Blows were struck for senior golfers — once again — and for women on Wednesday in the Colorado PGA Professional Championship.

In the first major tournament hosted by TPC Colorado in Berthoud, a player in his 50s won the Section title for an amazing fifth time in the last six years.

And for the first time in the history of the event, a woman — actually two of them in this case — qualified for the national PGA Professional Championship.

Yes, it was an eventful day at the Colorado PGA’s biggest tournament of the year.

Patrick Reidy, a 52-year-old who has worked at Inverness Golf Club since he was 14, rebounded from a triple-bogey 8 on the 722-yard 13th hole — yes, you read that right — by playing his final five holes in 1 under par. That earned him the biggest victory of his career, and the $8,500 that goes with it.

“Other than playing golf at (the University of Colorado in the mid-1980s), this is hands down the greatest thing I’ve ever accomplished in my golfing career,” the left-hander said. “It’s great, seriously. It’s unexpected to be even having this conversation to be honest with you.

“To actually hold this (trophy) right now is absolutely crazy. It’s bringing tears to my eyes.”

Reidy (above and left) is just the most recent of the senior set to claim this title in recent years. Doug Rohrbaugh of Carbondale won three straight from 2013 through ’15 — when he was 51, 52 and 53 years old — and John Ogden prevailed last year at age 50. That means that Geoff Keffer (2016) is the only player under 50 to win the Colorado PGA Professional Championship in the last six times the tournament has been contested.

“It shows how strong our seniors are in this Section,” said Rohrbaugh, who tied for second on Wednesday with, among others, 55-year-old Sherry Andonian-Smith of Valley Country Club. “I’d take our top 10 seniors against the top 10 of any Section in the country. The results speak to that.”

The women competing this week made a statement as well. As noted, Andonian-Smith shared second place overall, while two-time Colorado PGA Women’s Champion Alexandra Braga of Denver Country Club tied for sixth place despite playing her last three holes in 3 over par.

With the top eight finishers on Wednesday earning spots in the national PGA Professional Championship, set for April 28-May 1 in Bluffton, S.C., both Andonian-Smith and Braga will be packing their bags. According to Colorado PGA executive director Eddie Ainsworth, it’ll be the first time a woman from the Colorado Section has advanced to the national tournament.

“I’ve been trying to do it since I’ve been a Colorado PGA member — so eight years — and I’ve been close a couple of times, so it’s great to get it done,” said Andonian-Smith, (left) who earlier this year qualified and played in the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open.

Joining Andonian-Smith and Braga (below) in earning berths to the national event were Reidy, Rohrbaugh, Dustin Miller and Eric Bradley from Black Bear Golf Club, Remington Post of Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks and 2012 Section champion Caine Fitzgerald of Meadow Hills.

Reidy birdied the final hole from 5 feet on Wednesday to give himself a two-stroke victory in the Section championship with a 1-over-par 217 total for three rounds. Sharing runner-up honors at 219 with Andonian-Smith (73 Wednesday) and Rohrbaugh (74) were Miller (75) and Post (80).

Braga, Fitzgerald and Bradley tied for sixth place at 221.

That Reidy ended up with the title left him a bit dumbfounded.

“I don’t know what to tell you honestly,” said Reidy, who has spent all 27 years of his PGA professional career at Inverness. “This is a complete shock.

“I win a pro-am here and there, but I don’t win anything big. Things were going well this week. A couple of putts went in. I don’t putt great, but putts went in this week. It was fun.”

As for extending that remarkable streak of 50-somethings winning this event, Reidy said, “John Ogden inspired me last year. To see Doug Rohrbaugh do what he does, that’s inspiring. It’s so comforting to see guys that can sustain their career and compete at this level. It’s such a great Section to be part of.”

Aside from his snowman on the 722-yard 13th hole, Reidy played a very strong final round on a course that measured 7,437 yards for the male competitors. On that 13th hole, he put his third shot in the bunker, failed to get it out, then after he did, he three-putt for triple bogey.

But Reidy birdied the previous hole from 5 feet and No. 18 from the same distance. And he missed three other birdie attempts inside of 15 feet in the final five holes. In the end, he seemed to hit it better than his 74 indicated.

“I could have given up right there (after No. 13),” he said. “But I came off that hole and I said, ‘Let’s man up and see what you’ve got and go do it.’ I hit great shots all the way coming in.

“I can do more mental damage to myself than anybody on the planet. Today I got out of my own way.”

However it happened, the victory left a big smile on the face of a guy who endured more than his share of adversity at a young age. His dad died when Patrick was 16, and the younger Reidy lost sight in his left eye for several years after a racquetball accident during his college days.

But Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Tom Babb, a fixture as the director of golf at Inverness from 1973 to 2000, hired Reidy at the club when he was 14 and mentored him throughout his younger days.

“My dad passed away when I was 16 years old and Tom Babb was there more for me more than any other person on the planet,” Reidy said. “At 16 years old, you’re going through a tough time. I started working for Tom when I was 14. It changed my life and my golfing career.

“Tom is rolling over in his grave right now, laughing his (butt) off.”

Meanwhile, some of the runner-ups on Wednesday were left wondering, “What if?”

Miller, who eagled two of his first three holes, was in great shape to win until playing his first five holes of the back nine in 6 over par. Post, meanwhile, was riding high until playing his final 10 holes in 7 over. And Rohrbaugh (left), the Colorado PGA Player of the Year points leader, had his sights set on his fourth title until making double bogeys on 14 and 18. On the par-4 final hole, he was 40 yards from the hole in two, but caught his wedge thin and his ball flew into the back bunker and he couldn’t get it up and down.

“It’s just disappointing, very disappointing,” he said. “I played really solid all day until (the two doubles). … I just had one goal: Win. It’s real disappointing because usually when I’m in the hunt, that’s when I’m at my best. I don’t really fold typically.”

TPC Colorado, which just within the last couple of weeks started allowing some public play, is expected to host a Web.com Tour event next summer as part of a five-year contract. But the 2019 Web.com Tour schedule has yet to be released.

Colorado PGA Professional Championship
Sept. 10-12, 2018 (final) at Par-72 TPC Colorado in Berthoud
ADVANCE TO NATIONAL PGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
1. Patrick Reidy, Inverness 71-72-74–217
T2. Sherry Andonian-Smith, Valley 78-68-73–219
T2. Doug Rohrbaugh, Carbondale 75-70-74–219
T2. Dustin Miller, Black Bear 71-73-75–219
T2. Remington Post, Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks 70-69-80–219
T6. Alexandra Braga, Denver CC 69-75-77–221
T6. Eric Bradley, Black Bear 72-74-75–221
T6. Caine Fitzgerald, Meado Hills 72-74-75–221
ALSO
T9. Mike Zaremba, Desert Hawk 74-73-75–222
T9. Doug Wherry, Jake’s Academy 76-74-72–222
T9. Jordan Gibbs, Denver CC 73-71-78–222

For all the scores, CLICK HERE.

Though he completed just 15 holes on Tuesday before play was suspended due to darkness following weather delays, Remington Post of Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks held a four-stroke lead and is one of just two players under par through two days.

Post, a 33-year-old from Dillon, carded a 4-under 32 on the front nine and was 3 under through 15. That left him at 5 under par overall with 21 holes left to play in the tournament.

Patrick Reidy of Inverness Golf Club, a 52-year-old from Littleton, holds second place after rounds of 71-72 left him with a 1-under 143 total. He made three birdies and three bogeys in Tuesday’s second round.

First-round leader Alexandra Braga of Denver Country Club, winner of two Colorado PGA Women’s Championships, trails by five after a 75 on Tuesday. She was even-par for the day through 10 holes, but bogeyed three of her final eight. Joining her at 144 were fellow Denver Country Club professional Jordan Gibbs and Dustin Miller of Black Bear Golf Club, who carded a 71 and a 73 on Tuesday, respectively.

Meanwhile, three-time champion Doug Rohrbaugh eagled the par-4 sixth hole and posted a 2-under 70 on Tuesday to move into sixth place at 145. Also 1 over par overall is Vince Buelk of Collindale — in his case through 33 holes.

Braga isn’t the only prominent women’s player from the Section on the leaderboard. Sherry Andonian-Smith shares eighth place at 146 total after a 68 on Tuesday, which is the lowest round so far in the championship.

Joining Andonian-Smith in a tie for eighth place are past champions Caine Fitzgerald (74) and Chris Johnson (73), along with Eric Bradley (74).

TPC Colorado, a new Arthur Schaupeter-designed Scottish links-style course, is hosting its first major tournament this week.

After the final four groups complete round 2 on Wednesday morning, the field will be cut roughly in half after 36 holes, then pairings will be set for Wednesday’s final round.

The top eight finishers on Wednesday will advance to the 2019 PGA Professional Championship, set for April 28-May 1 in Bluffton, S.C.

Colorado PGA Professional Championship
Sept. 10-12, 2018 at Par-72 TPC Colorado in Berthoud
Leaders
Remington Post 70-(-3 through 15 holes in round 2)
Patrick Reidy 71-72–143
Alexandra Braga 69-75–144
Dustin Miller 71-73–144
Jordan Gibbs 73-71–144
Doug Rohrbaugh 75-70–145
Vince Buelk 75-(-2 through 15 holes of round 2)
Sherry Andonian-Smith 78-68–146
Eric Bradley 72-74–146
Caine Fitzgerald 72-74–146
Chris Johnson 73-73–146

For all the scores, CLICK HERE.

The PGA assistant professional at Denver Country Club won the first two CPGA Women’s Championships and she led after round 1 of this year’s tournament at The Ranch Country Club in Westminster.

But there would be no trifecta for Braga on Thursday.

Tara Morris, a PGA assistant pro at the Country Club at Castle Pines, saw to that.

Morris and Braga were tied after the scheduled 36 holes of the event, with both players at 4-under-par 138 as Braga bogeyed the final two holes after making birdie at the previous two.

But after Braga missed a 12-foot birdie attempt on the first playoff hole, Morris drained a slick 8-foot downhiller for birdie and the victory, which was worth $1,000.

Morris, who bogeyed the first two holes of Thursday’s round, trailed by five after 25 holes as Braga birdied Nos. 3 and 6. But Morris rallied, making birdies at 8, 9, 12 and 15 before a bogey at 17 for a back-nine 35. Braga closed with a 38 on the final nine of regulation.

The victory earned Morris (pictured in a CPGA photo) a spot in the 2019 PGA Women’s Stroke Play Championship.

Sherry Andonian-Smith, who played in the U.S. Senior Women’s Open last month, finished third in the 13-player field on Thursday with a 1-under 141 total.

Colorado PGA Women’s Championship
Aug. 22-23, 2018 (final) at The Ranch CC in Westminster
1. Tara Morris 68-70–138 (winner in playoff)
2. Alexandra Braga 67-71–138
3. Sherry Andonian-Smith 70-71–141
4. Stefanie Ferguson 75-74–149
5. Shannon Hanley 72-79–151
T6. Liz McCabe 78-79–157
T6. Terra Shehee 78-79–157
8. Kelly Deimund 80-80–160
9. Holly Champion 80-84–164
10. Rachel Cavalier 86-80–166

For complete results, CLICK HERE.
 

Among the honorees for 2017 were Alexandra Braga (Denver Country Club), Alexander Fisher (The Glacier Club in Durango) and Scott Wells (CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora). Braga has won the last two Colorado PGA Women’s Championships.

Bryan Heim from Columbine Country Club in Columbine Valley, who previously was honored in 2015 and ’16, was among 21 instructors named 2017 Master Kids Teachers. Since the Top 50 Kids Teacher Award debuted in 2004, 155 instructors have earned Masters Kids Teacher status.

U.S. Kids Golf said the Top 50 Kids Teacher Award “annually recognizes the world’s most outstanding youth golf instructors”. The latest list honors instructors from 26 states, along with Austria, England, Honduras, Italy and Northern Ireland.

Applicants complete an online survey, with winners chosen based on experience, innovation, creativity, communication, parental engagement, organization, devotion and growing the game, among other factors.

“These coaches are honored as much more than instructors of golf,” Dan Van Horn, founder and president of U.S. Kids Golf said in a release. “They create outstanding opportunities for young golfers to learn in a fun and rewarding environment that instills a love for the game and encourages the entire family to enjoy the game. Their ability to connect with students and fully engage them in the learning process sets them apart.”

The Top 50 Kids Teachers and Masters Kids Teachers will be recognized on Jan. 24 during the PGA Show in Orlando, Fla.

For the full list of honorees, CLICK HERE.
 

The second playing of the Colorado PGA Women’s Championship looked a lot like the first, at least regarding the top of the leaderboard.

Like in 2016, Alexandra Braga from Denver Country Club won the championship. Like last year, she led after each round. And just as in 2016, she prevailed by three strokes.

Despite an 8-over-par round of 79 at The Club at Ravenna in Littleton in Wednesday’s final round, Braga earned the trophy again. After five birdies in Tuesday’s round of 69, the 33-year-old managed one on day 2. But that didn’t keep her from going wire-to-wire in the event for the second consecutive year.

Stefanie Ferguson of CommonGround Golf Course, a former CWGA Match Play champion who finished third last year, placed second this time round, with a 76 on Wednesday leaving her at 151 overall.

Tara Morris of the Country Club at Castle Pines ended up third out of the 11-player field at 156 following a second-round 75.

The tournament was open to female players who are either PGA or LPGA members or apprentices based within the Colorado PGA’s boundaries.
 

Colorado PGA Women’s Championship
Aug. 22-23, 2017 (final) at The Club at Ravenna in Littleton
Top Players After Final Round
1. Alexandra Braga 69-79–148
2. Stefanie Ferguson 75-76–151
3. Tara Morris 81-75–156
4. Liz McCabe 82-81–163
5. Terra Shehee 84-82–166
6. Erica Webster 86-83–169
7. Carina Capobianco 85-85–170
8. Holly Champion 84-92–176
9. Kelly Deimund 91-86–177
10. Katie Milstead 85-94–179

For complete results, CLICK HERE.
 

Braga (pictured at left, in a Colorado PGA photo, with Section president Leslie Core-Drevecky) played her last eight holes in 3 under par to shoot a 1-under 71, giving her a 3-under 141 total and a three-stroke victory.

Sherry Andonian-Smith from Valley Country Club birdied the ninth hole to get within one of Braga, but the latter pulled away with birdies on holes 11, 12 and 14. Andonian-Smith posted a second-round 70 to check in at 144, good for second place in the nine-player field.

Former CWGA Match Play champion Stefanie Ferguson of CommonGround Golf Course placed third at 152 after two straight 76s.

The tournament was open to female players who are either PGA or LPGA members based within the Colorado PGA’s boundaries.

Colorado PGA Women’s Championship
June 22-23, 2016 (final) at Par-72 Cherry Creek CC in Denver

Alexandra Braga 70-71–141
Sherry Andonian-Smith 74-70–144
Stefanie Ferguson 76-76–152
Elena King 79-78–157
Terra Shehee 79-80–159
Lindsay Kuhle 80-83–163
Kelly Deimund 92-86–178
Andrea Niemier 91-89–180
Katie Milstead 100-84–184

Braga made four birdies and two bogeys on the day. She was 4 under par through 15 holes, but carded bogeys on Nos. 16 and 18.

Sherry Andonian-Smith of Valley Country Club holds second place at 74, while former CWGA Match Play champion Stefanie Ferguson of CommonGround Golf Course is third at 76.

Play will conclude on Thursday in the event, which features a field of nine female players who are either PGA or LPGA members based within the Colorado PGA’s boundaries.

Colorado PGA Women’s Championship
June 22-23, 2016 at Par-72 Cherry Creek CC in Denver
Scores After Day 1
Alexandra Braga 70
Sherry Andonian-Smith 74
Stefanie Ferguson 76
Terra Shehee 79
Elena King 79
Lindsay Kuhle 80
Andrea Niemier 91
Kelly Deimund 92
Katie Milstead 100