The way Guy and Nick Mertz started Sunday’s final round, it didn’t look particularly promising for the duo from The Fox Hill Club to win the 36th CGA Parent/Child Championship.
But after being 3 over par through their first four holes at Keystone Ranch Golf Course, the Mertzes righted the ship in a hurry, and a stellar finishing stretch in the alternate-shot format used on Sunday netted them the title by a wide margin.
The Mertzes (left) played their final eight holes in 3 under par to shoot an even-par 72, making them one of just two teams to post a score under 76 in foursomes stroke play on Sunday. They finished with a 2-under-par 141 total, good for a four-stroke victory.
“We’ve been trying to win this one so it’s pretty special,” said Guy Mertz, who now owns four CGA titles, including the 1988 Public Links and the 2010 Senior Match Play. “We’ve come close a couple of times a while back when Nick was playing more golf (finishing third in 2009 and fifth in 2006). So this was pretty unexpected. Nick hasn’t been playing as much, being a working man now. But I’d put this up there with any of the wins I’ve ever had, maybe above them all. When you win with your son it means more than just winning by yourself.”
The Mertzes went into the final day three strokes out of the top spot, but outscored Matt Porter of Pueblo Country Club and Grant Porter of CommonGround Golf Course, who led after the Day 1 modified Chapman format for the second consecutive year.
This time, the Porters carded a second-round 79 to tie for second place at 2-over 145. Also at that figure were Garrett and Scot Mortimer of Colorado National Golf Club, who had the best round on Sunday, a 71.
Four-time champions Gary and Alex Kephart finished fourth as a 78 on Sunday left them at 146.
In the net division, Bill and Steele Luoma, who led by six after round 1, held on to earn a three-stroke victory. They posted a 1-over 73 on Sunday to check in at 130. Tying for second at 133 were the Mortimers, and Russell Roehrkasse of Colorado Springs Country Club and Christopher Roehrkasse of Meridian Golf Club. The Mortimers netted a 65 on Sunday and the Roehrkasses a 70.
Another Luoma team — former University of Colorado golfer John and son Chase — landed the Loel & Caleb Lierman Award, which is given to to the team that includes a player 18 or younger with the lowest 36-hole gross score. John and Chase Luoma (left) had a total of 161 (77-84), placing 24th overall.
Meanwhile, Nick (short for Nicklaus) and Guy Mertz finished Sunday with five birdies and five bogeys.
While Guy Mertz still plays a lot of golf — the 59-year-old from Longmont finished 41st Friday in the CoBank Colorado Senior Open and he and Tony Workman were runners-up in a playoff in the CGA Senior Four-Ball last month — son Nick doesn’t get on the course much anymore. That’s especially the case since the birth of his first child, daughter Remington, four months ago.
“Whenever Nick was getting worried about a shot or whatever, I’d tell him, ‘You know, Remington is not going to care if you hit a bad shot. Don’t worry about it,'” Guy said.
And the result was the biggest win of Nick’s career. And it came after he and his dad had teamed up a dozen times or more for this event, but never before for a victory.
“This is definitely my biggest accomplishment in golf,” the 28-year-old from Broomfield said. “I was a good golfer growing up in high school and into college and I’d play all the time. I had a couple of CJGA wins growing up.
“Back then (in this event), we probably put too much pressure on ourselves, thinking that we were going to go out and win it. I play golf maybe once or twice a month at most now. We were able to go out there and try to have a good time and not even think we were going to win. I think that helped us play better than we’ve done in the past.”
Indeed, even with their strong finish, Nick Mertz didn’t believe his team was going to win on Sunday. And though Guy felt they had a chance after Nick pitched to 1 foot for a birdie Guy converted on their 18th hole Sunday, dad thought that the odds were against them.
“Our expectations were really lowered the last couple of years because Nick hasn’t been playing as much,” Guy Mertz said. “And there are some pretty good players — the Nosewiczes (Nick and Lenny) and the Porters and the Kepharts are always tough to beat and they seem to win most of the time.”
But starting on hole 12 — the Mertzes began on No. 2 — things started to go their way. Nick made an 8-foot birdie on 12, Guy sank an 18-foot birdie on 13, and Guy holed a 20-footer for par on 16, in addition to their final-hole birdie on No. 1.
And shortly thereafter, after all the scores had been posted, the Mertzes had that trophy that had long eluded them.
“It’s a great tournament because they have it at such cool sites,” Guy Mertz said. “We look forward to it every year because it gives us a chance to get together, especially now that he’s a dad and has less time. This is always penciled into the schedule.”
]]>But coming on the heels of the 2016 death of someone very special to both of them — Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Ed Nosewicz, Lenny’s dad and Nick’s grandad — took it to another level.
“If it wasn’t for grandpa, neither of us would have played golf,” Nick Nosewicz said on Sunday afternoon. “If if wasn’t for grandpa, I wouldn’t have dad. So the whole tournament was pretty special.
“Honestly, I think the only reason we came up here was because of what happened last year, losing grandpa, and trying to continue the Nosewicz legacy. At a state level, that’s cool.”
The Nosewicz clan is widely known in Colorado golf circles. Nick Nosewicz won one of the CGA’s top championships, the Match Play, in 2015. And his dad Lenny has owned Lenny’s Golf in Aurora for more than three decades.
The Nosewiczes (pictured, with Lenny at left) were the only team to break par in the foursome stroke play (alternate shot) format used for Sunday’s final round at the Tom Weiskopf-designed Frost Creek course. That gave them a 10-under 134 total, good for a seven-stroke victory over 2016 champions Ray and Jimmy Makloski of Pueblo Country Club, who closed with a 73.
Nick and Debbie Leibold of Columbine Country Club came in third at 142 after a second-round 72. First-round leaders Grant and Matt Porter of CommonGround Golf Course (79 Sunday) tied for fourth at 143 with former CGA president Bill Fowler and son Will of The Club at Rolling Hills (77).
The Nosewiczes, who were one stroke out of the lead going into the final round, made five birdies and two bogeys in their 69 on Sunday to give themselves a comfortable margin of victory.
It was the first CGA championship for Lenny Nosewicz, 60, and the second for Nick, 33. Ed Nosewicz was 91 when he passed away on July 27.
“It’s a great feeling to win, especially with Nick as a partner,” Lenny said. “You just let him play. But this was my first victory (in a CGA championship), and it feels pretty good.”
With Lenny missing just one fairway in two days and Nick providing some firepower, they were a formidable combination at Frost Creek.
“Alternate shot is a very difficult format,” Nick Nosewicz said. “It’s not every day you play in a true alternate shot. I was pretty nervous going into it. We both hit it well and put it in position to give ourselves chances. We made a lot of pars. In alternate shot, par is a really good score.”
Nick Nosewicz noted that he and his dad won a few father/son titles together in club events held at Bear Creek Golf Club many years ago.
“But I didn’t know if we had the game that was good enough to travel, especially at the state level,” he said. “I’ve always known my dad was a good player. He doesn’t miss a fairway; I’m not accustomed to that.
“(Overall), this was awesome. Anytime you can play with your dad, it’s a treat, and when you’re playing in a state championship with your old man, it’s even better. Winning is a dream come true.”
On Sunday, the Nosewicz team also had the low net score for the Parent/Child — 22-under-par 122. Second were John and Steele Luoma of Colorado Golf Club (125).
Meanwhile, earning the Loel & Caleb Lierman Award — which is presented to the team that includes a player 18 or younger who has the lowest gross score — were Kyle and 17-year-old Drew Anderson, of Clubcorp Colorado and Canongate Colorado, respectively. They tied for ninth overall at 146 (70-76).
For all the scores from the CGA Parent/Child, CLICK HERE.
]]>Ray and Jimmy Makloski of Pueblo Country Club, both winners of other CGA championships, will defend their title this weekend, with Jimmy competing in his final tournament as an amateur before turning pro. Other recent winners of the event who are entered include Chris and Steve Dillon (2014), Nick and Rick Tarasiewicz (2013), and four-time champions Gary and Alex Kephart (2005, ’07, ’10 and ’11).
Also signed up this year are Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Gary Potter and son Matt, a former University of Colorado golfer and winner of the 1984 CGA Amateur. The Potters won the Parent/Child (then known as the Father/Son) in the first two years the championship was held, 1983 and ’84.
Likewise scheduled to play are Nick Nosewicz (2015 CGA Match Play champ) and Lenny Nosewicz, Bill Fowler (2015 CGA Senior Amateur winner) and Will Fowler, and Guy Mertz (2010 CGA Senior Match Play champ) and Nicklaus Mertz.
The Parent/Child is open to a father/son, father/daughter, mother/son or mother/daughter, and grandparents may compete with their grandchildren.
The format for the 36-hole event is a modified Chapman on Saturday and foursome stroke play (alternate shot) on Sunday.
In all, 64 teams are entered.
For first-round pairings, CLICK HERE.
In sports, it’s often not how you start, but how you finish that’s most important.
For that, Ray and Jimmy Makloski of Pueblo Country Club are thankful.
The Makloskis trailed 2015 CGA Father/Son champions Jason and Kyler Dunkle of the Club at Pradera by three shots going into Sunday’s final round of the inaugural CGA Parent/Child Championship at Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club in Steamboat Springs. And after opening with a triple bogey in Sunday’s foursomes stroke play format, and the Dunkles making a birdie on No. 2, the Dunkles’ lead stood at a whopping seven shots.
But the Makloskis, who each won a significant CGA individual title in 2012, not only made up that deficit, but Jimmy Makloski drained a 7-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to give him and his dad the title.
The Makloskis closed with an even-par 72 after posting a 67 in Saturday’s Chapman Scotch format to finish at 5-under 139. A year after beating the Makloskis by five in the CGA Father/Son, the Dunkles carded a 76 Sunday — making three double bogeys in a five-hole stretch in the middle of the round — to check in at 140.
Jimmy Makloski and Kyler Dunkle were Colorado State University teammates last season, but Dunkle has since left the program.
“Especially after being close last year, we put this one on the calendar wanting to get it,” said Jimmy Makloski, winner of the 2012 CGA Junior Stroke Play.
“This means probably even more than (an individual title),” added Ray Makloski, the 2012 CGA Senior Match Play winner. “To be able to do it with your son, I’m almost as proud of this as I am of any championship (I’ve won).”
The Makloskis (left and above) posted five birdies, two bogeys and the triple bogey in the final round. They played the final four holes in 3 under par, while the Dunkles were 1 over on the same stretch, though they did likewise birdie No. 18.
Tying for a distant third Sunday — at 150 — were four-time champions Gary and Alex Kephart of Colorado Springs, and Bill and Will Fowler of the Club at Rolling Hills. In the last nine months, Bill Fowler has won the CGA Senior Stroke Play and the CGA Senior Four-Ball (with Robert Polk).
The Makloskis’ play down the stretch proved the difference at Rollingstone Ranch. In addition to their three birdies in the last four holes, they got up and down for par from a bunker on 17.
On both 15 and 16, the Makloskis picked up two shots per hole on the Dunkles.
“On 15 and 16 when we were making birdies, they we making bogeys,” Jimmy Makloski said. “Those two holes were pretty big.”
Even when they trailed the 2015 Father/Son champions by seven with 16 holes left, the Makloskis felt they had a chance.
“On this course with this format, there’s so many OBs and hazards, you’ve got to play smart and keep it pretty straight,” Ray Makloski noted. “So I knew if they had any problems at all, we could try to claw our way back into it.
“We finally got even with them (after 10 holes), then we hit it out of bounds (on 13) and they picked up two from us,” Ray Makloski said. “We were fortunate enough to make three birdies coming in and got the job done.”
Sunday marked the third CGA title for Ray Makloski, 56, and the second for Jimmy, 21.
While the Makloskis claimed the overall championship on Sunday, the Dunkles earned the victory in the net division with a 6-under-par 138 total.
The Loel and Caleb Lierman Award, given to the team with a player 18 or younger which has the lowest gross score, went to Chris and Cole Reister (left), who came in at 180 for 36 holes.
Forty-six twosomes competed in the first Parent/Child, where the teams could consist of a father/son, father/daughter, mother/son, mother/daughter, or grandparent/grandchild.
For Liza Bollinger’s photos from Sunday at the Parent/Child, CLICK HERE.
CGA Parent/Child Championship
At Par-72 Rollingstone Ranch GC in Steamboat Springs
Ray Makloski / James Makloski 67-72–139
Dr. Jason Dunkle / Kyler Dunkle 64-76–140
Bill Fowler / Will Fowler 71-79–150
Gary Kephart / Alex Kephart 70-80–150
Bradley Becker / David Becker 77-74–151
Larry Netherton / Steven Netherton 71-80–151
Bruce Hogg / Tyler Hogg 77-75–152
Daniel Maurer / Jim Maurer 76-78–154
Ben W Zimmerman / Paul Zimmerman 75-80–155
Grant Porter / Matt Porter 70-85–155
Pierce Trumper / Rocci Trumper 73-82–155
Chris Dillon / Steve Dillon 73-83–156
Kyle Peterson / Chris Peterson 77-79–156
Chuck Delich / Philip Delich 77-80–157
Chris Roehrkasse / Russell L Roehrkasse 71-87–158
Randy Rouse / Reid Rouse 74-84–158
Bob Cloud / Aaron Cloud 73-87–160
David Livingston / Thomas Livingston 77-85–162
Brandon McElhiney / Paul McElhiney 77-86–163
Andy Titterton / Kevin Titterton 78-86–164
Erik Patterson / Zach Patterson 79-86–165
Steve Windom / David Windom 76-89–165
Jeff Cummings / Jack Cummings 81-85–166
Daniel Becker / Robert Swift 77-90–167
Eric Scanniello / Mark Scanniello 76-91–167
Mark Strubel / Chris Strubel 78-89–167
Ben Hettich / Ryan Hettich 77-92–169
Gary Cowan / Corbin T Cowan 78-91–169
Tad Griffin / Patrick Griffin 82-87–169
Jeffrey Eitel / Danny Eitel 79-91–170
Ken Harris / David Harris 83-87–170
Larry Michaels / Greg Michaels 82-88–170
Mark Boscoe / Sam Ethan Boscoe 78-92–170
Geoff Nuwash / Norm Nuwash 82-89–171
Mikal Otten / Russell Otten 80-91–171
Don Alley / Eric Young 76-96–172
James Steigerwald / Cody Steigerwald 81-91–172
Jim Chaldekas / Greer Chaldekas 82-90–172
Dennis Weber / Andrew Weber 86-90–176
Jess Whittlef / Scott Whittlef 84-93–177
Derek Serlet / Mike Serlet 82-97–179
Chris Reister / Cole Reister 87-93–180
Mike Ballard / Mr. Jack Ballard 98-95–193
Stephen Reister / Brodie Reister 96-105–201
Wade T Pinkerton / Matthew Pinkerton 98-105–203
John Marasco / Mackenzie Marasco 87-DQ
The Dunkles, who won the 2015 Father/Son by five strokes, shot an 8-under-par 64 Saturday in a Chapman Scotch format at Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club, giving them a three-stroke advantage heading into Sunday’s final round in Steamboat Springs.
The Dunkles finished Day 1 with an eagle — on the 564-yard 10th hole — go to along with seven birdies and a bogey.
Ray and Jimmy Makloski, each of whom have won CGA individual titles, sit in second place after a 67 on Saturday. Last season, Jimmy Makloski was a Colorado State University teammate of Kyler Dunkle, who won the 2012 5A state high school title. The Makloskis tied for second in last year’s Father/Son.
Two teams carded 70s on Saturday: four-time champions Gary and Alex Kephart, and Grant and Matt Porter.
The teams will switch to foursomes stroke play for Sunday’s final round.
Forty-six twosomes are competing in the first Parent/Child, where the teams can consist of a father/son, father/daughter, mother/son, mother/daughter, or grandparent/grandchild.
For photos from the CGA staff and interns Saturday at the Parent/Child, CLICK HERE.
CGA Parent/Child Championship
At Par-72 Rollingstone Ranch GC in Steamboat Springs
Jason Dunkle / Kyler Dunkle 32-32–64
Ray Makloski / James Makloski 33-34–67
Gary Kephart / Alex Kephart 32-38–70
Grant Porter / Matt Porter 35-35–70
Bill Fowler / Will Fowler 35-36–71
Chris Roehrkasse / Russell L Roehrkasse 34-37–71
Larry Netherton / Steven Netherton 34-37–71
Bob Cloud / Aaron Cloud 37-36–73
Chris Dillon / Steve Dillon 37-36–73
Pierce Trumper / Rocci Trumper 35-38–73
Randy Rouse / Reid Rouse 38-36–74
Ben W Zimmerman / Paul Zimmerman 38-37–75
Daniel Maurer / Jim Maurer 40-36–76
Don Alley / Eric Young 37-39–76
Eric Scanniello / Mark Scanniello 40-36–76
Steve Windom / David Windom 37-39–76
Ben Hettich / Ryan Hettich 39-38–77
Bradley Becker / David Becker 37-40–77
Brandon McElhiney / Paul McElhiney 38-39–77
Bruce Hogg / Tyler Hogg 37-40–77
Chuck Delich / Philip Delich 38-39–77
Daniel Becker / Robert Swift 36-41–77
David Livingston / Thomas Livingston 37-40–77
Kyle Peterson / Chris Peterson 40-37–77
Andy Titterton / Kevin Titterton 41-37–78
Gary Cowan / Corbin T Cowan 39-39–78
Mark Boscoe / Sam Ethan Boscoe 41-37–78
Mark Strubel / Chris Strubel 38-40–78
Erik Patterson / Zach Patterson 42-37–79
Jeffrey Eitel / Danny Eitel 41-38–79
Mikal Otten / Russell Otten 37-43–80
James Steigerwald / Cody Steigerwald 40-41–81
Jeff Cummings / Jack Cummings 41-40–81
Derek Serlet / Mike Serlet 41-41–82
Geoff Nuwash / Norm Nuwash 40-42–82
Jim Chaldekas / Greer Chaldekas 41-41–82
Larry Michaels / Greg Michaels 39-43–82
Tad Griffin / Patrick Griffin 42-40–82
Ken Harris / David Harris 42-41–83
Jess Whittlef / Scott Whittlef 41-43–84
Dennis Weber / Andrew Weber 44-42–86
Chris Reister / Cole Reister 42-45–87
John Marasco / Mackenzie Marasco 43-44–87
Stephen Reister / Brodie Reister 51-45–96
Mike Ballard / Mr. Jack Ballard 44-54–98
Wade T Pinkerton / Matthew Pinkerton 46-52–98
Forty-six teams — be they father/son, father/daughter, mother/son, mother/daughter, or grandparent-grandchild — will compete over 36 holes, with a Chapman Scotch format on Saturday and a Foursome Stroke Play (Scotch) on Sunday. There will be gross and net divisions.
Three past champions from the Father/Son are in the field — 2015 winners Jason and Kyler Dunkle, 2014 champs Chris and Steve Dillon, and four-time victors Gary and Alex Kephart, whose last win in the event came in 2011.
Among the other top entrants are Ray and Jimmy Makloski, and Bill and Will Fowler.
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