTER STILL IN THIRD AS RAINS HIT LPGA Q-SCHOOL: Former University of Denver golfer Katie Kempter remained in third place Friday as heavy rains suspended play in the third round of the LPGA Tour qualifying finals in Daytona, Beach, Fla.
Kempter, who turned pro just six months ago, played three holes in 1 over par on Friday to drop to 4 under par overall, two strokes behind leader Nikki Garrett. The third round of the five-round tournament is scheduled to resume at 9 a.m. (MT) on Saturday.
Dawn Shockley of Denver, a former DU teammate of Kempter, played five holes in 3 over par on Friday, leaving her 14 over par for the tournament and in 99th place.
The top 40 players in the field after five rounds will have some eligibility on the LPGA Tour next year, with the top 20 being fully exempt.
LANA ORTEGA BACK AT GREEN VALLEY RANCH: Lana Ortega, named one of the top women’s golf instructors in America by the former magazine Golf for Women, is returning to Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in northeast Denver to be part of the new Colorado Golf Academy.
Ortega spent 12 years working with the McGetrick Golf Academy, which was once based at Green Valley Ranch. Ortega now owns and operates Lana Ortega Golf, which teaches all types of golfers but puts a special emphasis on female players.
Lana Ortega Golf will partner with Colorado Golf Academy, which is operated by co-directors of instruction Eli Haskell and Joe Egnoski.
Green Valley Ranch Golf Club is the home of the HealthOne Colorado Open, Colorado Women’s Open and the Colorado Senior Open.
Dec. 3, 2009
EX-DU GOLFER KEMPTER 1 OUT OF LEAD IN LPGA QUALIFYING: Former University of Denver golfer Katie Kempter moved up to third place after Thursday’s second round of the LPGA Tour qualifying finals in Daytona, Beach, Fla.
Kempter, a rookie pro, shot a 3-under-par 69 and stands at 5-under 139, one stroke behind co-leaders Jane Chin and Nikki Garrett.
The top 40 players in the field after Sunday’s fifth round will have some eligibility on the LPGA Tour next year, with the top 20 being fully exempt.
Another former DU golfer, Dawn Shockley of Denver, shot a 75 on Thursday for a 155 total, which leaves her in 99th place.
FORMER PIONEER JAROSCH FIRES 66 AT Q-SCHOOL: Former University of Denver golfer Barrett Jarosch shot a 7-under-par 29 on his first nine holes Thursday en route to a 6-under 66 that moved him up to eighth place after two rounds of the final stage of PGA Tour qualifying in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Jarosch’s 5-under 139 total leaves him three strokes behind Troy Merritt, who leads the six-round tournament.
"It obviously helps, but there's a lot of golf left,” said Jarosch, who made six straight birdies during one stretch on Thursday. “I could use a couple more 29s."
Two local players with plenty of PGA Tour experience, former University of Colorado golfer Jonathan Kaye and Parker’s Shane Bertsch, share 18th place after Thursday’s action.
The top 25 finishers and ties after six rounds will earn their 2010 PGA Tour cards, while roughly the next 50 competitors will be fully exempt on the Nationwide Tour. The remainder of the 170 Q-school finalists will be conditionally exempt on the Nationwide circuit next year.
Here’s the rundown on where all nine players with strong Colorado connections stand after Thursday’s second round:
Former University of Denver golfer Barrett Jarosch 73-66-139 (eighth place); Denver native and former University of Colorado golfer Jonathan Kaye 73-69--142 (18th place); Shane Bertsch of Parker 71-71--142 (18th place); Kent Denver High School graduate Brandt Jobe 73-70--143 (31st place); David Duval of Cherry Hills Village 71-73--144 (39th place); Esteban Toledo of Castle Rock 76-69--145 (54th place); former Littleton resident Bret Guetz 73-72--145 (54th place); Dustin White of Pueblo West 74-74--148 (100th place); Denver native and former CU golfer John Douma 74-75--149 (111th place).
Like on Wednesday, Duval was 4 over par for the round at one point Thursday, but he rallied with three birdies on his back nine to post a 73. Duval, formerly ranked No. 1 in the world, is conditionally exempt on the PGA Tour for next year, but is hoping to improve his status this week.
DENVER MEN’S TEAM SIGNS TWINS, TWO EUROPEANS: The University of Denver men’s golf team signed four players to national letters of intent, including a Norwegian, a Swede and twin brothers from Chandler, Ariz.
Joining the Pioneers in the fall of 2010 will be Ole Ramsnes of Norway, Oskar Arvidsson of Sweden and C.J. Kim and Chun-Ji Kim of Chandler.
Ramsnes won the Norwegian Team Championship for Men and the Norwegian Championship for Boys. He placed 14th in the World Team Championship for Boys.
C.J. and Chun-Ji Kim rank 54th and 138th, respectively, in the national Sagarin boys rankings. They recently led Hamilton High School to its fifth straight boys state championship, with C.J. Kim also winning the individual title.
Arvidsson represented the Swedish national team at the French Boys International tournament and the Spirit Invitational.
Dec. 2, 2009
DUVAL, BERTSCH SHARE 11TH PLACE IN PGA TOUR QUALIFYING: David Duval of Cherry Hills Village, a former No. 1-ranked player in the world, shot a 1-under-par 71 Wednesday and shares 11th place after the opening round of the final stage of PGA Tour qualifying in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Duval, who is trying to regain his fully-exempt status on Tour, is tied at 71 with Parker’s Shane Bertsch, who missed most of the 2009 season after breaking a foot late last year. Duval was 4 over par after six holes, but made five birdies and no bogeys the rest of the way.
Troy Merritt leads the tournament with a 5-under-par 67.
The top 25 finishers and ties after six rounds will earn their 2010 PGA Tour cards, while roughly the next 50 competitors will be fully exempt on the Nationwide Tour. The remainder of the 170 Q-school finalists will be conditionally exempt on the Nationwide circuit next year.
Here’s the rundown on where all nine players with strong Colorado connections stand after Wednesday’s first round:
David Duval of Cherry Hills Village 71 (11th place); Shane Bertsch of Parker 71 (11th place); Kent Denver High School graduate Brandt Jobe 73 (35th place); Denver native and former University of Colorado golfer Jonathan Kaye 73 (35th place), former Littleton resident Bret Guetz 73 (35th place), former University of Denver golfer Barrett Jarosch 73 (35th place); Denver native and former CU golfer John Douma 74 (55th place), Dustin White of Pueblo West 74 (55th place), Esteban Toledo of Castle Rock 76 (105th place).
Douma was among the leaders when he was 3 under par through 10 holes, but a triple bogey on the last hole left him at 74.
FORMER DU GOLFER KEMPTER STARTS FAST IN LPGA TOUR QUALIFYING: Former University of Denver golfer Katie Kempter fired a 2-under-par 70 Wednesday to share seventh place after the first round of the LPGA Tour qualifying finals in Daytona, Beach, Fla.
Nikki Garrett leads the five-round tournament with a 5-under-par 67, but Kempter had the lowest score of the day on the Legends Course. Kempter completed her DU golf career six months ago.
Dawn Shockley of Denver, a teammate of Kempter at DU, struggled to an 80 on Wednesday and shares 99th place.
The top 40 players in the field after Sunday will have some eligibility on the LPGA Tour next year, with the top 20 being fully exempt.
DU WOMEN SIGN NORWEGIAN PLAYER: University of Denver women’s golf coach Sammie Chergo signed a Norwegian, Tonje Daffinrud, to a national letter of intent, the school announced on Wednesday.
Daffinrud was a member of Europe’s 2009 Junior Solheim Cup team. She’s played for the Norwegian national team and is ranked among the top five junior golfers in Europe.
Daffinrud is scheduled to be added to DU’s roster in the fall of 2010. She’ll be one of several international players for the Pioneers, joining Sarah Faller (Ireland), Sue Kim (Canada) and Ellie Givens (England).
Dec. 1, 2009
NEW NAME, OWNERSHIP AT NOW-PUBLIC HEATHER RIDGE: The once-private 36-year-old Aurora golf course known as Heather Ridge Country Club has opened its doors to the general public and now will be known as the Golf Club at Heather Ridge.
Those changes have been made official with the recent purchase of the course by 10 homeowners associations surrounding Heather Ridge. The 1,127 homeowners, which formed the Heather Ridge Metropolitan District, bought the course and clubhouse for approximately $3.2 million to prevent it from possibly being sold to developers who might have significantly altered the landscape.
On average, Heather Ridge homeowners will pay an extra $35 per month in taxes to fund the deal.
Nov. 28, 2009
HALL OF FAMER HEITLER PASSES AWAY: Dorothy Heitler of Lakewood, a member of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame and one of the state’s top female golfers in the 1940s and ‘50s, passed away on Nov. 26. She was 95.
Heitler won three CWGA state championships between 1949 and 1956 -- the 1949 Match Play and the 1953 and ’56 Stroke Play. She also claimed the Denver Women’s City Championship in 1956, and earned women’s club championship titles at Green Gables Country Club six times between 1940 and ’63.
Heitler also served on the CWGA’s Course Rating Committee and Handicap Committee. She was inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame in 1999, five years after her sister-in-law, Helen Hyman.
Outside of golf, Heitler was once the president of the Denver Symphony as well as the president of the Children’s Hospital Auxiliary.
A service for Heitler will be held Sunday, Nov. 29, at 1 p.m. at Temple Emanuel (51 Grape Street in Denver).
Nov. 25, 2009
DU’S KOFSTAD NAMED TOP AMATEUR IN NORWAY: University of Denver senior Espen Kofstad was recently named the top amateur golfer in Norway, the Norwegian Golf Federation announced.
Kofstad earned the 2009 “Arets Talent” award given to the No. 1 amateur in the country, based on tournament results, diligence and other attributes.
Kofstad won the Sun Belt Conference Tournament this year. He has claimed the Norwegian national amateur title and has represented his country at the World Amateur Championships in Australia.
Nov. 22, 2009
TENTH ANNUAL CGA/CWGA AWARDS BRUNCH DRAWS 260: Approximately 260 people attended the 10th annual CGA/CWGA awards brunch held Sunday at the Omni Interlocken Hotel in Broomfield.
The top performers during the CGA, CWGA and CJGA seasons were honored, along with special award recipients.
Player awards went to Steve Ziegler of Broomfield (CGA Les Fowler Player of the Year), Kim Eaton of Greeley (CWGA Player of the Year and Senior Player of the Year), Robert Polk of Parker (CGA Senior Player of the Year), and Michael Harrington of Colorado Springs (CGA Mid-Amateur Player of the Year).
Junior player honorees were Somin Lee of Denver (pictured; CWGA Junior Player of the Year), Cody Kent of Castle Rock (CGA Junior Player of the Year), and Morgan Sahm of Centennial (CWGA Most Improved Junior of the Year).
Also receiving awards were Dave Wining of Boulder (Jim Topliff On-Course Official of the Year), Jay Ritchie of Colorado Springs (Dave Nelson Award for Excellence in Golf Journalism), and Tom Connell, the recently retired head professional at Denver Country Club (Presidents’ Award).
For a more complete rundown of the honorees and their accomplishments, go to http://www.cogolf.org/iframegjxxl.php?URL=cgj/awards1113.html
Nov. 20, 2009
EAKS EARNS CONDITIONAL STATUS ON 2010 CHAMPIONS TOUR: Colorado Springs native R.W. Eaks finished eighth Friday in the Champions Tour qualifying tournament, which is good for conditional status on the Champions circuit next year.
The top five finishers in Scottsdale, Ariz., receive full exemptions for 2010, with the next seven players being conditionally exempt.
Eaks, who’s won four Champions Tour events in his career, shot a 2-under-par 69 on Friday, but played his last five holes in 3 over par. Had he parred 18 instead of making bogey, he would have played off for the final fully-exempt spot. As it was, Eaks finished at 11-under-par 273, six strokes behind champion Peter Senior. Also gaining fully-exempt spots were Joe Ozaki, Steve Haskins, Ronnie Black and Jim Roy.
Gary Hallberg of Castle Rock finished 68th in the qualifying tournament at 7-over-par 291, but he still has some status on the 2010 Champions Tour by virtue of his three career wins on the PGA Tour.
KAYE MOVES INTO TOP 10 IN PGA TOUR QUALIFYING: Four players with strong Colorado ties are in the top 10 heading into Saturday’s final round of the second stage of PGA Tour qualifying.
Former University of Denver golfer Barrett Jarosch (sixth in Beaumont, Calif.), ex-University of Colorado player John Douma (seventh in Kingwood, Texas), former CU golfer Jonathan Kaye (10th in Beaumont) and Dustin White of Pueblo West (also 10th in Beaumont) are all in the top 10 after three rounds of the 72-hole tournaments.
Second-stage tournaments are being held at six sites, with the top finishers advancing to next month’s final stage. There, the top 25 finishers and ties will earn their 2010 PGA Tour cards.
Here is how all the local players stand in the second-stage tournaments:
Brooksville, Fla. (21 players and ties advance) -- Golden native Leif Olson 69-75-74--218 (56th place).
Panama City Beach, Fla. (20 players and ties advance) -- Former Littleton resident Bret Guetz 70-73-66--209 (11th place); former Littleton resident Brian Guetz 66-74-72--212 (28th place).
Pine Mountain, Ga. (20 players and ties advance) -- James Love of Denver 71-71-70--212 (34th place); former University of Colorado golfer Mike Troyer 72-76-73--221 (72nd place).
Kingwood, Texas (19 players and ties advance) -- Former CU golfer John Douma 72-67-70--209 (seventh place); Kent Denver High School graduate Brandt Jobe 65-74-75--214 (27th place); former Colorado State golfer Aaron Weston 72-73-76--221 (59th place), former CU golfer Kenny Coakley 73-76-74--223 (64th place).
McKinney, Texas (21 players and ties advance; round 3 not completed Friday) -- Former Durango resident Tom Kalinowski 69-75--144 (42nd place); Pat Grady of Broomfield 73-74--147 (58th place).
Beaumont, Calif. (20 players and ties advance) -- Former University of Denver golfer Barrett Jarosch 67-67-73--207 (sixth place); former CU golfer Jonathan Kaye 74-69-66--209 (10th place); Dustin White of Pueblo West 69-71-69--209 (10th place); former DU golfer Daniel Wax 70-71-71--212 (30th place).
Nov. 19, 2009
EX-DU GOLFER JAROSCH SHARES LEAD IN PGA TOUR QUALIFYING: Former University of Denver golfer Barrett Jarosch shot a second straight 67 Thursday and shares first place in the second stage of PGA Tour qualifying in Beaumont, Calif.
Beaumont is one of six second-stage tournament sites, and 15 players with strong Colorado ties are competing overall. Jarosch, Kent Denver High school graduate Brandt Jobe (tied for seventh in Kingwood, Texas) and former University of Colorado golfer John Douma (also tied for seventh in Kingwood) are in the top 10 after two rounds of the 72-hole events.
Here is how all the local players stand in the tournaments that will determine who advances to the final stage of PGA Tour qualifying:
Brooksville, Fla. (21 players and ties advance) -- Golden native Leif Olson 69-75-144 (48th place).
Panama City Beach, Fla. (20 players and ties advance) -- Former Littleton resident Brian Guetz 66-74--140 (14th place); former Littleton resident Bret Guetz 70-73--143 (32nd place).
Pine Mountain, Ga. (20 players and ties advance) -- James Love of Denver 71-71--142 (39th place); former University of Colorado golfer Mike Troyer 72-76--148 (72nd place).
Kingwood, Texas (19 players and ties advance) -- Kent Denver High School graduate Brandt Jobe 65-74--139 (seventh place); former CU golfer John Douma 72-67--139 (seventh place); former Colorado State golfer Aaron Weston 72-73--145 (47th place), former CU golfer Kenny Coakley 73-76--149 (67th place).
McKinney, Texas (21 players and ties advance) -- Former Durango resident Tom Kalinowski 69-75--144 (42nd place); Pat Grady of Broomfield 73-74--147 (58th place).
Beaumont, Calif. (20 players and ties advance) -- Former University of Denver golfer Barrett Jarosch 67-67--134 (first place); Dustin White of Pueblo West 69-71--140 (15th place); former DU golfer Daniel Wax 70-71--141 (20th place); former CU golfer Jonathan Kaye 74-69--143 (41st place).
EAKS IMPROVES TO 10TH AT CHAMPIONS TOUR QUALIFYING: Colorado Springs native R.W. Eaks shot a 5-under-par 66 Thursday and moved into 10th place going into the final round of Champions Tour qualifying in Scottsdale, Ariz. Eaks, winner of four tournaments during his Champions Tour career, completed three rounds at 9-under-par 204. Steve Haskins kept the lead, opening up a four-stroke margin with a 65 that left him at 17-under 196.
The top five finishers after Friday’s final round will receive fully-exempt status on the Champions Tour in 2010, with the next seven players being conditionally exempt.
Castle Rock resident Gary Hallberg, a three-time winner on the PGA Tour, fired a 72 Thursday and stands in 65th place at 4-over-par 217 overall.
SUGGESTING CANDIDATES FOR COLO. GOLF HALL OF FAME: Do you know of a worthy candidate for induction into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame? Please bring names and background information to the attention of the board of directors by Dec. 31. A printable form and other information can be found on the web site http://www.cogolf.org/iframe.php?URL=http://www.cogolf.org/hof/nomination.htm
Nov. 18, 2009
JOBE LEADS IN HIS SECOND-STAGE PGA TOUR QUALIFYING TOURNEY: Former Coloradan Brandt Jobe shot a 7-under-par 65 Wednesday and leads by two in one of the second-stage events in PGA Tour qualifying.
Jobe, who lost his Tour card this year after more than a decade on the circuit, will need to finish among the top 19 players and ties after four rounds in Kingwood, Texas to advance to next month’s final stage of Tour qualifying.
Jobe is one of 15 players with strong Colorado connections who are competing at six second-stage tournaments this week. Here are how the local players stand in the 72-hole tournaments that will determine who advances to the final stage of PGA Tour qualifying:
Brooksville, Fla. (21 players and ties advance) -- Golden native Leif Olson 69 (17th place).
Panama City Beach, Fla. (20 players and ties advance) -- Former Littleton resident Brian Guetz 66 (third place); former Littleton resident Bret Guetz 70 (18th place).
Pine Mountain, Ga. (20 players and ties advance) -- James Love of Denver 71 (45th place); former University of Colorado golfer Mike Troyer 72 (57th place).
Kingwood, Texas (19 players and ties advance) -- Kent Denver High School graduate Brandt Jobe 65 (first place); former Colorado State golfer Aaron Weston 72 (39th place), former CU golfer John Douma 72 (39th place); former CU golfer Kenny Coakley 73 (47th place).
McKinney, Texas (21 players and ties advance) -- Former Durango resident Tom Kalinowski 69 (11th place); Pat Grady of Broomfield 73 (60th place).
Beaumont, Calif. (20 players and ties advance) -- Former University of Denver golfer Barrett Jarosch 67 (seventh place); Dustin White of Pueblo West 69 (15th place); former DU golfer Daniel Wax 70 (27th place); former CU golfer Jonathan Kaye 74 (62nd place).
EAKS STANDS 17TH IN CHAMPIONS TOUR QUALIFYING: Two players with strong Colorado ties dropped back in the field after Wednesday’s second round of Champions Tour qualifying in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Colorado Springs native R.W. Eaks shot a 1-over-par 72 Wednesday and fell from fifth to 17th place in the 72-hole event. Eaks, a four-time winner on the Champions Tour, stands at 4-under-par 138 for two rounds.
Castle Rock resident Gary Hallberg dropped from 12th to 59th place as a second-round 77 left him at 3-over-par 145. Steve Haskins (66-65--131) leads the competition.
The top five finishers after four rounds receive fully-exempt status on the Champions Tour in 2010, with the next seven players being conditionally exempt.
TRANS MISS AT DCC WILL BRING COLLEGE PLAYERS BACK INTO FIELD: Officials from the Trans-Mississippi Golf Association, which will hold its 2010 championship at Denver Country Club, sent out a letter to college coaches this month informing them of a change in format which will bring college golfers back into the Trans Miss next year.
Since 1987, the field has been limited to players 25 and older, but next year the championship division will have no age restriction, which means college players will once again be allowed to play in the Trans Miss. Tournament officials hope the event will attract at least 50 college golfers, preferably many of the best in the nation at that level.
Top college players once were a mainstay of the Trans Miss, and Jack Nicklaus and Ben Crenshaw won the tournament while still in the college ranks.
The Trans Miss will also make other changes that will take effect for next year’s tournament, including: moving from match play to 54 holes of individual stroke play; the field will now number 144 and include golfers from Trans Miss member clubs and those receiving invitations from the championship committee.
In addition to an 84-man championship division, the tournament will feature a 60-man senior division limited to players 55 and older.
The dates for the 2010 Trans Miss at Denver Country Club are July 12-15.
DU COACH HOOS PLAYING IN CALLAWAY PEBBLE BEACH INVITE: University of Denver men’s golf coach Eric Hoos, who once won a tournament on what is now known as the Nationwide Tour, will compete in the Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational pro-am that will be played in Pebble Beach, Calif. Thursday through Sunday.
The invitational features competing professionals from the PGA, LPGA, Champions and Nationwide tours, and also matches foursomes of amateurs which are paired with different pros each day. Competitors will play the Pebble Beach, Spyglass and Del Monte courses.
Nov. 17, 2009
EAKS, HALLBERG IN CONTENTION AT CHAMPIONS TOUR QUALIFYING: Two players with strong Colorado connections are among the players on the leaderboard after Tuesday’s first round of the final stage of Champions Tour qualifying in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Colorado Springs native R.W. Eaks, a four-time winner on the Champions Tour, shot a 5-under-par 66 to share fifth place in the 72-hole event. Four players -- John Ross, Curt Byrum, Terry Burke and Lu Chjen Soon -- share the lead at 65. Meanwhile, Gary Hallberg of Castle Rock posted a 68, which is good for a share of 12th place. Hallberg is a three-time winner on the PGA Tour.
The top five finishers after four rounds receive fully-exempt status on the Champions Tour in 2010, with the next seven players being conditionally exempt.
In addition to Champions Tour spots being up for grabs, this week’s tournament will hand out a $200,000 purse, with $30,000 going to the winner.
Nov. 16, 2009
CU WOMEN’S TEAM SIGNS IDENTICAL TWINS: The University of Colorado women’s golf team signed three Californians, including a set of identical twins, to national letters of intent.
Jenny and Kristin Coleman of Rolling Hills Estate, Calif., formally committed to the Buffs along with Tessa The of Los Altos.
Kristin Coleman qualified for the 2009 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, and made it to the round of 32 in match play. She also finished 15th in the girls division of the Callaway Junior World Championships, while sister Jenny placed 17th.
The has won two American Junior Golf Association events during her career.
The three will join the Buffs in the fall of 2010.
Nov. 15, 2009
DUVAL FINISHES 130TH ON MONEY LIST, LOSES FULLY-EXEMPT STATUS: David Duval of Cherry Hills Village officially lost his fully-exempt status on the PGA Tour on Sunday when he dropped out of the top 125 on the 2009 money list after the season-ending Children’s Miracle Network Classic in Lake Buena Vista, Calif.
Duval fell from No. 125 entering the week and ended up No. 130, finishing about $39,000 short of the top 125, which assures a full exemption for the 2010 PGA Tour season. Duval missed seven cuts in his last eight Tour events.
Nevertheless, by finishing in the 126-150 range on the money list, Duval will have conditional status. The golfer who placed 130th on the 2008 money list, Charles Warren, played in 20 PGA Tour events this year, and Duval can look forward to getting into a similar number of tournaments in 2010.
The former No. 1-ranked player in the world can regain his fully-exempt status if he finishes among the top 25 in the final stage of PGA Tour qualifying Dec. 2-7. Duval has entered, but doesn't know for sure if he'll actually participate.
Here’s the rundown on where players with strong Colorado connections finished on the final 2009 PGA Tour money list: Martin Laird (65th, $1,349,354); Kevin Stadler (97th, $925,514); Duval (130th, $623,824); Leif Olson (154th, $412,966); Jonathan Kaye (166th, $327,408); Brandt Jobe (177th, $265,841); Shane Bertsch (no money won on PGA Tour; he likely will receive a medical extension to compete in 2010 after nursing a broken foot for most of the first half of this year).
Nov. 14, 2009
OLSON LOSES TOUR CARD; DUVAL LIKELY OUT OF TOP 125: Golden native Leif Olson lost his PGA Tour card Friday when he missed the cut in the season-ending Children’s Miracle Network Classic in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. David Duval of Cherry Hills Village, meanwhile, also missed the cut and likely will lose his fully-exempt status on Tour, though that won’t become official until Sunday.
Olson, a rookie on Tour, entered the tournament No. 153 on the 2009 money list and needed to move into the top 150 to earn conditional status for next year, but that hope was lost when he shot 72-74--146 and failed to qualify for the weekend.
Since finishing second in the U.S. Open in June, Duval has missed seven cuts in his last eight Tour events. He entered the week No. 125 on the money list and needed to stay in the top 125 to remain fully exempt for 2010, but he posted rounds of 76-73--149 and finished near the bottom of the pack.
In all likelihood, at least one player will overtake Duval with the money that golfer earns at the Children’s Miracle Network Classic. That would leave Duval in the 126-150 range, good only for conditional status on Tour next year. In all likelihood, that would mean the former No. 1-ranked player in the world could play in about 20 events in 2010.
“It’s not a position you want to be in,” Duval said. “It’s not fun, but I haven’t been focusing on it a whole lot.”
However, both Olson and Duval could regain their fully-exempt status should they perform well in the PGA Tour qualifying process this fall. Both have entered, but Duval isn't certain yet if he'll play.
Nov. 13, 2009
GIRO AMONG THREE SIGNEES FOR CSU MEN’S TEAM: Three high school golfers, including Jackson Giro of Fort Collins, signed national letters of intent with the Colorado State University golf team this week.
Also formally committing to the Rams were Richard Schneider of Beemer, Neb., and Steve Sorenson of Hartland, Wis.
Giro was an All-Front Range League player for two seasons at Fort Collins High School. Schneider has won the last two Nebraska Class C state titles. Sorenson’s Arrowhead High School squad has claimed three straight Wisconsin Division 1 state team championships.
Giro, Schneider and Sorenson are expected to begin their CSU golf careers in the fall of 2010.
Nov. 11, 2009
COLORADO COURSES RECEIVE NATIONAL ACCOLADES: Two Colorado courses were ranked among the top four residential courses in the U.S. by Golfweek magazine in its Nov. 9 issue. Colorado Golf Club in Parker, site of the 2010 Senior PGA Championship, was placed No. 2 in the category. Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock, which hosted the International PGA Tour event for 21 years, came in at No. 4. The Rock Creek Cattle Company in Deer Lodge, Mont., was No. 1 in Golfweek’s residential course rankings.
Other Colorado courses in the top 100 were Ravenna in Littleton (34), Lakota Canyon in New Castle (75), Redlands Mesa in Grand Junction (76) and the Glacier Club in Durango (86).
The magazine also rated the nation’s best resort courses for the Nov. 9 edition, and Cougar Canyon in Trinidad was the top-ranked Colorado facility, at No. 14. Also in the top 100 were the Fazio course at Red Sky Ranch in Wolcott (53), the East course at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs (67) and the Norman course at Red Sky Ranch (77).
CSU WOMEN SIGN THREE PLAYERS: The Colorado State University women’s golf team signed three players to national letters of intent on Wednesday: Christina Spinzig of Evergeen, Betsy Kelly of Forest Lake, Minn., and Sarah Roering of Minnewaska, Minn.
Spinzig, a Colorado native, finished fourth in the state in Class 4A in 2009. Kelly won the Minnesota Class 3A state title this year. And Roering, the sister of current CSU golfer Emily Roering, claimed the Minnesota Class 2A state championship this past season.
All three players are scheduled to join the Rams in the fall of 2010.
Nov. 6, 2009
COLORADANS FAIL TO ADVANCE IN CHAMPIONS TOUR Q-SCHOOL: None of the five Coloradans who completed Champions Tour regional qualifying tournaments on Friday advanced to the final stage of Champions Q-school. Here are how the Colorado players fared at the regional qualifying tournaments. (Noted in parentheses are how many finishers advance to the final stage of qualifying, set for Nov. 17-20 in Scottdale, Ariz.)
Montgomery, Texas (top 10 finishers advance) -- Stacey Hart of Denver 68-73-77-77--295 (26th place), Rick Fager of Centennial 78-75-76-71--300 (30th place), and Rick DeWitt of Arvada 70-74-81-78--303 (35th place).
Orlando, Fla. (top 16 finishers advance) -- Bill Loeffler of Castle Rock 77-73-74-76--300 (44th place).
Mira Loma, Calif. (top 16 finishers advance) -- Dean Sessions of Westminster 76-80-79-74--309 (58th place).
Note: In the final stage in Scottdale, the top five finishers will be fully exempt on the 2010 Champions Tour, while the next seven players will be conditionally exempt.
Nov. 5, 2009
THURSDAY UPDATE ON COLORADANS AT CHAMPIONS TOUR Q-SCHOOL: Here are how Colorado players are faring at Champions Tour regional qualifying tournaments being held Tuesday through Friday at various sites.
Montgomery, Texas (top 10 finishers advance) -- Stacey Hart of Denver 68-73--141 (fourth place), Rick DeWitt of Arvada 70-74--144 (12th place), and Rick Fager of Centennial 78-75--153 (36th place).
Orlando, Fla. (top 16 finishers advance) -- Bill Loeffler of Castle Rock 77-73-74--224 (41st place).
Mira Loma, Calif. (top 16 finishers advance) -- Dean Sessions of Westminster 76-80-79--235 (63rd place).
The top performers at each site after four rounds will advance to the final stage of Champions qualifying, set for Nov. 17-20 in Scottsdale, Ariz. There, the top five finishers will be fully exempt on the 2010 Champions Tour, while the next seven players will be conditionally exempt.
Nov. 4, 2009
STACEY HART STANDS 4TH IN CHAMPIONS TOUR Q-SCHOOL: Here are how Colorado players are faring at Champions Tour regional qualifying tournaments being held Tuesday through Friday at various sites.
Montgomery, Texas -- Stacey Hart of Denver 68-73--141 (fourth place), Rick DeWitt of Arvada 70-74--144 (12th place), and Rick Fager of Centennial 78-75--153 (36th place).
Orlando, Fla. -- Bill Loeffler of Castle Rock 77-73--150 (45th place).
Mira Loma, Calif. -- Dean Sessions of Westminster 76-80--156 (62nd place).
The top performers at each site after four rounds will advance to the final stage of Champions qualifying, set for Nov. 17-20 in Scottsdale, Ariz. There, the top five finishers will be fully exempt on the 2010 Champions Tour, while the next seven players will be conditionally exempt.
MILSTEAD, NORTHERN AMONG COLORADO PGA HONOREES: The Colorado PGA will hold its annual awards banquet Friday at Cherry Hills Country Club, where Barry Milstead of Valley Country Club will be named Golf Professional of the Year and Mike Northern of Valley Hi Golf Course the Dow Finsterwald Player of the Year.
Here’s a rundown of the Section’s award recipients:
Golf Professional of the Year -- Barry Milstead, Valley Country Club
Teacher of the Year -- Stan Sayers, McGetrick Golf Academy
Horton Smith Award (promoting and improving the PGA’s educational programs) -- Leslie Core-Drevecky, Murphy Creek Golf Course
Bill Strausbaugh Award (mentoring fellow PGA professionals) -- Pentti Tofferi, Club at Cordillera
Junior Golf Leader -- Ann Finke, Country Club of Colorado
Merchandiser of the Year (public facility) -- Devon Puleo, (Denver’s) City Park Golf Course
Merchandiser of the Year (resort facility) -- Pete Roach, Sonnenalp Golf Club
Merchandiser of the Year (private facility) -- John Ogden, Cherry Hills Country Club
President’s Plaque -- Eric Feely, Golf Club at Redlands Mesa
Assistant Golf Professional of the Year -- Mike Kramer, Fox Hollow Golf Club
Warren Smith Award (lifetime achievement) -- Vic Kline, Life Member
Todd Phipers Media Award -- Tom Green, KWGN-TV
President’s Award -- Johannes Faessler, (Vail’s) Sonnenalp Resort
Dow Finsterwald Player of the Year -- Mike Northern, Valley Hi Golf Course
Senior Player of the Year -- Dave Arbuckle, Springs Ranch Golf Club
Apprentice Player of the Year -- Jason Allen, Desert Hawk at Pueblo West
Charles "Vic" Kline Award (outstanding service and leadership to the Section) -- Tom Carricato, Dos Rios Golf Club
National PGA President’s Plaque -- Kyle Heyen, Hiwan Golf Club
Noble Chalfant Award -- Noble Chalfant, Joe Moniz Jr., Tex McCharen, Kenneth Wright, Joe Dowe, Bob Veylupek, Bill Jelliiffe, Gene Root.
SUN BELT CONFERENCE HONORS DU’S SHERLOCK: University of Denver senior Stephanie Sherlock was named the Sun Belt Female Golfer of the Month for October. Sherlock finished seventh last month at the NCAA Fall Preview, posting rounds of 73-71-74 for a 2-over-par 218 total.
Sherlock leads the SBC in season-long stroke average at 73.08.
STACEY HART, DeWITT START FAST IN CHAMPIONS TOUR Q-SCHOOL: Here are how Colorado players are faring at Champions Tour regional qualifying tournaments being held Tuesday through Friday at various sites.
Montgomery, Texas -- Stacey Hart of Denver 68 (first place), Rick DeWitt of Arvada 70 (second place), and Rick Fager of Centennial 78 (35th place).
Mira Loma, Calif. -- Dean Sessions of Westminster 76 (46th place).
Orlando, Fla. -- Bill Loeffler of Castle Rock 77 (55th place).
The top performers at each site after four rounds will advance to the final stage of Champions qualifying, set for Nov. 17-20 in Scottsdale, Ariz. There, the top five finishers will be fully exempt on the 2010 Champions Tour, while the next seven players will be conditionally exempt.
Nov. 2, 2009
5 COLORADANS SET FOR CHAMPIONS TOUR Q-SCHOOL: Regional qualifying tournaments for the Champions Tour will be held from Tuesday through Friday at four sites around the country, and five Coloradans are among the entrants.
The top players after four rounds at each site will advance to the final stage of Champions qualifying, set for Nov. 17-20 in Scottsdale, Ariz. There, the top five finishers will be fully exempt on the 2010 Champions Tour, while the next seven players will be conditionally exempt.
Here’s the lineup of local players at this week’s regional tournaments:
Montgomery, Texas -- Rick DeWitt of Arvada, Rick Fager of Centennial, and Stacey Hart of Denver.
Mira Loma, Calif. -- Dean Sessions of Westminster.
Orlando, Fla. -- Bill Loeffler of Castle Rock.
On Sunday, also in Florida, Loeffler qualified for the 2010 Senior PGA Championship that will be played at Colorado Golf Club in Parker May 27-30.
CJGA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS CANCELED: The CJGA Tournament of Champions, which has been played every year since its founding in 1999, was canceled for 2009 on Monday after twice being postponed due to fall storms. Cherry Hills Country Club was scheduled to host the event, originally Oct. 10-11, then Oct. 31-Nov. 1, but the weather nixed those plans.
The Tournament of Champions brings together many of the top performers in Colorado junior golf for a season-ending championship.
Nov. 1, 2009
CGA FINISHES SECOND IN SOUTHWEST TEAM CHALLENGE: The team representing the CGA finished second Sunday after the third and final day of the Southwest Team Challenge in Mexico. In a competition among four golf associations, Arizona won with 122½ points, while Colorado came in with 113½, the Public Links of Southern California 99½, and Utah 96½.
The teams play nine-hole matches, with each hole being worth one point.
Colorado and Utah squared off in two nine-hole matches on Sunday, with the CGA prevailing 21½-14½ and 19-17. The twosome of Dean Clapp and Guy Mertz scored the most points for the CGA on Sunday with 11. The other players on the CGA team were captain Robert Polk, Michael Harrington, Bob Cloud, Jim Doidge, Jim Pierce and Roger Gunderson.
LOEFFLER, VLOSICH, ZAREMBA QUALIFY FOR 2010 SENIOR PGA: Three Coloradans -- Bill Loeffler of Castle Rock, Ron Vlosich of Lakewood and Mike Zaremba of Pueblo West -- qualified on Sunday for the 2010 Senior PGA Championship that will be played at Colorado Golf Club in Parker May 27-30.
By finishing in the top 35 at the Senior PGA Professional National Championship that concluded Sunday in Port St. Lucie, Fla., the three automatically earned spots in the first major championship of the year for senior players.
Loeffler, the 2007 champion, placed 20th in the Senior PGA Professional National Championship this year, closing with a 67 for a 281 total. Vlosich and Zaremba, meanwhile, tied for 23rd at 282, with Zaremba firing a 68 Sunday and Vlosich a 70.
Loeffler will be playing in his third straight Senior PGA Championship, while Vlosich qualified for his second in a row.
Loeffler has finished in the top 25 in the last three Senior PGA Professional National Championships.
Here’s the rundown of how all the Coloradans fared at the tournament in Port St. Lucie:
Bill Loeffler of Castle Rock 68-70-76-67--281 (20th place), Ron Vlosich of Lakewood 70-70-72-70--282 (23rd place), Mike Zaremba of Pueblo West 72-71-71-68--282 (23rd place), David Arbuckle of Colorado Springs 67-73-70-75--285 (38th place), Doug Perry of Fort Collins 71-72-75-74--292 (68th place), Perry Holmes of Boulder 73-73--146 (119th place, missed cut), Barry Jennings of Longmont 73-74--147 (139th place, missed cut), Tom Woodard of Denver 73-75--148 (157th place, missed cut), Erroll Miller of Breckenridge 76-74--150 (189th place, missed cut).
Overall, here are the top finishers, with prize money, in the Senior PGA Professional National Championship:
Bill Britton, Rumson, N.J. 69 69 65 67--270 $20,000.00
Perry Arthur, Plano, Texas 71 67 67 66--271 $15,750.00
Paul Daniels, Port St. Lucie, Fla. 67 71 66 69--273 $13,000.00
Mike San Filippo, Hobe Sound, Fla. 70 70 69 65--274 $10,600.00
Jim White, Lincoln, Neb. 69 66 72 68--275 $9,500.00
David Thore, Wilmington, N.C. 69 71 70 66--276 $7,850.00
Jeff Roth, Flushing, Mich. 69 69 69 69--276 $7,850.00
Lindy Miller, Fort Worth, Texas 69 73 68 67--277 $5,700.00
Jimmy Hamilton, Knightdale, N.C. 74 68 68 67--277 $5,700.00
Chris Starkjohann, Encinitas, Calif. 66 72 71 68--277 $5,700.00
Kim Thompson, Salt Lake City, Utah 68 67 73 70--278 $4,750.00
Jon Fielder, Camarillo, Calif. 68 70 69 71--278 $4,750.00
Jerry Tucker, Stuart, Fla. 69 69 69 71--278 $4,750.00
Ed Sabo, Tequesta, Fla. 70 72 70 67--279 $4,125.00
Jim Woodward, Oklahoma City, Okla. 68 72 70 69--279 $4,125.00
Fred Holton, Montgomery, Ala. 70 73 69 68--280 $3,450.00
Ralph West, Avondale, Ariz. 73 66 72 69--280 $3,450.00
Mike Malaska, Mesa, Ariz. 70 72 68 70--280 $3,450.00
Freddy Gibson, Orlando, Fla. 69 73 67 71--280 $3,450.00
Bill Loeffler, Highlands Ranch, Colo. 68 70 76 67--281 $3,000.00
Scott Spence, Middletown, R.I. 69 70 71 71--281 $3,000.00
Gary Sowinski, San Diego, Calif. 71 72 73 65--281 $3,000.00
Rod Nuckolls, Wichita, Kan. 72 70 71 69--282 $2,650.00
Ron Vlosich, Lakewood, Colo. 70 70 72 70--282 $2,650.00
Michael Zaremba, Pueblo West, Colo. 72 71 71 68--282 $2,650.00
Kirk Hanefeld, Acton, Mass. 72 69 66 75--282 $2,650.00
Darrell Kestner, Glen Cove, N.Y. 66 76 72 69--283 $2,279.17
Gary Trivisonno, Aurora, Ohio 67 71 73 72--283 $2,279.17
Cleve Coldwater, Clarks Summit, Pa. 69 68 74 72--283 $2,279.17
Robert Gibbons, Molalla, Ore. 72 70 69 72--283 $2,279.17
Bill Israelson, Staples, Minn. 69 69 72 73--283 $2,279.16
Bob Ford, Oakmont, Pa. 70 70 67 76--283 $2,279.16
Rocky Catalano, Keene Valley, N.Y. 71 68 73 72--284 $2,000.00
Bob Dickson, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. 72 69 70 73--284 $2,000.00
James Blair, Ogden, Utah 73 66 71 74--284 $2,000.00
Joseph Bostic, Jupiter, Fla. 70 71 69 74--284 $2,000.00
George Forster, Blue Bell, Pa. 72 71 74 67--284 $2,000.00
Oct. 31, 2009
CGA TEAM STILL IN SECOND AT SOUTHWEST TEAM CHALLENGE: The team from the CGA remained in second place after Saturday’s play at the Southwest Team Challenge in Mexico. In the competition among four golf associations, Arizona leads with 83 points, while Colorado has 73, the Public Links of Southern California 67, and Utah 65.
The teams play nine-hole matches, with each hole being worth one point. The competition concludes on Sunday.
Colorado played two nine-hole matches against Arizona on Saturday, losing 20½-15½ and 18½-17½. The twosome of captain Robert Polk and Michael Harrington was the CGA’s top point scorer on Saturday, accumulating nine points. Other players on the CGA team are Bob Cloud, Dean Clapp, Guy Mertz, Jim Doidge, Jim Pierce and Roger Gunderson.
ARBUCKLE 15TH AT NATIONAL PGA OF AMERICA TOURNEY: Here are how Colorado players are faring at the Senior PGA Professional National Championship being held Oct. 29-Nov. 1 in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The top 35 finishers will qualify for the 2010 Senior PGA Championship that will be played May 27-30 at Colorado Golf Club in Parker.
David Arbuckle of Colorado Springs 67-73-70--210 (15th place), Ron Vlosich of Lakewood 70-70-72--212 (31st place), Bill Loeffler of Castle Rock 68-70-76--214 (41st place), Mike Zaremba of Pueblo West 72-71-71--214 (41st place), Doug Perry of Fort Collins 71-72-75--218 (68th place), Perry Holmes of Boulder 73-73--146 (119th place, missed cut), Barry Jennings of Longmont 73-74--147 (139th place, missed cut), Tom Woodard of Denver 73-75--148 (157th place, missed cut), Erroll Miller of Breckenridge 76-74--150 (189th place, missed cut).
SATURDAY UPDATE ON LOCAL PLAYERS AT Q SCHOOL: Former Colorado Springs resident Tom Glissmeyer failed to advance in PGA Tour qualifying as his first-stage tournament wrapped up Saturday in Lantana, Texas. Glissmeyer shot rounds of 73-74-67-72 for a 286 total and finished in 41st place. He missed advancing by four strokes as the top 22 players and ties moved on.
In other first-stage tournaments held in October, 12 players with strong Colorado ties earned spots in the second stage of Tour qualifying: former Littleton residents Brian and Bret Guetz; Dustin White of Pueblo West; former University of Colorado golfers Pat Grady, John Douma, Mike Troyer and Kenny Coakley; former University of Denver golfers Barrett Jarosch, James Love and Daniel Wax; and former Coloradans Tom Kalinowski and Aaron Weston.
The second stage will be held at six sites Nov. 18-21. The third and final stage is set for Dec. 2-7 in West Palm Beach, Fla., where the top 25 finishers and ties will earn their 2010 PGA Tour cards.
Oct. 30, 2009
CGA TEAM IN SECOND PLACE AT SOUTHWEST TEAM EVENT: The CGA team accumulated the second-most points in Friday’s play at the Mexico-based Southwest Team Challenge, a matchup of four golf associations. Arizona leads the event with 44 points, while Colorado has 40, the Public Links of Southern California 32, and Utah 28.
The teams play nine-hole matches, with each hole being worth one point. The competition continues through Sunday.
The CGA team includes captain Robert Polk, Bob Cloud, Dean Clapp, Guy Mertz, Jim Doidge, Jim Pierce, Michael Harrington and Roger Gunderson. On Friday, the twosome of Polk and Clapp accumulated the most points for the Colorado contingent (13½ over 18 holes).
BRIAN GUETZ, 9 OTHER LOCAL PLAYERS ADVANCE IN Q-SCHOOL: Two-time HealthOne Colorado Open champion Brian Guetz won the first-stage PGA Tour qualifying tournament that concluded Friday in Santee, Calif.
The former Littleton resident was one of 10 players with strong Colorado ties who on Friday earned spots in the second stage of Tour qualifying. Also advancing from various first-stage events were Guetz’s brother, Bret; Dustin White of Pueblo West; former University of Colorado golfers Pat Grady, John Douma, Mike Troyer and Kenny Coakley; and former University of Denver golfers Barrett Jarosch, James Love and Daniel Wax.
Last week, former Coloradans Tom Kalinowski and Aaron Weston punched their cards into the second stage, which will be held at six sites Nov. 18-21. The third and final stage is set for Dec. 2-7 in West Palm Beach, Fla., where the top 25 finishers and ties will earn their 2010 PGA Tour cards.
Here are how players with strong Colorado ties have fared this week at the 72-hole first stage of Tour qualifying held at various sites around the country:
Hollister, Calif. Oct. 27-30 (FINAL: 23 players and ties advance) -- Former University of Denver golfer Barrett Jarosch 72-66-66-72--216 (second place).
Santee, Calif. Oct. 27-30 (FINAL: 22 players and ties advance) -- Former Littleton resident Brian Guetz 68-73-68-72--281 (first place), former DU golfer Daniel Wax 73-71-72--287 (10th place), former University of Colorado golfer John Douma 72-73-71-71--287 (10th place), Dustin White of Pueblo West 72-76-69-72--289 (14th place), former Littleton resident Bret Guetz 69-73-73-75--290 (19th place), Zen Brown of Arvada 75-75-72-77-299 (43rd place), former Coloradan Heikke Nielsen 75-79-73-74--301 (53rd place), and Darrin Hall of Denver 75-80-81-79--315 (65th place).
Valdosta, Ga. Oct. 27-30 (FINAL: 23 players and ties advance) -- James Love of Denver 70-69-71-72--282 (eighth place), former University of Colorado golfer Kenny Coakley 73-70-70-74--287 (22nd place) and Pat Grady of Broomfield 70-76-70-71--287 (22nd place).
Lakeland, Fla. Oct. 27-30 (FINAL: 22 players and ties advance) -- Former CU golfer Mike Troyer 70-69-73-68--280 (14th place).
Lantana, Texas Oct. 27-31 (22 players and ties advance) -- Former Colorado Springs resident Tom Glissmeyer 73-74-67--214 (39th place).
LOEFFLER FIFTH AT NATIONAL PGA OF AMERICA TOURNEY: Here are how Colorado players are faring at the Senior PGA Professional National Championship being held Oct. 29-Nov. 1 in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The top 35 finishers will qualify for the 2010 Senior PGA Championship that will be played May 27-30 at Colorado Golf Club in Parker.
Bill Loeffler of Castle Rock 68-70--138 (fifth place), Ron Vlosich of Lakewood 70-70--140 (21st place), David Arbuckle of Colorado Springs 67-73--140 (21st place), Doug Perry of Fort Collins 71-72--143 (57th place), Mike Zaremba of Pueblo West 72-71--143 (57th place), Perry Holmes of Boulder 73-73--146 (119th place), Barry Jennings of Longmont 73-74--147 (139th place), Tom Woodard of Denver 73-75--148 (157th place), Erroll Miller of Breckenridge 76-74--150 (189th place).
Oct. 29, 2009
ARBUCKLE, LOEFFLER IN TOP 10 AT NATIONAL TOURNEY: Here are how Colorado players are faring at the Senior PGA Professional National Championship being held Oct. 29-Nov. 1 in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The top 35 finishers will qualify for the 2010 Senior PGA Championship that will be played May 27-30 at Colorado Golf Club in Parker.
David Arbuckle of Colorado Springs 67 (fourth place), Bill Loeffler of Castle Rock 68 (seventh place), Ron Vlosich of Lakewood 70 (29th place), Doug Perry of Fort Collins 71 (52nd place), Mike Zaremba of Pueblo West 72 (80th place), Tom Woodard of Denver 73 (122nd place), Barry Jennings of Longmont 73 (122nd place), Perry Holmes of Boulder 73 (122nd place), Erroll Miller of Breckenridge 76 (201st place).
THURSDAY UPDATE ON LOCAL PLAYERS AT PGA TOUR QUALIFYING: Here are how players with strong Colorado ties are faring this week at the 72-hole first stage of PGA Tour qualifying being held at various sites around the country:
Hollister, Calif. Oct. 27-30 (23 players and ties advance) -- Former University of Denver golfer Barrett Jarosch 72-66-66--204 (first place).
Santee, Calif. Oct. 27-30 (22 players and ties advance) -- Former Littleton resident Brian Guetz 68-73-68--209 (first place), former Littleton resident Bret Guetz 69-73-73--215 (fifth place), former DU golfer Daniel Wax 73-71-71--215 (fifth place), former University of Colorado golfer John Douma 72-73-71--216 (11th place), Dustin White of Pueblo West 72-76-69--217 (15th place), Zen Brown of Arvada 75-75-72--222 (35th place), former Coloradan Heikke Nielsen 75-79-73--227 (53rd place), and Darrin Hall of Denver 75-80-81--236 (67th place).
Valdosta, Ga. Oct. 27-30 (23 players and ties advance) -- James Love of Denver 70-69-71--210 (ninth place), former University of Colorado golfer Kenny Coakley 73-70-70--213 (18th place) and Pat Grady of Broomfield 70-76-70--216 (28th place).
Lakeland, Fla. Oct. 27-30 (22 players and ties advance) -- Former CU golfer Mike Troyer 70-69-73--212 (27th place).
Lantana, Texas Oct. 27-31 (22 players and ties advance) -- Former Colorado Springs resident Tom Glissmeyer 73-74--147 (59th place).
CJGA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS POSTPONED INDEFINITELY: For the second time in the last three weeks, the CJGA Tournament of Champions has been postponed -- this time indefinitely -- because of the weather. CGA director of youth programs Dustin Jensen indicated that the fate of the 2009 tournament will be decided by Monday.
The tournament was originally scheduled for Oct. 10-11 at Cherry Hills Country Club, but weather led to a rescheduled date of Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.
The Tournament of Champions, which features many of the top performers in Colorado Junior golf, has been held every year since 1999.
Oct. 28, 2009
WEDNESDAY UPDATE ON LOCAL PLAYERS AT PGA TOUR QUALIFYING: Here are how players with strong Colorado ties are faring this week at the 72-hole first stage of PGA Tour qualifying being held at various sites around the country:
Valdosta, Ga. Oct. 27-30 (23 players and ties advance) -- James Love of Denver 70-69--139 (fifth place), former University of Colorado golfer Kenny Coakley 73-70--143 (19th place) and Pat Grady of Broomfield 70-76--146 (43rd place).
Lakeland, Fla. Oct. 27-30 (22 players and ties advance) -- Former CU golfer Mike Troyer 70-69--139 (ninth place).
Lantana, Texas Oct. 27-30 (22 players and ties advance) -- Former Colorado Springs resident Tom Glissmeyer 73-74--147 (59th place).
Hollister, Calif. Oct. 27-30 (23 players and ties advance) -- Former University of Denver golfer Barrett Jarosch 72-66--138 (first place).
Santee, Calif. Oct. 27-30 (22 players and ties advance) -- Former Littleton resident Brian Guetz 68-73--141 (first place), former Littleton resident Bret Guetz 69-73--142 (second place), former DU golfer Daniel Wax 73-71--144 (sixth place), former University of Colorado golfer John Douma 72-73--145 (ninth place), Dustin White of Pueblo West 72-76--148 (23rd place), Zen Brown of Arvada 75 (38th place), former Coloradan Heikke Nielsen 75-79--154 (54th place), and Darrin Hall of Denver 75-80--155 (58th place).
SADDLE ROCK’S McCLEARY HONORED FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE: Joe McCleary, the course superintendent at Saddle Rock Golf Course in Aurora, was recently awarded the inaugural Distinguished Service Award by the Rocky Mountain Golf Course Superintendents Association.
McCleary, the superintendent at Saddle Rock for the last 13 years, was cited for outstanding contributions to the field of golf course management. He’s played integral roles in the 2003 Colorado Golf Economic Impact Study and the collection of water usage data from courses throughout the state, in addition to helping establish the Golf Foundation of Colorado and the Colorado Golf Carbon Project.
Thanks in part to the work of McCleary, Saddle Rock Golf Course recently received the Blue Grama Award from the Colorado Open Space Alliance, given for environmental education efforts regarding the native prairie areas at the Aurora course.
Oct. 27, 2009
DAILY UPDATE ON LOCAL PLAYERS AT PGA TOUR QUALIFYING: Here are how players with strong Colorado ties are faring this week at the 72-hole first stage of PGA Tour qualifying being held at various sites around the country:
Valdosta, Ga. Oct. 27-30 (23 players and ties advance) -- Pat Grady of Broomfield 70 (13th place), James Love of Denver 70 (13th place), and former University of Colorado golfer Kenny Coakley 73 (40th place).
Lakeland, Fla. Oct. 27-30 (22 players and ties advance) -- Former CU golfer Mike Troyer 70 (fifth place).
Lantana, Texas Oct. 27-30 (22 players and ties advance) -- Former Colorado Springs resident Tom Glissmeyer 73 (48th place).
Hollister, Calif. Oct. 27-30 (23 players and ties advance) -- Former University of Denver golfer Barrett Jarosch 72 (10th place).
Santee, Calif. Oct. 27-30 (22 players and ties advance) -- former Littleton resident Brian Guetz 68 (second place), former Littleton resident Bret Guetz 69 (third place), former University of Colorado golfer John Douma 72 (16th place), Dustin White of Pueblo West 72 (16th place), former DU golfer Daniel Wax 73 (24th place), Zen Brown of Arvada 75 (41st place), Darrin Hall of Denver 75 (41st place) and former Coloradan Heikke Nielsen 75 (41st place).
2010 SENIOR PGA SURPASSES 1,000 VOLUNTEERS: More than 1,000 volunteers have registered for the 2010 Senior PGA Championship that will be held at Colorado Golf Club in Parker May 27-30, the PGA of America announced. The volunteer commitments come from people in 16 states.
The tournament is still looking for more volunteer help. The volunteer fee of $120 includes a uniform, food and beverage vouchers, access to the grounds for six days and the official tournament journal. To register, go to www.seniorpga2010.com.
Oct. 25, 2009
IRWIN RECORDS BEST CHAMPIONS TOUR FINISH SINCE 2007: Former University of Colorado golfer Hale Irwin, the career victory leader on the Champions Tour, on Sunday recorded his first top-10 finish in almost two years on the Champions circuit.
Irwin, 64, placed sixth at the AT&T Championship in San Antonio, Texas, ending up at 7-under-par 206 for three rounds. Before Sunday, the last time Irwin had finished in the top 10 on the Champions Tour was October 2007.
Oct. 24, 2009
SATURDAY UPDATE ON LOCAL PLAYERS AT PGA TOUR QUALIFYING: The players with strong Colorado ties, including HealthOne Colorado Open champion Derek Tolan, failed to advance in PGA Tour qualifying in the first-stage tournaments that ended on Saturday.
Jason Allen of Pueblo West was one stroke from advancing in the first-stage event in Dayton, Nev., finishing at 10 under par 278 for four rounds. Former Fort Collins resident Drew Stoltz (280) missed by three, Westminster’s Ben Portie (282) by five, Tolan (285) by eight, and Tyler Symons of Aurora (287) by 10.
Meanwhile, Charlie Soule of Longmont came up 11 strokes short in Auburn, Ala.
Two former Coloradans, Tom Kalinowski and Aaron Weston, earned spots in the second stage in tournaments that ended on Friday. Another six first-stage tournaments will take place Oct. 27-30.
Second-stage tournaments will take place Nov. 18-21 at six sites. The third and final stage is scheduled for Dec. 2-7 in West Palm Beach, Fla., where the top 25 finishers and ties will earn their 2010 PGA Tour cards.
Here are how players with strong Colorado ties are faring at the 72-hole first stage of PGA Tour qualifying being held at various sites around the country:
Auburn, Ala. Oct. 21-24 (FINAL: 21 players and ties advance) -- Charlie Soule of Longmont 73-75-80-71-299 (53rd place).
Dayton, Nev. Oct. 21-24 (FINAL: 22 players and ties advance) -- Jason Allen of Pueblo West 72-69-69-68--278 (27th place), former Fort Collins resident Drew Stoltz 68-70-71-71--280 (32nd place), Ben Portie of Westminster 67-75-67-73--282 (41st place), Derek Tolan of Highlands Ranch 71-66-72-76--285 (50th place), and Tyler Symons of Aurora 73-70-72-72--287 (56th place).
McKinney, Texas Oct. 20-23 (FINAL: 22 players and ties advance) -- former Durango resident Tom Kalinowski 69-73-72-70--284 (5th place), Cody Eberl of Lakewood 76-74-71-70--291 (24th place), Scott Petersen of Parker 71-75-72-74--292 (25th place), and former University of Colorado golfer Ed McGlasson 77-78-74-76--305 (64th place).
Spring, Texas Oct. 20-23 (FINAL: 23 players and ties advance) -- former Colorado State golfer Aaron Weston 73-67-75-73-288 (23rd place), Michael Baird of Castle Rock 72-72-68-77--289 (28th place), former Coloradan Ty Capps 70-79-71-72--292 (40th place), former CU golfer Blake Moore 75-74-74-77--300 (56th place), and Dustin Mills of Arvada (withdrew).
Oct. 23, 2009
TOM KALINOWSKI, WESTON ADVANCE IN PGA TOUR QUALIFYING: Two players with strong Colorado ties -- former Durango resident Tom Kalinowski and former Colorado State golfer Aaron Weston, both of whom now live in Scottsdale, Ariz. -- advanced to the second stage of PGA Tour qualifying on Friday.
Kalinowski finished fifth in a first-stage tournament in McKinney, Texas, posting a 4-under-par 284 total for 72 holes. Weston advanced on the number in Spring, Texas, tying for 23rd at even-par 288.
Two other local players missed moving on by one stroke -- Cody Eberl of Lakewood in McKinney (291, 24th place) and Michael Baird of Castle Rock in Spring (289, 28th place).
A couple of other first-stage tournaments with local players competing will conclude on Saturday, and several others will take place next week.
Second-stage tournaments will take place Nov. 18-21 at six sites. The third and final stage is scheduled for Dec. 2-7 in West Palm Beach, Fla., where the top 25 finishers and ties will earn their 2010 PGA Tour cards.
Here are how players with strong Colorado ties are faring at the 72-hole first stage of PGA Tour qualifying being held at various sites around the country:
McKinney, Texas Oct. 20-23 (FINAL: 22 players and ties advance) -- former Durango resident Tom Kalinowski 69-73-72-70--284 (5th place), Cody Eberl of Lakewood 76-74-71-70--291 (24th place), Scott Petersen of Parker 71-75-72-74--292 (25th place), and former University of Colorado golfer Ed McGlasson 77-78-74-76--305 (64th place).
Spring, Texas Oct. 20-23 (FINAL: 23 players and ties advance) -- former Colorado State golfer Aaron Weston 73-67-75-73-288 (23rd place), Michael Baird of Castle Rock 72-72-68-77--289 (28th place), former Coloradan Ty Capps 70-79-71-72--292 (40th place), former CU golfer Blake Moore 75-74-74-77--300 (56th place), and Dustin Mills of Arvada (withdrew).
Auburn, Ala. Oct. 21-24 (21 players and ties advance) -- Charlie Soule of Longmont 73-75-80--228 (56th place).
Dayton, Nev. Oct. 21-24 (22 players and ties advance) -- Derek Tolan of Highlands Ranch 71-66-72--209 (26th place), former Fort Collins resident Drew Stoltz 68-70-71--209 (26th place), Ben Portie of Westminster 67-75-67--209 (26th place), Jason Allen of Pueblo West 72-69-69--210 (35th place), and Tyler Symons of Aurora 73-70-72--215 (54th place).
CSU MEN WIN WALKER TOURNEY FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR: The Colorado State men’s golf team won the Del Walker Intercollegiate for the third straight year on Friday, posting a nine-stroke victory in the 16-team tournament in Long Beach, Calif. The Rams finished 20 under par for three rounds.
CSU put three players in the top 10 individually. Riley Arp placed second as a final-round 67 left him at 9-under 201, two strokes behind champion Michael Drake of Long Beach State. CSU’s Bryce Hanstad (sixth, 6 under par) and Dustin Morris (10th, 4 under) also cracked the top 10. None of the six CSU golfers who played shot higher than 72 for the 54-hole tournament.
Friday's victory was CSU's second in a large invitational this season.
The Rams’ victory comes five days after former CSU golfer Martin Laird won his first PGA Tour event, the Justin Timberlake tournament in Las Vegas.
1. Colorado State 342-344-344--1030
2. Riley Arp 66-68-67--201; 6. Bryce Hanstad 69-69-66--204; 10. Dustin Morris 69-67-70--206; 17. Zahkai Brown 69-69-70--208; 26. Sean McNamara 69-71-71--211; 31. Ryan Peterson 69-71-72--212.
Oct. 22, 2009
DAILY PGA TOUR QUALIFYING UPDATE ON LOCAL PLAYERS: Here are how players with strong Colorado ties are faring at the 72-hole first stage of PGA Tour qualifying being held at various sites around the country:
McKinney, Texas Oct. 20-23 (22 players and ties advance) -- former Durango resident Tom Kalinowski 69-73-72--214 (2nd place), Scott Petersen of Parker 71-75-72--218 (17th place), Cody Eberl of Lakewood 76-74--150 (37th place), and former University of Colorado golfer Ed McGlasson 77-78--155 (60th place).
Spring, Texas Oct. 20-23 (23 players and ties advance) -- former Colorado State golfer Aaron Weston 73-67--140 (9th place), Michael Baird of Castle Rock 72-72-144 (19th place), former CU golfer Blake Moore 75-74--149 (45th place), former Coloradan Ty Capps 70-79--149 (45th place), and Dustin Mills of Arvada (withdrew).
Auburn, Ala. Oct. 21-24 (21 players and ties advance) -- Charlie Soule of Longmont 73-75--148 (44th place).
Dayton, Nev. Oct. 21-24 (22 players and ties advance) -- Derek Tolan of Highlands Ranch 71-66--137 (16th place), former Fort Collins resident Drew Stoltz 68-70--138 (19th place), Jason Allen of Pueblo West 72-69--141 (37th place), Ben Portie of Westminster 67-75--142 (44th place) and Tyler Symons of Aurora 73-70--143 (51st place).
Oct. 21, 2009
DAILY PGA TOUR QUALIFYING UPDATE ON LOCAL PLAYERS: Here are how players with strong Colorado ties are faring at the 72-hole first stage of PGA Tour qualifying being held at various sites around the country:
McKinney, Texas Oct. 20-23 (22 players and ties advance) -- former Durango resident Tom Kalinowski 69 (2nd place), Scott Petersen of Parker 71 (11th place), Cody Eberl of Lakewood 76 (54th place), and former University of Colorado golfer Ed McGlasson 77 (58th place).
Spring, Texas Oct. 20-23 (23 players and ties advance) -- former Colorado State golfer Aaron Weston 73-67--140 (9th place), Michael Baird of Castle Rock 72-72-144 (19th place), former CU golfer Blake Moore 75-74--149 (45th place), former Coloradan Ty Capps 70-79--149 (45th place) and Dustin Mills of Arvada (withdrew).
Auburn, Ala. Oct. 21-24 (21 players and ties advance) -- Charlie Soule of Longmont 73 (27th place).
Dayton, Nev. Oct. 21-24 (22 players and ties advance) -- Ben Portie of Westminster 67 (5th place), former Fort Collins resident Drew Stoltz 68 (14th place), Derek Tolan of Highlands Ranch 71 (41st place), Jason Allen of Pueblo West 72 (50th place) and Tyler Symons of Aurora 73 (58th place).
EATON REIGNS AMONG SENIOR AMATEURS IN ARIZONA, TOO: Kim Eaton of Greeley, who won the CWGA Senior Stroke Play Championship in August shortly after turning 50, claimed a comparable title in Arizona on Tuesday by winning the Arizona Women’s Golf Association State Amateur Seniors Championship in Prescott.
Eaton posted rounds of 68-77-71 for a 216 total and a four-stroke victory over Judy Miller. Lynn Zmistowski, like Eaton a member of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, finished third at 234.
Oct. 18, 2009
TEAM USA PREVAILS IN CJGA JUNIOR RYDER CUP: Team USA won the inaugural Colorado Junior Golf Association Junior Ryder Cup on Sunday at CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora. In the event, which featured the top 20 ranked 11-13 year-olds on the CJGA points list, the USA squad defeated Team Europe 12-8.
Glenn Workman, Hunter Lee, Payton DeVencenty, and Tim Taylor of Team USA, and Cole Bundy and Andrew Howe of Team Europe each went 3-0 over the weekend, winning four-ball, foursomes and singles matches.
Team USA won six of the 10 singles matches on Sunday.
OVERALL SCORE: USA 12, EUROPE 8
Sunday’s Individual Matches (USA 6, Europe 4)
Andrew Howe (Europe) def. Ross Macdonald (USA) 7 & 5
AJ Ott (USA) def. Colton Jones (Europe) 2 up
Hunter Lee (USA) def. Taylor Rodriguez (Europe) 2 & 1
Tim Taylor (USA) def. Jake Staiano (Europe) 2 up
Clayton Crawford (USA) def. Hayden Nicholaides (Europe) 6 & 5
Payton DeVencenty (USA) def. Kevin Wohlfarth (Europe) 6 & 5
Cole Bundy (Europe) def. Jackson Vacek (USA) 5 & 4
Glenn Workman (USA) def. Chase Federico (Europe) 3 & 2
Josh Seiple (Europe) def. Adair Warren (USA) 3 & 2
Cole Anderson (Europe) def. Kevin Shafer (USA) 7 & 5
TEAM USA LEADS AFTER DAY 1 OF CJGA JUNIOR RYDER CUP: Team USA leads its European counterparts 6-4 after Saturday’s matches in the Colorado Junior Golf Association’s inaugural Junior Ryder Cup for players age 11-13. The final day of the event at CommonGround Golf Course will be held Sunday with singles matches starting at noon.
Five teams won both their four-ball and foursomes matches on Saturday: from Team USA, Glenn Workman/Kevin Shafer, Hunter Lee/Adair Warren and Payton DeVencenty/Tim Taylor; and from Team Europe, Colton Jones/Cole Bundy and
Kevin Wohlfarth/Andrew Howe.
OVERALL SCORE: USA 6, EUROPE 4
Four-Ball Matches (USA 3, Europe 2)
Glenn Workman/Kevin Shafer (USA) def. Cole Anderson/Chase Federico (Europe) 4 & 3
Hunter Lee/Adair Warren (USA) def. Josh Seiple/Taylor Rodriguez (Europe) 2 up
Kevin Wohlfarth/Andrew Howe (Europe) def. Clayton Crawford/Ross Macdonald (USA) 1 up
Payton DeVencenty/Tim Taylor (USA) def. Jake Staiano/Hayden Nicholaides (Europe) 2 up
Colton Jones/Cole Bundy (Europe) def. AJ Ott/Jackson Vacek (USA) 4 & 3
Foursome Matches (USA 3, Europe 2)
Glenn Workman/Kevin Shafer (USA) def. Cole Anderson/Chase Federico (Europe) 1 up
Hunter Lee/Adair Warren (USA) def. Josh Seiple/Taylor Rodriguez (Europe) 1 up
Kevin Wohlfarth/Andrew Howe (Europe) def. Clayton Crawford/Ross Macdonald (USA) 2 & 1
Payton DeVencenty/Tim Taylor (USA) def. Jake Staiano/Hayden Nicholaides (Europe) 2 & 1
Colton Jones/Cole Bundy (Europe) def. AJ Ott/Jackson Vacek (USA) 1 up
Sunday Individual Matches
12:00 pm -- Ross Macdonald (USA) vs. Andrew Howe (Europe)
12:00 pm-- AJ Ott (USA) vs. Colton Jones (Europe)
12:09 pm -- Hunter Lee (USA) vs. Taylor Rodriguez (Europe)
12:09 pm -- Tim Taylor (USA) vs. Jake Staiano (Europe)
12:18 pm -- Clayton Crawford (USA) vs. Hayden Nicholaides (Europe)
12:18 pm -- Payton DeVencenty (USA) vs. Kevin Wohlfarth (Europe)
12:27 pm -- Jackson Vacek (USA) vs. Cole Bundy (Europe)
12:27 pm -- Glenn Workman (USA) vs. Chase Federico (Europe)
12:36 pm -- Adair Warren (USA) vs. Josh Seiple (Europe)
12:36 pm -- Kevin Shafer (USA) vs. Cole Anderson (Europe)
Oct. 16, 2009
SADDLE ROCK RECEIVES HONOR FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: Saddle Rock Golf Course recently received an award from the Colorado Open Space Alliance for environmental education efforts regarding the native prairie areas at the Aurora course.
The Blue Grama Award -- named after Colorado’s state grass -- recognizes the work of Saddle Rock superintendent Joe McCleary and Mary Ann Bonnell, a senior natural resources specialist with Aurora’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department. They and the staff at Saddle Rock were cited for putting a priority on preserving native grasslands and shrublands at the course.
Out of the 240 total acres at the Saddle Rock site, 125 acres are undisturbed, and another 25 are considered ecologically significant and have been used as outdoor classrooms for instruction in botany and conservation of resources. The setup at Saddle Rock also reduces water usage and has other environmental benefits.
OLSON WITHDRAWS FROM TOUR EVENT AFTER SHOOTING 88: Golden native Leif Olson, coming off the best finish of his PGA Tour career earlier this month, withdrew from the Justin Timberlake tournament in Las Vegas after shooting a 17-over-par 88 in Thursday’s opening round. The score was 10 strokes higher than the next-highest first-round total. Olson made two quadruple bogeys, two double bogeys, seven bogeys and two birdies on Thursday.
Olson, a Mullen High School graduate, had a lackluster first nine months of his rookie year on the PGA Tour, but finished third at the Turning Stone Resort Championship two weeks ago. That moved him up to 148th on the 2009 Tour money list heading into the final month of official Tour events. He‘ll have to finish in the top 125 -- or successfully negotiate the Tour’s qualifying process -- to remain fully exempt for next year. He can be partially exempt by finishing between 126 and 150 on the money list.
Oct. 12, 2009
PAR CLUB TOURNEY RAISES $50,000 FOR EVANS SCHOLARSHIP: Last week’s Par Club tournament at Columbine Country Club in Littleton raised about $50,000 for the Eisenhower-Evans Caddie Scholarship program at the University of Colorado. Thirty-eight Scholars currently live in the CU Evans Scholars house, one of 14 nationwide. The privately-funded scholarship provides full tuition and housing grants to young men and women who have demonstrated strong caddie and academic records, as well as financial need.
The annual Par Club tournament has raised about $265,000 for the Eisenhower-Evans Scholarship over the last four years.
Oct. 9, 2009
CJGA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS POSTPONED FOR 3 WEEKS: A forecast for poor weather over the weekend has led to the postponement of the CJGA Tournament of Champions, which was scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at Cherry Hills Country Club. The event, which features many of the top performers in Colorado junior golf in 2009, will remain at Cherry Hills, but the dates have been moved to the weekend of Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Tee times will run from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Oct. 8, 2009
AFA’S BAILEY CLAIMS FIRST COLLEGE VICTORY: Air Force Academy junior Kyle Bailey won his first college tournament earlier this week at the Service Academy Golf Classic at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
Bailey posted rounds of 75-65-71 for a 5-under-par 211 total, which was good for a five-stroke victory over senior teammate Tom Whitney. Robert Belz of Air Force took third place in the matchup of the golf teams from Army, Navy, Air Force and the Merchant Marines. The Falcons won their 13th straight team title in the event.
CJGA MEMBER WINS WYOMING STATE HIGH SCHOOL TITLE: Kyle Fanning of Cheyenne, a member of the Colorado Junior Golf Association, recently won Wyoming’s state high school golf title in Class 4A, the state’s largest classification.
Fanning, a junior at Cheyenne Central High School, prevailed in a seven-hole playoff against Evanston’s Dylan Lym. Fanning sank a birdie putt on the seventh extra hole at Cheyenne’s Airport Golf Course for the victory. He posted rounds of 72-75 at state.
Fanning has played in CJGA tournaments and national qualifiers in Colorado since 2006, winning three such tournaments in Colorado during that time.
Oct. 7, 2009
3 LOCAL PLAYERS FINISH IN TOP 10 AT CU WOMEN'S TOURNEY IN ERIE: Three players from Colorado-based women’s college teams finished in the top 10 Tuesday at the University of Colorado’s Heather Farr Memorial at Colorado National Golf Club in Erie.
Colorado State’s Kasey Claussen placed second with a 2-over-par 218 total, five strokes behind individual champion Alex Gibson of Texas Tech. Denver’s Kelly Drack (221) finished fourth and CU’s Emily Talley (223) was eighth.
In the team competition, CSU ended up fourth in the 20-team field, while CU was sixth and Northern Colorado 17th.
For more information and scores from college golf tournaments involving Division I Colorado teams, go to http://www.cogolf.org/college.php
EX-DU GOLFER WAX FIFTH IN GATEWAY TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP: Daniel Wax, a senior on the University of Denver golf team last year, finished fifth over the weekend at the Gateway Tour Championship in Norwalk, Iowa. Wax posted rounds of 72-76-68 for an even-par 216 total, ending up three strokes behind champion David Lutterus. He won $4,800 in prize money.
Oct. 6, 2009
COLORADANS OUSTED IN U.S. MID-AMS: Two Colorado women and two Colorado men lost their matches Tuesday in the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and the U.S. Mid-Amateur, respectively.
Both Janet Moore of Greenwood Village and Kim Eaton of Greeley dropped 2 and 1 decisions in the second round of the Women’s Mid-Am in Ocala, Fla. Moore, seeded ninth, fell to Leigh Klasse of St. Anthony, Minn., while Eaton suffered defeat at the hands of Laura Coble of Augusta, Ga. Eaton was once 3 up in her match, but Coble finished birdie-birdie-birdie.
Meanwhile, in the first round of match play at the U.S. Mid-Amateur in Kiawah Island, S.C., Steve Irwin of Golden bogeyed the final hole to lose 1 up to Lloyd Fisher of Grand Rapids, Mich. Irwin once was 3 up in the match. Jon Lindstrom of Broomfield fell 2 up to Danny Germaine of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Germaine won the last three holes of the match, all with pars.
Oct. 5, 2009
MOORE, EATON WIN OPENING MATCHES AT WOMEN’S MID-AM: Two Colorado Golf Hall of Famers, Janet Moore of Greenwood Village and Kim Eaton of Greeley, advanced Monday to the second round of match play at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur in Ocala, Fla.
Moore, seeded ninth, defeated Lisa Walker of Vista, Calif., in the first round, 5 and 4, while the 42nd-seeded Eaton routed Alexandra Frazier of Haverford, Pa., 6 and 5. Eaton made it to the round of 16 at last year’s Women’s Mid-Amateur.
The two Coloradans will play their second-round matches Tuesday morning, and, should they win, round-of-16 matches await on Tuesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Lynette Duran of Lakewood was ousted in the first round on Monday, losing 3 and 2 to Joan Higgins of Glendora, Calif.
As for the men’s U.S. Mid-Amateur at Kiawah Island, S.C., first-round matches were postponed to Tuesday because of heavy rains. Steve Irwin of Golden and Jon Lindstrom of Broomfield are the two Coloradans in the match-play bracket.
OLSON, WIEBE MAKE INROADS: Two tour pros with strong Colorado ties finished third in separate tournaments over the weekend, and they weren’t the only local players who made some news. Here’s a brief rundown:
-- Golden native and Mullen High School graduate Leif Olson had by far the best showing of his rookie season on the PGA Tour, finishing a career-best third at the Turning Stone Resort Championship. The $348,000 he earned was more than five times his total winnings from the first nine months of the year. With that, he jumped from 214th to 148th on the PGA Tour 2009 money list.
-- Denver native and Parker resident Shane Bertsch played in his first PGA Tour event of the year after recovering from the broken foot he suffered late in 2008. Bertch missed the cut at the Turning Stone Resort Championship.
-- Aurora resident Mark Wiebe posted his best individual finish of the year on the Champions Tour, placing third at the Senior Players Championship, the final Champions major of 2009. Wiebe is on a run of late, having placed in the top 10 in two straight tournaments and in the top 25 in five consecutive events. He’s jumped to 17th on this year’s Champions money list.
-- University of Colorado graduate Hale Irwin recorded his best Champions Tour finish since January, placing 15th at the Senior Players Championship.
For more information on local Tour players, go to www.cogolf.org/localtour.php
Oct. 4, 2009
FIVE COLORADANS IN MATCH PLAY AT USGA MID-AM EVENTS: Three Coloradans advanced to match play at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur in Ocala, Fla., while two Colorado men did likewise at the U.S. Mid-Amateur at Kiawah Island, S.C.
Janet Moore of Greenwood Village, Kim Eaton of Greeley and Lynette Duran of Lakewood made the top 64 in Florida, while Steve Irwin of Golden and Jon Lindstrom of Broomfield did the same in South Carolina. The first round of match play in both events will take place on Monday.
Moore finished ninth in the stroke-play portion of the women’s tournament as a 76 Sunday left her at 6-over-par 150 for two rounds. Eaton (80-158) was 37th and Duran (80-161) was 56th. Eaton made it to the round of 16 last year in this event. Failing Sunday to earn match-play berths were Samantha Bartron of Boulder (84-167, 92nd place) and Tiffany Maurycy of Denver (85-177, 125th place).
Irwin and Lindstrom tied for 14th place in stroke play at the U.S. Mid-Am at 2-over-par 145, with Irwin firing a second-round 74 and Lindstrom a 72. Lindstrom advanced to the round of 16 at the national Mid-Am last year. Falling short of match play Sunday were Jonathan Marsico of Denver (80-157, 154th place), Derek O’Neill of Parker (74-159, 178th place) and Wes Martin of Denver (91-173, 258th place).
Oct. 3, 2009
IRWIN, MOORE SHINE IN USGA MID-AM EVENTS: Coloradans are in the top 10 after Saturday’s first round of both the U.S. Mid-Amateur in Kiawah Island, S.C., and the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur in Ocala, Fla.
Steve Irwin of Golden shot a 1-under-par 71 and shares eighth place at Kiawah Island, while Janet Moore of Greenwood Village fired a 2-over-par 74 to stand in a tie for sixth place in Ocala. The top 64 players in each field after Sunday’s second round will advance to match play.
In the U.S. Mid-Amateur, here are the scores of the other Coloradans after the first round: Jon Lindstrom of Broomfield 73 (39th place); Jonathan Marsico of Denver 77 (107th place); Wes Martin of Denver 82 (203rd place); and Derek O’Neill of Parker 85 (243rd place).
At the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, here are how the other Coloradans stand: Kim Eaton of Greeley 78 (30th place); Lynette Duran of Lakewood 81 (61st place); Samantha Bartron of Boulder 83 (79th place); and Tiffany Maurycy of Denver 92 (130th place).
Oct. 2, 2009
JIM BUNCH LEAVING USGA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Jim Bunch of Denver, one of two Coloradans on the prestigious and powerful USGA Executive Committee, will step down from that voluntary position next year, according to a USGA announcement made earlier this week.
Bunch, who has served on the Executive Committee since 2003, is one of three members of the 15-person board who will “retire” at the 2010 annual meeting, which will take place Feb. 6 in Pinehurst, N.C. Also exiting are Jim Vernon of Pasadena, Calif., the current president of the USGA, and Irving Fish of Wayzata, Minn. Jim Hyler of Raleigh, N.C., has been nominated to replace Vernon as president.
Bunch currently serves as chairman of the USGA Rules of Golf Committee, Finance Committee and Bob Jones Award Committee. He’s a previous chairman of the Grants Committee. Bunch is also an officer for the Executive Committee, serving as secretary.
Christie Austin of Cherry Hills Village, a member of the Executive Committee since 2007, has been nominated to continue her service on that board, which is one of the most powerful policy-making groups in the world of golf.
Oct. 1, 2009
COLORADAN MARSHALL WINS COLLEGE TOURNEY FOR ARKANSAS: Former Regis High School golfer Jamie Marshall won a college title on Sunday as the University of Arkansas senior prevailed in the 2009 Wolverine tournament in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Marshall shot a 7-under-par 65 in the final round for a 10-under 206 total for 54 holes. After starting the last day in eighth place, he notched a one-stroke victory over Lion Kim of host Michigan.
Marshall started his college golf career at Nebraska, then transferred to Arkansas. He finished fifth in the 2005 5A Colorado state high school tournament.
MEN’S, WOMEN’S U.S. MID-AMS START SATURDAY: Five Colorado men will compete in the U.S. Mid-Amateur starting Saturday, while five Colorado women will do likewise at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur. Both tournaments for players 25 and older will continue through Oct. 8. After two rounds of stroke play on the weekend, 64 players in each tournament will advance to match play, which begins Monday.
The men’s event will take place in Kiawah Island, S.C. The Colorado contingent includes Derek O’Neill of Parker, Jon Lindstrom of Broomfield, Jonathan Marsico and Wes Martin of Denver, and Steve Irwin of Golden.
The women’s tournament will be played in Ocala, Fla. Qualifiers from Colorado include Lynette Duran of Lakewood, Samantha Bartron of Boulder, Kim Eaton of Greeley, Janet Moore of Greenwood Village and Tiffany Maurycy of Denver.
Sept. 26, 2009
ALLEN, EBERL ADVANCE IN PGA TOUR QUALIFYING: Two more Coloradans, Jason Allen of Pueblo West and Cody Eberl of Lakewood, survived PGA Tour pre-qualifying this week to advance to first-stage tournaments.
Allen and Eberl finished in the top 45 in pre-qualifying in Seaside, Calif., thereby keeping their 2010 Tour hopes alive. Allen, the winner of last month’s Enstrom’s Rocky Mountain Open, placed 16th after rounds of 76-70-71-76 for a 5-over-par 293 total. Eberl finished 36th at 10-over 298 with rounds of 71-75-77-75.
Meanwhile, Derek Eley of Westminster ended up 60th and failed to advance out of pre-qualifying in Dallas. However, Jack Nicklaus’ son, Gary, did move on to the first stage by finishing 12th.
Last week, six other Coloradans earned first-stage berths by making it through pre-qualifying in Lincoln, Neb.: Pat Grady of Broomfield, Darrin Hall of Denver, Derek Tolan of Highlands Ranch, Tyler Symons of Aurora, Zen Brown of Arvada and Michael Baird of Castle Rock.
The first stage of Tour qualifying will be held between Oct. 21 and 30 at 11 sites. The second stage is set for Nov. 18-21 at six sites, and the final stage is scheduled for Dec. 2-7 in West Palm Beach, Fla. The top 25 players and ties from the final stage will earn their 2010 PGA Tour cards.
Sept. 25, 2009
COLORADANS PLACE 15TH IN USGA MEN’S TEAM EVENT: Colorado finished 15th Friday in the USGA Men’s State Team Championship at The Country Club of St. Albans near St. Louis.
The Coloradans dropped three spots in the 51-team field in the final round, with its top two scores adding up to 5-over-par 147. That left Colorado at 9-over-par 435 for three days, 18 strokes behind team champion Pennsylvania. Kansas finished second, three strokes back of Pennsylvania.
Michael Harrington of Colorado Springs was Colorado’s top individual finisher, firing a 3-over-par 74 in the final round for a 3-over 216 total, good for 14th place individually. Jon Lindstrom of Broomfield placed 39th after his third straight 73 left him at 219. And Jonathan Marsico of Denver closed with an 84, which left him in 147th place with a 239 total.
GOLF WORLD READERS HONOR BROADMOOR, CASTLE PINES: The Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs and Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock were ranked among the country’s top 50 facilities in their classifications in Golf World magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
In the resort category, the Broadmoor placed 16th in the nation overall and fourth in two sub-categories: service and hotel accommodations.
And among private clubs, Castle Pines ranked 31st nationally.
Overall No. 1 rankings were given to Forest Dunes in Roscommon, Mich. (public), Oak Hill in Rochester, N.Y. (private), and Kiawah Island in South Carolina (resort).
Sept. 24, 2009
COLORADO MEN JUMP TO 12TH IN USGA TEAM EVENT: Colorado moved up 12 spots to 12th place Thursday with an even-par team score in the USGA Men’s State Team Championship at The Country Club of St. Albans near St. Louis.
The Coloradans’ top two scores added up to 142 in the second round, with Colorado Springs’ Michael Harrington firing a 2-under-par 69 and Broomfield’s Jon Lindstrom posting his second straight 73. The third member of the team, Denver’s Jonathan Marsico, backed up his first-round 77 with a 78.
Colorado, with a two-day team score of 4-over-par 288, trails leader Pennsylvania by 11 shots going into Friday’s final round. There are 51 teams competing in the event.
Mark Anderson of South Carolina leads the individual competition with a two-day total of 6-under-par 136 after a 71 on Thursday. Harrington (142) stands in 10th place, while Lindstrom (146) is 39th and Marsico (155) is 118th.
Sept. 23, 2009
COLORADO 24TH IN USGA MEN’S STATE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP: Colorado stands in 24th place after the first round of the USGA Men’s State Team Championship being played at The Country Club of St. Albans near St. Louis.
With the best two scores from each three-man team counting toward the daily total, Colorado posted a 4-over-par 146 on Wednesday and trails leader Kansas by 13 strokes.
Michael Harrington of Colorado Springs, who on Sunday won the CGA Mid-Amateur Championship, carded a 2-over-par 73, as did Jon Lindstrom of Broomfield. Both are tied for 47th place in the individual competition. The third Coloradan, Jonathan Marsico of Denver, posted a 77, which ties him for 116th place.
Jon Troutman of Kansas recorded the day’s low round, a 7-under-par 64.
A total of 51 teams are competing in the USGA event, which concludes on Friday.
ELWAY-HART 5 AHEAD GOING INTO FINAL DAY OF FOUR-BALL: Former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway and partner Tom Hart expanded their lead to five strokes Wednesday in the Trans-Mississippi Four-Ball at Cherry Hills Country Club.
The two Coloradans combined to shot a 4-under-par 68 Wednesday in the mid-amateur division of the best-ball event. Elway and Hart stand at 12-under-par 132 going into Thursday’s final round. In second place are Steve and Stephen Summers of Dallas.
In the senior division, Charles Bagby of Alabama and Corky Nelson of Texas shot a second-round 68 to grab a one-stroke advantage over three teams. Sharing second place at 138 are 2008 runner-up Steve Bell of Denver and Jay Leonard, Coloradans Sean Forey and Scott Radcliffe, and James Hays and Steve Dallas. All three second-place teams shot second-round 70s.
For complete scores, go to http://www.trans-miss.com/four-ball/scoreboard
DU WOMEN, SHERLOCK CLAIM TITLES IN RON MOORE TOURNEY: The University of Denver women won their sixth straight Ron Moore Intercollegiate title on Wednesday, and DU senior Stephanie Sherlock claimed the seventh individual title of her college career. The Pioneers finished at 15-over-par 879 for a 14-stroke victory at Highlands Ranch Golf Club. Sherlock closed with an even-par 72 for a 1-under 215 total. DU freshman Kimberly Kim placed fourth in her first college tournament, ending up at 219.
1. Denver 298-287-294--879
1. Stephanie Sherlock 74-69-72--215; 4. Kimberly Kim 74-71-74--219; 8. Ellie Givens 80-71-74--225; 12. Sue Kim 74-76-79--229; 25. Sarah Faller 76-83-74--233; 15. Kelly Drack 80-74-76--230; 47. Tory Bauman 80-76-84--240; 47. Anna Christenson 82-81-77-240; 55. Lindsay Cone 86-82-74--242.
12. Northern Colorado 341-316-311--968
47. Carleigh Silvers 83-77-80--240; 47. Chelsea Silvers 86-75-79--240; 57. Emily Dougherty 87-86-72--245; 61. Ali Nelson 85-78-84--247; 72. Libby Avery 94-88-80--262.
Sept. 22, 2009
ELWAY-HART TEAM LEADS IN TRANS-MISS FOUR-BALL: Former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway and fellow Coloradan Tom Hart combined to shoot an 8-under-par 64 and take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Trans-Mississippi Four-Ball at Cherry Hills Country Club.
Elway and Hart are two up in the mid-amateur division of the best-ball event on Steve and Stephen Summers of Dallas.
Meanwhile, in the 55-and-older senior division, Mike Guetz and Tim McAdam of Scottdale, Ariz., fired a 67 to hold a one-stroke advantage over three teams: 2008 runnerups Steve Bell of Denver and Jay Leonard, James Hays and Steve Dallas, and Coloradans Sean Forey and Scott Radcliffe.
For complete scores, go to http://www.trans-miss.com/four-ball/scoreboard
SOULE PLACES FOURTH IN ADAMS TOUR EVENT: Charlie Soule of Denver finished fourth Sunday in the Adams Tour’s Lubbock Open in Texas. The former University of Denver golfer shot rounds of 71-66-66-68 for a 17-under-par total. In finishing six strokes behind winner Connie Pierce, Soule won $4,637.
Sept. 21, 2009
EX-DU GOLFERS SHOCKLEY, KEMPTER MOVE ON IN LPGA Q-SCHOOL: Former University of Denver golfers Dawn Shockley and Katie Kempter advanced to the final stage of the LPGA qualifying process Sunday by surviving a sectional tournament in Rancho Mirage, Calif. A total of 2-over-par 290 or better was needed to move on, and Shockley and Kempter both finished at that 290 figure.
Thirty players and ties from the Ranch Mirage tourney qualified for the final stage, which will be held Dec. 2-6 in Daytona Beach, Fla. Shockley, who grew up in Estes Park, shot rounds of 74-72-74-70, while Albuquerque’s Kempter recorded 77-70-74-69.
Another first-stage LPGA qualifier will be held Sept. 29-Oct. 2 in Venice, Fla., where 30 players and ties will qualify for the Q-school finals.
The top 40 finishers at the final stage in Daytona Beach will receive some status on the 2010 LPGA Tour.
COLORADO CONTINGENT SET FOR USGA MEN’S STATE TEAM EVENT: Michael Harrington of Colorado Springs, fresh off his CGA Mid-Amateur victory, will join up with Jon Lindstrom of Broomfield and Jonathan Marsico of Denver for the USGA Men’s State Team tournament that will be played Wednesday through Friday in St. Albans, Mo.
The best two rounds from each state’s three players make up each team’s daily total. Earlier this month, the Colorado team finished sixth out of 49 at the USGA Women’s State Team tournament.
Sept. 20, 2009
CSU MEN, UNC'S BIDNE WIN AT AIR FORCE ACADEMY: Colorado State won the Falcon Invitational at the Air Force Academy for the second straight year, and Northern Colorado’s Steve Bidne claimed the individual title. Bidne shot a final-round 69 for a 10-under-par 206 total. CSU placed four players in the top 13 overall, led by Zahkai Brown’s third-place showing. Also tying for third were Air Force’s Tom Whitney and Denver’s Espen Kofstad. Air Force finished sixth as a team, while UNC was eighth, CU ninth, CU-Colorado Springs 11th and Denver 15th. For complete local results, go to http://www.cogolf.org/college.php
GRADY, 5 OTHER COLORADANS ADVANCE IN PGA TOUR QUALIFYING: Six Coloradans advanced out of the pre-qualifying stage of PGA Tour school this week in Lincoln, Neb. Moving on to next month’s first stage were Pat Grady of Broomfield (7-under-par 273), Darrin Hall of Denver (276), HealthOne Colorado Open champion Derek Tolan of Highlands Ranch (276), Tyler Symons of Aurora (280), Zen Brown of Arvada (282) and Michael Baird of Castle Rock (286).
In all, 43 out of the 85 players in the Lincoln pre-qualifying field earned spots in the first stage. Grady finished sixth, Hall and Tolan tied for 10th, Symons was 18th, Brown was 22nd and Baird was 35th.
Three more Coloradans will compete in pre-qualifiers Tuesday through Friday: Jason Allen of Pueblo West and Cody Eberl of Lakewood will play in Seaside, Calif., while Derek Eley of Westminster will be in Dallas.
The first stage of Tour qualifying will be held between Oct. 21 and 30 at 11 sites. The second stage is set for Nov. 18-21 at six sites, and the final stage is scheduled for Dec. 2-7 in West Palm Beach, Fla. The top 25 players and ties from the final stage will earn their 2010 PGA Tour cards.
ELWAY COMPETING IN TRANS-MISS FOUR-BALL AT CHERRY HILLS: The 29th annual Trans-Mississippi Four-Ball Championship will take place Tuesday through Thursday at Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village.
Eighty-eight two-man teams (49 in the mid-amateur division and 39 in the senior division) will compete in a best-ball stroke-play format. The tournament is open to male amateurs who are members of clubs which belong to the Trans-Mississippi Golf Association. The mid-amateur division is for players 25 and older, while the seniors is limited to those 55 and older.
Among the players entered are former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway, University of Colorado men’s golf coach Roy Edwards, and 2009 CGA Senior Match Play and Senior Stroke Play champion Robert Polk. Also in the field is Denver’s Steve Bell, who teamed with Jay Leonard to finish second in the senior division last year after losing in a playoff in Bandon, Ore.
Sept. 19, 2009
EX-PRO BUECKING TAKES LEAD IN CGA MID-AMATEUR: Former professional Alex Buecking shot a 3-under-par 69 Saturday to grab a one-stroke lead heading into the final round of the 23rd annual CGA Mid-Amateur Championship at River Valley Ranch Golf Club in Carbondale.
Buecking, who moved to Littleton from Dallas two years ago, eagled the par-5 11th hole Saturday and added three birdies and two bogeys. The 36-year-old from Columbine Country Club stands at 5-under-par 139 for two rounds. Buecking is looking for his second CGA title of the year, having teamed with Steve Irwin for the CGA Four-Ball championship in May.
First-round leader Josh Mondry of Aspen trails Buecking by one after posting a second-round 73. Michael Harrington of Colorado Springs (69-141) and 2004 champion Chris Carlson of Highlands Ranch (73-142) stand in third and fourth place, respectively.
Defending champion Jon Lindstrom of Broomfield remains in contention for the title as a 71 on Saturday left him at even-par 144.
The field in the 25-and-over tournament was cut to the top 40 players and ties after Saturday’s second round. A 36-hole score of 154 or better was needed to qualify for Sunday’s final round.
Sept. 18, 2009
ASPEN'S MONDRY 2 AHEAD IN CGA MID-AMATEUR: Josh Mondry of Aspen made an eagle Friday en route to a 5-under-par 67 that gave him a two-stroke lead after the first round of the CGA Mid-Amateur Championship at River Valley Ranch Golf Club in Carbondale.
The 45-year-old from Maroon Creek Club went bogey-free to post one of the seven subpar rounds recorded on Friday. Chris Carlson, the 2004 champion from Highlands Ranch Golf Club, and Keith Humerickhouse from Glenwood Springs share second place at 69. Humerickhouse eagled the par-4 12th hole in the opening round.
Among the other players who broke par Friday was two-time champion Steve Irwin of Lakewood Country Club, who fired a 71.
Defending champion Jon Lindstrom from The Heritage at Westmoor opened with a 73. Lindstrom and Irwin qualified earlier this month for the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship that will be held next month in South Carolina.
The 54-hole CGA Mid-Amateur, which is open to players 25 and older, will continue Saturday and conclude Sunday.
Sept. 17, 2009
LINDSTROM SET TO DEFEND CGA MID-AM TITLE: The CGA will hold its second straight championship on the Western Slope as the Mid-Amateur will take place Friday through Sunday (Sept. 18-20) at River Valley Ranch Golf Club in Carbondale.
Eighty-four players, all 25 and older, are scheduled to compete, including seven former champions: Jon Lindstrom (2008), Robert Polk (2007), Steve Irwin (2003 and ‘05), Chris Carlson (2004), Mike Glaesel (1998), David Delich (1997) and Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Kent Moore (1995). Earlier this month, Polk completed a 2009 sweep of major CGA senior championships by winning the Senior Stroke Play at Cornerstone Club in Montrose.
Also earlier this month, Lindstrom and Irwin qualified for the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship that will be played next month in South Carolina.
Sept. 16, 2009
EATON LOSES ON 18TH HOLE OF SR. WOMEN’S AM QUARTERFINALS: Kim Eaton of Greeley bogeyed the 18th hole Wednesday to lose her quarterfinal match at the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur in Hot Springs, Va. Robyn Puckett of Irvine, Calif., parred the par-3 final hole for a 1-up victory.
Eaton, 50, the reigning CWGA Senior Stroke Play champion, never led against Puckett but rallied from being 3 down after nine holes to square the match after 12. The players were all square after the 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th holes before the 18th proved decisive.
Eaton won three matches en route to the quarterfinals, including a 5-and-4 second-round victory over World Golf Hall of Famer Carol Semple Thompson, a four-time Senior Women’s Amateur champion.
Sept. 15, 2009
EATON BEATS 4-TIME CHAMPION, MAKES QUARTERFINALS: Kim Eaton of Greeley won two matches on Tuesday, defeating four-time champion Carol Semple Thompson in the process, to advance to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur in Hot Springs, Va.
Eaton, 50, beat the World Golf Hall of Famer 5 and 4 in the second round and Linda Pearson of Glendale, Calif., 4 and 2 in round 3 to advance to the final eight. Eaton, the reigning CWGA Senior Stroke Play champion, didn’t trail in either match.
In the second round, “Neither of us made a birdie and Carol didn’t have her best day,” Eaton said on the USGA web site. “But it was a thrill and an honor to play with her.”
Eaton will face fifth-seeded Robyn Puckett of Irvine, Calif., on Wednesday. The semifinals will also take place Wednesday, with the championship match set for Thursday.
GUNDERSON OUSTED IN 2ND ROUND OF U.S. SR. AM: Roger Gunderson of Aurora lost in the second round of the U.S. Senior Amateur in Chicago, falling to John Grace of Fort Worth, Texas, 2 up.
Gunderson, who parred the first nine holes, was 2 up after eight holes, but made five bogeys and one birdie on the back nine.
HUNT GRABS LEAD IN COLO. PGA PRO CHAMPIONSHIP: Rob Hunt of Highlands Ranch, winner of the 2008 FCA Denver Open, grabbed a two-stroke lead Tuesday after the second round of the Colorado PGA Professional Championship at Colorado National Golf Club in Erie.
Hunt, a 30-year-old assistant pro at the Links Golf Course, fired his second straight 5-under-par 67 -- this one bogey-free -- for a 10-under 134 total. He’ll take a two-shot advantage over Dale Smigelsky of Fort Collins into Wednesday’s final round. Smigelsky has fired back-to-back 68s.
Sharing third place at 137 is Colorado National director of golf Matt Schalk and Jason Brandt of Arvada.
The top scores after the second of three rounds -- 1. Rob Hunt 67-67--134; 2. Dale Smigelsky 68-68--136; 3. (tie) Matt Schalk 68-69--137; Jason Brandt 67-70--137; 5. (tie) Perry Holmes 67-71--138; Tad Holloway 66-72--138; Tray Shehee 71-67--138; Caine Fitzgerald 71-67--138; Zane Zwemke 67-71--138; John Ogden 69-69--138; 11. Bill Loeffler 69-70--139; 12. Patrick Reidy 68-72--140.
Sept. 14, 2009
GUNDERSON WINS FIRST MATCH IN U.S. SENIOR AMATEUR: Roger Gunderson of Aurora advanced to the round of 32 at the U.S. Senior Amateur in Chicago, defeating Norman Swenson of Linville, N.C., 4 and 3, in Monday’s first-round match. Gunderson will face seventh-seeded John Grace of Fort Worth, Texas in the second round on Tuesday.
The other Coloradan to make match play, John Olive of Colorado Springs, lost to Mark Bemowski of Mukwonago, Wis., 3 and 2 on Monday.
CARLSON FIRES 65 IN COLORADO PGA PRO CHAMPIONSHIP: Jeff Carlson of Aurora shot a 7-under-par 65 Monday at Colorado National Golf Club in Erie to take a one-stroke lead in the Colorado PGA Professional Championship. The 25-year-old, who works at Cherry Creek Country Club, recorded nine 3s on his card Monday, making an eagle, six birdies and one bogey.
Tad Holloway of Rifle shot a bogey-free 66 to stand in second place.
Four players, including defending champion Perry Holmes of Boulder, share third place at 67.
The top 10 scores after the first of three rounds -- 1. Jeff Carlson 64; 2. (tie) Tad Holloway 66; Jason Brandt, Zane Zwemke, Perry Holmes and Rob Hunt 67; 7. (tie) Dale Smigelsky, Matt Schalk and Patrick Reidy 68; 10. (tie) John Ogden, David Arbuckle, Bill Loeffler and Aaron Schellhorn 69.
EATON WINS; SEMPLE THOMPSON NEXT OPPONENT: Kim Eaton of Greeley won her first-round match at the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur in Hot Springs, Va., defeating Susan Dye of England 2 and 1 on Monday. Eaton, seeded fourth, will face World Golf Hall of Famer Carol Semple Thompson in her second-round match on Tuesday. Thompson has won seven USGA titles in his career, including four U.S. Senior Women’s Amateurs, a U.S. Women’s Amateur and two U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateurs.
The other Coloradan who advanced to match play, Cindy Bryniarki of Durango, lost in Monday’s first round to Rebecca Montgelas of Darien, Conn., 6 and 4.
LONGMONT’S BISHOP WINS NEBRASKA OPEN: Professional Tyler Bishop of Longmont, a former standout player at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, on Sunday won the Wells Fargo Nebraska Open in Columbus.
Bishop shot rounds of 63-66-66 for an 18-under-par total of 195, which was good for a one-stroke victory over Nathan Lashley of Scottsdale, Ariz. Derek Tolan of Highlands Ranch (200) tied for seventh.
Bishop, who in June was named the top golfer in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference history, is now an assistant coach at UCCS.
VAIL GOLF CLUB TO HOST CWGA CHAPMAN TOURNAMENT: The CWGA will hold its Chapman Championship at Vail Golf Club Tuesday and Wednesday (Sept. 15-16). In the two-person team event, both players tee off, they hit their partner’s ball for the second shot, then choose a ball to alternately play into the hole.
Sept. 13, 2009
EATON, BRYNIARSKI MAKE MATCH PLAY AT U.S. SR. WOMEN’S AM: Two Coloradans, Kim Eaton of Greeley and Cindy Bryniarski of Durango, qualified for match play Sunday at the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur in Hot Springs, Va.
Eaton, a co-leader after round 1, finished fourth in the 36-hole stroke-play portion of the event, shooting a 7-over-par 77 Sunday for a two-day total of 149. Joan Higgins of Glendora, Calif., earned medalist honors at 142.
Bryniarski shared 10th place in stroke play as a 75 Sunday left her at 153. Eaton and Bryniarski will be among the 64 players who will play first-round matches on Monday.
Coloradans who failed to advance to match play were Cindy Palatino (89-167), Kathy Malpass of Evergreen (82-168), Beth Clippinger of Centennial (84-170), Mary Doyen of Denver (84-170), Barbara Hoversten of Castle Rock (88-170), Laurie Steenrod of Aurora (83-172), and Sue Davis of Carbondale (88-178).
GUNDERSON, OLIVE ADVANCE AT U.S. SENIOR AMATEUR: Roger Gunderson of Aurora and John Olive from Colorado Springs earned spots in match play Sunday at the U.S. Senior Amateur in Chicago.
Gunderson finished 25th in stroke play as a second-round 74 left him at 5-over-par 147 overall. Olive tied for 40th at 149 after a second-round 75. Gunderson and Olive will play first-round matches on Monday after being two of the 64 players to advance.
Failing to make match play were Robert Cloud of Denver (81-159) and Thomas Schultz of Trinidad (83-161).
BERTSCH RETURNS TO ACTION AT NATIONWIDE UTAH TOURNEY: Shane Bertsch of Parker played his first PGA Tour-sanctioned tournament of 2009, finishing 25th Sunday in the Nationwide Utah Championship. Bertsch, a PGA Tour regular in 2006 and ’08, hadn’t competed on the Nationwide or PGA Tours since November after breaking his right foot late last year. But he posted rounds of 68-69-69-71 for a 7-under-par 277 total, finishing 13 shots behind champion Josh Teater.
Bertsch ended up 126th on the 2008 PGA Tour money list and will be partially exempt on that circuit in 2010.
EATON CO-LEADER IN U.S. SENIOR WOMEN’S AMATEUR: Kim Eaton of Greeley fired a 2-over-par 72 Saturday to share the lead after the first round of stroke play in the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur in Hot Springs, Va. Eaton, who last month won the CWGA Senior Stroke Play, is tied with Carolyn Creekmore of Dallas, who had a hole-in-one on Saturday.
The best 64 players after Sunday’s second round will advance to match play.
The scores of the other Coloradans in Saturday’s opening round: Cindy Bryniarki of Durango and Cindy Pallatino are 24th after 78s; Barbara Hoversten of Castle Rock is 75th after an 82; Kathy Malpass of Evergreen, Mary Doyen of Denver and Beth Clippinger of Centennial shot 86s and share 106th place; Laurie Steenrod of Aurora is 120th after an 89; and Sue Davis of Carbondale is 124th after a 90.
GUNDERSON 16TH AFTER FIRST ROUND OF U.S. SENIOR AMATEUR: Roger Gunderson of Aurora shot a 2-over-par 73 Saturday at Beverly Country Club in Chicago to share 16th place after the first round of stroke play at the U.S. Senior Amateur. Gunderson stands four strokes back of the leaders going into Sunday’s final round of stroke play, after which the top 64 players will advance to match play.
Other scores from Coloradans on Satuday were a 74 from John Olive of Colorado Springs (33rd place), and 78s by both Robert Cloud of Denver and Thomas Schultz of Trinidad (99th place).
HOLMES SET TO DEFEND COLORADO PGA PRO TITLE: Perry Holmes of Boulder will defend his title when the Colorado PGA Professional Championship is held at Colorado National Golf Club in Erie Monday through Wednesday (Sept. 14-16). Up for grabs at the tournament will be a purse of more than $40,000 and berths into the 2010 PGA Professional National Championship.
Also in the field for the 54-hole stroke-play tournament at Colorado National are four multiple-time winners of the event: three-time champions Bill Loeffler, Ron Vlosich and Ken Krieger; and two-time champ Mike Zaremba.
Sept. 12, 2009
SEVERAL COLLEGE TOURNEYS UPCOMING IN COLORADO: Though there are plenty of college golf programs in Colorado, Division I tournaments held in the state are relatively rare. But the events that are played in the state are usually held this time of year, and 2009 is no exception.
The season started with a Colorado-Colorado State men’s dual meet at Ballyneal in Holyoke, and there are several invitationals planned in the next month.
Here’s the lineup:
-- Monday and Tuesday: Women’s CSU Ptarmigan Ram Fall Classic at Ptarmigan Country Club in Fort Collins. Colorado teams participating include CSU, CU and the University of Northern Colorado.
-- Sept. 19-20: Men’s Falcon Invitational at the Air Force Academy’s Eisenhower Golf Course north of Colorado Springs. Colorado teams competing include Air Force, CU, CSU, the University of Denver, UNC and CU-Colorado Springs.
-- Sept. 21-23: DU’s Ron Moore Women’s Intercollegiate at Highlands Ranch. Colorado teams participating include DU and UNC.
-- Oct. 5-6: Women’s Heather Farr CU Memorial at Colorado Golf Club in Erie. Colorado teams competing include CU, CSU and UNC.
Sept. 9, 2009
DENVER’S LOVE WINS CANADIAN TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP: Denver resident James Love posted the biggest victory of his career on Sunday, winning the Canadian Tour Championship. The former University of Denver golfer earned $40,000 for the victory, which came in a playoff over Lucas Lee. It was Love’s first Canadian Tour title.
Love, a native of Calgary, parred the first playoff hole for the win in St. Catherine’s, Ontario. He and Lee finished regulation play at 11-under-par 269, with Love closing with a 67.
“I’m a little emotional right now,” Love said on the Canadian Tour’s web site. “The first few months of this year were really tough. I wasn’t even sure if I could or would keep playing. … This is a lonely game and for the first six months of this year, I didn’t believe in myself at all.”
HEYEN TO RECEIVE NATIONAL PGA OF AMERICA HONOR: Kyle Heyen, the head professional at Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen for the past 24 years, will receive a national honor for player development at the PGA of America’s awards presentation on Jan. 28 in Orlando, Fla.
Heyen won the 2009 PGA President’s Plaque, given for “extraordinary and exemplary contributions in player development.” Heyen, 52, is the first member of the Colorado PGA Section to receive the President’s Plaque, which has been awarded since 1982.
A member of the Hiwan staff since 1980, Heyen coordinated the Colorado PGA Golf Academy in 1991-92. He was president of the Colorado PGA Section from 2004 to ‘06, and served as co-chairman of the PGA National Governance Committee from 2006 to ‘08.
Heyen has twice received the Colorado PGA Golf Professional of the Year award, in 2005 and ‘06
Heyen has been instrumental in implementing the PGA’s “Play Golf America” programs at Hiwan, in addition to putting in place several initiatives of his own, many involving junior players, including inner-city youngsters.
ZAVICHAS AND LANGE SET FOR HALL OF FAME INDUCTION: Two women with strong ties to Colorado golf -- Penny Zavichas and Pat Lange -- will be inducted into the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals Hall of Fame on Saturday (Sept. 12) in Williamsburg, Va.
Zavichas and Lange have both been members of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame since the 1990s and they’ve both long been designated LPGA Master Professionals.
Zavichas, a niece of LPGA Hall of Famer Babe Zaharias, is the co-founder and head instructor at the 41-year-old Craft-Zavichas Golf School in Pueblo, where she‘s lived since age 2. She has 44 years of instruction experience and was named LPGA teacher of the year in 1973.
Lange is known as an authority on club-fitting for women -- most notably the development of shafts that match the swing speeds of female players -- and in the field of golf instruction. She founded Golden-based Lange Golf, known largely for producing golf clubs and other equipment for women. Lange was voted the LPGA’s national professional of the year in 1989.
The induction of Zavichas, Lange, Kerry Graham of Arizona and Lorraine Klippel of Pennsylvania will bring the number of people enshrined by the LPGA T&CP to 12. The T&CP Hall of Fame was established in 2000 and last inducted members in 2006.
PAR CLUB TOURNEY SET FOR OCT. 5 AT COLUMBINE: The 28th annual Par Club tournament, which benefits the Eisenhower-Evans Caddie Scholarship program at the University of Colorado, will be held Oct. 5 at Columbine Country Club in Littleton. The event will feature a 12:45 p.m. shotgun start.
The entry fee is $350, or $300 for 2008 tournament participants. Registration will be accepted online at COgolf.org, with the entry deadline set for Sept. 25. For more information about the tournament, contact Erin Bessey at the CGA at 303-974-2102.
Sept. 7, 2009
FIVE U.S. MID-AMATEUR SPOTS UP FOR GRABS AT MERIDIAN: Eighty players will compete for five spots in the U.S. Mid-Amateur Tuesday in sectional qualifying at Meridian Golf Club in Englewood. The national tournament is set for Oct. 3-8 at Kiawah Island Club in Charleston, S.C.
Among those playing at Meridian is Jon Lindstrom of Broomfield, the reigning CGA Mid-Amateur champion who advanced to the round of 16 at the 2008 U.S. Mid-Amateur. Lindstrom qualified earlier this year for the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship. Joining Lindstrom at Meridian are 2004 CGA Player of the Year Steve Irwin, Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Kent Moore, and 2008 CGA Stroke Play champion Jonathan Marsico.
Sept. 4, 2009
DU WOMEN RANKED FIFTH IN PRESEASON POLL: Golf World magazine, in its college preview section, ranks the University of Denver fifth in the women’s preseason coaches’ poll. The Pioneers, who placed fifth in the 2009 NCAA Finals, trail only Arizona State, USC, UCLA and Oklahoma State in the poll.
Golf World also includes two DU players among its top 10 female college golfers in the nation: senior Stephanie Sherlock (sixth) and incoming freshman Kimberly Kim, the 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion (10th).
Meanwhile, three local men’s college golfers made Golf World’s top 50 male players to watch: Stanford’s Steve Ziegler (a Broomfield resident), DU’s Espen Kofstad and Colorado State’s Dustin Morris.
Sept. 3, 2009
COLORADO FINISHES 6TH IN USGA WOMEN’S STATE TEAM TOURNEY: Colorado placed sixth out of 49 teams Thursday at the USGA Women’s State Team Championships in Fort Wayne, Ind. Georgia won the competition with a three-day total of 436, 20 strokes ahead of Colorado.
Rachel Larson of Longmont finished sixth in the individual competition with rounds of 72-78-72---222, eight strokes back of champion Dori Carter of Georgia. The other scores from Colorado players were Janet Moore 84-79-77--240; and Kim Eaton 78-NC-79.
COLORADO WOMEN STAND 8TH AT USGA STATE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP: Colorado shares eighth place with California going into Thursday’s final round of the USGA Women’s State Team Championship in Fort Wayne, Ind. The Coloradans stand at 307 after two rounds of the event in which each state’s best two scores each day count toward the team total.
Georgia leads the competition at 297.
Individually for the Colorado team, Rachel Larson is in ninth place with rounds of 72-78--150. The scores for the other two Coloradans competing: Janet Moore 84-79--163; Kim Eaton 78-NC.
Aug. 30, 2009
KEVIN STADLER QUALIFIES FOR WEEK 2 OF PGA TOUR’S PLAYOFFS: Despite missing the cut at the Barclays tournament, Kent Denver High School graduate Kevin Stadler advanced to the second week of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs. Stadler, who finished second on Aug. 23 at the Wyndham Championship to earn a spot in the playoffs, dropped to 92nd place in the playoff standings, but that was still good enough to qualify for the 100-man Deutsche Bank Championship, which starts Thursday in Norton, Mass.
Stadler will have to jump into the top 70 to advance to the third tournament of the playoffs, the BMW Championship, which runs Sept. 10-13 in Lemont, Ill.
Meanwhile, Stadler's father, Evergreen resident Craig Stadler, posted his best individual finish of the year on the Champions Tour, placing sixth Sunday in the Boeing Classic in Washington state.
DENVER’S SOULE FIFTH IN ADAMS TOUR EVENT: Charlie Soule of Denver finished fifth this week in the Adams Tour’s Horseshoe Bay (Texas) Resort Classic. The former University of Denver golfer shot rounds of 76-67-71-68 for a 2-under-par 282 total. In finishing three strokes behind champion Ryan Nelson, Soule won $4,007.
Aug. 28, 2009
ZIEGLER OUSTED IN U.S. AMATEUR QUARTERFINALS: Steve Ziegler pulled off another late-round rally at the U.S. Amateur, but Friday’s outcome went against him in extra holes. The Broomfield golfer extended his quarterfinal match by winning the last two holes of regulation -- as he had in a round-of-16 win on Thursday -- but this time Ziegler couldn’t convert the comeback into a victory.
Byeong-Hun An of Korea defeated Ziegler in 21 holes Friday to advance to the semifinals at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Okla. An parred the par-4 third extra hole while Ziegler made a bogey. Ziegler, a junior-to-be at Stanford, never led in his quarterfinal match and was 3 down on three occasions. But after being 2 down going into 17, Ziegler parred the last two holes to extend the match. However, the reigning CGA Stroke Play and Match Play champion bogeyed the 20th and 21st holes in falling to the 17-year-old An. Ziegler’s last two matches went 22 and 21 holes, respectively.
The U.S. Amateur capped a strong summer of international play for Ziegler, who competed in the Palmer Cup matches, made it to the round of 16 at the British Amateur and to the final eight at Southern Hills. By making the quarterfinals this week, Ziegler became exempt from qualifying for the 2010 U.S. Amateur.
Joining An in the U.S. Amateur semifinals are Charlie Holland of Dallas, Ben Martin of Greenwood, S.C., and Bhavik Patel of Bakersfield, Calif.
EDWARDS HEADS FIELD FOR COLORADO SENIOR OPEN: Danny Edwards, who won five events on the PGA Tour between 1977 and 1985, will be among the 156 players who will compete in the HealthOne Colorado Senior Open Sept. 2-4 at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in northeast Denver.
Edwards, 58, has won almost $1.5 million on the Champions Tour, but hasn’t competed there this year. His best finish ever on the Champions circuit was a fourth at the 2002 Audi Senior Classic. The resident of Scottsdale, Ariz., has competed in several U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying tournaments at Columbine Country Club in Littleton.
The Colorado Senior Open will feature a combined purse of $50,000. Besides Edwards, the field will include 10 qualifiers for the 2009 U.S. Senior Open and five Colorado Golf Hall of Famers (Bill Loeffler, Kent Moore, Rick DeWitt, John Olive and Larry Webb). Loeffler has won three HealthOne Colorado Opens in his career, and fellow contestant Jim Blair has claimed two. Nebraskan Jeff Klein, a top-10 finisher at the 2008 U.S. Senior Open in Colorado Springs, is also entered.
Aug. 27, 2009
ZIEGLER’S COMEBACK WIN NETS SPOT IN U.S. AMATEUR QUARTERFINALS: Steve Ziegler has made an impression on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean this summer. The golfer from Broomfield, who advanced to the round of 16 at the British Amateur, on Thursday earned a spot in the quarterfinals at the U.S. Amateur in Tulsa, Okla.
The Stanford golfer defeated Will Strickler of Gainesville, Fla., 1 up, in the round of 32 at Southern Hills, then staged a remarkable comeback to beat Dan Woltman of Beaver Dam, Wis., in 22 holes in the round of 16. Ziegler was 2 down to Woltman after 16, but won Nos. 17 and 18 with birdies. After halving the first three extra holes, Ziegler beat Woltman with a par on the par-4 fourth.
Ziegler, winner of the CGA Stroke Play and Match Play in 2009, survived the round of 32 despite finishing 9 over par in his match with Strickler. Ziegler played much better against Woltman, going 1 over par for 22 holes.
Ziegler will face Byeong-Hun An of Korea in Friday’s quarterfinals. An needed 20 holes to win his round of 16 match against Mike Van Sickle of Wexford, Pa.
Aug. 26, 2009
ZIEGLER WINS, BARDGETT LOSES IN FIRST ROUND OF U.S. AMATEUR: Broomfield’s Steve Ziegler won his opening match Wednesday at the U.S. Amateur at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Okla., advancing to Thursday’s round of 32.
The reigning CGA Stroke Play and Match Play champion defeated Jackson Beindorf of Vero Beach, Fla., 5 and 3 in round 1. Ziegler, who earlier this year made the round of 16 at the British Amateur, was 1 over par through 15 holes on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, University of Colorado golfer Justin Bardgett, who survived a playoff to advance to match play, lost in the first round to Mark Anderson of Beaufort, S.C., 2 up.
EATON ONE AHEAD IN CWGA SENIOR STROKE PLAY: Kim Eaton of Greeley, attempting to win the CWGA Senior Stroke Play less than a month after turning 50, shot a 2-over-par 74 Wednesday to grab a one-stroke lead heading into Thursday’s final round at Highlands Ranch Golf Club.
Eaton, winner of four CWGA Stroke Plays and one Match Play, holds a one-shot lead over another 50-year-old, D’Ann Kimbrel of Broken Tee Englewood. Mary Doyen of Foothills Golf Course stands in third place at 76.
Here are the Championship Flight scores:
Kim Eaton, Riverdale GC, 37-37--74
D'Ann Kimbrel, Broken Tee Englewood, 37-38--75
Mary Doyen, Foothills GC, 36-40--76
Lynne Batchelder, Valley CC, 40-37--77
Nancy Ziereis, Valley CC, 39-38--77
Beth Clippinger, Wellshire GC, 41-37--78
Cindy Pallatino, CommonGround GC, 41-37--78
Kay Griffel, The Meadows GC, 38-40--78
Lynn Zmistowski, The CC at Castle Pines, 39-39--78
Sue Davis, River Valley Ranch GC, 39-39--78
Susan Jennings, Fox Hill CC, 42-37--79
Pam Ryan, Lake Valley GC, 40-40--80
Liz Kennedy, Bookcliff CC, 44-39--83
Barbara Hoverston, Meridian GC, 42-44—86
Aug. 25, 2009
ZIEGLER ADVANCES TO MATCH PLAY AT U.S. AMATEUR: Steve Ziegler of Broomfield, who won both the CGA Match Play and Stroke Play this year, on Tuesday qualified for match play at the U.S. Amateur in Tulsa, Okla.
The Stanford golfer tied for 20th place in the 36-hole stroke play portion of the event, shooting 73-72 for a 5-over-par 145 total. Ziegler will be the 30th seed when first-round matches begin Wednesday.
Tim Jackson of Tenneessee, 50, became the oldest medalist in the history of the U.S. Amateur, finishing stroke play at even-par 140 (68-72) despite a one-stroke penalty for slow play.
Sixty-four players will advance to match play, leaving the 27 golfers at 148 playing off Wednesday morning for the final four spots. Two local players -- University of Colorado golfer Justin Bardgett (70-78) and Colorado State’s Dustin Morris (72-76) -- will be involved in that playoff. (Wednesday morning update: Bardgett survived the playoff to make match play as the 63rd seed.)
Local players who didn’t make match player were Gunner Wiebe of Aurora (72-78--150), Air Force golfer Tom Whitney (71-79--150), Michael Harrington of Colorado Springs (75-77--152), and CSU golfers Ryan Peterson (73-83--156) and Bryce Hanstad (83-74--157).
Aug. 24, 2009
CU’S BARDGETT FIRES 70 AT U.S. AMATEUR: University of Colorado golfer Justin Bardett shot an even-par 70 in Monday’s first round of stroke play at the U.S. Amateur in Tulsa, Okla. Bardgett trails the leader by two strokes heading into the second and final stroke-play round. After Tuesday, the top 64 players will advance to match play.
Other local players and their scores Monday: Air Force golfer Tom Whitney (71), Aurora’s Gunner Wiebe (72), Colorado State golfer Dustin Morris (72), CSU teammate Ryan Peterson (73), Broomfield’s Steve Ziegler (73), Colorado Springs’ Michael Harrington (75) and CSU golfer Bryce Hanstad (83).
KEVIN STADLER LOSES IN SUDDEN DEATH, BUT MAKES TOUR PLAYOFFS: Kent Denver High School graduate Kevin Stadler came ever so close to earning his first PGA Tour victory on Sunday, but lost the Wyndham Championship in a playoff to first-time Tour champion Ryan Moore.
Stadler, champion of the 2002 Colorado Open, could have won the tournament in Greensboro, N.C. outright on the 72nd hole of regulation, but he missed an 8-foot par putt. That left him in a playoff with Moore and Jason Bohn. Bohn bowed out with a bogey on the first extra hole, while Moore and Stadler matched pars in sudden death on No. 18 and No. 10. After Stadler posted a bogey on the third extra hole -- No. 18 again -- Moore sank a birdie putt for the victory.
On Sunday in regulation and in the playoff, Stadler played the 18th hole bogey-par-bogey.
"I can't play that hole," he said. "I'll just leave it that."
Stadler was trying to join his dad, Evergreen resident Craig Stadler, as a PGA Tour winner in Greensboro. Craig won the Greater Greensboro Open in 1980, the same year Kevin was born.
There are a couple of silver linings to come out of the second runner-up finish in Kevin’s PGA Tour career (he was also second in the Reno-Tahoe Open in 2007). First, he qualified for the FedEx Cup playoffs, advancing to this week’s Barclays in Jersey City, N.J. Stadler needed to jump into the top 125 on the points list, and he went from 133 to 76. He’ll need to remain in the top 100 to qualify for next week’s Deutsche Bank Championship in Norton Mass, the second of the four FedEx Cup playoff tournaments.
"It's great," Stadler said of making the playoffs. "That's basically what I had in mind coming in here. Obviously those (goals) changed a little bit on the back nine. It was still a very positive week."
In addition, after being partially exempt on Tour this year by virtue of finishing outside the top 125 on the 2008 money list (at No. 145), Stadler now is in good shape to regain his fully-exempt status. With his $457,600 payday at Greensboro, Stadler jumped from 140th to 81st on the 2009 money list. If he remains in the top 125 at the end of the year, he’ll be fully exempt on the PGA Tour for 2010. Had Stadler won on Sunday, he would have automatically become fully exempt on Tour for both 2010 and 2011.
Aug. 23, 2009
PUEBLO WEST’S ALLEN WINS ROCKY MTN. OPEN: Jason Allen of Pueblo West won for the second time in August, capturing the overall title in the Enstrom’s Rocky Mountain Open in Grand Junction.
Allen, who claimed the Colorado Section PGA Assistant Pro Championship earlier this month, earned $8,000 for his RMO performance. The 35-year-old closed with a 7-under-par 64 Sunday at Tiara Rado Golf Course for a 54-hole total of 18-under-par 196. That’s the second-lowest winning three-round total in RMO history, which dates back to 1939. Only the 194 posted by Micah Rudosky in 2002 is better.
Allen, the leader by one entering the final round, made an eagle on the par-4 10th hole and added five birdies on Sunday.
Former University of Colorado golfer Pat Grady finished second at 197 after a hard-charging final round of 62 that included nine birdies and zero bogeys. Another former CU golfer, Mike Troyer, tied for third place at 202 with Richard Gaona and Arvada’s Dustin Mills. Troyer and Gaona closed with 64s, while Mills had a 69.
For RMO scores, go to http://copga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/copga9/event/copga962/contest/87/leaderboard.htm
Aug. 22, 2009
ALLEN ONE AHEAD AFTER TWO DAYS OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN OPEN: Professional Jason Allen of Pueblo West shot a 4-under-par 67 Saturday to grab a one-stroke lead in the Enstrom’s Rocky Mountain Open in Grand Junction. Allen, winner of the recent Colorado Section PGA Assistant Pro Championship, stands at 11-under-par 132 heading into Sunday’s final round.
Allen, a 35-year-old who has competed in two U.S. Opens, played Tiara Rado Golf Course on Saturday and took a one-shot advantage over Chris Manning, who posted a bogey-free 64 at Tiara Rado, and Arvada‘s Dustin Mills, who made two eagles en route to a 68 at Lincoln Park Golf Course. First-day leader Michael Baird, a former University of Colorado golfer, stands in fourth place at 9-under 134 after carding a 70 Saturday at Tiara Rado.
The top professionals, who are pursuing an $8,000 first prize, will play Tiara Rado Sunday after alternating between Lincoln Park and Tiara Rado the first two days.
For RMO scores, go to http://copga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/copga9/event/copga962/contest/17/ leaderboard.htm
DU’S KOFSTAD FINISHES 21ST IN EUROPEAN AMATEUR: University of Denver golfer Espen Kofstad finished 21st in the European Amateur Championship in Chantilly, France on Saturday. Kofstad, who fired a first-round 66 on Wednesday, closed with a 2-over-par 73 Saturday to end up at 3-over 287. Victor Dubuisson shot a final-round 66 for a winning total of 277.
Aug. 21, 2009
BAIRD 8 UNDER PAR IN FIRST ROUND OF RMO: Former University of Colorado golfer Michael Baird shot a bogey-free 8-under-par 64 at Lincoln Park Golf Course to take the lead after the first round of the Enstrom’s Rocky Mountain Open in Grand Junction.
Denver-based pro Scott Huelskamp also fired a 64, but that’s 7 under par at the course he played, Tiara Rado. Huelskamp made an eagle and seven birdies, offset by two bogeys.
Joining Huelskamp at 7 under par is Pueblo pro Jason Allen, who shot 65 at Lincoln Park. Arvada’s Dustin Mills posted a 6-under 65 at Tiara Rado.
The players will switch courses Saturday before the leaders all play Tiara Rado on Sunday. First prize for the professionals is $8,000.
For RMO scores, go to http://copga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/copga9/event/copga962/contest/17/ leaderboard.htm
DU’S KOFSTAD DROPS TO 13TH IN EUROPEAN AMATEUR: University of Denver golfer Espen Kofstad fell into a share of 13th place after three rounds of the European Amateur Championship in Chantilly, France. Kofstad shot a 4-over-par 75 Friday for a three-day total of 1-over 214. James Byrne (70 Friday) and Ross Kellett (75) share the lead at 5-under-par 208. The final round will be held Saturday.
Aug. 20, 2009
DU’S KOFSTAD FIFTH AT HALFWAY POINT OF EUROPEAN AMATEUR: University of Denver golfer Espen Kofstad shot a 2-over-par 73 Thursday to drop into fifth place at the International European Amateur Championship in Chantilly, France. The Norwegian stands at 3-under-par 139, six strokes behind leader Ross Kellett of Scotland, who posted a second-round 66.
The tournament continues through Saturday.
Aug. 19, 2009
DURAN MEDALIST IN U.S. WOMEN’S MID-AM QUALIFYING: Lynette Duran of Lakewood shot a 7-over-par 80 Wednesday at Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen to earn medalist honors in qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur.
Also advancing to the national tournament, which will be held Oct. 3-8 in Ocala, Fla., will be Samantha Bartron of Boulder (81), Kim Eaton of Greeley (82), Janet Moore of Greenwood Village (83) and Annette Gaiotti of Holladay, Utah (86).
Gaiotti prevailed in a five-way playoff for the final spot. Also shooting 86 Wednesday were Christie Austin, Wanna Hadnott, Kathy Malpass and Mo Gronning.
DU’S KOFSTAD IN SECOND PLACE IN EUROPEAN AMATEUR: University of Denver golfer Espen Kofstad fired a 5-under-par 66 Wednesday and stands in second place after the opening round of the International European Amateur Championship in Chantilly, France. Kofstad trails France’s Victor Dubuisson by one stroke.
COLO. GOLF HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS SET FOR SUNDAY: Four inductees and three honorees will be feted Sunday night at Lakewood Country Club by the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame.
LPGA Tour regular Jill McGill, longtime Colorado PGA members Keith Schneider and Don Fox, and historical nominee Ruth Harrison will be enshired into the Hall of Fame. Receiving annual honors will be Broadmoor director of golf Russ Miller (Golf Person of the Year after the Broadmoor hosted the 2008 U.S. Senior Open); Jeff Dorsey of HealthOne, title sponsor of the Colorado Open championships (Distinguished Service Award); and former longtime director of golf at Hyland Hills Marv Mazone (Lifetime Achievement honor).
McGill, a Denver native and Cherry Creek High School graduate, has won both the U.S. Women’s Amateur and the U.S. Women’s Amateur Publinks, and has competed on the LPGA Tour since 1996.
Since 1981, Schneider has been one of the most prominent figures at the prestigious Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock, which for 21 years hosted the PGA Tour’s International. Schneider was Castle Pines’ head professional for 22 years before becoming general manager in 2003.
Fox, the retired longtime pro at Loveland Golf Course (now known as the Olde Course at Loveland), was the first Master Professional in Colorado history. He’s also well known for operating the Junior Academy in Loveland and Fort Collins for 15 years, along with Bill Metier, who also has since been voted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame.
Harrison was one of the top female players in Colorado in the first half of the 20th century. The Denver Country Club member won the CWGA Match Play Championship three straight years starting in 1927. She also claimed four women’s club championships at DCC.
EX-CU GOLFER MOORE A “BIG BREAK” CONTESTANT: Former University of Colorado golfer Blake Moore will be among the 12 contestants on the Golf Channel’s Big Break Disney Golf competition which will debut from Orlando, Fla., Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. The series will last 10 weeks, with the winner receiving a spot in the 2010 Children‘s Miracle Network Classic on the PGA Tour, in addition to cash and prizes potentially worth more than $50,000.
Moore played for the CU golf team from 2003 through ‘07. Other contestants include Andrew Giuliana, son of former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliana, and Olympic swimming gold and silver medalist Ed Moses.
Aug. 18, 2009
BALLYNEAL, CASTLE PINES DRAW HIGH PRAISE: Two Colorado golf courses -- Ballyneal in Holyoke and Castle Pines in Castle Rock -- made Golf Magazine’s list of the world’s 50 greatest golf courses opened in the last 50 years. The rankings are part of the magazine’s 50th anniversary issue.
Ballyneal, designed by Tom Doak, was No. 24 on the list, while the Jack Nicklaus-designed Castle Pines came in at No. 40.
Doak, who also designed the new CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora, had three of his layouts ranked in Golf Magazine’s top five courses opened in the last 50 years. Doak designed Pacific Dunes in Bandon, Ore. (No. 2 overall), Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand (No. 4), and Barnbougle Dunes in Australia (No. 5).
Sand Hills in Mullen, Neb., a creation of Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, was ranked No. 1, while Whistling Straits in Haven, Wis., placed third.
The rankings were done by Golf Magazine’s World Top 100 Course Ranking Panel.
Aug. 17, 2009
HUNT SET TO DEFEND DENVER OPEN TITLE: The seventh annual FCA Denver Open will be held Tuesday and Wednesday (Aug. 18 and 19) at Colorado National Golf Club in Erie.
The professional purse for the 36-hole event will be $25,000.
Forty-seven pros have entered the tournament, including defending champion Rob Hunt, 2008 Colorado PGA Section Champion Perry Holmes, five-time Section Player of the Year Ron Vlosich and former Colorado Open champion Mike Zaremba.
CU’S MARK SIMPSON GOLF DAY SEEKING ENTRANTS: There are still spots available for the second annual Mark Simpson Colorado Golf Day, which will be held Aug. 28 at Colorado National Golf Club in Erie. The day honors Mark Simpson, the longtime University of Colorado men’s golf coach who died in 2005 after battling cancer. The tournament benefits the CU men’s golf program.
The entry fee for the 2:30 p.m. shotgun event is $400 per person. For more information, contact CU men’s golf coach Roy Edwards at roy.edwards@colorado.edu or at 303-917-4538.
BENEFIT TOURNEY SET FOR CU EVANS SCHOLAR WITH LEUKEMIA: A tournament that will raise money for an Eisenhower-Evans Scholar who was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year will take place Sept. 12 at Legacy Ridge Golf Course in Westminster.
Leigh Levato was in her second year on the EE caddie scholarship at the University of Colorado when she learned in February that he has leukemia. All funds raised through the Sept. 12 tournament will go toward Levato’s treatment of the disease. The entry fee is $100 per person.
For more information, contact Lisa Robles at 303-717-2989 or at lisaarobles@comcast.net.
Aug. 15, 2009
EAGLE HELPS ZIEGLER GRAB LEAD IN CGA STROKE PLAY: Steve Ziegler of Broomfield, seeking to become the first player since 1985 to pull off a calendar-year sweep of the CGA’s two top tournaments, grabbed the lead after Saturday’s third round of the CGA Stroke Play Championship at Lakewood Country Club.
Ziegler, the Stanford golfer who won the Match Play last month, shot a 4-under-par 67 for a 7-under 206 total to take a one-shot advantage into Sunday’s final round. Tom Gempel of The Pinery Country Club, who lost to Ziegler in the Match Play finals, and 15-year-old Wyndham Clark of Cherry Hills Country Club share second place at 207 after matching 68s Saturday.
Should Ziegler, who plays out of The Ranch Country Club, win on Sunday, he’ll become the first player since Brandt Jobe in 1985 to capture the CGA Match Play and Stroke Play titles in the same calendar year. On Saturday, Ziegler punctuated his round with an eagle on the par-4 13th hole, and added three birdies and one bogey.
Three players share fourth place, four strokes behind Ziegler: CGA Mid-Amateur champion Jon Lindstrom of The Heritage at Westmoor (70 Saturday), Dean Clapp of Meadow Hills Golf Course (73), and Matthew Schovee of Cherry Hills (70).
Colorado State University golfer Riley Arp, who shared the lead with Clapp after rounds 1 and 2, shot a 74 and stands at 211 with 2004 CGA Amateur of the Year Steve Irwin.
Clark, a nationally ranked junior player from Valor Christian High School, will join former University of Colorado golfer Gempel and Ziegler in Sunday’s final pairing, at 10:05 a.m.
Aug. 14, 2009
ARP, CLAPP STILL TIED FOR LEAD IN CGA STROKE PLAY: Colorado State University golfer Riley Arp, the runner-up in the CGA Public Links Championship, and Dean Clapp of Meadow Hills Golf Course remained tied for the lead at the halfway point of the CGA Stroke Play at Lakewood Country Club.
Both Arp, a CSU senior from Collindale Golf Course, and Clapp, a 37-year-old who won the CGA Two-Man Team title with Jon Lindstrom, shot 2-under-par 69 Friday to stand at 5-under 137 for two rounds.
Keenan Holt from Hillcrest Golf Club in Durango, a third-place finisher in the CGA Publinks, trails by one stroke after a second-round 68.
The two finalists from the CGA Match Play, champion Steve Ziegler and runner-up Tom Gempel, share fourth place at 139 with 15-year-old Wyndham Clark from Cherry Hills Country Club.
The 46 players who shot 7-over-par 149 or better for the opening two rounds survived the cut and will play the weekend. The tournament will conclude on Sunday.
Defending champion Jonathan Marsico of Green Gables Country Club will go into Saturday six strokes behind the leaders. Colorado School of Mines golfer Jim Knous, who shared the first-round lead with Arp, Clapp and Gempel, shot a 75 Friday and also stands at 143.
Aug. 13, 2009
FOUR PLAYERS TIED FOR LEAD IN CGA STROKE PLAY: Four golfers, including three who played for Colorado-based college teams last season, shot 3-under-par 68 Thursday to share the lead after the first round of the 73rd annual CGA Stroke Play Championship at Lakewood Country Club.
Dean Clapp, a 37-year-old from Meadow Hills Golf Course, was joined at the top of the leaderboard by Riley Arp of Colorado State, Jim Knous of Colorado School of Mines, and Tom Gempel, a senior for the University of Colorado last season. Arp was the runner-up in the CGA Public Links Championship earlier this year, while Gempel finished second in the CGA Match Play. Clapp, with partner Jon Lindstrom, won the 2009 CGA Two-Man Team title.
A total of 10 players broke par during the first day of the 72-hole event, which concludes Sunday. The field will be cut from 84 to the low 40 players and ties after Friday’s second round.
CGA Match Play champion Steve Ziegler of The Ranch Country Club fired a 69 to trail by one. Nationally ranked 15-year-old Wyndham Clark of Cherry Hills Country Club and 2004 CGA Player of the Year Steve Irwin of Lakewood Country Club are among the five players at 70. Tied with them are Lindstrom, Keenan Holt and Danny Hahn.
Defending champion Jonathan Marsico of Green Gables Country Club shot an even-par 71 on Thursday.
OPENINGS REMAIN FOR HALL OF FAME TOURNAMENT: Spots are still available for the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame tournament that will be held Aug. 24 at Lakewood Country Club. Two shotgun starts will be held that date -- 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. The cost is $200 per person.
For more information, or to sign up to play, contact Colorado Golf Hall of Fame executive director Kim Eaton at cogolfhalloffame@comcast.net or at 970-381-6655.
Four people will be inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame on Aug. 23: LPGA Tour player Jill McGill; longtime Colorado PGA professionals Keith Schneider and Don Fox; and Ruth Harrison, one of the top female golfers in Colorado in the first half of the 20th century.
THREE RAMS HEADED FOR U.S. AMATEUR: A year after sending two of its players to the U.S. Amateur, the Colorado State University golf team has qualified three for the 2009 tournament, which will be played Aug. 24-30 at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Okla.
Seniors-to-be Dustin Morris and Bryce Hanstad, along with junior-to-be Ryan Peterson, will be among the 312 competitors who will play two rounds of stroke play before the field is cut to 64 for match play.
Last year, two brothers on the CSU team, Zen and Zahkai Brown, qualified for the U.S. Amateur.
Aug. 12, 2009
TEXAN LEADS QUALIFYING FOR U.S. SENIOR WOMEN’S AMATEUR: Nine players, including eight from Colorado, qualified Wednesday for the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur, which will be played Sept. 12-17 in Hot Springs, Va.
Marian Barker of Lubbock, Texas, shot a 3-over-par 75 at The Club at Pradera Wednesday to earn medalist honors. Joining her at the national tournament will be Coloradans Kim Eaton (76), Laurie Steenrod (78), Barbara Hoversten (79), Mary Doyen (80), Beth Clippinger (80), Kathy Malpass (80), Cincy Pallatino (82) and Sue Davis (84).
ARBUCKLE CLAIMS COLORADO PGA SENIOR TITLE AGAIN: Dave Arbuckle, an instructor at Springs Ranch Golf Course in Colorado Springs, won his third Colorado Senior PGA Professional Championship Tuesday, shooting a 4-under-par 68 in the final round for a one-stroke victory over Ron Vlosich and Perry Holmes.
Arbuckle, who previously won the tournament in 2005 and 2006, finished at 5-under-par 139 for two rounds at Plum Creek Country Club and picked up $1,080 for first place. He also qualified for the Senior PGA Professional National Championship, which will be played Oct. 29-Nov. 1 in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Joining him at that event will be Vlosich, Holmes, Bill Loeffler, Mike Zaremba, Barry Jennings and Doug Perry. Loeffler is the 2007 Senior PGA Professional National Champion.
Top 10 finishers and prize money -- 1. David Arbuckle, Springs Ranch GC 71-68--139 $1,080; T2. Ron Vlosich, Green Gables, 71-69--140 $812.50; T2. Perry Holmes, Green Gables, 70-70--140 $812.50; 4. Bill Loeffler, Highlands Ranch GC 72-72--144 $600; T5. Barry Jennings, Fox Hill, 73-72--145 $420; T5. Mike Zaremba, Desert Hawk 69-76--145 $420; T5. Doug Perry, City Park Nine 70-75--145 $420; 8. Tom Woodard, Foothills 75-71--146 $300; T9. Russ Clark, GolfTEC-Park Meadows 79-70--149 $262.50; T9. Erroll Miller, Breckenridge GC 73-76--149 $262.50.
Aug. 11, 2009
MARSICO SET TO DEFEND CGA STROKE PLAY TITLE: Jonathan Marsico of Green Gables Country Club will defend his title this week at the 73rd annual CGA Stroke Play Championship at Lakewood Country Club.
A total of 84 players will compete in the 72-hole tournament, which runs Thursday through Sunday. A cut to the low 40 golfers and ties will be made after Friday’s second round.
Also among the competitors in the field are 2009 CGA Match Play champion Steve Ziegler and former Match Play winners Luke Symons and Steve Irwin. Irwin, the 2004 CGA Player of the Year, will be competing at his home club of Lakewood CC. Fifteen-year-old Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village, who’s ranked among the top 50 junior players in the nation by both the Junior Golf Scoreboard and the AJGA, also is entered.
Several big-name players have won the CGA Stroke Play during their amateur days, including Hale Irwin, Steve Jones, Bob Byman and Brandt Jobe, all of whom went on to successful PGA Tour careers. Irwin and Byman won the Stroke Play three times apiece.
Aug. 10, 2009
GUNDERSON MEDALIST IN U.S. SENIOR AMATEUR QUALIFYING: Roger Gunderson of Aurora, a past champion in both the CGA Senior Stroke Play and Senior Match Play, shot a 2-under-par 70 Monday at Blackstone Country Club to earn medalist honors in qualifying for the U.S. Senior Amateur.
Joining Gunderson in advancing to the national tournament were nine-time CGA senior champion John Olive of Colorado Springs (74), Robert Cloud of Denver (75) and Jim Pierce of Oro Valley, Ariz. (76). The U.S. Senior Amateur will be played Sept. 12-17 at Beverly Country Club in Chicago.
Pierce prevailed in a five-way playoff for the final national berth by making a birdie on the second extra hole. Rick George of Greenwood Village parred that hole to become first alternate. Jerry Kidney of Littleton, Stephen Barlow of Cherry Hills and Mike Brummer of Rapid City, S.D., also shot 76.
Gunderson plays out of Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, Olive the Broadmoor Golf Club, Cloud Bear Creek Golf Club, and Pierce Black Bear Golf Club.
Sixty players entered Monday’s qualifying.
Aug. 9, 2009
LAIRD, KAYE STAND OUT AT RENO-TAHOE OPEN: Former Colorado State University golfer Martin Laird tied for second place in the Reno-Tahoe Open Sunday, marking his best finish ever on the PGA Tour. Laird, a 26-year-old native of Scotland, birdied the last hole to end up three strokes behind champion John Rollins. Laird’s previous best finishes on the PGA Tour were two fourth-place showings, one of which came at last year’s Reno-Tahoe Open.
Laird’s $264,000 payday Sunday pushed him from 180th to 131st on the 2009 Tour money list.
Meanwhile, another player with strong Colorado ties, Denver native and former University of Colorado golfer Jonathan Kaye, placed ninth in the Reno-Tahoe Open, his best finish on Tour since January 2006. Kaye, who lost his fully-exempt status on Tour this summer, jumped from 170th to 157th on the Tour’s 2009 money list.
Aug. 7, 2009
BLACKSTONE HOSTING U.S. SENIOR AMATEUR QUALIFYING: Qualifying for the U.S. Senior Amateur will be held Monday at Blackstone Country Club in Aurora, with 63 players competing for four spots in the national tournament. The U.S. Senior Amateur is scheduled for Sept. 12-17 at Beverly Country Club in Chicago.
Among those entered in the qualifying at Blackstone are several CGA senior champions from this decade, including John Olive, Kelly Crone, Charlie Post, Scott Radcliffe and Ronald Knapp.
Qualifying for the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur will take place Wednesday at The Club at Pradera in Parker. The Senior Women’s Amateur will be played Sept. 12-17 in Hot Springs, Va.
Aug. 6, 2009
DU’S SHERLOCK OUSTED AT U.S. WOMEN’S AMATEUR: University of Denver senior-to-be Stephanie Sherlock lost her round-of-32 match at the U.S. Women’s Amateur in St. Louis on Thursday, falling 2 and 1 to Stephanie Kono of Hawaii. Sherlock rallied after being 5 down after nine holes, but was closed out after the 17 hole.
Kono went on to also win her round-of-16 match on Thursday.
Aug. 5, 2009
DU’S SHERLOCK ADVANCES AT U.S. WOMEN’S AMATEUR: University of Denver golfer Stephanie Sherlock, who finished 11th at the NCAA Championship Finals in the spring, won her first-round match Wednesday at the U.S. Women’s Amateur in St. Louis.
Sherlock defeated Marina Alex of Wayne, N.J., 5 and 3 to advance to the round of 32. Kimberly Kim, the 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion who will be a DU teammate of Sherlock beginning in the fall, lost her first-round match Wednesday, falling 5 and 3 to Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Canada.
Aug. 4, 2009
DU’S KIM EASILY MAKES MATCH PLAY AT U.S. WOMEN’S AMATEUR: The two Coloradans competing in this week’s U.S. Women’s Amateur in St. Louis failed to advance to match play. Rachel Larson of Longmont shot 77-76--153 in stroke play on Monday and Tuesday to miss a playoff by two strokes. Alison Cavanaugh of Littleton posted rounds of 83-84--167.
Incoming University of Denver freshman Kimberly Kim, the 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion, shot 69-74--143 to tie for eighth in stroke play and easily advance to match play.
Aug. 3, 2009
DOUGLASS SAYS 2010 SENIOR PGA PROBABLY HIS CHAMPIONS FINALE: Castle Rock resident Dale Douglass, winner of 11 tournaments on the Champions Tour and three on the PGA Tour, said Monday that the 2010 Senior PGA Championship held at Colorado Golf Club in Parker likely will be the final Champions tournament of his career.
Douglass, 73, has played minimally since the 2008 U.S. Senior Open, competing in only the 2009 Senior PGA Championship and last week’s U.S. Senior Open, missing the cut in both instances.
“I’ll probably cease to play after this tournament next year,” the University of Colorado graduate said. “I think I need to get the hook.”
2010 SENIOR PGA TICKETS ON SALE: Tickets went on sale Monday for the 2010 Senior PGA Championship, which will be played May 27-30 at Colorado Golf Club in Parker.
A weekly grounds pass runs $125, while a weekly clubhouse pass is $225. Daily tickets for championship rounds (Thursday through Sunday) are $35 per day, while Tuesday and Wednesday practice rounds are $20 per day. Spectators are allowed on the course Tuesday through Sunday, but not on Monday (May 24).
Up to four juniors 17 and under will get into the tournament for free with each ticketed adult. In addition, people with military identification will receive a buy one, get one free deal.
Tickets are available at PGA.com, King Soopers outlets and by calling 1-800-PGA-GOLF.
Colorado Golf Club officials are hoping for weeklong attendance in excess of 100,000 people.
Aug. 2, 2009
WIEBE, IRWIN TOP LOCAL FINISHERS IN U.S. SENIOR OPEN: Two-time U.S. Senior Open champion Hale Irwin, a graduate of Boulder High School and the University of Colorado, rallied to make the cut in the 2009 Senior Open after shooting a first-round 78. Irwin finished 32nd at Crooked Stick in Carmel, Ind., with an even-par 288 total. Mark Wiebe of Aurora placed 22nd at 286, 18 strokes behind champion Fred Funk.
The two players who qualified in Longmont for the U.S. Senior Open missed the cut at Crooked Stick. John Ward of Denver shot 75-81--156 and Russ Clark of Aurora went 82-77--159. A total of 147 or better was necessary to play the weekend.
CLARK PLACES 29TH IN OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR TOURNEY: Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village finished 29th Sunday in the Optimist International Junior Championships in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., posting rounds of 76-69-76-78. Fellow Coloradan Clay LaBrec of Westminster placed 40th, with rounds of 75-74-76-78. A.J. Crouch won the tournament with a 7-under-par 281 total.
Aug. 1, 2009
LPGA ANNOUNCES 2013 SOLHEIM CUP COMING TO COLORADO GOLF CLUB: The LPGA formally announced on Saturday that Colorado Golf Club in Parker has been chosen to host the 2013 Solheim Cup -- the Ryder Cup of women’s golf.
The Solheim Cup features matches between a dozen pros each from the U.S. and Europe. The competition, which debuted in 1990, is held every other year, alternating between sites in the U.S. and Europe. This year’s Solheim Cup will be played Aug. 21-23 in Sugar Grove, Ill., while the 2011 version is set for Killeen Castle in Ireland.
This will be the second significant international golf competition held at Colorado Golf Club, a Ben Crenshaw-Bill Coore design which opened in 2007. The club will host the 2010 Senior PGA Championship May 27-30.
“It’s a very good match play course and will make for a great Solheim Cup venue,” said World Golf Hall of Famer Juli Inkster, who’s played in seven Solheim Cups. Mike McGetrick, founder and managing partner of Colorado Golf Club, is Inkster’s longtime swing coach.
“There are so many strategies and options out there,” Inkster added. “Anything can happen on almost any hole. … It will be a good test for all players.”
The matches held in 2013 will mark the 13th Solheim Cup. The U.S. leads the all-time competition 7-3 and has never lost on American soil.
“I’ve had the good fortune to attend many previous Solheim Cups, and I know how exciting the competition is for both the golfers and the fans,” McGetrick said. “This golf course will be an exciting stage for the matches.”
The 2013 Solheim Cup is the latest in a series of significant international events that have been added to the Colorado golf schedule. Besides the 2010 Senior PGA, the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open will be held at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, and the 2012 U.S. Amateur is set for Cherry Hills Country Club just south of Denver.
Colorado Golf Club will host a press conference on Thursday to provide more details on the 2013 Solheim Cup.
July 31, 2009
HALL OF FAMER MYRAN CRAIG PASSES AWAY AT 80: Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Myran Craig, a former executive director of both the Colorado Section PGA and the CGA, passed away this week at age 80.
Craig was the second -- and longest-serving -- executive director of the Colorado Section, staying in that role from 1973 to ‘95. He also served as executive director of the CGA for the five years until ’78, when the Section and the CGA split after operating jointly.
“We lost one of our finest,” said Eddie Ainsworth, current executive director of the Section. “I didn’t have the privilege of being here when Myran was executive director, but every golf professional who was here had nothing but the highest respect for him.”
The Section has long had a tournament named for Craig, the Myran Craig Pro-Pro, and Craig attended the last one, on May 26 at The Pinery Country Club in Parker.
“That was extra special because we paid tribute to him one last time,” Ainsworth said. “Of course, we had no clue what was going to happen, but it was a special day. Dow Finsterwald (the 1958 PGA Champion and once a longtime director of golf at the Broadmoor) sent Myran a personal card, and he probably read it 25 times that day. When a guy like that holds you in such high esteem, you know it’s pretty good stuff. And even some of the younger players in the Section made it a point to play in that event because of what Myran meant to the Section.”
Craig presented the trophy that day, and was given a signed flag and other mementoes.
Craig, who was born in Denver and attended Denver South High School and the University of Denver, started his career as a golf professional at Aurora Hills Golf Course in 1969.
“I used to tease him that he only turned pro after winning the (fifth) flight of the Colorado Open (in 1967), but it was true,” said Ronn Spargur, former executive director of the Open.
While at South High School, Craig lettered in four sports, and he reportedly showed so much promise in baseball that Ty Cobb came to Colorado in an attempt to recruit him. Craig went into the golf business after spending 16 years as a teacher at Denver East High School.
Craig was inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame in 1990, and served on the Hall of Fame board until his death.
Funeral services for Craig will be held Wednesday (Aug. 5) at 11 a.m. at Fairmount Cemetery (430 S. Quebec St. in Denver).
STEVE IRWIN FINISHES 29TH IN PACIFIC COAST AMATEUR: Steve Irwin of Golden shot a 1-under-par 71 Friday and finished 29th in the Pacific Coast Amateur at the South Course of The Gallery Golf Club in Marana, Ariz.
The former CGA Player of the Year posted a 3-under-par 285 total for the tournament, 14 strokes behind champion Chan Kim of Chandler, Ariz.
Tom Gempel of Parker placed 43rd overall after a final-round 69 left him at 288, while Luke Symons of Aurora was 67th (73-299). University of Denver golfer Klinton Krieger, part of the Wyoming contingent, came in 71st (76-301).
DU’S SUE KIM, SHERLOCK 2-3 IN CANADIAN WOMEN’S AMATEUR: University of Denver incoming freshman Sue Kim finished second and DU senior-to-be Stephanie Sherlock placed third Friday in the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.
Kim shot a 5-under-par 283 for four rounds, one stroke behind champion Jennifer Kirby. Sherlock posted a 287.
Meanwhile, freshman-to-be Kimberly Kim came in third in the girls division of the Junior PGA Championship. She carded a 3-under-par 285 total, ending up 13 shots behind winner Alexis Thompson.
July 30, 2009
CGA TEAM FINISHES STRONG AT JUNIOR AMERICA’S CUP: Cody Kent of Castle Rock shot a 2-under-par 68 Thursday and Michael Lee of Greeley carded a 70 to help the CGA team finish 10th in the Boys Junior America’s Cup matches at Annandale Golf Club in Pasadena, Calif.
The CGA team jumped up four spots in the standings to share 10th place with Oregon at 37-over-par 667. British Columbia, led by individual champion Justin Shin (5-under 205), claimed the team title at 632.
Kent, who eagled a par-4 Thursday, placed 14th individually at 9-over-par 219, while Lee was 25th at 223. David Oraee of Greeley shot a 77 Thursday to finish at 225, good for 29th place, while Cameron Brown of Edwards was 60th after an 82 left him at 243.
The Junior America’s Cup competition features 17 golf associations from the western U.S., Canada and Mexico.
CWGA SQUAD PLACES 11TH IN JR. AMERICA’S CUP: The CWGA team finished 11th Thursday in the Junior America’s Cup in Logan, Utah, ending up in the same position it held after each of the first two rounds. The CWGA girls posted their best team total of the tournament on Thursday, a 225, to finish at 700 overall, 54 strokes behind Southern California, which won its sixth straight title.
Denver’s Somin Lee was the CWGA’s highest individual finisher, in 26th, as she posted a 227 total after a final-round 74. Kathleen Kershisnik of Highlands Ranch was 43rd at 235, Andrea Hibbert of Golden was 49th at 244, and Emily Wood of Salida was 56th at 251.
Emily Tubert of Southern California finished at 212 for the individual title.
The Girls Junior Americas Cup includes 18 teams from the western U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
July 29, 2009
CSU’S STONE CLAIMS UTAH WOMEN‘S AMATEUR TITLE: Natalie Stone, a senior-to-be on the Colorado State University women’s golf team, won the Utah State Women’s Amateur last week in Lehi, Utah. Stone carded rounds of 73-71-70 for a 2-under-par total of 214.
A teammate of Stone’s, sophomore-to-be Brianna Espinoza, earlier this month qualified in Mesa, Ariz., for the U.S. Women’s Amateur, which will be held next week in St. Louis, Mo.
Also earlier this summer, another CSU golfer, sophomore-to-be Melissa Martin, won the CWGA Stroke Play Championship.
July 28, 2009
LAIRD, OLSON MAKE PROGRESS: Two PGA Tour players with significant local ties made inroads with their games at the Canadian Open. Former Colorado State golfer Martin Laird and Golden native Leif Olson, who each missed seven straights cuts on Tour earlier this year, both posted their best PGA Tour finishes of 2009 on Monday in Canada.
Laird’s 16th-place performance was his highest on the PGA Tour since last August, though earlier this month the Scotsman came in 10th at the European Tour’s Scottish Open. Laird had a roller-coaster last two rounds at the Canadian Open, shooting 78-65. In round 3, he made one birdie and seven bogeys. But in the final round, Laird posted two eagles, six birdies, one bogey and one double bogey.
Through mid-July, Olson had made just one cut in the first dozen tournaments of his rookie season on the PGA Tour. But after a 76th-place showing at the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee the previous week, the Mullen High graduate placed 36th at the Canadian Open, marking his best finish ever on Tour.
Both Laird and Olson still have plenty of work to do to keep their PGA Tour cards for 2010. Laird stands 178th on the money list and Olson 222nd. The top 125 at the end of the year will be fully exempt for 2010, with the next 25 on the list being partially exempt.
July 27, 2009
LPGA, COLORADO GOLF CLUB PLAN ANNOUNCEMENT: The national office of the LPGA on Monday scheduled a “very special announcement” for next week at Colorado Golf Club in Parker. Expected to attend the announcement about what a Colorado Golf Club official is calling a "major international event" are LPGA Tour veteran Juli Inkster and officials from CGC and the LPGA. The press conference is planned for Aug. 6.
Colorado Golf Club will be the site of the 2010 Senior PGA Championship in May.
DU’S KIM NO. 1 NATIONALLY IN GIRLS GOLF RANKINGS: Incoming University of Denver freshman Kimberly Kim, fresh off her runner-up finish in the U.S. Girls‘ Junior Championship, has moved up to No. 1 nationally in the American Junior Golf Association Polo girls rankings. Kim was fifth a week ago.
The 17-year-old lost in Saturday’s finals of the U.S. Girls’ Junior, 6 and 5 to Amy Anderson of Oxbow, N.D. Earlier this summer, Kim fell 7 and 6 in the title match of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship. Kim won the U.S. Women’s Amateur title in 2006.
July 25, 2009
DU’S KIM FINISHES SECOND IN U.S. GIRLS’ JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: For the second time this year, incoming University of Denver freshman Kimberly Kim lost in the championship match of a USGA event. On Saturday, Kim dropped a 6 and 5 decision to Amy Anderson of Oxbow, N.D., in the 36-hole finals of the U.S. Girls’ Junior in Bedminster, N.J.
Kim, 17, didn’t play her best in the title match, going 5 over par for 31 holes.
Earlier this summer, Kim lost 7 and 6 in the finals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship. Kim won the U.S. Women’s Amateur title in 2006.
IRWIN, SYMONS, GEMPEL HEADED FOR PAC COAST: Two recent CGA Match Play champions, plus this year’s runner-up, will represent Colorado at the Pacific Coast Amateur, which will be held Tuesday through Friday (July 28-31) at The Gallery Golf Club in Marana, Ariz., north of Tucson.
Steve Irwin, winner of the 2004 CGA Match Play, will join 2008 champion Luke Symons and 2009 runner-up Tom Gempel on the Colorado squad. Symons plays golf for the University of Colorado, and Irwin and Gempel are former Buffs.
In all, 84 players, including two former U.S. Junior Amateur champions (Cameron Peck of Olympia, Wash., and Phillip Francis of Scottsdale, Ariz.), will compete in the 72-hole stroke play event. Sixteen state and regional golf associations will be represented. The rest of the field is filled by invitation.
A team competition (the Morse Cup) will also be held, on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the best two of three scores from each association counting toward the team total.
July 24, 2009
DU’S KIM IN TITLE MATCH FOR U.S. GIRLS’: Kimberly Kim, who will start playing for the University of Denver women’s golf team in the fall, won two matches Friday in the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship in Bedminster, N.J., to advance to Saturday’s 36-hole final. The 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion will face Amy Anderson of Oxbow, N.D. for the title.
Kim defeated Jennifer Johnson of La Quinta, Calif., 1 up in the quarterfinals, and Doris Chen of Bradenton, Fla., 5 and 4 in the semifinals. Kim was 6 under par through 14 holes in the semis, and eagled a par-4.
Last month, Kim lost in the finals of the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship.
TWO COLORADO SITES SET TO HOST U.S. AMATEUR QUALIFYING: Thirty-six hole Sectional Qualifying for the U.S. Amateur will take place at two Colorado sites in the next 10 days. Ptarmigan Country Club will host the first qualifier, on Monday (July 27), while the second will take place at Boulder Country Club on Aug. 3. In each case, the top three players will advance to the U.S. Amateur, which will be held Aug. 24-30 at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Okla.
Among those entered at Ptarmigan are Steve Ziegler, who advanced to the round of 16 at the British Amateur; Zahkai Brown, who qualified for match play at the U.S. Publinks; and Wyndham Clark, who made it to the round of 16 in the U.S. Junior Amateur. Competing at Boulder Country Club are Air Force Academy golfer Tom Whitney, a round of 32 qualifier in the U.S. Publinks, and reigning CGA champions Jonathan Marsico (Stroke Play) and Derek Fribbs (Junior Match Play).
COLORADO TEAMS GEAR UP FOR JUNIOR AMERICA’S CUP: The boys and girls teams representing Colorado will compete in separate cities Tuesday through Thursday (July 28-30) in the annual Junior America’s Cup matches. The boys will play in Pasadena, Calif., and the girls in Logan, Utah.
The Colorado boys team will include Cody Kent of Castle Rock, Michael Lee and David Oraee of Greeley, and Cameron Brown of Edwards. The girls team will be Somin Lee of Denver, Emily Wood of Salida, Andrea Hibbert of Golden and Kathleen Kershisnik of Highlands Ranch.
In each case, the team from the CGA/CWGA will compete against 16 or 17 other golf associations from the western U.S., Canada and Mexico. The Colorado boys finished 12th last year and the girls 11th.
July 23, 2009
CLARK OUSTED IN THIRD ROUND OF U.S. JUNIOR AM: Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village advanced to the third round of match play at the U.S. Junior Amateur before losing Thursday in Bedminster, N.J.
Clark, 15, defeated David Pastore of Greenwich, Conn., 3 and 2 in the second round to advance to the round of 16, before struggling against eighth-seeded Yaroslav Merkulov of Penfield, N.Y. Merkulov topped the ninth-seeded Clark 7 and 6 as the Coloradan played the 12 holes in 6 over par.
July 22, 2009
CLARK ROUTS OPPONENT IN U.S. JUNIOR AMATEUR FIRST ROUND: Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village used a 5-under-par front nine Wednesday to gain a big lead en route to a 6 and 4 victory over Austin Romeo of Erie, Pa., in the first round of match play at the U.S. Junior Amateur in Bedminster, Pa. Clark was 7 up after the first nine holes Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Cheng-Tsung Pan of Chinese Taipei defeated Brendan Connolly of Castle Rock 1 up in another first-round match. Connolly and Pan were all square after 17 holes, but Pan parred the 18th and Connolly made bogey.
The second and third rounds of match play will be contested on Thursday.
INSTRUCTORS McGETRICK, HURTER HONORED: Two professionals from the Colorado Section PGA made the list of “America’s 50 Greatest Teachers” that appears in Golf Digest’s August editions.
Mike McGetrick of Colorado Golf Club was ranked No. 23 in the country, while Don Hurter of Castle Pines Golf Club was No. 42. Also cracking the top 50, at No. 48, was former Coloradan Eric Alpenfels, from Pinehurst, N.C.
Butch Harmon, who works with Phil Mickelson, among many others, placed No. 1 on Golf Digest’s list.
PARK, LARSON, CAVANAUGH QUALIFY FOR U.S. WOMEN’S AMATEUR: Sun Gyoung Park of Vail, Ariz., near Tucson, shot a 4-over-par 75 to earn medalist honors in U.S. Women’s Amateur Sectional Qualifying held Tuesday at Green Gables Country Club. Also advancing to the national tournament from Tuesday’s field of 25 were Rachel Larson of Longmont (76) and Alison Cavanaugh of Littleton (77). Cavanaugh defeated Becca Huffer of Denver in a playoff that lasted four holes.
The U.S. Women’s Amateur will be held Aug. 3-9 in St. Louis, Mo.
DU WOMEN HONORED FOR STELLAR GPA: The University of Denver women’s golf team, which finished fifth in the NCAA Championships, scored very well in the classroom too. The Pioneers posted a team grade point average of 3.708 last season, the seventh-highest such mark in the nation. The University of Idaho team led with way with a 3.78.
July 21, 2009
LOEFFLER’S RUN OF COLO. OPENS WILL END: Three-time champion Bill Loeffler can’t remember the last time he missed the Colorado Open, but the Castle Rock resident won’t be competing this week at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club.
The career money leader in Colorado Open history said Tuesday that neck problems will preclude him from playing.
The neck “is restricting what little ability I have,” he said. “I’ve played poorly and then it locks up. It’s painful. So it’s best to skip one year and let it get better. There’s no way I’d be able to contend, much less play for four straight days, so it’s better to give someone else that spot in the field.”
Loeffler won the Open in 1991, ’93 and 2004, and he’ll miss giving it another go this year.
“I think it’s been about 47 years in a row (he’s competed),” Loeffler said with a chuckle. “I’m bummed I’m not playing.”
Loeffler has entered the HealthOne Colorado Senior Open in hopes that he’ll be recovered in time for the Sept. 2-4 tournament.
CLARK, CONNOLLY MAKE MATCH PLAY AT U.S. JUNIOR AM: Two Colorado residents -- Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village and Brendan Connolly of Castle Rock -- qualified for the 64-player match play portion of the U.S. Junior Amateur in Bedminster, N.J. Clark posted the seventh-best two-day total in stroke play (69-74--143), while Connolly was 46th (71-80--151). The stroke play medalist was Jordan Spieth of Dallas at 137. The first round of match play will be held Wednesday.
Failing to make the two-day cut were Michael Schoolcraft of Englewood (116th place, 79-82--161) and Nick Allen of Littleton (149th, 83-88--171).
Meanwhile, also in Bedminster, all three Coloradans failed to advance to match play in the U.S. Girls’ Junior. Paige Spiranac of Monument finished 125th (76-91--167), Somin Lee of Denver was 128th (82-86--168), and Allie Johnson of Castle Rock was 141st (87-86--173).
July 20, 2009
KAYE WITHDRAWS FROM COLORADO OPEN: Denver native Jonathan Kaye, who lost his fully-exempt status on the PGA Tour after last week’s event in Milwaukee, withdrew from this week’s HealthOne Colorado Open on Monday when he learned he had gotten into the field for this week’s Tour stop, the Canadian Open.
Kaye had been on the alternate list for Canada, but his past-champions status on Tour was enough to get him into the field when some players withdrew. The former University of Colorado golfer has past-champions status by virtue of the two Tour events he won, one each in 2003 and 2004.
Kaye doesn’t know for sure how many more events he’ll get in with his past-champions status, but believes four or five more are possibilities.
“We’ll see how it goes,” he said Monday in a phone interview with COgolf.org. “It’s hard to say how it will play out.”
Kaye came into the year with a medical extension which required him to earn at least $743,805 in his first 13 Tour events to keep his fully-exempt status. He fell more than $500,000 shy of the mark, but did finish as high as 11th, in the Texas Open in May.
“I haven’t started playing good, but I think it’s coming,” said Kaye, who is living in the Boulder area this summer. “It’s just rust and lack of getting into a rhythm.
“I didn’t play well at all (so far this year), and that’s disappointing. But hopefully I’ll get more chances and I’ll win and it’ll all take care of itself.”
If not, he likely will go back to Tour qualifying for the first time since 2006. Kaye has earned over $10.4 million in more than a decade on Tour.
Kaye, the 1996 Colorado Open champion, returned to the tournament last year and finished 13th following a final-round 63.
Also withdrawing from the Colorado Open recently was University of Illinois golf coach Mike Small, the 2008 runner-up who won the PGA Professional National Championship this summer.
The Colorado Open will be played Thursday through Sunday (July 23-26) at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in Denver.
Meanwhile, 16 players earned spots in the Open Monday through the fourth and final qualifying tournament for the event, this one at Legacy Ridge Golf Course in Westminster. The Open berths went to Jeffrey Franks of Steamboat Springs (66), Christopher Galeski of Carsbad, Calif. (66), Nate Whitson of Ventura, Calif. (68), Jake Yount of Danville, Calif (68), Trent Rommann of El Paso, Texas (68), Shawn Wills of Denver (68), Bernie Espinoza of Thornton (69), Eric Higgins of Kennebunk, Maine (69), Matt Schovee of Cherry Hills Village (69), Ryan Hogue of Mesa, Ariz. (69), Zac Blair of Ogden, Utah (69), Matthew Rosen of Tucson, Ariz. (69), Vince Jewell of Lac Cruces, N.M. (69), Chad Seibert of Greenfield, Ind. (70), Blake Parks of Odessa, Texas (70) and Christopher Williamson of Johnston, Iowa (70).
CLARK 7TH AFTER OPENING ROUND OF U.S. JUNIOR AMATEUR: Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village, 15, shot a 3-under-par 69 Monday to share seventh place after the first round of stroke play qualifying at the U.S. Junior Amateur in Bedminster, N.J. Clark trails leader Juan Luna of Colombia by three strokes after the first of two rounds of stroke play. The top 64 players after Tuesday’s second round will advance to match play.
Brendan Connolly of Castle Rock stands in 21st place at 71, while Michael Schoolcraft of Englewood shot a 79 (117th place) and Nick Allen of Littleton an 83 (146th place).
Meanwhile, at the U.S. Girls’ Amateur, also in Bedminster, Paige Spiranac of Monument fired a 4-over-par 76 to stand in 42nd place, nine stroke behind leader Erynne Lee of Silverdale, Wash. Somin Lee of Denver shot an 82 for 115th place, while Allie Johnson of Castle Rock had an 87 for 148th place.
July 19, 2009
KAYE LOSES FULLY-EXEMPT STATUS ON TOUR: Despite making an eagle on a par-4 on Friday and a hole-in-one on Saturday, Denver native Jonathan Kaye finished 65th in the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee, losing his fully-exempt status on the PGA Tour in the process.
The former University of Colorado golfer, a two-time winner in his Tour career, entered the year with a medical extension that required him to earn $743,805 in his first 13 events to remain fully exempt on Tour. The U.S. Bank Championship marked Kaye’s 13th tournament of the year, and he fell more than $503,000 short of what he needed.
Kaye will need to rely on his past-champions status, receive sponsor exemptions, or Monday qualify in order to get into more Tour events this year.
Kaye aced the 215-yard seventh hole with a 5-iron on Saturday, but finished the round double bogey-double bogey for a round of 73. On Friday, he holed out for eagle from 160 yards on the eighth hole en route to a 67.
CINK NO STRANGER TO SUCCESS IN COLORADO: Both players involved in Sunday’s British Open playoff have Colorado connections. Just last month at the University Club in Denver, 59-year-old Tom Watson was presented the Will Nicholson Award, given for a lifetime of commitment and dedication to the game of golf.
And Stewart Cink, who defeated Watson in Sunday’s four-hole playoff, helped launch his professional career by winning the 1996 Nike Colorado Classic played at Riverdale Dunes in Brighton.
Some of the comments Watson made while in Denver last month may have foreshadowed his struggles during the playoff against Cink.
“Golf is a chess game,” Watson said before being honored at the University Club. “You have to avoid mistakes and the hazards of the course for three or four rounds. I’ve made too many mental mistakes over the last few years.”
ELWAY 13TH AT AMERICAN CENTURY CELEBRITY EVENT: Former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway finished 13th Sunday in the American Century Championship celebrity tournament in Stateline, Nev. Elway posted a three-day total of 51 Stableford points, 23 behind champion Rick Rhoden.
Former Bronco John Lynch placed 62nd (5 points total), while his former coach, Mike Shanahan, came in 65th (2 points).
July 18, 2009
CLARK FINISHES THIRD AT CALLAWAY JUNIOR WORLDS: Wyndham Clark, the nationally ranked 15-year-old from Greenwood Village, put together an impressive performance at the prestigious Callaway Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego, tying for third in the boys 15-17 division. Clark, the CGA Junior Stroke Play champion, shot a 1-over-par 73 in Friday’s final round to end up at 5-over 293 for 72 holes.
Only two players, both from outside the U.S., finished ahead of Clark. Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo claimed the title with a 3-under 285, while Korea’s Han Chang-Won placed second at 289. Tyler Engel of Castle Rock came in 37th at 305.
Clark will remain on the road in the coming week as he’ll compete in the U.S. Junior Amateur in Bedminster, N.J., July 20-25.
July 17, 2009
CLARK 4 BACK AT JUNIOR WORLD TOURNAMENT: Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village shares seventh place entering Friday’s final round of the Callaway Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego. The 15-year-old shot a 3-over-par 75 Thursday for a 4-over 220 total. He trails leader Kurt Kitayama of Chico, Calif., by four strokes.
Also in the boys 15-17 division, Tyler Engel of Castle Rock stands in 44th place at 229 and A.J. Morris of Aspen missed the cut at 237.
As for the other Coloradans who played Thursday at the Callaway tournaments, Shinwoo Lee of Aurora missed the cut in girls 15-17 at 240; Ethan Freeman of Littleton finished 37th in boys 13-14; Jake Staiano of Englewood was 29th in boys 11-12; Tyler Zang of Lone Tree was 33rd in boys 9-10; and Braden Bozak of Littleton was 27th in boys 6 and under.
ELEY FIRES 64 IN COLORADO OPEN QUALIFYING: Derek Eley of Deltona, Fla., tied the Legacy Golf Course competitive course record by firing a 7-under-par 64 Thursday to win the third qualifier for next week’s HealthOne Colorado Open.
The rest of the 16 qualifiers were Joe Schwark of Broomfield (68), Grant Creighton of Greenwood Village (70), Bryan Olshock of Lakewood (70), Scott Sommers of Longmont (70), Mike Troyer of Boulder (70), Grant Jackson of Australia (70), Andrew Johnson of Mesa, Ariz. (71), Scott Anderson of Great Falls, Mont. (71), Jacob Lestishen of Lone Tree (71), Brian Dorfman of Greenwood Village (71), Robert Quaratino of Commerce City (72), Ben Portie of Westminster (72), Bryan Hackenberg of Thornton (72), Justin Otto of Plano, Texas (72) and Brett Black of Coalville, Utah (72).
The Colorado Open will be played July 23-26 at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in Denver.
July 16, 2009
MELVIN PASSES AWAY AT AGE 65: For the second time this year, a prominent golfer from Longmont has passed away after battling cancer. Chuck Melvin, a member of six amateur Colorado Cup teams during the 1980s and ‘90s (two open division and three senior squads), died on Sunday at age 65.
A gathering in remembrance of Melvin will be held Thursday from 1 to 5 p.m. at Lake Valley Golf Club in Longmont.
Melvin won two CGA senior team championships, both in 1995: the Two-Man with Grant Maples Jr., and the Four-Ball with Roger Gunderson.
Dave Schey, also a former Colorado Cup participant from Longmont, died on Jan. 25 at age 60.
AFA’S WHITNEY OUSTED AT U.S. PUBLINKS: Air Force Academy golfer Tom Whitney lost Thursday in the second round of match play at the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship in Norman, Okla. Chris Polski of Eugene, Ore., who made eight birdies in 15 holes, defeated Whitney 4 and 3.
CLARK JUMPS TO THIRD IN CALLAWAY JUNIOR WORLDS: Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village moved up to third place after Wednesday’s second round of the Callaway Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego. Clark, 15, shot an even-par 72 in round 2 and stands at 1-over 145, two shots behind leader Richard Jung of Canada.
Tyler Engel of Castle Rock, also competing in the boys 15-17 division, stands in 39th place at 152, while A.J. Morris of Aspen is 83rd at 157.
Here are second-round standings of the other Colorado players at the Junior World tournaments: Shinwoo Lee of Aurora 42nd place in girls 15-17; Ethan Freeman of Littleton 40th and Nick Reisch of Thornton missed cut in boys 13-14; Danielle Urman of Greenwood Village and Calli Ringsby of Denver both missed cut in girls 13-14; Jake Staiano of Englewood 21st in boys 11-12; Kylee Sullivan of Colorado Springs missed cut in girls 11-12; Tyler Zhang of Lone Tree 22nd in boys 9-10; Elizabeth Wang of Parker missed cut in girls 9-10; John Marble of Wheat Ridge missed cut in boys 7-8; and Braden Bozak of Littleton 30th in boys 6 and under.
July 15, 2009
KAYE BACK FOR SECOND STRAIGHT COLORADO OPEN: Denver native Jonathan Kaye, winner of two tournaments in his PGA Tour career, has committed to play in the HealthOne Colorado Open July 23-26 at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in Denver.
Kaye, who won the 1996 Colorado Open, tied the competitive course record at GVR in last year’s Open when he posted a bogey-free 8-under-par 63 in the final round to finish 13th overall with a 282 total.
The former University of Colorado golfer finished 11th in May in the Texas Open, marking his best performance on Tour since January 2006. But according to terms of the medical extension granted to Kaye by the Tour, unless he earns at least $511,610 in this week’s U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee, Kaye will lose his fully-exempt status on Tour.
AFA’S WHITNEY WINS OPENING MATCH AT U.S. PUBLINKS: Air Force Academy golfer Tom Whitney advanced to the second round of match play at the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship in Norman, Okla. Whitney defeated Zack Blair of Ogden, Utah in his first match, 3 and 2.
Colorado State University golfer Zahkai Brown, the CGA Publinks champion, lost his first-round match 2 and 1 to Andrew Frame of Manteno, Ill.
CLARK IN FIFTH AT CALLAWAY JUNIOR WORLDS: Wyndham Clark of Greenwood Village shot a 1-over-par 73 Tuesday to share fifth place after the first round of the Callaway Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego. Also in the boys 15-17 division, A.J. Morris of Aspen fired a 77 and Tyler Engel of Castle Rock a 78.
Here are first-round results from other Colorado players at the Junior World tournaments: Shinwoo Lee of Aurora 76 in girls 15-17; Ethan Freeman of Littleton 77 and Nick Reisch of Thornton 78 in boys 13-14; Danielle Urman of Greenwood Village 80 and Calli Ringsby of Denver 82 in girls 13-14; Jake Staiano of Englewood 77 in boys 11-12; Kylee Sullivan of Colorado Springs 95 in girls 11-12; Tyler Zhang of Lone Tree 6-over 68 in boys 9-10; Elizabeth Wang of Parker 6-over 63 in girls 9-10; John Marble of Wheat Ridge 20-over 78 in boys 7-8; and Braden Bozak of Littleton 15-over 69 in boys 6 and under.
July 14, 2009
BROWN, WHITNEY MAKE MATCH PLAY AT U.S. PUBLINKS: Colorado State golfer Zahkai Brown and the Air Force Academy’s Tom Whitney both qualified for match play at the U.S. Amateur Public Links Champ
Jon Lindstrom of The Heritage at Westmoor and Dean Clapp of Meadow Hills Golf Course won their second consecutive CGA Two-Man Team Championship on Friday, becoming the first pair to win the open division of the event twice.
