Now with Kyler, 18, being a golfer at Colorado State University, and a former 5A state high school champion, suffice it to say things were considerably different in the Dunkles’ return appearance at the Father/Son this weekend.
“He’s a much different golfer now than he was then,” Jason said of Kyler.
The team from the Club at Pradera cruised to the title Sunday at Ironbridge Golf Club in Glenwood Springs, tying for the largest victory margin in the event since 2005: five strokes.
The Dunkles backed up their first-round 63 — in a Chapman Scotch format — with a 4-over-par 76 in foursomes stroke play, also known as alternate shot. That gave them a 5-under 139 total, making them the only team to finish under par at Ironbridge.
For each of the Dunkles, it was CGA championship No. 1. So the emotions were much different than they were back in 2010 for their Father/Son debut.
“I remember on the second day that year, I played some of the worst golf I could have possibly played,” Kyler said Sunday. “It was kind of disappointing. But it’s good to come back and almost get some revenge.
“It’s fun for me because my dad is a great golfer and he always has been. It’s always been a competition between the two of us. This was kind of one time where we’d let the competition go and play together and compete against other guys. We were able to have a lot of fun up here. It was a weekend where we could relax and hang out and play some really solid golf.”
The Dunkles weren’t at their best at their end — they played their final 14 holes in 6 over par on Sunday — but considering they were 11 under for their first 22 holes, it didn’t matter in the least. They finished the second round with two birdies, two bogeys and two double bogeys.
The last bigger margin of victory in the Father/Son came in 2005, when Gary and Alex Kephart prevailed by eight. Rick and Nick Tarasiewicz also won by five, two years ago.
“There was certainly pressure today, but I didn’t feel like, ‘Wow, I hope we don’t screw this up,'” Jason Dunkle said. “When you’re 43 years old and you can hang out with your son for two days, there’s nothing better. Win, lose, draw, it was awesome.”
Kyler Dunkle claimed the 2012 5A state high school championship and redshirted this past season for CSU, leaving him four years of eligibility remaining. Jason played college golf for the University of Northern Colorado in the 1990s, and is a former head coach for the boys golf team at Rock Canyon High School, where he teaches.
“I’ve been a high school golf coach, so I’ve seen a lot of kids develop and it’s fun to see your son develop so you can go out and have a great time playing golf with him,” Jason said. Winning the title with him “is very meaningful.”
Ray and Jimmy Makloski of Pueblo Country Club, each a winner of a CGA individual championship in 2012, tied for second place on Sunday at even-par 144 with Chris and Russell Roehrkasse of Colorado Springs Country Club. The Makloskis closed with a 73 and the Roehrkasses with a 75.
The Kepharts, winner of this event a record four times, checked in at 146, in fourth place, after a 76 on Sunday.
Both the Dunkles point to their stellar 63 on Saturday — which gave them a six-stroke lead — as the key to their victory. In fact, Jason Dunkle said at one point in the round they entertained thoughts of shooting 59.
“I don’t want to say it was a fluke because we were both playing really well, but it really helps when you can start off strong and feed off each other’s energy,” Kyler said. “That’s exactly what we did. And if one of us hit a poor shot, we were able to pick each other up.”
Prevailing in the net division Sunday were Roehrkasses, who shot 66-72 for a 138 total. That was two better than the three team runners-up net-wise: Ben and Ryan Hettich (68-72) of Patty Jewett and Garden of the Gods Club, respectively; Joe and Peter Morrill of Eagle Ranch Golf Course (61-79); and Dennis and Andrew Weber of Hyland Hills (66-74).
The Loel and Caleb Lierman Award, given to the team with a player 18 or younger which has the lowest gross score, went to Dunkles.
CGA Father/Son Championship
At Par-72 Ironbridge GC in Glenwood Springs
Jason Dunkle / Kyler Dunkle 63-76–139
Chris Roehrkasse / Russell L Roehrkasse 69-75–144
Ray Makloski / Jimmy Makloski 71-73–144
Gary Kephart / Alex Kephart 70-76–146
Kent Moore / Steven Moore 73-74–147
Robert Barnhardt / Cameron Barnhardt 71-76–147
Scott Sullivan / Kyle Sullivan 72-77–149
Ben Hettich / Ryan Hettich 73-77–150
Bruce Hogg / Tyler Hogg 74-78–152
Bill Fowler / Will Fowler 72-80–152
Jim Chaldekas / Chase Chaldekas 74-81–155
Rick Tarasiewicz / Nick Tarasiewicz 74-82–156
Brian Jeffrey Smith / Kirk Smith 79-77–156
Mike Kuzava / Blake Kuzava 73-83–156
Kyle Peterson / Chris Peterson 73-85–158
Pierce Trumper / Rocci Trumper 72-86–158
Bob Cloud / Aaron Cloud 75-84–159
Steve Dillon / Chris Dillon 76-84–160
Chuck Delich / Philip Delich 78-83–161
David Livingston / Thomas Livingston 75-86–161
Rick Rosendahl / Mitch Rosendahl 78-84–162
Robert Ernst Clever / Rob Clever 75-87–162
Jeff Eitel / Danny Eitel 81-82–163
James Steigerwald / Tyler Steigerwald 78-86–164
Michael Davis / Jenkins Davis 79-85–164
Joe Morrill / Peter Morrill 73-91–164
Mark Strubel / Chris Strubel 76-88–164
Ken Harris / David Harris 79-86–165
Geoffrey Howe / Andrew Howe 80-86–166
Steve Windom / David Windom 76-90–166
Dennis Weber / Andrew Weber 79-87–166
Tyson Shinaut / Jim Shinaut 81-85–166
John Luoma / Bill Luoma 82-87–169
Scott Walter / Cody Walter 84-85–169
Erik Patterson / Zach Patterson 79-90–169
Bradley Becker / Daniel Becker 81-89–170
Carl Merkel / Nicholas Merkel 81-90–171
Jess Whittlef / Scott Whittlef 77-95–172
Kyle Anderson / Drew Anderson 77-97–174
Kelly McLendon / Kelly McLendon 82-94–176
John Marasco / Mackenzie Marasco 86-90–176
Jocko Kaliszewski / Lukas Kaliszewski 92-94–186
Warren Androus / Lyle Androus 87-103–190
Wade T Pinkerton / Matthew Pinkerton 95-98–193
Jeff Coleman / Bill Coleman 92-102–194
Warren Seese / Alex Seese 92-103–195
Mike Ballard / Mr. Jack Ballard 88-122–210
David R Williams / Chris Williams 80-NS
But while they’ve been consistent and determined, they hadn’t experienced the joy of being in contention in the tournament.
At least not until Sunday.
After finishing anywhere from 13th to 47th in the Father/Son since 2007, the Dillons (pictured) not only broke into the top 10 but claimed the very top spot in a field that features some pretty impressive names.
“This is the first year we actually performed up to our ability,” said Chris, who like his father is a product of Notre Dame. “We always thought we could win, but this time, we played solid golf — up to our potential. We played well at the right time and had a good time.”
Added Steve: “The neat thing is Chris can carry me around. In the past we’ve had some decent rounds in alternate shot (in the final round of the tournament), but we’ve been sloppy the last few years in Chapman (the first-day format).”
The Denver-area residents, who maintain their handicaps at CommonGround Golf Course, went wire-to-wire this year in winning the Father/Son Championship on Sunday.
A year after finishing 23rd in this event, the Dillons earned their first CGA championship victory. Not even a bogey-par-double bogey finish on Sunday at the Norman Course at Red Sky Golf Club in Wolcott could derail them on their path to victory.
With a 4-over-par 76 in deteriorating weather conditions — cool and sometimes windy and rainy — during Sunday’s foursomes (alternate shot), the Dillons posted a two-day total of 2-over 144. That gave the duo a one-stroke win over Doug and Tristan Rohrbaugh of Ironbridge Golf Club, who closed with a 75. Doug Rohrbaugh won the 2013 HealthOne Colorado Senior Open, and Tristan claimed the 3A state high school title last year.
Four-time champions Gary and Alex Kephart of Eisenhower Golf Club tied for third place at 147 with Bill and Will Fowler of the Club at Rolling Hills. Both teams posted a 78 on Sunday.
“Everyone struggled today,” said Steve Dillon, a Wasson High School graduate who played varsity golf for Notre Dame as a freshman. “It was wonderful being up here — and it was awesome playing two terrific courses this weekend — but it was challenging (weather) conditions today. The last three holes everyone was shivering.”
The Father/Son, which featured a 58-team field, was played at two different courses on the Western Slope. Beaver Creek Golf Club hosted the action on Saturday, when the format was a Chapman Scotch.
As you might imagine, winning a championship as a father/son team makes victory all the sweeter.
“It’s terrific,” said Steve Dillon, 54, who lives at the site of the old Green Gables Country Club. “We’ve played together since he was 3 or 4 (Chris is now 22). “I’ve won tournaments and he has too, but to win with him is special.”
Chris has won a CJGA tournament and he recorded a top-10 finish in the 2008 state high school meet while playing for Mullen, but teaming up with his dad for the victory on Sunday was an experience unlike any other.
“I’ve definitely always dreamed of winning this,” said Chris, who works at Sanctuary in Salida. “It’s something I’ll always remember, a dream come true.”
The Father/Son also featured a net division, which was won by Dallas and James Massey, who went 69-72 for a 141 total. (The Dillons had a 137 net total, but were limited to their gross division title.)
The Loel and Caleb Lierman Award, given to the team with a player 18 or younger which has the lowest gross score, went to Rohrbaughs.
CGA Father/Son Championship
Saturday Chapman Scotch at Par-70 Beaver Creek GC
Sunday Foursomes at Par-72 Norman Course at Red Sky GC in Wolcott
Steve Dillon / Chris Dillon 68-76–144
Doug Rohrbaugh / Tristan Rohrbaugh 70-75–145
Bill Fowler / Will Fowler 69-78–147
Gary Kephart / Alex Kephart 69-78–147
Dallas Massey / James Massey 74-76–150
Grant Porter / Matt Porter 73-80–153
Mac McDonald / Dillon McDonald 73-80–153
Kent Moore / Steven Moore 71-83–154
Guy Mertz / Nicklaus Mertz 73-83–156
Ben Zimmerman / Paul Zimmerman 72-85–157
Jeff Hanson / Collin Hanson 72-86–158
Mark Adolfson / Jack Adolfson 72-88–160
Matt Robinson / Ben Robinson 76-84–160
Robert Ernst Clever / Rob Clever 76-84–160
Bradley Becker / Daniel Becker 77-84–161
Tad Griffin / Patrick Griffin 80-82–162
Bruce Hogg / Tyler Hogg 79-84–163
Randy Rouse / Reid Rouse 74-89–163
John Luoma / Bill Luoma 78-86–164
Mark Strubel / Chris Strubel 78-86–164
Rick Tarasiewicz / Nick Tarasiewicz 74-90–164
Tad Willenbrock / Nick Willenbrock 73-91–164
Chuck Delich / Philip Delich 70-95–165
Greg Michaels / Larry Michaels 76-89–165
Ken Harris / David Harris 77-88–165
Andy Titterton / Kevin Titterton 75-91–166
Steve Windom / David Windom 84-85–169
Ryan Hettich / Ben Hettich 86-85–171
Bill Berger / Henry Haddon Berger 82-90–172
Mark Fowler / Brandon Fowler 77-96–173
James Steigerwald / Tyler Steigerwald 86-88–174
Robert Polk / Jason Polk 76-98–174
Eric Kurzweil / Sean Kurzweil 85-90–175
Jess Whittlef / Scott Whittlef 80-95–175
Joe Morrill / Peter Morrill 77-99–176
Tom Schouten / Derek Schouten 80-96–176
Norm Nuwash / Geoff Nuwash 79-98–177
Gary Thiret / Tyler Thiret 79-99–178
Colby Smith / Doug Skelton 78-101–179
Gary Driber / Brandon Driber 81-98–179
Thomas Scott Walter / Cody Walter 82-97–179
Brian Cramer / Arlo Cramer 84-96–180
Mark W Young / Erik Young 90-92–182
Bill Berech / Brock Berech 87-96–183
Jim Hollingsworth / Brian Hollingsworth 82-101–183
Kelly McLendon / Kelly McLendon 85-98–183
Jocko Kaliszewski / Lukas Kaliszewski 85-99–184
Mark Boscoe / Sam Ethan Boscoe 83-103–186
John Marasco / Mackenzie Marasco 83-108–191
Frank Erisman / Jacob Erisman 97-98–195
Paul Grant / Alex Grant 87-111–198
Matthew Pinkerton / Wade T Pinkerton 96-104–200
Steve J Bockenstedt / Scott Bockenstedt 97-105–202
Andrew Weber / Michael Weber 94-114–208
Bill Ramsey / Billy Ramsey 76-WD
Dave Usechek / Mr. Sean Usechek 84-WD
Jason Coffin / Dan Coffin 75-WD
Rick Rosendahl / Mitch Rosendahl 75-WD
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He made the first hole-in-one of his life when he drained a pitching wedge from 147 yards at Valley Hi Golf Course in Colorado Springs on June 1.
Six days later, Tarasiewicz celebrated his 24th birthday. Then on Sunday, he and his dad, Rick, won their first CGA championship by claiming the Father/Son title at the Golf Club at Redlands Mesa in Grand Junction.
“I’m starting out the summer right,” Nick said.
After being runner-up in this championship four years ago, the Tarasiewiczes were eager to move up to the top position — and they did just that.
“We’ve been playing this for six or seven years, and we finished second at Cougar Canyon (in 2009),” Rick Tarasiewicz said. “The No. 1 spot is a better feeling. It’s awesome.”
The Tarasiewiczes, who play out of Patty Jewett Golf Course, held off four-time champions Gary and Alex Kephart on Sunday to earn the Father/Son title.
The Tarasiewiczes, who led after the first round, shot an even-par 72 in Sunday’s foursomes (alternate-shot) format, giving them a five-stroke victory. They finished with a two-day total of 9-under-par 135 after firing a 63 in Saturday’s Chapman Scotch format.
The Colorado Springs residents overcame a triple-bogey 8 on the fifth hole Sunday.
“We were both concerned” after the snowman, Rick Tarasiewicz said. “But I said, ‘This is where champions show what they’re made of.'”
The Tarasiewiczes responded to the adversity by making birdies on each of the next three holes, sinking putts of 1, 8 and 20 feet in the process.
“Nick was putting lights out today,” said Rick, a 51-year-old Army retiree who was runner-up in the senior division of the Colorado Springs City Championship last year.
The Kepharts, from Eisenhower Golf Club, have won the Father/Son in 2005, ’07, ’10 and ’11, but they had to settle for runners-up this time around. Their 72 on Sunday left them with a 4-under 140 total for the weekend.
“As soon as the Kepharts said (congratulations), my dad got a little emotional,” Nick said. “He teared up a little.”
Nick Tarasiewicz is no stranger to high-level amateur competition. In fact, three years ago, he was a medalist in qualifying for the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship. This was likely his final CGA Father/Son as he’s tentatively planning to turn pro next month and get his feet wet on the Dakotas Tour.
Hayden and George Nicholaides of South Suburban Family Sports eagled the 10th hole and also fired a 72 on Sunday, giving them them third place at 142. They captured the Loel and Caleb Lierman Award, given to the team with a player 18 or under which has the best gross score.
Meanwhile, low-net honors on Sunday went to Brandon Warnke of Adobe Creek National Golf Course and Larry Warnke of Redlands Mesa, who were 13 under par for two days.
CGA Father/Son Championship
At Par-72 Golf Club at Redlands Mesa in Grand Junction
Rick Tarasiewicz / Nick Tarasiewicz 63-72–135
Gary Kephart / Alex Kephart 68-72–140
Hayden Nicholaides / George Nicholaides 70-72–142
Mark Miller / Morgan Miller 68-75–143
Stan Woodworth / Josh Woodworth 66-78–144
Dallas Massey / James Massey 73-72–145
Bruce Hogg / Tyler Hogg 72-74–146
Mark Fowler / Brandon Fowler 72-74–146
Bill Fowler / Will Fowler 67-80–147
Rick Rosendahl / Mitch Rosendahl 70-77–147
Bradley Becker / David Becker 74-78–152
Jeff Eitel / Mr. Danny Eitel 75-78–153
Randy Rouse / Reid Rouse 74-79–153
Gene Mccolley / Zac Mccolley 75-80–155
Patrick Griffin / Tad Griffin 75-80–155
Robert Barnhardt / Cameron Barnhardt 70-85–155
Ryan Hettich / Ben Hettich 73-82–155
Thomas E Moore / Benjamin Moore 73-82–155
Chuck Delich / Philip Delich 78-78–156
Brandon Warnke / Larry Warnke 75-82–157
David Livingston / Thomas Livingston 72-87–159
Jim Chaldekas / Chase Chaldekas 78-81–159
Steve Dillon / Chris Dillon 76-84–160
Colby Smith / Doug Skelton 75-87–162
Larry Phillips / Sam Phillips 78-84–162
Gregg Mueller / Terry Mueller 79-84–163
Ken Harris / David Harris 75-88–163
Derek Schouten / Tom Schouten 81-83–164
Don Alley / Eric B Young 73-91–164
James Steigerwald / Tyler Steigerwald 78-86–164
Larry Michaels / Greg Michaels 79-85–164
Jim Hollingsworth / Brian Hollingsworth 72-93–165
Brian Cramer / Arlo Cramer 81-85–166
Paul Grant / Alex Grant 79-88–167
Dennis Weber / Andrew Weber 82-87–169
John Luoma / Bill Luoma 80-89–169
Gary Driber / Brandon Driber 84-86–170
Harold Erker / Grant Erker 90-84–174
Jess Whittlef / Scott Whittlef 84-92–176
Mark Boscoe / Sam Ethan Boscoe 80-97–177
Warren Androus / Lyle Androus 88-94–182
Jocko Kaliszewski / Lukas Kaliszewski 87-96–183
Wade T Pinkerton / Matthew Pinkerton 81-104–185
Steve J Bockenstedt / Scott Bockenstedt 87-100–187
Warren Seese / Alex Seese 84-104–188
Dr. Michael Smith / Bob Smith 88-102–190
Jerry Holder / Charles Holder 87-107–194
Richard Defries / Hans Defries 93-101–194
John Marasco / Mackenzie Marasco 89-107–196
As starting goalie for the Regis Jesuit High School lacrosse team, Willenbrock had precious little time to practice golf this year until the lacrosse season was over. And with Regis making it to the state playoff semifinals, that wasn’t until May 16.
But if Willenbrock had a lot of rust on his golf game, he wasn’t letting on over this weekend. He and his dad, Tad, both of Glenmoor Country Club, birdied the last three holes Sunday to win the CGA Father/Son Championship by one stroke at Golf Granby Ranch.
“It’s my first event of the year and I only had a couple of days of practice,” Nick Willenbrock said by phone after Sunday’s victory. “It was nice to pull it together.”
The Willenbrocks (pictured) entered the final round three strokes out of the lead, but their 1-under-par 71 Sunday in the foursome stroke play format was enough to overtake first-day leaders Chris and John Hyten of Silver Spruce Golf Course.
The champions finished the two-day competition with a 4-under-par 140, which was a stroke better than the Hytens (75 Sunday) and 2002 winners Jason and Dan Coffin (74, which included a triple bogey).
Former CGA president Bill Fowler and his son Will took fourth place at 142 after a final-round 74.
Gary and Alex Kephart of Eisenhower Golf Club, winners of a record four Father-Son titles, tied for seventh place at even-par 144.
Sunday marked Tad Willenbrock’s second CGA championship as he won the 2007 CGA Four-Ball with David Williams.
“This feels great,” Tad Willenbrock said. “We played two years ago at Eagle Ranch (finishing seventh) and it was fun to be back. And now that we’re comparable (as players), that makes a difference. It was a lot of fun to play with him before he goes off to college. It was fun. We had a great time.”
Nick Willenbrock, 18, a recent Regis graduate, plans to walk on the golf team at the University of Virginia in a few months. A product of his dad’s coaching on the golf course, Nick was a varsity player for the Regis golf team that won the 5A state title the last two years, though he didn’t personally make the four-man state team those seasons.
Despite Nick’s aptitude at both golf and lacrosse, he said, “I like golf more. It seems to fit me better.”
CGA Father/Son Championship
At Par-72 Golf Granby Ranch in Granby
Tad Willenbrock / Nick Willenbrock 69-71–140
Chris Hyten / John Hyten 66-75–141
Jason Coffin / Dan Coffin 67-74–141
Bill Fowler / Will Fowler 68-74–142
Bruce Hogg / Tyler Hogg 72-71–143
Ken Harris / David Harris 68-75–143
Gary Kephart / Alex Kephart 70-74–144
Randy Rouse / Reid Rouse 69-75–144
Jim Chaldekas / Chase Chaldekas 70-75–145
Chuck Delich / Philip Delich 68-78–146
Dallas Massey / James Massey 71-76–147
Grant Porter / Matt Porter 71-76–147
Jim Maurer / Daniel Maurer 69-78–147
Wes Martin / James F Martin 73-74–147
Sam Solomon / Mitchel Solomon 71-77–148
Nick Tarasiewicz / Rick Tarasiewicz 70-79–149
Steve Dillon / Chris Dillon 73-76–149
David Livingston / Thomas Livingston 71-79–150
Bradley Becker / David Becker 71-81–152
Rob Clever / Robert Ernst Clever 71-81–152
Ben Zimmerman / Paul Zimmerman 75-78–153
Guy Mertz / Nicklaus Mertz 78-76–154
John Scott / John A Scott 71-83–154
Bill Bent / Ryan Bent 78-77–155
Gary Thiret / Tyler Thiret 71-84–155
Gary Mercer / Preston Mercer 76-80–156
Doug Moore / Nick Moore 77-80–157
Gene Mccolley / Zac Mccolley 77-80–157
Don Deere / Ted Deere 76-82–158
Kevin Scott Roxburgh / Clinton R. Roxburgh 73-85–158
Larry Michaels / Greg Michaels 78-81–159
Mark Fowler / Brandon Fowler 78-81–159
Mick Maillot / Sean Maillot 70-89–159
Arnold F Weinstein / Chris Weinstein 77-83–160
Brian Cramer / Arlo Cramer 78-82–160
Rick Rosendahl / Mitch Rosendahl 79-82–161
Bill Berech / Brock Berech 81-83–164
Geoff Nuwash / Norm Nuwash 80-84–164
Jess Whittlef / Scott Whittlef 81-83–164
Ben Hettich / Ryan Hettich 72-93–165
Carl Merkel / Nicholas Merkel 80-86–166
James Steigerwald / Tyler Steigerwald 81-85–166
Jim Zetwick / Ryan Zetwick 83-84–167
Tom J Ptach / Scott Ptach 82-85–167
Matthew Pinkerton / Wade T Pinkerton 80-92–172
Warren Seese / Alex Seese 81-92–173
Dennis Weber / Andrew Weber 78-100–178
Scott Bockenstedt / Steve J Bockenstedt 89-94–183
Tony Sangchompuphen / Pyungsak Sangchompuphen 92-106–198
Chris Bledsoe / Nash Bledsoe 80-WD
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