And Sam Marley of South Suburban Golf Course and Trevor Glen of the Riverdale Golf Courses didn’t disappoint.
After making a combined total of just five birdies in the first 23 holes of the 36-hole final Friday, things cranked up in a big way, making for an interesting finish. Between them, the finalists racked up 10 birdies in the final dozen holes, and halving both the seventh and 11th holes of the afternoon round with birdies.
In the end, Marley had just enough in the tank during Friday’s marathon to fend off the hard-charging Glen, scoring a 3-and-1 title-winning victory.
The way the match ended “made it a lot of fun,” said Marley (above and left), an 18-year-old graduate of Arapahoe High School. “It was awesome. I actually like playing under pressure a lot. It makes it way more fun than when it just doesn’t mean anything.”Marley, son of South Suburban head professional Todd Marley, played the last 12 holes in 3 under par. And he needed pretty much all of that to overcome Glen, who carded six birdies in the stretch from the 24th through 33rd holes after making just two birdies in the first 23 holes.
But after narrowing his deficit from what was once 4 down to 1 down following birdies on the 32nd and 33rd holes — and making Marley admittedly “a little nervous” — Glen faltered on the tough par-4 16th. There, he pulled both his tee shot and his approach into shrub-filled native areas, losing both balls and conceding a long birdie putt to Marley. Then Glen’s hopes ended on the par-3 17th, where he three-putted for a bogey and conceded a short par putt to Marley, ending the match.
“I got on a roll there,” said Glen (left), a 17-year-old senior-to-be at Legacy High School. “Once I got through 15, after I went birdie-birdie, I was only one back at that point. Right then I thought that if I kept on that roll I had a very good chance (at winning the match). The tee shot on 16, I kind of blew it. I think there was a little too much adrenaline running through my body. I couldn’t quite handle it. I definitely got excited on those shots. I think I got too far ahead of myself.“But you’ve got to tip your hat to (Marley) because he played amazing.”
The match featured a little of everything. Besides all the birdies at the end — and the two holes halved with birdies — there was a whiff (pictured at bottom) by Glen on a tough left-handed shot from under a tree on the par-3 13th hole, which Marley won. Ironically, that whiff came during Glen’s torrid stretch of six birdies in 10 holes.
Marley (left), who will play college golf at the University of Northern Colorado, won the tournament after being seeded 46th in the match play bracket. He emerged the champion from a field which included all three 2013 state high school champions, both Coloradans who qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur, and a two-time CGA Junior Stroke Play champ.And it all happened in one of Marley’s final junior tournaments.
“It’s awesome,” he said, contemplating the feat. “I really can’t believe it actually. I’m excited definitely.”
Prior to Friday, Marley’s top golf accomplishment was winning the Centennial League title in high school golf. He finished 10th at the 5A state tournament last fall, and he just recently qualified for the HealthOne Colorado Open for the first time.
Being a finalist was likewise a memorable accomplishment for Glen, who never before had even made the match-play portion of the Junior Match Play.“This is the first taste I’ve had with match play against truly good players,” the Thornton resident said. “To make it as far as I did, I’m quite impressed with myself. One thing that I take out of this more than anything is that I realize I actually belong with these kids and I know that I can play with them.
“It was a very big tournament and everybody in the state was playing in it. This was probably my top golf finish.”
CGA Junior Match Play
At Bear Creek GC in Denver
(Seeds in Parentheses)
ROUND OF 64
Jake Staiano, Glenmoor CC (1) def. Austin Burgess, Pine Creek GC (64), 7 and 6
Behrod Keshtavar, CJGA Club (33) def. Alec Poorman, Flatirons GC (32), 1 up
Hayden Nicholaides, CJGA Club (16) def. Li Chen, Legacy Ridge GC (49), 2 and 1
Cameron Connor, Boulder CC (48) def. Bradley Scalia, Green Valley Ranch GC (17), 5 and 3
Coby Welch, The Links GC (8) def. Austin Hardman, Highlands Ranch GC (57), 3 and 2
Daniel Pearson, Fox Hill CC (40) def. Davis Bryant, Green Valley Ranch GC (25), 1 up
Ross Macdonald, CC at Castle Pines (9) def. Jack Lazzeri, Columbine CC (56), 1 up
Nick Leibold, Columbine CC (41) def. Subin Lee, CJGA Club (24), 4 and 3
Eric Hill, Harmony Club (4) def. Kyle Pearson, Meridian GC (61), 4 and 3
Trevor Glen, Riverdale GC (36) def. Riggs Winz, Raccoon Creek GC (29), 3 and 1
Garrett Jones, CJGA Club (13) def. Josh Caridi, CJGA Club (52), 6 and 5
Taylor Rodriguez, Walking Stick GC (20) def. Luke Travins, Broadmoor GC (45), 6 and 5
Kyler Dunkle, Club at Pradera (5) def. Justin Allenback, Elmwood GC (60), 3 and 2
Isaac Petersilie, Colorado Springs CC (28) def. David Leede, Cherry Hills CC (37), 5 and 4
Glenn Workman, Desert Hawk GC (12) def. Zach Gomez, Indian Tree GC (53), 2 and 1
Clayton Crawford, Maroon Creek Club (44) def. Mathew Yeager, Bear Creek GC (21), 3 and 2
Wilson Belk, CC of Colorado (2) def. Mitchell Nevin, Eagle Ranch GC (63), 3 and 2
Hunter Lee, Highlands Ranch GC (31) def. Josh Pusar, Inverness GC (34), 19 holes
Grant Dinkel, Flatirons GC (15) def. Philip Lee, Cherry Hills CC (50), 1 up
Tristan Rohrbaugh, Ironbridge GC (47) def. Coleson Krantz, Ptarmigan CC (18), 8 and 7
Austin Umland, Buffalo Run GC (58) def. Christopher Raap, Highlands Ranch GC (7), 4 and 3
Erik Young, CommonGround GC (26) def. Justin Markel, CC at Castle Pines (39), 7 and 5
Aj Ott, Ptarmigan CC (10) def. Cody Steigerwald, Club at Flying Horse (55), 7 and 6
Troy Dangler, Tiara Rado GC (23) def. Roy Carlsen, Heritage at Westmoor (42), 19 holes
Bridger Ryan, Broadlands GC (62) def. Cooper Gould, Eagle Ranch GC (3), 2 and 1
Andrew Howe, Fox Hill CC (30) def. Trey Lambrecht, Northeastern 18 (35), 21 holes
Pierce Aichinger, Bear Creek GC (14) def. Evan Buchalski, CJGA Club (51), 2 and 1
Sam Marley, South Suburban GC (46) def. Kyle Peterson, Hiwan GC (19), 4 and 3
Donny Kinnaman, Lincoln Park GC (59) def. Grant Rogers, Omni Interlocken GC (6), 1 up
Jack Cavanagh, Broadlands GC (38) def. Keegan Sheard, Applewood GC (27), 2 up
Spencer Painton, Green Valley Ranch GC (11) def. Ryan Zetwick, CC at Castle Pines (54), 2 and 1
Bretton Krantz, Ptarmigan CC (43) def. Andrew McCormick, Denver CC (22), 4 and 3
ROUND OF 32
Jake Staiano, Glenmoor CC def. Behrod Keshtavar, CJGA Club 2 and 1
Cameron Connor, Boulder CC def. Hayden Nicholaides, CJGA Club 6 and 4
Coby Welch, The Links GC def. Daniel Pearson, Fox Hill CC 7 and 6
Nick Leibold, Columbine CC def. Ross Macdonald, CC at Castle Pines 19 holes
Trevor Glen, Riverdale GC def. Eric Hill, Harmony Club 1 up
Taylor Rodriguez, Walking Stick GC def. Garrett Jones, CJGA Club 19 holes
Isaac Petersilie, Colorado Springs CC def. Kyler Dunkle, Club at Pradera 3 and 2
Glenn Workman, Desert Hawk GC def. Clayton Crawford, Maroon Creek Club 20 holes
Wilson Belk, CC of Colorado def. Hunter Lee, Highlands Ranch GC 7 and 5
Tristan Rohrbaugh, Ironbridge GC def. Grant Dinkel, Flatirons GC 5 and 4
Erik Young, CommonGround GC def. Austin Umland, Buffalo Run GC 7 and 6
Aj Ott, Ptarmigan CC def. Troy Dangler, Tiara Rado GC 3 and 2
Andrew Howe, Fox Hill CC def. Bridger Ryan, Broadlands GC 2 up
Sam Marley, South Suburban GC def. Pierce Aichinger, Bear Creek GC 7 and 6
Donny Kinnaman, Lincoln Park GC def. Jack Cavanagh, Broadlands GC 4 and 3
Spencer Painton, Green Valley Ranch GC def. Bretton Krantz, Ptarmigan CC 3 and 1
ROUND OF 16
Cameron Connor, Boulder CC def. Jake Staiano, Glenmoor CC 1 up
Coby Welch, The Links GC def. Nick Leibold, Columbine CC 4 and 3
Trevor Glen, Riverdale GC def. Taylor Rodriguez, Walking Stick GC 2 and 1
Isaac Petersilie, Colorado Springs CC def. Glenn Workman, Desert Hawk GC 2 and 1
Tristan Rohrbaugh, Ironbridge GC def. Wilson Belk, CC of Colorado 1 up
AJOtt, Ptarmigan CC def. Erik Young, CommonGround GC 5 and 4
Sam Marley, South Suburban GC def. Andrew Howe, Fox Hill CC 4 and 3
Donny Kinnaman, Lincoln Park GC def. Spencer Painton, Green Valley Ranch GC 2 and 1
QUARTERFINALS
Cameron Connor, Boulder CC def. Coby Welch, The Links GC 3 and 1
Trevor Glen, Riverdale GC def. Isaac Petersilie, Colorado Springs CC 1 up
AJ Ott, Ptarmigan CC def. Tristan Rohrbaugh, Ironbridge GC 20 holes
Sam Marley, South Suburban GC def. Donny Kinnaman, Lincoln Park GC 2 and 1
SEMIFINALS
Trevor Glen, Riverdale GC def. Cameron Connor, Boulder CC 2 and 1
Sam Marley, South Suburban GC def. AJ Ott, Ptarmigan CC 1 up
FINAL
Sam Marley, South Suburban GC def. Trevor Glen, Riverdale GC, 3 and 1
Parker Edens went to Greeley Central High School, and he plays out of Greeley Country Club and competes for Colorado State University.
In other words, they’re rivals, albeit on friendly terms.
They’ve played plenty of golf against one another, but Friday’s matchup was for higher stakes than normal — the title in the 113th CGA Match Play Championship.
And in the end, Oraee’s strong, largely mistake-free play at Bear Creek Golf Club in west Denver landed him a spot on the historic Match Play trophy. Oraee made only one bogey in 31 holes in Friday’s final en route to a 6 and 5 title-clinching victory over Edens.
“We love playing against each other,” said Oraee (pictured above and at left), a junior-to-be at CU. “Obviously we’ve always gone to rival schools in high school and college. It was fun. It’s fun to play against someone you’ve known for a while. And it’s awesome that we’re both from Greeley. We bring the city name some ‘rep’. It feels good to do this.”
Indeed, something about the CGA Match Play seems to bring out the best in players from Greeley.
Oraee became the second golfer from the town to win the Match Play title in the last three years, joining 2011 champ Michael Lee. And Edens has been runner-up in the Match Play each of the last two years.
But on Friday, Oraee never gave Edens much hope, going 6 under par for the 31 holes. Since 1990, only one CGA Match Play final has produced a bigger margin of victory: Zen Brown’s 10 and 9 win over Tom Glissmeyer in 2007 at Bear Creek.
“It’s disappointing, but David played unbelievable golf,” said Edens (pictured at left), a senior-to-be at CSU. “I think he made one bogey today. That’s what you’ve got to do out here to win. I didn’t play great but he played just wonderful golf. He putted lights out. That’s some of the best putting I’ve ever seen. It was just wonderful.”
Oraee capped off the match in style by chipping in for birdie from 30 feet on the menacing 173-yard 13th hole at Bear Creek. It was Oraee’s fourth birdie in his final six holes.
Oraee’s pre-match strategy — to divide the final into four nine-hole matches — worked out for him as he “won” three of those nines and tied the other.
“A common problem with match play is getting ahead of yourself,” the 20-year-old said. “You think ahead, then you lose a few holes and you’re in a tight match. I didn’t want that to happen, so I kept my head down and plugged away and tried to get them where I could and it just worked out.”
The winner of the 2010 5A state high school title, Oraee trailed only once on Friday, after the first hole, where Edens made a birdie. Oraee won the next three holes — two with pars and one with a birdie — to go 2 up. That would be Oraee’s smallest lead for the remainder of the day, and that’s how the match stood through 24 holes before Oraee’s strong finish.
Oraee didn’t show any ill effects from playing his third consecutive two-round day as he made seven birdies Friday, offset by his lone bogey, on the 22nd hole. Edens, meanwhile, struggled on the greens in the title match, three-putting three times in the first seven holes of the afternoon round.
“The big difference today was the putting,” Edens said. “He putted great, I didn’t putt very well. We both hit it pretty well. He just putted lights out and I didn’t make anything.”
Oraee called winning the championship the top accomplishment to date in his golf career.
“I haven’t won a very prestigious event (before Friday),” he said. “I’ve finished well in a lot of them, especially college events, but I really haven’t gotten it done. It feels good to do it here. It took a lot to do it. I’m pretty proud of myself the way I hung in there. It’s a pretty big tournament and there are a lot of good players here.”
CGA Match Play Championship
At Bear Creek GC in Denver
ROUND OF 64
Palmer Giro, Ptarmigan CC (64) def. Brian Dorfman, Cherry Creek CC (1), By Default
Blake Basham, Highlands Ranch GC (33) def. Jordan Burgess, Highland Hills Golf Course (32), 1 up
Kyle Gertner, Riverview GC (16) def. Nicolas Karavites, Glenmoor CC (49), 21 holes
Chris Weinstein, Green Valley Ranch GC (48) def. Steve Connell, Riverdale Golf Club (17), 2 and 1
Spencer Sheets, Glenmoor CC (8) def. Austin Raap, Highlands Ranch GC (57), 4 and 3
David Lindquist, Ridge at Castle Pines North (25) def. Jeffrey Ryan Gravina, Pinehurst CC (40), 4 and 3
Harry Johnson, Eagle Ranch GC (56) def. Justin Mortensen, Cattails GC (9), 4 and 3
Minkyu Jeon, Meadows GC (41) def. Bill Fowler, Bear Creek GC (24), 3 and 2
Dylan Mitchell, Lakewood Country Club (4) def. Quade Mitchell, Highlands Ranch Golf Club (61), 3 and 2
Christopher Wilson, Eisenhower Golf Club (36) def. Drew Trujillo, Bridges G & CC (29), 6 and 4
Andrew Romano, Colorado GC (13) def. David Delich, Broadmoor GC (52), 7 and 5
Jack Pedersen, Omni Interlocken GC (45) def. Matt Bell, Harmony Club (20), 5 and 4
David Lysaught, Pinehurst Country Club (60) def. John Ahern, Bear Creek Golf Club (5), 20 holes
Nathaniel Goddard, Ptarmigan CC (28) def. Wes Martin, GC at Hyland Hills (37), 4 and 2
Cody Kent, Red Hawk Ridge GC (53) def. Gus Lundquist, The Club at Pradera (12), 2 and 1
Parker Edens, Greeley Country Club (21) def. Nick Tarasiewicz, Patty Jewett GC (44), 5 and 3
Ethan Freeman, Glenmoor CC (2) def. Josh McLaughlin, Olde Course at Loveland (63), 4 and 3
Jack Adolfson, Fox Hill CC (34) def. Brendan Connolly, Ridge at Castle Pines North (31), 1 up
David Oraee, Highland Hills Golf Course (15) def. Matthew Goddard, Ptarmigan CC (50), 8 and 6
Nicholas Nosewicz, Meadow Hills Golf Course (18) def. Pierce Aichinger, Bear Creek GC (47), 4 and 3
Jon Lindstrom, Heritage at Westmoor (7) def. Matthew Weiss, Highlands Ranch GC (58), 1 up
Mike Schoolcraft, Cherry Hills CC (26) def. Lamar Carlile, City Park GC (39), 4 and 3
Ben Krueger, Patty Jewett Golf Course (10) def. Cody Vance, Raccoon Creek GC (55), 19 holes
Blair Matthews, Commonground Golf Course (23) def. Will Fowler, Bear Creek Golf Club (42), 1 up
Brandon Bingaman, Black Canyon GC (3) def. Nick Zinanti, Elmwood GC (62), 3 and 1
Steven Irwin, Lakewood CC (30) def. Stu Allen, Fox Hollow at Lakewood (35), 3 and 1
Cameron Brown, Sonnenalp GC (14) def. Bryan Rusin, Commonground Golf Course (51), 5 and 3
Steven Kupcho, Commonground Golf Course (19) def. Steve Sullivan, Bear Dance GC (46), 3 and 2
Braden Baer, Ranch CC (6) def. Ethan Yamada, Omni Interlocken GC (59), 7 and 6
Charles Santaularia, CommonGround GC (38) def. Cole Cunningham, Valley CC (27), 4 and 3
Derek Fribbs, Colorado National GC (11) def. Clint Miller, Meadow Hills GC (54), 1 up
Sean Thomas, Indian Tree GC (22) def. Paul Erdman, Colorado National GC (43), 2 up
ROUND OF 32
Blake Basham, Highlands Ranch GC (33) def. Palmer Giro, Ptarmigan CC (64), 3 and 2
Kyle Gertner, Riverview GC (16) def. Chris Weinstein, Green Valley Ranch GC (48), 7 and 5
David Lindquist, Ridge at Castle Pines North (25) def. Spencer Sheets, Glenmoor CC (8), 6 and 4
Minkyu Jeon, Meadows GC (41) def. Mr. Harry Johnson, Eagle Ranch GC (56), 5 and 4
Dylan Mitchell, Lakewood Country Club (4) def. Christopher Wilson, Eisenhower Golf Club (36), 5 and 3
Andrew Romano, Colorado GC (13) def. Jack Pedersen, Omni Interlocken GC (45), 3 and 1
Nathaniel Goddard, Ptarmigan CC (28) def. David Lysaught, Pinehurst Country Club (60), 1 up
Parker Edens, Greeley Country Club (21) def. Cody Kent, Red Hawk Ridge GC (53), 7 and 5
Jack Adolfson, Fox Hill CC (34) def. Ethan Freeman, Glenmoor CC (2), 20 holes
David Oraee, Highland Hills Golf Course (15) def. Nicholas Nosewicz, Meadow Hills Golf Course (18), 3 and 2
Mike Schoolcraft, Cherry Hills CC (26) def. Jon Lindstrom, Heritage at Westmoor (7), By Default
Ben Krueger, Patty Jewett Golf Course (10) def. Blair Matthews, Commonground Golf Course (23), 5 and 4
Brandon Bingaman, Black Canyon GC (3) def. Steven Irwin, Lakewood CC (30), 2 and 1
Steven Kupcho, Commonground Golf Course (19) def. Cameron Brown, Sonnenalp GC (14), 2 up
Braden Baer, Ranch CC (6) def. Charles Santaularia, CommonGround GC (38), 1 up
Derek Fribbs, Colorado National GC (11) def. Sean Thomas, Indian Tree GC (22), 5 and 4
ROUND OF 16
Kyle Gertner, Riverview GC (16) def. Blake Basham, Highlands Ranch GC (33), 5 and 3
Minkyu Jeon, Meadows GC (41) def. David Lindquist, Ridge at Castle Pines North (25), 3 and 2
Andrew Romano, Colorado GC (13) def. Dylan Mitchell, Lakewood Country Club (4), 4 and 2
Parker Edens, Greeley Country Club (21) def. Nathaniel Goddard, Ptarmigan CC (28), 2 and 1
David Oraee, Highland Hills Golf Course (15) def. Jack Adolfson, Fox Hill CC (34), 4 and 3
Mike Schoolcraft, Cherry Hills CC (26) def. Ben Krueger, Patty Jewett Golf Course (10), 1 up
Steven Kupcho, Commonground Golf Course (19) def. Brandon Bingaman, Black Canyon GC (3), 4 and 3
Derek Fribbs, Colorado National GC (11) def. Braden Baer, Ranch CC (6), 19 holes
QUARTERFINALS
Minkyu Jeon, Meadows GC (41) def. Kyle Gertner, Riverview GC (16), 21 holes
Parker Edens, Greeley Country Club (21) def. Andrew Romano, Colorado GC (13), 5 and 4
David Oraee, Highland Hills Golf Course (15) def. Mike Schoolcraft, Cherry Hills CC (26), 1 up
Derek Fribbs, Colorado National GC (11) def. Steven Kupcho, Commonground Golf Course (19), 4 and 3
SEMIFINALS
Parker Edens, Greeley Country Club (21) def. Minkyu Jeon, Meadows GC (41), 1 up
David Oraee, Highland Hills Golf Course (15) def. Derek Fribbs, Colorado National GC (11), 21 holes
FINALS
David Oraee, Highland Hills Golf Course (15) def. Parker Edens, Greeley Country Club (21), 6 and 5
STROKE PLAY
Qualified for Match Play
Brian Dorfman, Cherry Creek CC, Defending Champion
Ethan Freeman, Glenmoor CC, 34-35–69
Brandon Bingaman, Black Canyon Golf Club, 33-36–69
John Ahern, Bear Creek Golf Club, 37-35–72
Braden Baer, Ranch CC, 35-37–72
Dylan Mitchell, Lakewood Country Club, 38-34–72
Jon Lindstrom, Heritage at Westmoor, 38-35–73
Ben Krueger, Patty Jewett Golf Course, 36-37–73
Spencer Sheets, Glenmoor CC, 37-36–73
Derek Fribbs, Colorado National GC, 36-37–73
Gus Lundquist, The Club at Pradera, 36-37–73
Steve Connell, Riverdale Golf Club, 35-38–73
Cameron Brown, Sonnenalp GC, 36-37–73
Andrew Romano, Colorado GC, 36-37–73
Justin Mortensen, Cattails GC, 37-36–73
David Oraee, Highland Hills Golf Course, 35-38–73
Kyle Gertner, Riverview GC, 35-38–73
Steven Kupcho, Commonground Golf Course, 34-40–74
Matt Bell, Harmony Club, 34-40–74
Nicholas Nosewicz, Meadow Hills Golf Course, 36-38–74
Mike Schoolcraft, Cherry Hills CC, 36-39–75
Bill Fowler, Bear Creek GC, 37-38–75
Cole Cunningham, Valley CC, 36-39–75
David Lindquist, Ridge at Castle Pines North, 37-38–75
Sean Thomas, Indian Tree GC, 39-36–75
Parker Edens, Greeley Country Club, 39-36–75
Blair Matthews, Commonground Golf Course, 38-37–75
Nathaniel Goddard, Ptarmigan CC, 34-41–75
Jack Adolfson, Fox Hill CC, 38-38–76
Steven Irwin, Lakewood CC, 39-37–76
Stu Allen, Fox Hollow at Lakewood, 38-38–76
Drew Trujillo, Bridges G & CC, 39-37–76
Jordan Burgess, Highland Hills Golf Course, 38-38–76
Brendan Connolly, Ridge at Castle Pines North, 39-37–76
Blake Basham, Highlands Ranch GC, 38-38–76
Lamar Carlile, City Park GC, 39-38–77
Wes Martin, GC at Hyland Hills, 39-38–77
Will Fowler, Bear Creek Golf Club, 37-40–77
Nick Tarasiewicz, Patty Jewett GC, 34-43–77
Paul Erdman, Colorado National GC, 35-42–77
Christopher Wilson, Eisenhower Golf Club, 40-37–77
Charles Santaularia, CommonGround GC, 39-38–77
Minkyu Jeon, Meadows GC, 39-38–77
Jeffrey Ryan Gravina, Pinehurst CC, 39-38–77
Steve Sullivan, Bear Dance GC, 40-38–78
Jack Pedersen, Omni Interlocken GC, 41-37–78
Chris Weinstein, Green Valley Ranch GC, 39-39–78
Nicolas Karavites, Glenmoor CC, 38-40–78
Matthew Goddard, Ptarmigan CC, 38-40–78
Pierce Aichinger, Bear Creek GC, 39-39–78
Austin Raap, Highlands Ranch GC, 37-42–79
Mr. Harry Johnson, Eagle Ranch Golf Course, 37-42–79
David Delich, Broadmoor GC, 40-39–79
Clint Miller, Meadow Hills GC, 39-40–79
Cody Vance, Raccoon Creek GC, 38-41–79
Matthew Weiss, Highlands Ranch GC, 36-43–79
Cody Kent, Red Hawk Ridge GC, 39-40–79
Bryan Rusin, Commonground Golf Course, 40-39–79
Ethan Yamada, Omni Interlocken GC, 42-38–80
Josh McLaughlin, Olde Course at Loveland, 38-42–80
Palmer Giro, Ptarmigan CC, 37-43–80
David Lysaught, Pinehurst Country Club, 41-39–80
Nick Zinanti, Elmwood GC, 39-41–80
Quade Mitchell, Highlands Ranch Golf Club, 39-41–80
Failed to Qualify for Match Play
Randy Urso, CommonGround GC, 43-38–81
Chris Korte, Lone Tree GC, 40-41–81
Grant Suggs, Green Valley Ranch GC, 41-40–81
Ryan Vandamme, Pinehurst Country Club, 43-38–81
Andrew Cornella, Club at Flying Horse, 42-40–82
Sean Forey, Bear Creek Golf Club, 37-45–82
Matt Porter, Commonground Golf Course, 40-42–82
David Ramsden-Wood, Meridian Golf Club, 40-42–82
Stephen Fernandes, Meridian GC, 41-41–82
Zach Tripp, Foothills GC, 42-40–82
Preston Parsons, Colorado GC, 39-44–83
Michael Harrington, Garden of the Gods Club, 39-44–83
Joey Muckler, Meridian GC, 41-42–83
Andrew Howe, Fox Hill CC, 40-43–83
Nick Berry, Meadows Golf Club, 42-41–83
John Richard Gorell, Patty Jewett GC, 42-41–83
Michael Chavez, Applewood Golf Club, 42-41–83
Ryan Schmitz, Colorado GC, 42-42–84
Adam Douglas Griffith, Thorncreek GC, 42-42–84
Taylor Foust, CommonGround GC, 45-39–84
Zack Neiditz, Aspen GC, 43-41–84
Kyle Thurman, Broadlands GC, 44-41–85
Lanny Cameron, Mariana Butte GC, 41-44–85
Chuck Scheinost, Boomerang GL, 44-41–85
Gregory Pattison, The Heritage at Westmoor, 41-44–85
Matt Reinick, Todd Creek GC, 41-46–87
Corey M Stanton, Breckenridge GC, 44-43–87
Kris Cox, Bear Creek GC, 47-41–88
Aaron Spear, Broadlands Golf Club, 42-46–88
Davis Kigin, Legacy Ridge Golf Course, 45-46–91
Peter Hassan, Lake Valley GC, WD
Samuel Toillion, Ute Creek GC, NC
View Final Match Hole-by-Hole
Final Match Play Tree
The year it was first held, William McKinley was president of the U.S., Butch Cassidy allegedly was in on a train robbery in Montana, and Queen Victoria passed away.
The 113th CGA Match Play will be held next week — July 8-12 — at Bear Creek Golf Club in west Denver.
The championship has been contested every year since 1901. That not only makes it the oldest continuously held statewide golf tournament in Colorado, but one of the oldest in the nation.
While the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, Masters and PGA Championship — along with the British Open — all weren’t held various years because of World War I and/or II, the CGA Match Play has never missed a beat. It’s been contested each year without fail since Frank Woodward defeated H.K.B. Davis Sr., 3 and 2 in the finals in 1901.
The Match Play actually predates the CGA by 14 years, but the association’s first official function when it was founded in 1915 was becoming the administrator of the event.
Over the first 112 years, the champions have included the very famous and the obscure.
Four members of the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame have their names on the Richard C. Campbell CGA Match Play trophy — N.C. “Tub” Morris (1924 and ’27), Charles “Babe” Lind (1946), Hale Irwin (1966) and Steve Jones (1980). Between them, Irwin and Jones went on to win the U.S. Open four times.
“I look back at all those (Colorado amateur) events I was fortunate enough to play and have some success in as really the groundwork that got me started into the golf scene,” Irwin said last year. “Colorado golf is where it all started.”
Other current PGA Tour players who have won the CGA Match Play are Brandt Jobe (1984, ’85, ’88) and fellow Kent Denver High School alum Kevin Stadler (1999 and 2002).
The championship has seen everything from a couple of 12-and-11 routs in the 36-hole final match, to one finale that lasted more than 40 holes, as Sam Valuck needed 42 to overcome future state senator Les Fowler in the 1961 title match at Cherry Hills.
Dr. Larry Bromfield has been by far the most successful player in CGA Match Play history, having won an amazing eight times from 1912-28. Next best are Mark Crabtree, Larry McAtee and Walter Fairbanks, with four titles each.
This year’s Match Play will be contested at Bear Creek, which has hosted the championship 13 previous times since 1986.
Former Georgetown University golfer Brian Dorfman of Cherry Creek Country Club will defend his 2012 title, and last year’s runner-up, Colorado State University golfer Parker Edens, is also back. (Dorfman is pictured above in front of the Match Play trophy.)
Likewise in the field are former University of Colorado golfer Derek Fribbs, who last month won the CGA Public Links Championship after shooting a final-round 62; 2012 CGA Stroke Play champion and 2013 Publinks runner-up Steven Kupcho; 2012 U.S. Amateur match play qualifier Mike Schoolcraft; and 2004 Match Play winner Steve Irwin.
As the defending champ, Dorfman will be the No. 1 seed, with a single round of stroke play on Monday setting up the rest of the 64-man match play bracket.
In a CGA Junior Match Play that was full of upsets, Andrew Romano of Colorado Golf Club refused to fall victim to the trend.
The senior-to-be at Rock Canyon High School, seeded second after the stroke-play qualifying, equaled the largest recorded margin of victory in a CGA Junior Match Play final with a 7-and-5 win over Jake Ice of Eaton Country Club on Friday.
The title match was about the only thing that went according to form in a week when Romano was the only top-10 seed who made it to the quarterfinals.
“There are a lot of good kids out here so I thought there would be upsets,” Romano said after winning his sixth match of the week. “But I felt like if I just beat my competition, it didn’t matter what their seed was.”
Friday’s scheduled 36-hole title match at Bear Creek Golf Club in west Denver ended on the 13th hole when Romano made a routine par while the 36th-seeded Ice carded a double bogey.
The CGA Junior Match Play dates back to 1951, but title match records are complete only since 1978. And the only final since then that was as lopsided as Friday’s was last year’s, when John Ahern defeated Ryan Pettegrew 7 and 5. Before 2007, the Junior Match final was an 18-hole affair.
Even if Friday’s match had been scheduled for 18 holes, Romano still would have won 6 and 5. After losing the first two holes to Ice and halving the third, Romano won nine of the next 11 holes to take control for good at 7 up.
During that 11-hole stretch, the 17-year-old made five birdies.
“I was just flushing the ball,” said Romano (pictured teeing off at left as Ice looks on). “I hit it about 10 feet (from the cup) every time. I lipped out a lot of putts and made a lot of putts as well. And he missed a couple of putts also.
“But when you put that much pressure on someone and they just kind of start tumbling, you let it happen and you just keep on going.”
Ice, a 2012 Eaton High School graduate who will play golf for Trinidad State Junior College beginning in the fall, couldn’t get any closer than 5 down the rest of the way.
“(Romano) played great,” said Ice, who finished third in the 2011 3A state high school tournament as a senior. “And this is the worst two rounds I’ve had all week. He was putting lights out. I’ve got to give it to him.
“I have no idea (why I didn’t play as well as I did earlier in the week). I started hitting the ball a lot better on the back nine of the second 18. But by then it was too late.”
Still, Ice (pictured below) took consolation in placing second in such a prestigious event.
“Honestly I’m really surprised (to be runner-up),” he said. “I shot 80 in the qualifier and I went into the first round of match play expecting to lose. So I’m not happy with (Friday’s) result, but I’m happy that I made it this far seeing that I didn’t even think I’d get past the first round.”
As for Romano, it was his first CGA championship and the biggest moment of his life in golf.
“This is by far my biggest golf accomplishment,” said Romano, who placed 15th last season in the 5A state high school championship. “I’ve won a few other smaller tournaments but this definitely is one of my majors this year. I’m happy to win it.”
Romano may not have been the biggest name in the Junior Match Play field, but unlike the other top seeds, he never faltered through the week.
“In match play it all depends on how everyone else does, but I thought if I played my game, no one can beat me,” he said.
And now he has a significant title to attach to his name as he heads into his senior year of high school and the thick of the college recruiting season.
“Hopefully this will open some eyes,” Romano said.
CGA Junior Match Play Championship
At Bear Creek GC in Denver
36-HOLE FINAL
Andrew Romano, Colorado GC, def. Jake Ice, Eaton CC, 7 and 5
SEMIFINALS
Jake Ice, Eaton CC def. Glenn Workman, Desert Hawk GC 5 and 4
Andrew Romano, Colorado GC def. Drew Vance, Raccoon Creek GC 2 and 1
QUARTERFINALS
Glenn Workman, Desert Hawk GC def. Jake Kelley, Pinehurst CC 3 and 1
Jake Ice, Eaton CC def. Braden Baer, Ranch CC 5 and 3
Andrew Romano, Colorado GC def. Ross Macdonald, The Ridge At Castle Pines North 1 up
Drew Vance, Raccoon Creek GC def. Jack Cummings, Omni Interlocken Resort GC 1 up
ROUND OF 16
Glenn Workman, Desert Hawk GC def. Chris Weinstein, Green Valley Ranch GC 2 and 1
Jake Kelley, Pinehurst CC def. Tyler Harrison, Hollydot GC 2 and 1
Jake Ice, Eaton CC def. Connor Klein, Lone Tree GC & Hotel 3 and 2
Braden Baer, Ranch CC def. Cole Nygren, Colorado National GC 1 up
Andrew Romano, Colorado GC def. Will Fowler, Bear Creek GC 2 and 1
Ross Macdonald, The Ridge At Castle Pines North def. Josh Gardella, Ridge at Castle Pines North 2 and 1
Drew Vance, Raccoon Creek GC def. Spencer Painton, Green Valley Ranch GC 4 and 3
Jack Cummings, Omni Interlocken Resort GC def. Ethan Freeman, Glenmoor CC 19 holes
ROUND OF 32
Glenn Workman, Desert Hawk GC def. Chase Federico, Elmwood GC 6 and 4
Chris Weinstein, Green Valley Ranch GC def. Ryan Smith, Aspen GC 4 and 3
Tyler Harrison, Hollydot GC def. Nathaniel Goddard, Ptarmigan CC 3 and 1
Jake Kelley, Pinehurst CC def. Jake Staiano, Glenmoor CC 4 and 3
Jake Ice, Eaton CC def. Jack Adolfson, The Fox Hill Club 22 holes
Connor Klein, Lone Tree GC & Hotel def. Josh Mclaughlin, Loveland 3 and 2
Cole Nygren, Colorado National GC def. Sean Kato, Highland Hills GC 5 and 4
Braden Baer, Ranch CC def. Kyler Dunkle, The Club at Pradera 3 and 2
Andrew Romano, Colorado GC def. Dylan Wonnacott, Fox Hill Club, The 5 and 3
Will Fowler, Bear Creek GC def. Hayden Nicholaides, South Suburban Family Sports 1 up
Josh Gardella, Ridge at Castle Pines North def. Gary Schlatter Jr., Glenmoor CC 2 up
Ross Macdonald, The Ridge At Castle Pines North def. Ryan Burke, Twin Peaks GC 2 and 1
Drew Vance, Raccoon Creek GC def. Dylan Mitchell, Lakewood CC 1 up
Spencer Painton, Green Valley Ranch GC def. Matthew Vacek, Indian Peaks GC 4 and 3
Ethan Freeman, Glenmoor CC def. Max Urman, Meridian GC 4 and 2
Jack Cummings, Omni Interlocken Resort GC def. Clayton Crawford, Maroon Creek Club 2 and 1
ROUND OF 64
Glenn Workman, Desert Hawk GC (64) def. Jesse Beetham, Aspen G&TC (1), 3 and 2
Chase Federico, Elmwood GC (32) def. James Clements, Broadlands GC (33), 2 and 1
Ryan Smith, Aspen GC (16) def. Tristan Rohrbaugh, Ironbridge GC (49), 20 holes
Chris Weinstein, Green Valley Ranch GC (17) def. Benjamin Moore, Glenmoor CC (48), 1 up
Nathaniel Goddard, Ptarmigan CC (8) def. Ben Schaefer, Columbine CC (57), 3 and 1
Tyler Harrison, Hollydot GC (25) def. Kobe Scott Padilla, Commonground GC (40), 4 and 3
Jake Staiano, Glenmoor CC (9) def. Pierce Aichinger, Bear Creek GC (56), 3 and 1
Jake Edward Kelley, Pinehurst CC (41) def. Colin Prater, Broadmoor GC (24), 3 and 2
Jack Adolfson, The Fox Hill Club (4) def. Austin Rowe, Columbine CC (61), 1 up
Jake Ice, Eaton CC (36) def. Jack Pedersen, Omni Interlocken Resort (29), 2 and 1
Josh Mclaughlin, Loveland (13) def. Quade Wesley Mitchell, Highlands Ranch GC (52), 21 holes
Connor Klein, Lone Tree GC & Hotel (20) def. Kyle Peterson, Hiwan GC (45), 3 and 1
Cole Nygren, Colorado National GC (5) def. Cameron Connor, Boulder CC (60), 5 and 4
Sean Kato, Highland Hills GC (37) def. Chris Beabout, South Suburban GC (28), 1 up
Braden Baer, Ranch CC (12) def. Matt Dalton, The CC at Castle Pines (53), 5 and 3
Kyler Dunkle, The Club at Pradera (21) def. Hunter Lee, Highlands Ranch GC (44), 3 and 2
Andrew Romano, Colorado GC (2) def. Eli Schoenbeck, Desert Hawk GC (63), 3 and 1
Dylan Wonnacott, Fox Hill Club, The (31) def. Davis Kigin, Legacy Ridge GC (34), 6 and 5
Hayden Nicholaides, South Suburban Family Sports (15) def. Tyler Bricker, Ptarmigan CC (50), 2 and 1
Will Fowler, Bear Creek GC (47) def. Trevor Mckune, Pinehurst CC (18), 2 and 1
Josh Gardella, Ridge at Castle Pines North (7) def. Austin Powell, Park Hill GC (58), 7 and 6
Gary Schlatter Jr., Glenmoor CC (39) def. Chris Korte, The Links GC (26), 1 up
Ryan Burke, Twin Peaks GC (55) def. Kevin Wohlfarth, Green Valley Ranch G (10), 2 and 1
Ross Macdonald, The Ridge At Castle Pines North (42) def. Grant Rogers, Omni Interlocken Gol (23), 20 holes
Dylan Mitchell, Lakewood CC (3) def. Billy Ramsey, Lone Tree Mens GC (62), 4 and 3
Drew Vance, Raccoon Creek GC (35) def. Ethan Yamada, Omni Interlocken GC (30), 5 and 4
Matthew Vacek, Indian Peaks GC (51) def. Taylor Rodriguez, Elmwood GC (14), 6 and 5
Spencer Painton, Green Valley Ranch GC (19) def. Peyton Lindbloom, Thorncreek GC (46), 4 and 3
Ethan Freeman, Glenmoor CC (6) def. Grant Vanek, Lakewood CC (59), 8 and 7
Max Urman, Meridian GC (27) def. Andrew Howe, The Fox Hill Club (38), 3 and 2
Jack Cummings, Omni Interlocken Resort GC (11) def. Keegan Sheard, Applewood GC (54), 5 and 3
Clayton Crawford, Maroon Creek Club (43) def. Dallas Perrault, Heritage at Westmoor (22), 2 and 1
STROKE-PLAY QUALIFYING
Advanced to Match Play
Jesse Beetham, Aspen G& TC – 35-35–70
Andrew Romano, Colorado GC – 35-36–71
Dylan Mitchell, Lakewood CC – 36-36–72
Jack Adolfson, The Fox Hill Club – 37-35–72
Cole Nygren, Colorado National GC – 38-35–73
Ethan Freeman, Glenmoor CC – 37-36–73
Josh Gardella, Ridge at Castle Pines North – 34-39–73
Nathaniel Goddard, Ptarmigan CC – 36-37–73
Jake Staiano, Glenmoor CC – 35-39–74
Kevin Wohlfarth, Green Valley Ranch GC – 37-37–74
Jack Cummings, Omni Interlocken Resort GC – 38-37–75
Braden Baer, Ranch CC – 39-37–76
Josh Mclaughlin, Loveland – 37-39–76
Taylor Rodriguez, Elmwood GC – 39-37–76
Hayden Nicholaides, South Suburban Family Sports – 38-38–76
Ryan Smith, Aspen GC – 41-35–76
Chris Weinstein, Green Valley Ranch GC – 37-39–76
Trevor Mckune, Pinehurst CC – 39-37–76
Spencer Painton, Green Valley Ranch GC – 33-44–77
Connor Klein, Lone Tree GC & Hotel – 35-42–77
Kyler Dunkle, The Club at Pradera – 36-41–77
Dallas Perrault, Heritage at Westmoor – 35-42–77
Grant Rogers, Omni Interlocken GC – 38-39–77
Colin Prater, Broadmoor GC – 39-39–78
Tyler Harrison, Hollydot GC – 38-40–78
Chris Korte, The Links GC – 39-39–78
Max Urman, Meridian GC – 38-40–78
Chris Beabout, South Suburban GC – 39-39–78
Jack Pedersen, Omni Interlocken Resort – 41-37–78
Ethan Yamada, Omni Interlocken GC – 34-45–79
Dylan Wonnacott, Fox Hill Club, The – 38-41–79
Chase Federico, Elmwood GC – 42-37–79
James Clements, Broadlands GC – 38-41–79
Davis Kigin, Legacy Ridge GC – 43-36–79
Drew Vance, Raccoon Creek GC – 39-41–80
Jake Ice, Eaton CC – 41-39–80
Sean Kato, Highland Hills GC – 41-39–80
Andrew Howe, The Fox Hill Club – 38-42–80
Gary Schlatter Jr., Glenmoor CC – 42-38–80
Kobe Scott Padilla, Commonground GC – 41-39–80
Jake Edward Kelley, Pinehurst CC – 37-43–80
Ross Macdonald, The Ridge At Castle Pines North – 38-43–81
Clayton Crawford, Maroon Creek Club – 41-40–81
Hunter Lee, Highlands Ranch GC – 39-42–81
Kyle Peterson, Hiwan GC – 40-41–81
Peyton Lindbloom, Thorncreek GC – 39-42–81
Will Fowler, Bear Creek GC – 43-38–81
Benjamin Moore, Glenmoor CC – 41-40–81
Tristan Rohrbaugh, Ironbridge GC – 39-42–81
Tyler Bricker, Ptarmigan CC – 39-43–82
Matthew Vacek, Indian Peaks GC – 40-42–82
Quade Wesley Mitchell, Highlands Ranch GC – 43-39–82
Matt Dalton, The CC at Castle Pines – 40-42–82
Keegan Sheard, Applewood GC – 41-41–82
Ryan Burke, Twin Peaks GC – 42-41–83
Pierce Aichinger, Bear Creek GC – 42-41–83
Ben Schaefer, Columbine CC – 40-43–83
Austin Powell, Park Hill GC – 43-40–83
Grant Vanek, Lakewood CC – 41-42–83
Cameron Connor, Boulder CC – 42-42–84
Austin Rowe, Columbine CC – 41-43–84
Billy Ramsey, Lone Tree Mens GC – 41-43–84
Eli Schoenbeck, Desert Hawk GC – 40-44–84
Glenn Workman, Desert Hawk GC – 43-41–84
Failed to Qualify
Joey Muckler, Meridian GC – 39-46–85
Trevor Glen, Thorncreek GC – 43-42–85
Erik Young, Commonground GC – 43-42–85
Ethan Fisher, South Suburban GC – 40-45–85
Dylan Gregory Swanson, Pueblo CC – 40-45–85
Kyle Murray, Heritage at Westmoor – 39-47–86
Garrett Jones, Westwoods GC – 42-44–86
Jackson Vacek, Harmony Club – 40-46–86
Evan Buchalski, Loveland Mens Golf Assoc – 42-44–86
Samuel Toillion, Ute Creek GC – 43-43–86
Cody Leis, The Club at Pradera – 41-45–86
John Hadfield, South Suburban GC – 45-42–87
Joe Lee, Greeley CC – 41-46–87
Bretton Krantz, Ptarmigan CC – 43-44–87
Ben Robinson, Red Sky GC – 43-45–88
Kevin Klatman, Boulder CC – 42-46–88
Dylan Rakowski, Ironbridge GC – 43-45–88
Marc Gordon, Aspen GC – 44-44–88
Cole Cunningham, Valley CC – 42-47–89
Peter Hassan, Lake Valley GC – 42-47–89
Tyler Smiens, Broadlands GC – 44-45–89
Austin Hardman, Highlands Ranch GC – 45-44–89
Matt Bell, Harmony Club – 43-47–90
Alec Poorman, Flatirons Golf Cour – 48-43–91
Connor Alexander, Castle Pines GC – 43-49–92
Robert Morris Pettit, Ironbridge GC – 50-43–93
Kyle Kleckner, Cherokee Ridge GC – 48-48–96
Payton Devencenty, Green Valley Ranch GC – 51-46–97
Sam Benavram, Saddle Rock GC – 46-55–101
Darren Kasischke, Lakewood CC – 51-51–102
Alex Beaudoin, Pinery CC – NS
Ryan Schmitz, Colorado GC – NS