Since Sean Forey started competing in the CGA Super-Senior Stroke Play in 2013, he’d pretty much run the gamut of top-five finishes, with one notable exception.
The golfer from The Club at Rolling Hills was second in 2016, third in 2014 (one shot out of a playoff), fourth in 2013 and fifth last year.
And as for that one exception, he cleared that from the books on Thursday at Perry Park Country Club in Larkspur.
The 65-year-old led wire-to-wire in this week’s 36-hole championship, eventually winning by four shots.
“I’ve been so close so many times, so it’s nice to win this,” he said. “As you get a little older, you think your chances go down a little bit. But I’ve been there in the hunt in just about every one of these. So it does make it sweeter to get it done.”
Forey (pictured above and below) shot the low score each day — a 1-over-par 73 on Wednesday and a 74 in windy conditions on Thursday — to post a 3-over 147 total in the tournament for players 62 and older.
Forey, the CGA Senior Player of the Year in 2010 and a two-low amateur in the Colorado Senior Open, made two birdies and four bogeys on Thursday and was never seriously threatened down the stretch.
Rick George of Castle Pines Golf Club, a one-time runner-up in the CGA Mid-Amateur, lost some ground with a double-bogey 7 on the fourth hole, but made two birdies, shot 77 and finished second at 151.
“(Sean) got ahead by three or four shots. It was never really close,” the 66-year-old George said. “Sean played good. Hats off to him.”
As for his runnerup showing, George noted, “I’ve been working on my game and been seeing some progress. I’m pleased. You always look back on what you didn’t do, but I’m pleased. It’s something to build on.”
Three former champions were next on the leaderboard. Kary Kaltenbacher of Glenmoor Country Club, the Super-Senior Stroke Play winner in 2014, recorded consecutive 76s and checked in third at 152. Gary Albrecht of CommonGround Golf Course, the defending champ, and 2015 winner Robert Polk of Colorado Golf Club shared fourth place at 154, likewise after 76s on Thursday.
In the end, Forey’s putting might have made the difference. A member at Rolling Hills, which features some of the toughest greens in the state, Forey three-putted just twice in 36 holes at Perry Park.
“These greens are difficult to put the ball in the hole,” the Morrison resident said. “It’s really hard to make birdies. I don’t think there’s any doubt that the reason I did well is that I only had two three-putts in two days. Some of the guys had four a day. That comes from (playing at) Rolling Hills. We putt on severe greens there.”
Donnellan Claims 72-and-Over Title in First CGA Event: In the 72-and-older division, Shaun Donnellan of Maroon Creek Club in Aspen, who was competing in his first CGA championship, earned the title.
The native of South Africa (left), who now splits time between Aspen and Vero Beach, Fla., rallied from a two-stroke deficit after Wednesday to win by two on Thursday.
“This was my first CGA championship. You get emails from the Colorado Golf Association, but I could never fit it in with my schedule” until this year.
“It’s just fun still playing competitive golf. I don’t play as much (tournament golf) as I’d like — probably four or five events a year.”
Donnellan, a 73-year-old who competed in the British Amateur 50 years ago this summer, posted rounds of 76-77 for a 9-over-par 153 total. Belying his age, he drove the 303-yard seventh hole (his 16th on Thursday) and two-putted for birdie before closing with consecutive bogeys.
First-round leader Roger Gunderson of CommonGround Golf Course took a triple-bogey 7 on the 15th hole — his sixth — after going out of bounds and struggled to an 81. He shared second place in the division with two-time defending champion Don Alley of Antler Creek Golf Course (77 Thursday, also including a triple bogey) and Bob Sims of Clubcorp Colorado (78).
For scores from the CGA Super-Senior Stroke Play, click on 62-AND-OVER, 72-AND-OVER.
]]>Sean Forey (left) of The Club at Rolling Hills, who twice has been low amateur at the Colorado Senior Open, grabbed the lead in the 62-and-older division, shooting a 1-over-par 73.
And Roger Gunderson of CommonGround Golf Course, who won both the CGA Senior Amateur and CGA Senior Match Play during the 1990s, opened with a 74 to take a two-shot advantage in the 72-plus “masters” division.
The final round of the 36-hole championship will be held on Thursday.
Forey made two birdies and three bogey on Wednesday to earn a one-shot lead.
Rick George of Castle Pines Golf Club sits in second place at 74, while Fred Brown of The Club at Carlton Woods near Houston carded a 75. Kary Kaltenbacher of Glenmoor Country Club, the 2014 champion, shares fourth place at 76 with Frank Hernandez of Highland Meadows Golf Course.
Defending champion Gary Albrecht of CommonGround started with a 78.
In the older age division, Gunderson recorded two birdies and four bogeys for his 74.
Shaun Donnellan of Maroon Creek Club was next best at 76, while Bob Sims of Clubcorp Colorado posted a 77.
Don Alley of Antler Creek Golf Course, winner of the older division the last two years, shot a 78 on Wednesday.
For scores from the CGA Super-Senior Stroke Play, click on 62-AND-OVER, 72-AND-OVER.
For Thursday’s tee times, CLICK HERE.
]]>The title will be settled over 36 holes in the event for players at least 62 years old. There will be a separate masters division for golfers 72 and older.
Past winners of the younger championship who are scheduled to compete at Perry Park include defending champion Gary Albrecht, Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Kent Moore (2016 champ), Robert Polk (2015), Kary Kaltenbacher (2014) and Jerry Kidney (2012).
Also planning to play are 2018 CGA Super-Senior Match Play champion Harry Johnson; Dave Brown, who finished runner-up to Johnson in that event; Robin Bradbury; Sean Forey; and Roger Gunderson.
Among the contestants in the masters division is Don Alley, a former pro who has won the last two titles in that tournament.
For Wednesday’s pairings, CLICK HERE.
On Wednesday, Gary Albrecht capped off a 72-hour stretch of golf that he won’t soon forget.
On Sunday, the Denver resident won the open-division club championship at CommonGround Golf Course, which is no small feat for a 61-year-old.
Three days later, Albrecht fended off a stiff challenge by Colorado Golf Hall of Famer — and defending champion — Kent Moore of Cherry Hills Country Club to earn a title in a CGA championship for the first time.
Albrecht (left and below), who’s a member at Ballyneal as well as CommonGround, shot a 3-under-par 33 on his final nine holes — and a 3-under 69 for the day — to edge Moore in the CGA Super-Senior Stroke Play at Buffalo Run Golf Course in Commerce City.
“It feels awesome,” said Albrecht, a private-practice attorney. “It feels great. It’s a very competitive group of super-senior players. I’m proud to come out in first. It’s been amazing.”
Albrecht, who qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur last year, sank a 25-foot birdie putt on No. 17 to go ahead by two, then made a knee-knocker for par — and the win — on the 18th after Moore had drained a 10-foot birdie.
In the cases of both of his wins in recent days, Albrecht had in mind the memory of a longtime friend, Tom Collins, who died early this year. They met as members at Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen in the late 1990s. Two months ago, Albrecht also participated in the Hundred Hole Hike at Ballyneal, playing 128 holes in a single day — all walking, covering about 38 miles in the process. In Albrecht’s case, the effort raised funds for the New York-based Double H Ranch, where Collins’ sons had attended Cindy’s Comfort Camp for kids with terminally ill parents.
“I played today with a golf ball with a logo on it in (Collins’) honor,” Albrecht noted. “I had (also) done it at CommonGround for the club championship. He’s been with me.”
At Buffalo Run, Albrecht finished with a 5-under-par 139 total, one ahead of Moore, who likewise closed with a 69 after birdies on Nos. 16 and 18 on Wednesday.
“He played great,” Moore said of Albrecht. “He almost never missed a shot. He missed one drive on the front and it cost him a bogey. Other than that, he was putting for birdie on every hole. He just played so steady and putted good. That was a delightful round to watch.
“(For me), it was a really good score for the way I hit it on the back. I’m disappointed to lose, but not disappointed in the scoring. Normally (Moore’s total) would win by two or three.”
In the three CGA super-senior individual championships in which Moore (below) has participated, he’s now finished first and second in the Super-Senior Stroke Play and first in the 2017 Super-Senior Match Play.
Although Albrecht was ahead most of the way on Wednesday, the long birdie putt he sank on 17 proved pivotal. Playing partner Sean Forey was on a similar line and putted first, just missing. Then Albrecht was dead-on.
“I know how great a player Kent is and he was right there,” Albrecht said. I hit a lot of good shots. I was a little disappointed in some of the putts I hit because I didn’t really have the pace. But the birdie putt on 17 was a huge one. I knew I needed to make it. I just saw the line and knocked it in.
“Yesterday I was trying to find break in putts and most of them were straight. That putt really was straight. I said, ‘You just have to trust that.’ I did, and it went right in the middle.”
This was the first time Albrecht had played in a CGA super-senior championship, but probably not the last.
“Maybe I just didn’t want to enter a super-senior event,” he said. “Maybe I was in denial a little bit. But these guys can golf. There’s a lot of really good golfers. Beating guys like Kent Moore and Robert Polk, that’s tough to do. They’ve won a lot of these events and they’re tournament-tested-tough players.”
Polk a three-time CGA Senior Player of the Year from Colorado Golf Club, placed third on Wednesday at 142 after finishing with a 68, the low round of the 61-plus championship. That means that members of the CGA’s volunteer Board of Governors went 1-2-3 in the association’s Super-Senior Stroke Play.
“We have a strong (board),” Albrecht noted. “We should have a Board of Governors golf event.”
Dave Runberg of CommonGround placed fourth in the 61-and-older division at 144 after a 71 on Wednesday.
In the 71-plus division, Don Alley (left) of Antler Creek Golf Course won for the second consecutive year. Alley, a former Colorado PGA professional who has had his amateur status reinstated, put together a stellar finish, playing his final eight holes in 6 under par. The 72-year-old from Colorado Springs made an eagle and four birdies during that stretch to shoot a 68, giving him a 3-under-par 141 total and a two-stroke victory.
“It feels wonderful, very surprising,” Alley said. “I came in here not playing well. I had a real rough winter. I got sick. I lost a lot of weight and a lot of stength, so I just haven’t been playing very well. I came in here with very low expectations. I didn’t play really well until the last nine. I got things going on the last nine and made some putts. I’m happy.”
As for the final-nine 31, Alley said, “It’s been a while since I’ve done that in a competitive event.”
It was the second CGA title for Alley, who served as a Colorado PGA professional for about two decades — including as general manager at the now-defunct Gleneagle Golf Club — and was president of the Section in the mid-1980s. He left the golf business and didn’t play the game for about a dozen years. But he received his amateur status back in the 1990s and now is going strong again.
Bob Sims of Clubcorp Colorado, who took a three-stroke lead into the final round, tied for second at 143 with Roger Gunderson of Aurora Hills Golf Course, a past winner of both the CGA Senior Amateur and Senior Match Play. Gunderson closed with a 69 and Sims with a 73.
(FYI: Starting in 2017, the age requirement for each CGA super-senior championship will go up by one year each year through 2021, when no one younger than 65 will be allowed to compete. Similarly, the minimum age for the older division will rise annually, with 75 and older being the criteria in 2021 and beyond.)
For Super-Senior Stroke Play scores, CLICK HERE.
]]>Albrecht (pictured), who qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur last year, shot a 2-under-par 70 to grab a one-stroke lead at the halfway point of the 61-and-older division. He made four birdies and two bogeys, and played his final three holes in 2 under par.
Moore, a Colorado Golf Hall of Famer seeking to win his third consecutive CGA super-senior individual championship, opened with a 71, making four birdies on the day. He shares second place with Sean Forey of The Club at Rolling Hills, who placed second to Moore in this tournament last year. Forey carded three birdies and bogeys on Tuesday.
Daniel Dymerski of Columbine Country Club sits in fourth place, two back of Albrecht. Dymerski posted a birdie, a bogey and 16 pars on Tuesday.
(FYI: Starting in 2017, the age requirement for each CGA super-senior championship will go up by one year each year through 2021, when no one younger than 65 will be allowed to compete.)
Meanwhile, in the 71-and-older division, Bob Sims of Clubcorp Colorado grabbed a three-stroke lead, Sims, winner of the CGA Super-Senior Match Play in 2012, fired a 2-under-par 70 on Tuesday, when he made four birdies.
Defending champion Don Alley of Antler Creek Golf Course and Jim Hotchkiss of Lakewood Country Club share second place in the older division at 73.
The final round for both divisions will take place on Wednesday. The 71-and-older leaders will tee off at 8:21 a.m., with the top threesome from the 61-and-older division starting at 8:30 a.m.
For Super-Senior Stroke Play scores, CLICK HERE.
]]>What’s not to like?
He’s competed in two — the 2016 CGA Super-Senior Stroke Play and the 2017 Super-Senior Match Play — and has won them both.
The Colorado Golf Hall of Famer will try to make it 3-for-3 this week when the sixth CGA Super-Senior Stroke Play is contested, with Buffalo Run Golf Course in Commerce City hosting. The 36-hole scratch event, which features separate competitions for players 61 and older and those 71 and older, will run Tuesday and Wednesday (Aug. 22-23).
(FYI: Starting in 2017, the age requirement for each CGA super-senior championship will go up by one year each year through 2021, when no one younger than 65 will be allowed to compete.)
Moore (pictured), who plays out of Cherry Hills Country Club, is among 65 players who will tee it up at Buffalo Run. He’s one of four champions of the younger division at this event entered this week, joining three-time CGA Senior Player of the Year Robert Polk of Colorado Golf Club (2015 winner), Kary Kaltenbacher of Glenmoor Country Club (2014) and Bob Cloud of CommonGround Golf Course (2013).
Among the others scheduled to compete this week are Jeff English of CommonGround and Steve Scheffel of Ptarmigan Country Club — the top two finishers in the 2016 Super-Senior Match Play; 2017 SS Match Play runner-up Jim Reynolds of Bear Creek Golf Club; 2011 and ’13 CGA Senior Player of the Year Harry Johnson of Eagle Ranch Golf Course; 2016 Senior POY Robin Bradbury of Walnut Creek Golf Preserve, and 2016 SS Stroke Play runner-up Sean Forey of The Club at Rolling Hills.
Don Alley of Antler Creek Golf Course, winner of the 70+ tournament last year, will be back to defend that title.
For Tuesday’s tee times at Buffalo Run, CLICK HERE.
]]>
Kent Moore wasted no time in checking off the next item on his CGA “to-do list.”
The Colorado Golf Hall of Famer, who has won virtually every CGA championship for which he’s been eligible, added the CGA Super-Senior Stroke Play title in his “rookie” season.
The 60-year-old from Cherry Hills Country Club overcame a two-stroke deficit Tuesday at Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club in Aurora to prevail by one in the 60-and-over division. Former professional Don Alley of Antler Creek Golf Course in Falcon earned an eight-shot victory in the 70-and-over tournament.
Moore’s win gives him roughly 15 CGA titles, including ones in seven different individual championships — the Junior Match Play, Amateur, Match Play, Mid-Amateur, Senior Amateur, Senior Match Play and now the Super-Senior Stroke Play — an unprecedented feat in CGA competition. Moreover, he’s won CGA championships in five consecutive decades, starting with the 1973 CGA Junior Match Play at Flatirons Golf Course.
“I’ve always tried to be persistent,” Moore said. “There’s a lot better players in every tournament, but I was just persistent, and I really enjoy golf. And I somehow learned how to get it into the clubhouse reasonably well.”
Besides winning state championships individually, Moore (left and above) has teamed up with his son Steven (in the Father/Son) and with his wife Janet, a fellow Colorado Golf Hall of Famer (in the old CGA/CWGA Mixed Team) to prevail in two-person events.
In individual CGA competition, “It’s one of those things where I’ve finished second many times, but I’ve barely won each one of them once,” Moore said modestly.
This time around, the Centennial resident shot an even-par 72 on Tuesday to post a 2-under 142 total. He made three birdies on the front nine — posting a 3-under 33 on that side — and three bogeys on the back in the final round. In the four-hole stretch from Nos. 4 through 7), Moore sank three putts of at least 15 feet.
Moore’s good start, combined with a rocky early patch by the other players in the lead group (Robert Polk and Robin Bradbury were both 4 over after five holes for the round), left Moore with the lead throughout the back nine.
“All of a sudden (after the opening holes) it was like, ‘Wow,'” Moore said of the turn of events.
Sean Forey of the Club at Rolling Hills matched the best score of the day — a 69 — to finish second, a stroke back of Moore. Forey hit 17 greens in regulation on Tuesday.
Colorado Golf Hall of Famer John Olive from The Broadmoor Golf Club (73 Tuesday) and 2015 champion and first-round leader Polk of Colorado Golf Club (77) tied for third place at 145.
“I thought if I shot 67 I’d have a shot,” said Forey after missing the target score by two. “John Olive and I talked about it and we laughed because we didn’t know if we had 67 in us. As it turns out, that would have been the number. It was fun. I thought I might get lucky, but between the three of those guys (in the lead group: Moore, Polk and Bradbury) they’re good players. But I came a lot closer than I thought. (Having been six back going into the final round), I’m happy.”
Indeed, Moore was worried about someone like Forey coming from outside of the lead group and rallying in a big way to claim the title.
“I’m thinking all along, ‘Somebody in (the clubhouse) shot 67 or something, and Robert and I were playing each other and we’re both going to get drilled.'” Moore said with a relieved smile afterward.
Among those who finished at 146 was Harry Johnson of Eagle Ranch Golf Club, who made a hole-in-one to go with six birdies in Tuesday’s round of 69. Johnson aced the 177-yard 15th hole with a 7-iron for his 19th hole-in-one.
In the 70-plus division, Alley (left and below) carded two straight sub-par rounds — 69-71 — to run away with the title in his first time competing in the event. The Colorado Springs resident and former PGA professional made four birdies and three bogeys on Tuesday after having nine 3s on his card on Monday.
David Farabaugh of Broadlands Golf Course finished a distant second as a 79 on Tuesday left him at 148. Roger Gunderson, the 2014 winner in this division, came in third at 150, also after a 79.
It was the first statewide victory for the 71-year-old Alley since being reinstated as an amateur about 15 years ago. Alley was a club professional at a variety of Colorado courses over the years, including South Suburban, Sunset, Valley Hi, The Broadmoor and Gleneagle, serving as head professional at Sunset, Valley Hi and Gleneagle.
But he left the golf business in 1992 and “I almost totally quit playing for more than 10 years,” Alley said. “My wife and I bought a couple of jet skis (and boated) in Lake Powell and I got to know my family all over again. It was probably one of the best things I ever did. I started playing again 12-13 years ago, and I’m playing more now than I did then — and enjoying it more.
“I didn’t miss playing golf, but I missed the competition, I missed the guys, and I missed this (referring to tournaments like the Super-Senior Stroke Play). To me, this is what golf is all about.”
And winning on Tuesday was just gravy.
“I love it. I’m proud,” Alley said. “I haven’t got too many more years I’m going to be competitive in these things.”
CGA Super-Senior Stroke Play Championship
At Par-72 Heritage Eagle Bend GC in Aurora
60 & Up Division
Kent Moore, Cherry Hills CC 70-72–142
Sean Forey, Club at Rolling Hills 74-69–143
John Olive, Broadmoor GC 72-73–145
Robert Polk, Colorado GC 68-77–145
David Merritt, Meridian GC 72-74–146
Kary Kaltenbacher, Glenmoor CC 73-73–146
Mr. Harry Johnson, Eagle Ranch GC 77-69–146
Dave Runberg, CommonGround GC 76-72–148
Robin Bradbury, Heritage at Westmoor 70-78–148
Bill Bye, Englewood GC 74-75–149
Chuck Delich, Eisenhower GC 73-76–149
Steve Scheffel, Ptarmigan CC 78-71–149
Bo Powell, West Woods GC 73-77–150
Jeffrey English, CommonGround GC 79-71–150
Patrick Mooney, Colorado GC 75-75–150
Rick George, Castle Pines GC 76-74–150
Robert Bulthaup, Valley CC 72-78–150
Jim LeMar, Meadows GC 77-74–151
Jim Reynolds, Bear Creek GC 73-78–151
Terry Hymans, Clubcorp Colorado 74-78–152
Doug Jones, Tiara Rado GC 77-76–153
Jeff Bowen, Riverdale GC 79-74–153
Rod Walters, Indian Tree GC 74-79–153
Steve Ivy, Ptarmigan CC 77-76–153
Jim F Pierce, Heritage Eagle Bend 74-80–154
Mark Runyan, Clubcorp Colorado 76-78–154
Bruce Hayes, Heritage at Westmoor 78-78–156
Cliff Damato, Meridian Golf Club 78-78–156
Richard Griggs, Desert Hawk GC 76-80–156
Steven Hill, Aurora Hills GC 77-79–156
Todd Wilcox, South Suburban GC 77-79–156
Bob Cloud, CommonGround GC 78-79–157
Daniel Dymerski, Columbine CC 81-76–157
Glenn Schmasow, Clubcorp Colorado 77-80–157
Ken Tai, Perry Park CC 77-83–160
Frank Wilkinson, Lincoln Park GC 79-82–161
Dave Bullock, Cherry Hills CC 81-81–162
Jerry Kaylor, Broadlands GC 82-80–162
John Sostman, Meadows GC 81-81–162
Mark Barkley, Clubcorp Colorado 83-79–162
Mike Portelance, Collindale GC 81-81–162
Glenn Hyde, Riverdale GC 83-80–163
Jeff Wyatt, Meadow Hills GC 83-80–163
Roger Lawson, Wellshire GC 80-83–163
Dan Schield, Indian Peaks GC 81-85–166
Terry Gillespie, Thorncreek GC 83-83–166
Danny Wyrick, West Woods GC 82-85–167
Mr Anthony w Spinuzzi, Elmwood GC 85-82–167
Terry R Swartz, Littleton GC 81-88–169
Tim Daniel, Eaton Country Club 82-87–169
Bob Fishell, Plum Creek GC 88-82–170
Chuck Fisher, Indian Tree GC 83-89–172
Paul Steinway, Harmony Club 93-80–173
Howard Hankey, Foothills GC 87-87–174
Brad Jensen, Desert Hawk GC 87-95–182
Alton Marsh, Fossil Trace Golf Club 86-NS
Terry Pettit, Ptarmigan CC 91-NC
70 & Up Divison
Don Alley, Antler Creek GC 69-71–140
David Farabaugh, Broadlands GC 69-79–148
Roger Gunderson, CommonGround GC 71-79–150
Larry Nicks, Springs Ranch GC 80-73–153
Scott Crone, Pinehurst CC 78-75–153
Bill Bogdanoff, South Suburban GC 77-77–154
Bob Sims, Clubcorp Colorado 76-81–157
Kirk Miller, Estes Park GC 81-77–158
Joe Morrill, Eagle Ranch GC 77-82–159
Jim Bronner, Catamount Ranch & Club 81-79–160
Rick Pirog, Club at Cordillera 79-81–160
Jim Collins, CC at Castle Pines 79-83–162
Jim Strouse, Springhill GC 77-85–162
Lawrence Covell, CC at Castle Pines 81-86–167
Larry Pate, Fox Hollow GC 87-WD
Pete Perry, South Suburban GC 90-NS
Polk (pictured), a three-time CGA Senior Player of the Year, eagled the par-5 14th hole and added four birdies to go along with two bogeys on Monday. He shot a 5-under-par 31 on the back nine.
Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Kent Moore of Cherry Hills Country Club shares second place in the 60-plus age division — at 70 — with Robin Bradbury of Heritage at Westmoor. Moore, a two-time CGA Senior Player of the Year, carded four birdies and two bogeys on Monday. Bradbury, who in recent days has both qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur and been the low senior amateur at the Rocky Mountain Open, also had four birdies and two bogeys in the opening round.
The group at 72 includes Colorado Golf Hall of Famer John Olive of The Broadmoor Golf Club, David Merritt of Meridian Golf Club and Robert Bulthaup of Valley Country Club.
In the 70-plus tournament, Don Alley of Antler Creek Golf Course and David Farabaugh of Broadlands Golf Course share the lead at 3-under-par 69. Alley recorded six birdies and overcame two 6s on his card. Farabaugh eagled the second hole (his 11th) and added two birdies.
Two back of the co-leaders, in third place, is Roger Gunderson of CommonGround Golf Course, the 2014 winner in this division.
The tournament will conclude for both age divisions on Tuesday.
CGA Super-Senior Stroke Play Championship
At Par-72 Heritage Eagle Bend GC in Aurora
60 & Up Division
Robert Polk, Colorado GC 37-31–68
Kent Moore, Cherry Hills CC 35-35–70
Robin Bradbury, Heritage at Westmoor 34-36–70
David Merritt, Meridian GC 38-34–72
John Olive, Broadmoor GC 37-35–72
Robert Bulthaup, Valley CC 36-36–72
Bo Powell, West Woods GC 40-33–73
Chuck Delich, Eisenhower GC 36-37–73
Jim Reynolds, Bear Creek GC 38-35–73
Kary Kaltenbacher, Glenmoor CC 35-38–73
Bill Bye, Englewood GC 36-38–74
Jim F Pierce, Heritage Eagle Bend 37-37–74
Rod Walters, Indian Tree GC 36-38–74
Sean Forey, Club at Rolling Hills 38-36–74
Terry Hymans, Clubcorp Colorado 38-36–74
Patrick Mooney, Colorado GC 38-37–75
Dave Runberg, CommonGround GC 40-36–76
Mark Runyan, Clubcorp Colorado 39-37–76
Richard Griggs, Desert Hawk GC 36-40–76
Rick George, Castle Pines GC 39-37–76
Doug Jones, Tiara Rado GC 38-39–77
Glenn Schmasow, Clubcorp Colorado 40-37–77
Jim LeMar, Meadows GC 38-39–77
Ken Tai, Perry Park CC 38-39–77
Harry Johnson, Eagle Ranch GC 40-37–77
Steve Ivy, Ptarmigan CC 36-41–77
Steven Hill, Aurora Hills GC 38-39–77
Todd Wilcox, South Suburban GC 36-41–77
Bob Cloud, CommonGround GC 42-36–78
Bruce Hayes, Heritage at Westmoor 40-38–78
Cliff Damato, Meridian Golf Club 37-41–78
Steve Scheffel, Ptarmigan CC 39-39–78
Frank Wilkinson, Lincoln Park GC 38-41–79
Jeff Bowen, Riverdale GC 38-41–79
Jeffrey English, CommonGround GC 40-39–79
Roger Lawson, Wellshire GC 40-40–80
Dan Schield, Indian Peaks GC 35-46–81
Daniel Dymerski, Columbine CC 39-42–81
Dave Bullock, Cherry Hills CC 41-40–81
John Sostman, Meadows GC 42-39–81
Mike Portelance, Collindale GC 39-42–81
Terry R Swartz, Littleton GC 41-40–81
Danny Wyrick, West Woods GC 38-44–82
Jerry Kaylor, Broadlands GC 42-40–82
Tim Daniel, Eaton Country Club 38-44–82
Chuck Fisher, Indian Tree GC 41-42–83
Glenn Hyde, Riverdale GC 40-43–83
Jeff Wyatt, Meadow Hills GC 41-42–83
Mark Barkley, Clubcorp Colorado 41-42–83
Terry Gillespie, Thorncreek GC 42-41–83
Mr Anthony w Spinuzzi, Elmwood GC 42-43–85
Alton Marsh, Fossil Trace Golf Club 45-41–86
Brad Jensen, Desert Hawk GC 41-46–87
Howard Hankey, Foothills GC 46-41–87
Bob Fishell, Plum Creek GC 43-45–88
Terry Pettit, Ptarmigan CC 46-45–91
Paul Steinway, Harmony Club 40-53–93
Dan Birnley, Conquistador GC WD
Mike Giarratano, Highlands Ranch GC WD
70 & Up Division
David Farabaugh, Broadlands GC 33-36–69
Don Alley, Antler Creek GC 34-35–69
Roger Gunderson, CommonGround GC 37-34–71
Bob Sims, Clubcorp Colorado 37-39–76
Bill Bogdanoff, South Suburban GC 39-38–77
Jim Strouse, Springhill GC 38-39–77
Joe Morrill, Eagle Ranch GC 40-37–77
Scott Crone, Pinehurst CC 38-40–78
Jim Collins, CC at Castle Pines 39-40–79
Rick Pirog, Club at Cordillera 43-36–79
Larry Nicks, Springs Ranch GC 40-40–80
Jim Bronner, Catamount Ranch & Club 38-43–81
Kirk Miller, Estes Park GC 42-39–81
Lawrence Covell, CC at Castle Pines 42-39–81
Larry Pate, Fox Hollow GC 41-46–87
Pete Perry, South Suburban GC 47-43–90
Carl Peters, Twin Peaks GC NS
Just this month, the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado’s Junior Series Championship for players 10 and under was held, and it wasn’t uncommon to see 7-year-olds competing.
Next week, the CGA will go to the other end of the spectrum, holding a championship for players potentially 10 times that old.
The fifth annual CGA Super-Senior Stroke Play, with separate age divisions for golfers 60 and older and 70 and older, will be contested Monday and Tuesday (Aug. 22-23) at Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club (pictured) in Aurora.
Seventy-seven competitors are signed up for the event, including seven of the eight former champions in the 60+ and 70+ divisions. Those past champs include, in the 60+ competition, Robert Polk (2015), Kary Kaltenbacher (2014) and Bob Cloud (2013). And in the 70+ age group, every past winner is back: Kirk Miller (2015), Roger Gunderson (2014), Joe Morrill (2013) and Jim Collins (2012).
Add into the mix entrants Colorado Golf Hall of Famers Kent Moore and John Olive, 2016 U.S. Senior Amateur qualifier Robin Bradbury and recent CGA senior champion Harry Edwards, and the fields are formidable.
Each division will play 36 holes over the two days.
For Monday’s tee times, CLICK HERE.
]]>Winning state championships seemed to come pretty easily for Robert Polk from 2005 to ’09. For that four-year stretch, the Parker resident won a remarkable seven CGA titles, including five individually.
Then the floodgates seemed to close. For six years, the Colorado Golf Club member was shut out in his attempt to add to his CGA championships.
But on Wednesday, the drought ended — at last.
Just three months after turning 60 and becoming eligible to compete in the CGA Super-Senior Stroke Play, Polk (pictured) won the event in his “rookie” year.
“It’s always great to win state titles; it’s why we play,” said Polk, who just recently fully retired. “It’s very exciting. I also won the Senior Stroke the first time I played in it (in 2005), which is kind of fun. But the first goal of every season is to win state championships.
“I thought all day, this would be the first one in six years. To win again is special, having been so long, And you start thinking, ‘Am I going to win again or not?’ Hopefully this will allow me to play really well again.”
Polk was one of two first-timers in their respective age divisions to claim the Super-Senior Stroke Play titles on Wednesday at Pueblo Country Club. While Polk prevailed in the 60-and-over event, Kirk Miller, a 70-year-old from Estes Park Golf Club, came out on top in the 70-and-up tournament.
For Polk, he’s now won three CGA Senior Stroke Plays, one Senior Match Play, one Super-Senior Stroke Play and two Senior Four-Balls, along with the 2007 CGA Mid-Amateur. It was the first CGA title for Miller.
Polk, who took a two-stroke lead into the final round, shot a 4-over-par 75 on Wednesday to finish at 4-over 146, good for a three-shot victory. David Merritt of Meridian Golf Club closed with a 76 to place second at 149. Dan Grigsby of Todd Creek Golf Club carded a final-round 77 to finish third at 150.
Polk’s lead was never seriously threatened on Wednesday. He made a couple of birdies, but he pointed to an 8-foot putt he holed for par on No. 13 after missing the green long as a key point.
“It was a beautiful par putt. When I made that, I thought it would be my day,” said the three-time CGA Senior Player of the Year. “Sometimes par putts can be the most important ones.
“On 16 tee, I was three up and just murdered it off the tee, chipped to 3 feet and missed it. Then I three-putted the last two greens. I really played very solid other than that. I never felt like I was not going to win.”
In the 70-and-older competition, Miller (left) tied for the lowest round of the day — a 9-over-par 80 — to win by three. The former University of New Mexico golfer played the final six holes in 1 over to check in at 15-over 157 for 36 holes.
Joe Morrill of Eagle Ranch Golf Course, the 2013 70-and-older champ, was runner-up at 160 after carding an 84 on Wednesday. Bob Sims of Clubcorp Colorado finished third at 162 after closing with an 83.
“This feels great,” Miller said of earning his first CGA championship. “I just turned 70 in June. There is something good about getting old.”
Miller, who trailed by one entering Wednesday, took the lead for good from Morrill with a par on No. 11, then helped his cause with his only birdie of the day, a 5-footer on No. 15.
The victory comes on the heels of Miller’s previous top golf accomplishment, winning the super-senior division of the Estes Park Labor Day Tournament.
CGA Super-Senior Stroke Play
At Par-71 Pueblo CC
60+ Division
Robert Polk, Colorado Golf Club 71-75–146
David Merritt, Meridian Golf Club 73-76–149
Dan Grigsby, Todd Creek Golf Club 73-77–150
Kary Kaltenbacher, Glenmoor Country Club 76-75–151
Robert Bulthaup, Valley Country Club 77-74–151
Jeffrey English, Commonground Golf Course 77-75–152
Jim LeMar, Meadows Golf Club 78-74–152
Gary Kephart, Eisenhower Golf Club 75-78–153
John Olive, Broadmoor Golf Club 77-76–153
Ed Thiele, Eagle Ranch Golf Course 84-71–155
Harry Johnson, Eagle Ranch Golf Course 76-79–155
Mark Runyan, Canongate Colorado 75-80–155
Roger Gunderson, Commonground Golf Course 77-79–156
Richard Griggs, Desert Hawk Golf Course Men’s 82-75–157
Jim F Pierce, Heritage Eagle Bend Golf & CC 77-81–158
Paul Yoon, Colorado Springs Country Club 76-82–158
Bruce Hayes, Heritage at Westmoor 81-78–159
Rick Pirog, Clubs at Cordillera 79-80–159
Rod Walters, Heritage at Westmoor 79-80–159
John Sostman, Meadows Golf Club 82-78–160
Russell L Roehrkasse, Colorado Springs Country Club 76-85–161
Scott Crone, Pinehurst Country Club 79-82–161
Tim Daniel, Eaton Country Club 81-81–162
Randy Miller, Boulder Country Club 82-81–163
Ken Tai, Perry Park Country Club 84-80–164
Doug Jones, Tiara Rado Golf Course 81-84–165
Bob Cloud, Commonground Golf Course 84-82–166
Frank Wilkinson, Lincoln Park Golf Course 84-83–167
John Leamon, Littleton Golf & Tennis Club 87-82–169
Bill Weinman, Clubcorp Colorado 84-87–171
Marc Sims, Eisenhower Golf Club 86-85–171
Mark Barkley, Clubcorp Colorado 84-90–174
Bob Miller, Desert Hawk Golf Course Men’s 98-97–195
Norm Nuwash, Saddle Rock Golf Course 94-104–198
Dicky Laner, Trinidad Golf Course 102-104–206
Sean Forey, Bear Creek Golf Club 77-DQ
Terry Gillespie, Thorncreek Golf Club 83-DQ
Steven Hill, Aurora Hills Golf Club 88-NS
Chuck Fisher, Legacy Ridge Golf Course WD
Dan Birnley, Conquistador Golf Course WD
John Livingston, Colorado Avidgolfer Passport C WD
70+ Division
Kirk Miller, Estes Park Golf Club 77-80–157
Joe Morrill, Eagle Ranch Golf Course 76-84–160
Bob Sims, Clubcorp Colorado 79-83–162
Chet Baker, Foothills Golf Course 83-80–163
Tom Vickers, Club at Crested Butte 85-81–166
Lawrence Covell, Country Club at Castle Pines 84-84–168
Matt Quinn, Estes Park Golf Club 79-89–168
William Schmit, Heather Ridge Golf Club 86-83–169
John Litvay, Collegiate Peaks Golf Course 85-91–176
Bob Brown, Desert Hawk Golf Course Men’s 90-95–185
Dick Schmaltz, Elmwood Golf Course 89-97–186
Gary Cowan, Broadmoor Golf Club WD
Joe Streater, Collindale Golf Club WD