Dale Smigelsky of Fort Collins played the first five holes of the national PGA Professional Championship in 5 over par, but the director of golf at Collindale Golf Course didn’t let that keep him from easily making the 36-hole cut a day later in Sunriver, Ore.
After playing his final 13 holes on Sunday in 1 under par, Smigelsky (pictured) shot a 3-under-par 69 on Monday to vault into 36th place out of 312 players at the halfway point of the tournament.
Smigelsky (pictured), who earlier this month qualified for the U.S. Senior Open, made four birdies and one bogey on Monday to check in at 1-over-par 144.
Smigelsky and Ari Papadopoulos of Eagle-Vail were the two Coloradans — out of the eight competing in the event — to make the 36-hole cut by being among the top 90 players and ties. Papadopoulos shot a 1-over-par 72 on Monday — making two birdies and three bogeys in the process — to check in at 4-over-par 147, good for 84th place.
Also making the cut was Arizonan Marty Jertson, winner of the 2001 CGA Amateur, who shares 65th spot at 146.
The next step will be to make it to Wednesday’s final round as there will be a 54-hole cut to the low 70 players and ties. Then there’s the goal of finishing in the top 20, which would qualify players for the PGA Championship, set for Aug. 10-13 in Charlotte, N.C.
Jamie Broce of Ottawa Hills, Ohio and Rich Berberian Jr., of Hooksett, N.H., lead the way after two rounds as they’re at 6-under 137.
The eight Coloradans who competed in the national tournament earned spots in the field thanks to their finishes last September in the Colorado PGA Professional Championship at Cherry Creek Country Club.
Here are all the scores for players with significant Colorado connections:
36. Dale Smigelsky, Fort Collins 75-69–144
65. Former CGA Amateur champion Marty Jertson, 72-74–146
84. Ari Papadopoulos, Eagle-Vail 75-72–147
Missed 36-Hole Cut
190. Geoff Keffer, Lakewood 74-78–152
209. Caine Fitzgerald, Parker 78-75–153
226. Mike Northern, Colorado Springs 75-79–154
226. Eric Bradley, Parker 78-76–154
240. Kirk Trowbridge, Castle Rock 82-73–155
250. Joseph Carlton, Golden 81-75–156
For all of the scores from the PGA Professional Championship, CLICK HERE.
