The top three seeds, and seven of the eight former champions in the field, won their first-round matches Monday in the 49th CGA Senior Match Play Championship at Buffalo Run Golf Course in Commerce City.
Pat Bucci (left) of West Woods Golf Club, the defending champion and No. 1 seed, scored a 5 and 4 victory over Dave Mittan of Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course.
Other past champions who won on Monday included Jeff Oneth of Colorado Golf Club (2016), David Delich of The Broadmoor Golf Club (2007, ’11 and ’15), Ray Makloski of Pueblo Country Club (2012), Guy Mertz of The Fox Hill Club (2010), Robert Polk of Colorado Golf Club (2009) and Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Kent Moore of Cherry Hills Country Club (2006).
The one former champ to fall on Monday was 2013 winner Harry Johnson of Eagle Ranch Golf Course, who claimed the trophy in the recent CGA Super-Senior Match Play. Rick Tarasiewicz of Patty Jewett Golf Course defeated Johnson 1 up.
Meanwhile, Moore needed 19 holes to advance over Colin Bork of Collindale Golf Course, while Delich won 1 up over Robert West of Cherry Creek Country Club.
Also winning on Monday was 2017 CGA Senior Player of the Year Keith Atkins, the No. 2 seed who went 19 holes to overcome Davis Butler of Cherry Hills Country Club.
The Senior Match Play, limited to players 52 and older, will feature the rounds of 32 and 16 on Tuesday and the quarterfinals and semifinals on Wednesday. The 18-hole championship match is set for next Thursday morning.
For results from Buffalo Run, CLICK HERE.
