It’s quite a feat to qualify for most USGA championships, so it’s not surprising that that is a goal in and of itself for many competitors.
Then there are players such as Keith Humerickhouse of Eagle and Michael Harrington of Colorado Springs who certainly appreciate qualifying for national USGA events, but they’ve experienced enough success at that level that they’re looking for bigger things.
On Monday at Highland Meadows Golf Course in Windsor, both Humerickhouse and Harrington qualified for the U.S. Mid-Amateur for the third time. And in each of their previous appearances in the event, they’ve advanced to the 64-man match-play portion of the championship. In fact, each has reached the round of 16 once, Humerickhouse last year and Harrington in 2006. In the latter’s case, ironically, he was eliminated in the Sweet 16 by a fellow Coloradan, Rick DeWitt.
So both Humerickhouse and Harrington have whetted their appetite in the past to the point that they’re convinced that even bigger things could be in store.
“I feel like I can win (the national Mid-Am title),” Humerickhouse said flat out. “I learned the first year, in 2010 (when he lost in the round of 32), that I could compete. After last year when I went to Birmingham, I truly believe that I can win. You’ve just got to play good golf for (six) days in a row, which is not easy but …”
Harrington also qualified for the U.S. Amateur this summer, but it’s the Mid-Am where he believes he can really make headway.
“The U.S. Am is great, but I feel I can compete in the U.S. Mid-Am to some degree,” he said. “If you were to ask me which I’d choose to go to, it would be the Mid-Am over the U.S. Am. The U.S. Am is clearly a better tournament, but the competition is fierce.”
Humerickhouse and Harrington were two of the five national qualifiers Monday for the tournament that’s limited to players 25 and older.
Humerickhouse, the former professional who has won the last four CGA Mid-Amateurs, earned medalist honors with a 6-under-par 65. Harrington, the 2014 CGA Mid-Amateur Match Play Invitational champ, fired a 66.
Landing the three remaining national berths out of Monday’s field — which originally numbered 81 — were Thomas Roos of Centennial, Rob Clever of Firestone and Mark Zbrzeznj of Avon. Roos and Clever matched 67s, while Zbrzeznj shot 68 and gained the final spot by parring the second hole of a sudden-death playoff. Jeffrey Gravina of Littleton, who missed a 10-foot par putt on the second extra hole after being in bunkers twice, was relegated to the first alternate position despite a 68.
The qualifiers range in age from 30 (Zbrzeznj) to 55 (Roos), with Clever being 34, Humerickhouse 38 and Harrington 42. (The qualifiers not involved in the playoff are pictured at top, from left: Humerickhouse, Harrington, Clever and Roos.)
In all, 18 players broke par in Monday’s qualifying tournament.
The U.S. Mid-Amateur will be played Sept. 6-11 at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa.
In last year’s U.S. Mid-Am, Humerickhouse (left) not only made it to the final 16, but in the round of 32 he ousted a two-time U.S. Mid-Amateur champion, Tim Jackson of Germantown, Pa.
And on Monday, the left-hander again demonstrated why he’s been such a dominant force in the mid-amateur ranks in Colorado over the last several years. He made seven birdies on the day, and the only blemish on his card came on No. 17, his eighth hole of the day, which he bogeyed.
Humerickhouse’s memories from the 2013 U.S. Amateur Public Links qualifying held at Highland Meadows — where he just missed qualifying despite rounds of 68-67 — proved valuable on Monday.
“It was nice because the pin locations were the same as they were for the Publinks qualifier” last year, he said. “I knew before even going to the hole where they were located. I knew exactly the shots that I was going to have. It definitely helped.” Asked how he remembers something so distinctly from rounds he played more than 13 months ago, he said, “You play 36 holes of competitive golf — and you play well — you’re going to remember.”
Harrington likewise had only one bogey on Monday, but he got his out of the way very early. On the par-5 first hole, he only had a 5-iron in for his second shot, but he “chunk-pushed it” and made a 6. “It was a horrible shot,” he said. “I’m like, ‘Oh boy.’ I felt like I kind of gave two away.” But from then on, his card was nice and clean, with six birdies and no bogeys for the final 17 holes.
With his performance Monday, Harrington guaranteed himself same-year berths in both the U.S. Mid-Am and the U.S. Am for the first time in his career.
“Double the fun,” he said. “It will just be a lot of fun (to play both). The (Mid-Am) course is supposedly spectacular, and it’s on the East Coast where my family is from. Some of them might be able to come down and watch me play there, which is very nice. In Atlanta (for the U.S. Amateur), my father and my stepmother are coming down.”
The Mid-Am will be Harrington’s ninth USGA championship, with three U.S. Amateurs, three Mid-Ams and three USGA State Teams.
The other three qualifiers on Monday — Roos, Clever and Zbrzeznj (left) — will each be headed to his first USGA championship. The fact that Roos made it as a 55-year-old while competing against some players half his age was a feat unto itself.
“At 55 it’s special,” said Roos, who finished third in the CGA Senior Stroke Play last year. “I figure (some of the younger guys) will probably beat me by a few strokes, but I feel like I can compete. If I didn’t feel like I could come out and compete, I wouldn’t try.”
One of the ways Roos leveled the playing field Monday was by needing just 23 putts in his round. He started off birdie-birdie and was on his way.
Though Roos plays a lot of golf — 31 tournaments last year, for example — Monday’s 67 tied his competitive low for 2014.
Clever rallied in a big way to shoot what was necessary to qualify for the Mid-Am. He played his first eight holes in 1 over par, but a hard-earned par on No. 18 (his ninth hole) put him in the right frame of mind. From there, he hit a 247-yard 3-wood approach on No. 1 to 20 feet and holed his eagle putt. And he backed that up with an 8-foot birdie on 2, then capped off his round with birdie putts of 4 and 15 feet on his last two holes.
“I’ve played golf most of my life and college golf at San Jose State, but I’ve never won a CGA event and never been to a national championship,” said Clever, whose biggest victory came at the 2004 Long Beach Match Play. “This will be a lot of fun. My dad will be along caddying for me (as he was on Monday). It’s just about getting out and being with my dad now.”
As for Zbrzeznj, qualifying Monday was particularly meaningful given that he comes from Philadelphia, which is about 50 miles from Bethlehem.
“It feels tremendous,” said the University of Colorado graduate. “I’ve been trying in these USGA (qualifying) events for probably 15 years since I was a junior (golfer) and this is the first one I’ve made. It feels amazing. I get to go home. I’m originally from Philadelphia. I’ve played Saucon Valley before. This is special.”
U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifying
At Par-71 Highland Meadows GC
ADVANCE TO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Keith Humerickhouse, Eagle, Colo., 32-33–65
Michael Harrington, Colorado Springs, Colo., 34-32–66
Thomas Roos, Centennial, Colo., 34-33–67
Rob Clever, Firestone, Colo., 31-36–67
Mark Zbrzeznj, Avon, Colo., 35-33–68
ALTERNATES (In Order)
Jeffrey Gravina, Littleton, Colo., 37-31–68
Dean Siskowski, Johnstown, Colo., 35-34–69
FAILED TO QUALIFY
Barry Erwin, Aurora, Colo., 36-33–69
Jason Coffin, Longmont, Colo., 35-34–69
Ryan Nardini, Pueblo, Colo., 35-34–69
Neil Metz, Edmond, Okla., 36-33–69
Matt Hall, Grand Junction, Colo., 35-34–69
Shawn Mercer, Westminster, Colo., 35-35–70
Andrew Tapia, Raton, N.M., 37-33–70
Christopher Thayer, Denver, Colo., 37-33–70
Grant Dean, Colorado Springs, Colo., 36-34–70
Paul Mohr, Scottsbluff, Neb., 34-36–70
Jan Wong, Lakewood, Colo., 36-34–70
Alex Kephart, Colorado Springs, Colo., 35-36–71
Corey Stanton, Breckenridge, Colo., 33-38–71
James Banyas, Denver, Colo., 36-35–71
Christopher Roehrkasse, Greenwood Village, Colo., 36-35–71
Michael Love, Magnolia, Ark., 36-35–71
Tristan Sanders, Denver, Colo., 36-35–71
Scott Shore, Littleton, Colo., 37-34–71
Kyle Sullivan, Parker, Colo., 39-32–71
Clint Miller, Englewood, Colo., 35-37–72
Jeff Chapman, Englewood, Colo., 37-35–72
David Lysaught, Denver, Colo., 35-37–72
Steven Irwin, Arvada, Colo., 35-37–72
Wesley Martin, Denver, Colo., 34-38–72
Jonathan Marsico, Denver, Colo., 35-37–72
Gary Driber, Castle Pines, Colo., 39-33–72
Micah Chadrick, Parker, Colo., 37-35–72
Danny Riskam, Broomfield, Colo., 37-35–72
Tj Blandford, Boulder, Colo., 37-36–73
Chad Gonzalez, Denver, Colo., 35-38–73
Shane Unfred, Windsor, Colo., 40-33–73
Christopher Wilson, Colorado Springs, Colo., 38-35–73
Bryan Cannon, Columbine Valley, Colo., 36-37–73
Michael Passananti, Pueblo, Colo., 36-38–74
Andy Brooks, Denver, Colo., 36-38–74
Doug Manske, Durango, Colo., 37-37–74
Michael Glaesel, Arvada, Colo., 37-37–74
Joel Perez, Denver, Colo., 37-37–74
Dan Deppen, Erie, Colo., 38-36–74
Ryan Prew, Arvada, Colo., 39-35–74
Sean Griswold, Durango, Colo., 40-34–74
Nathan Wilson, Sheridan, Wyo., 37-37–74
Bradley Ott, Fort Collins, Colo., 36-39–75
Dewey Burke, Denver, Colo., 38-37–75
Anthony Thorpe, Black Hawk, Colo., 39-37–76
Brett Housman, Pueblo, Colo., 42-34–76
Jeff Tyrrell, Casper, Wyo., 39-37–76
James Kackley, Dallas, Texas, 39-37–76
Brian Key, Colorado Springs, Colo., 36-40–76
John Jarmul, Houston, Texas, 38-39–77
Andy Warner, Centennial, Colo., 37-40–77
John Sostman, Littleton, Colo., 41-37–78
Owen Ellis, Boulder, Colo., 37-41–78
Billy Day, Pueblo West, Colo., 44-34–78
Bill Parker, Denver, Colo., 44-34–78
Matthew Sullivan, Denver, Colo., 40-38–78
Thomas Balderston, Denver, Colo., 43-37–80
Jay Orris, Boulder, Colo., 42-40–82
Steve Duran, Lakewood, Colo., 42-40–82
Michael Young, Cheyenne, Wyo., 40-43–83
Arnold Hoy, Castle Rock, Colo., 42-43–85
Heath Myers, Kingfisher, Okla., WD
John Luoma, Parker, Colo., WD
Matthew Soper, Denver, Colo., NS
Jared Polivka, Boulder, Colo., NS
Dan Dunkelberg, Fort Worth, Texas, NS
Jake Staiano admits that three years ago, when he came ever so close to qualifying for the U.S. Junior Amateur as a 14-year-old, he didn’t appreciate the significance of the event.
“At that time it wasn’t a big deal to me,” the golfer from Cherry Hills Village said, referring to when he tied for fourth in a tournament where three qualified for nationals. It was only “after that I realized it was a big deal.”
Last year, Staiano was in the hunt again at the U.S. Junior Amateur qualifying, but a quintuple-bogey 9 during his second round at Eaton Country Club left him four shots out of a playoff for the final spot.
But on Tuesday, in his final chance to qualify for the national championship, Staiano didn’t squander the opportunity. In a qualifying event at Highland Meadows Golf Course in Windsor, Staiano shared medalist honors with AJ Ott of Fort Collins and the two earned berths into the U.S. Junior Amateur along with Blake Dyer of St. Petersburg, Fla.
“It’s almost a relief because I’ve been so close in this (qualifier) in the last few years,” said Staiano, the 2013 CGA Junior Match Play champion. “This is my last year to do it, and I got it done. I was really proud of myself. I stayed focused and didn’t get ahead of myself.”
Staiano — a senior-to-be at reigning 4A state champion Valor Christian who has committed to play college golf at Colorado State — and Ott posted 4-under-par 138 totals in the 36-hole qualifier at Highland Meadows, while Dyer checked in at 139. (The qualifiers are pictured above, from left, Ott, Staiano and Dyer.)
With that, the three earned trips to the national tournament, which will be played July 21-26 in The Woodlands, Texas. It will be the first USGA championship for each of the three.
Ott (left), a 16-year-old junior-to-be at Fort Collins High School, made 10 birdies on the day and overcame a triple bogey on his 30th hole to shoot 67-71. Staiano, 17, carded two eagles on the day to go along with six birdies en route to scores of 68-70. The 17-year-old Dyer, like Ott, recorded 10 birdies in going 70-69. Dyer decided to try to qualify in Colorado because it worked out with a recruiting trip he’s taking at the University of Denver this week.
Ott, who finished sixth in the 5A state high school meet as a sophomore last fall, was leading the pack most of the day on Tuesday. Through 29 holes, he was 8 under par overall. But even going triple bogey-bogey on the next two holes wasn’t close to enough to knock him from a qualifying spot.
“I finished well,” the left-hander said. “I told myself, ‘Just get in at even par for the last round’, and I did.”
Ott is no stranger to Highland Meadows as his home course, Ptarmigan Country Club, is just down the street, and he occasionally practices at Highland Meadows and has played 10-15 rounds there.
“I didn’t play a practice round (for the qualifier). I was confident going into it that I knew how to hit the right shots,” Ott said. Knowing the course well “kind of gave me a little more confidence for sure.”
But Ott hadn’t been playing well in general recently, so Tuesday proved a big step in the right direction.
“I’ve been struggling a lot this summer and I told myself I was going to start coming around during this event,” he said. “I knew I could go low on this course. It’s going to be an awesome experience to go” to the U.S. Junior Am.
Staiano (at left with his caddie) likewise had to overcome some issues he was having with his game to earn a qualifying berth.
“I didn’t have a lot of confidence in my driver. I just played with what I had,” he said. “I was hitting this weak pull cut all day. I was able to get it done — just put it in the fairway.
“But I putted great. I made a lot of big putts on the last 18 (including a 50-footer and a couple of 20-footers). That gave me some confidence coming down the stretch.” The 50-footer was actually a bogey after he hit his tee shot into an environmentally sensitive area and had to re-tee.
Ott had similar results on the greens, starting his afternoon round by draining birdie putts of 30, 20 and 35 feet.
“I made some long putts and I told myself I can make anything,” he said. “I’ve been struggling putting the last few weeks, but I think I’ve figured something out. Most of it is just self-confidence, I think.”
Though Dyer is from Florida, he was no stranger to Highland Meadows. Three times before, he’s played Rocky Mountain Junior Golf Tour events at the course, finishing in the top seven on each occasion.
“I played well here before, so I felt confident about it,” he said. “Last time I played, two years ago, I shot 81 the first day and 66 the second. Having that being the last round I played here (before the qualifier this week) helped me be real confident. It was hard to shoot a bad score out here.”
The first alternate spot Tuesday went to Pierce Aichinger of Englewood (141), with the second going to Robert Rickard of Austin, Texas (142).
In all, 68 junior golfers entered the qualifier at Highland Meadows, including nine players from out of state.
U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifying
At Par-71 Highland Meadows GC in Windsor
QUALIFY FOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
AJ Ott, Fort Collins, Colo. 67-71–138
Jake Staiano, Cherry Hills Village, Colo. 68-70–138
Blake Dyer, St. Petersburg, Fla. 70-69–139
ALTERNATES (In Order)
Pierce Aichinger, Englewood, Colo. 68-73–141
Robert Rickard, Austin, Texas 72-70–142
FAILED TO QUALIFY
Alan Berry, Littleton, Colo. 73-70–143
Chris Korte, Littleton, Colo. 71-72–143
Ji Jang, Aurora, Colo. 74-70–144
Isaac Petersilie, Colorado Springs, Colo. 74-70–144
Grant Dinkel, Boulder, Colo. 71-74–145
Daniel Pearson, Longmont, Colo. 74-71–145
Behrod Keshtavar, Erie, Colo. 76-69–145
Kyler Dunkle, Larkspur, Colo. 74-71–145
Blake Flint, Wolfforth, Texas 76-70–146
Sean Benson, Billings, Mont. 71-75–146
Timothy Amundson, Littleton, Colo. 75-71–146
Alec Poorman, Boulder, Colo. 72-75–147
Taylor Rodriguez, Pueblo, Colo. 77-70–147
Oliver Jack, Cherry Hills Village, Colo. 72-75–147
Kobe Padilla, Centennial, Colo. 74-73–147
Connor Chesky, Saint Helena, Calif. 70-78–148
Trey Lambrecht, Sterling, Colo. 74-74–148
Dathan Terry, Lubbock, Texas 77-71–148
Cole Folwell, Boulder, Colo. 76-73–149
Cameron Connor, Boulder, Colo. 77-72–149
Jake Goldman, Leawood, Kan. 78-72–150
David Leede, Greenwood Village, Colo. 77-73–150
Nick Leibold, Littleton, Colo. 79-71–150
Andrew McCormick, Denver, Colo. 77-73–150
Trevor Olkowski, Grand Junction, Colo. 72-79–151
Josh Caridi, Fort Collins, Colo. 76-75–151
Mathew Casias, Pueblo, Colo. 80-72–152
Christopher Raap, Highlands Ranch, Colo. 77-75–152
Li Chen, Westminster, Colo. 71-81–152
Bennett Rogers, Centennial, Colo. 78-74–152
Jackson Vacek, Lafayette, Colo. 79-74–153
Subin Lee, Englewood, Colo. 77-76–153
Bretton Krantz, Windsor, Colo. 81-72–153
Josh Pusar, Castle Pines, Colo. 75-79–154
Austin R Burgess, Colorado Springs, Colo. 75-80–155
Philip Lee, Cherry Hills Village, Colo. 80-75–155
Coleson Krantz, Windsor, Colo. 82-73–155
Trevor Glen, Thornton, Colo. 78-77–155
Weston Moran, Colorado Springs, Colo. 78-77–155
Troy Dangler, Grand Junction, Colo. 78-78–156
Jack Lazzeri, Littleton, Colo. 81-75–156
Evan Buchalski, Loveland, Colo. 74-82–156
Ryan Zetwick, Castle Rock, Colo. 82-76–158
Gary Schlatter, Cherry Hills Village, Colo. 80-78–158
Cameron Berndt, Elizabeth, Colo. 78-84–162
Reese Leiker, Littleton, Colo. 85-77–162
John Kane, Centennial, Colo. 84-78–162
Donny Kinnaman, Clifton, Colo. 81-81–162
Mitchell Nevin, Aurora, Colo. 82-81–163
Chase Federico, Pueblo, Colo. 81-83–164
Roy Carlsen, Arvada, Colo. 83-82–165
Luke Travins, Colorado Springs, Colo. 84-82–166
Robert Hill, Spring, Texas 84-83–167
Mark Hillary, Cherry Hills Village, Colo. 91-79–170
Derek Leydecker, Aspen, Colo. 84-86–170
Luke Toillion, Longmont, Colo. 88-88–176
Dru Novak, Pueblo, Colo. 99-87–186
Braden Bentley, Colorado Springs, Colo. 71-WD
Harrison Murphy, McKinney, Texas 76-WD
The point is, Derek Fribbs has found it.
Over the last four days, the former University of Colorado golfer has played in five competitive rounds, and his scoring average is a gaudy 64.8.
And the byproduct has been predictable: winning.
A day after running away with the CGA Public Links Championship, Fribbs parlayed his stellar play into earning medalist honors in Monday’s U.S. Amateur Public Links qualifying at Highland Meadows Golf Course in Windsor.
The golfer from Castle Rock gained a spot in a USGA championship for the first time by shooting rounds of 66-65 for an 11-under-par 131 total.
Fribbs, 22, eagled the 572-yard par-5 fifth hole in both rounds (with putts of 10 and 20 feet), and he added nine birdies and two bogeys to set the standard on Monday. That comes after he shot 65-66-62 over the weekend at the CGA Public Links at Twin Peaks Golf Course in Longmont.
“I’ve been hitting the driver well,” Fribbs said Monday. “I played the par-5s in 9 under today (two eagles and five birdies). It feels pretty good. I’m playing well, and it could have been even lower today.”
Joining Fribbs in qualifying for the U.S. Publinks — which is set for July 15-20 in Lorton, Va. — were Colorado State University golfer Cameron Harrell (68-65–133) and University of Denver golfer Christopher Good (68-66–134). Fribbs (Douglas County), Harrell (Air Academy) and Good (Regis Jesuit) are all Colorado high school products.
Like Fribbs, Harrell made two eagles on Monday, though both of his came in the morning round. The CSU junior-to-be went bogey-free in the afternoon. Good, a senior-to-be at DU, carded a dozen birdies overall on Monday.
Three-time CGA Mid-Amateur champion Keith Humerickhouse of Eagle prevailed in a playoff that lasted five holes to nail down the first alternate spot.
Sixty-five players were in the original field, competing for the three national spots at Monday’s qualifier.
U.S. Amateur Public Links Qualifying
At Par-71 Highland Meadows GC in Windsor
QUALIFIED FOR U.S. PUBLINKS
Derek Fribbs, Boulder, Colo., 66-65–131
Cameron Harrell, Colorado Springs, Colo., 68-65–133
Christopher Good, Denver, Colo., 68-66–134
ALTERNATES (in order)
Keith Humerickhouse, Eagle, Colo., 68-67–135
Cole Ogden, West Point, Utah, 69-66–135
FAILED TO QUALIFY
Brandon Lee Bingaman, Montrose, Colo., 71-64–135
Steven Kupcho, Westminster, Colo., 67-69–136
Ryan Burke, Longmont, Colo., 69-68–137
Sean Thomas, Arvada, Colo., 70-68–138
Clint Miller, Englewood, Colo., 71-69–140
Brodie Hullinger, Denver, Colo., 67-73–140
Shane Unfred, Windsor, Colo., 69-72–141
Henry Bissell, Littleton, Colo., 75-67–142
Christopher Wilson, Colorado Springs, Colo., 69-73–142
Adam Thoutt, Westminster, Colo., 74-68–142
Chris Korte, Littleton, Colo., 69-73–142
Nicholas Tarasiewicz, Colorado Springs, Colo., 74-68–142
Matt Porter, Castle Rock, Colo., 71-72–143
Steve Connell, Denver, Colo., 71-72–143
Jordan Burgess, Windsor, Colo., 67-76–143
Matthew Sullivan, Denver, Colo., 69-74–143
J. T. Timmons, Holladay, Utah, 74-70–144
Adam Pladson, Aurora, Colo., 73-73–146
Wes Adkins, Fort Collins, Colo., 70-77–147
Conner Barr, Beaverton, Ore., 71-76–147
David Kurtenbach, Centennial, Colo., 75-73–148
James Kurtenbach, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 73-76–149
Kevin Wohlfarth, Thornton, Colo., 77-72–149
Blake Basham, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 72-77–149
Ryan Axlund, Denver, Colo., 74-75–149
Wes Martin, Denver, Colo., 77-73–150
Josh McLaughlin, Fort Collins, Colo., 82-68–150
Arnold Hoy, Castle Rock, Colo., 74-76–150
Daniel Kurtenbach, Centennial, Colo., 71-79–150
Chris Longfellow, Castle Rock, Colo., 74-77–151
Brandon Barron, Centennial, Colo., 74-77–151
Andy Yang, Denver, Colo., 76-76–152
Jon Tempest, Boulder, Colo., 77-75–152
Anthony Thorpe, Evergreen, Colo., 74-78–152
Trey Fankhouser, Goodwell, Okla., 79-74–153
Sean Kato, Greeley, Colo., 81-74–155
Davin Sjoberg, Crested Butte, Colo., 73-82–155
Todd Millard, Longmont, Colo., 76-79–155
Zachary Coe, Gypsum, Colo., 83-72–155
Daniel Morgan, Aurora, Colo., 75-80–155
Jonathan Baldwin, Lone Tree, Colo., 79-77–156
Austin Raap, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 79-79–158
Martin Prazak, Denver, Colo., 81-77–158
Nick Davis, Centennial, Colo., 78-80–158
Adam Gorjiyan, Denver, Colo., 79-79–158
Christopher Raap, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 81-78–159
David Bourcier, Englewood, Colo., 76-83–159
Jason Eagan, Castle Rock, Colo., 83-78–161
Jack Tynan, Denver, Colo., 84-84–168
Eric Powers, Colorado Springs, Colo., 87-86–173
Jeffrey Johnson, Parker, Colo., 89-90–179
Spencer Painton, Aurora, Colo., 76-WD
Brett Willis, Denver, Colo., 72-NS
Scott Wayne, Wheat Ridge, Colo., 85-WD
In a tournament that yielded 10 rounds of 65 or better — including a course-record 63 — it wasn’t surprising that a final-day score in the mid-60s was needed to earn the championship trophy.
University of Wyoming golfer Eric Parish played red-hot golf in triple-digit heat on Sunday to win the CGA Public Links Championship at Highland Meadows Golf Course in Windsor.
Parish (pictured at left), a CGA member from Laramie, Wyo., shot a 6-under-par 65 in the final round to capture the title by two strokes.
Parish’s 13-under-par 200 total is believed to tie for the second-lowest in CGA Public Links history, behind only Derek Tolan’s 199 in 2008 at Fox Hollow Golf Course.
“It was a good round, especially coming on the last day,” Parish said of the 65, which matched the low tournament score of his life. “I putted pretty awesome. I probably hit the ball better the first day, but I putted great today.”
Indeed, the left-hander needed only 23 putts on Sunday in rallying from a three-stroke deficit.
The fourth-year junior-to-be on the Wyoming golf team finished two shots ahead of runners-up Steven Kupcho of CommonGround Golf Course (69 Sunday) and David Schroeder of the Broadmoor Golf Club (65). Schroeder also placed second in the CGA Stroke Play Championship last year.
Paul Erdman of Colorado National Golf Club (67 for a 204 total) finished fourth on Sunday.
Parish carded seven birdies in the final round, but it took three of them in a four-hole stretch from holes 14-17 to go ahead for good. A stellar approach shot on the par-4 14th set him up for a 4-foot birdie, then he two-putted from 40 feet for another on the par-5 15th, and he rolled in a 15-footer on 17.
After that, a routine par on No. 18 was enough for a comfortable win.
“I didn’t expect (the winning score) to be 13 under,” said Kupcho (pictured at left), the 2011 CGA Junior Stroke Play champion. “I didn’t see anybody coming in at 6 under (for the day). I figured 5 under was about the best they’d do, but you’ve got to hand it to them. That’s a great round, and better than what I thought would happen.”
Kupcho, Schroeder and Parish were all neck-and-neck before Parish went on his late-round tear.
“On the 15th hole, “I said to Matt (Parish’s caddie and brother), ‘I wish there was a leaderboard.’ He said, ‘Well, I kind of have an idea (of how things stood).’ Right then and there, I figured I had the lead by one. I ended up making birdies on 14, 15 and 17. I had a rough start to the back nine, so it was good to get some birdies coming in.”
Kupcho, a sophomore-to-be on the University of Northern Colorado golf team, paid the price for an uncooperative putter. He missed three putts inside of 4 feet on Sunday and six of that length for the week.
“You make half of those and you win it,” he said. “That’s disappointing, but I’ve been working on it the last six months and it’s getting better.
“It’s tough to lose (the tournament), but you have to look on the bright side. I hit the ball about as good as I’ve hit it in about six months.”
Schroeder, meanwhile, played holes 5 through 15 in 6 under par on Sunday, but making up five strokes in the final round proved too much.
As for Parish (pictured at left), a lifelong Wyoming resident who played most of his junior golf in Colorado, it was a victory he won’t soon forget.
“It’s been a while since I’ve won a good tournament,” he said. “In high school I won a lot, but it’s been tough since then. I’ve been playing good the last year or so, so this feels good.
“This is my biggest win for sure. I played really well. It’s hard to say it’s the best I’ve ever played but it’s definitely right up there.”
CGA Public Links Championship
At Par-71 Highland Meadows GC in Windsor
Eric Parish, CommonGround GC, 67-68-65–200
Steven Kupcho, CommonGround GC, 65-68-69–202
David Schroeder II, Broadmoor GC, 68-69-65–202
Paul Erdman, Colorado National GC, 68-69-67–204
Cameron Harrell, Pine Creek GC, 70-68-67–205
Steve Connell, Riverdale GC, 65-71-69–205
Kirby Pettitt, Harmony Club, 66-69-70–205
Brandon Bingaman, Black Canyon GC, 64-68-74–206
Kory Harrell, Pine Creek GC, 63-72-71–206
Andy Moore, The Olde Course at Loveland, 72-70-64–206
David Oraee, Highland Hills GC, 67-69-70–206
Ben Krueger, Pine Creek GC, 73-68-66–207
Matt Porter, CommonGround GC, 71-64-72–207
Jordan Burgess, Highland Hills GC, 73-70-65–208
Andy Yang, Highlands Ranch GC, 70-72-66–208
Chun-Ji Kim, Highlands Ranch GC, 65-71-72–208
Sean Thomas, Indian Tree GC, 68-71-70–209
Bryan Kruse, Heritage at Westmoor, 68-75-67–210
Jeff Slupe, Pelican Lakes G & CC, 72-69-69–210
Ben Lyons, South Suburban GC, 72-67-72–211
Neil Metz, Flatirons GC, 75-66-70–211
Curtis Garver, Conquistador GC, 71-71-69–211
Jon Lindstrom, Heritage at Westmoor, 74-69-69–212
Stu Allen, Fox Hollow GC, 71-72-70–213
Jonathan Park, Walking Stick GC, 67-74-72–213
Brian Richmeier, Meadow Hills GC, 68-72-73–213
Thomas Roos, Spring Valley GC, 69-70-74–213
Brad Rowe, Ute Creek GC, 70-68-75–213
Nick Tarasiewicz, Patty Jewett GC, 74-71-68–213
Derek Fribbs, Colorado National GC, 74-72-68–214
Tristan Sanders, CommonGround GC, 72-71-71–214
Tyler Winslow, Lake Valley GC, 71-71-73–215
Grant Suggs, Collindale GC, 69-76-70–215
Lanny Cameron, Mariana Butte GC, 73-71-71–215
Blake Basham, Lone Tree GC, 73-71-72–216
Adam Pladson, Aurora Hills GC, 69-77-71–217
Steve Kass, CommonGround GC, 76-70-72–218
Robert Bedan, Wellshire GC, 74-71-74–219
Matt Goodson, Colorado National GC, 76-70-73–219
Clint Miller, Meadow Hills GC, 72-73-75–220
Travis Fore, Highland Meadows Golf Course, 70-70-80–220
Taylor Stamp, Broadmoor GC, 70-76-75–221
Chris Shaw, Collindale GC, 68-77-77–222
Robert Burke, Twin Peaks GC, 72-72-WD
FAILED TO QUALIFY
James Kurtenbach, South Suburban GC, 75-72–147
Casey Knuepfer, Tiara Rado GC, 70-77–147
Lamar Carlile, City Park GC, 73-74–147
Mitch Shinkle, Lake Arbor GC, 73-74–147
Christopher Wilson, Eisenhower GC, 75-72–147
Nick Berry, The Meadows GC, 73-74–147
Cameron Freeman, Collindale GC, 73-74–147
Shane Unfred, Highland Meadows GC, 72-76–148
Danny Hahn, CommonGround GC, 80-69–149
Spencer Stern, Vail GC, 77-72–149
Jeff Berthiaume, Southridge GC, 76-73–149
Zachary Coe, Eagle Ranch GC, 74-75–149
Christopher Good, Lone Tree GC, 78-71–149
Pete Perry, South Suburban GC, 73-77–150
Nicholas Reisch, Thorncreek GC, 76-74–150
Wes Martin, The Courses at Hyland Hills, 74-76–150
Michael Glaesel, Indian Tree GC, 79-71–150
Grant Wozencroft, Highlands Ranch GC, 72-78–150
Wes Adkins, Highland Meadows GC, 72-79–151
Adam Thoutt, Legacy Ridge GC, 72-79–151
Pat Bucci, West Woods GC, 76-77–153
Wlad Colmenares, Legacy Ridge Golf Course, 80-73–153
Eli Schoenbeck, Desert Hawk GC, 75-79–154
Kyle Thurman, Broadlands GC, 77-78–155
Casey Hannen, CommonGround GC, 75-80–155
Levi Fladebo, CommonGround GC, 75-81–156
Grant Javernick, Meadow Hills GC, 74-82–156
Chris Weinstein, Green Valley Ranch GC, 77-79–156
James Pullin, The Olde Course at Loveland, 79-78–157
Stephen Hemphill, Plum Creek G & CC, 80-77–157
Keyven Gibson, Indian Tree GC, 80-78–158
Kent Wilmes, Aurora Hills GC, 76-82–158
Dan Deppen, Broadlands GC, 77-82–159
Aaron Irving, Fox Hollow GC, 79-81–160
Kyle Beard, Meadow Hills GC, 79-82–161
Michael Davis, Meadow Hills GC, 83-81–164
Peyton Lindbloom, Thorncreek Golf Club, 80-85–165
Nathan Johnson, Fort Collins CC, 76-DQ
Andy Dannewitz, Meadow Hills GC, 77-WD
The Pine Creek Golf Club player started the day with a bogey on the 10th hole, but rebounded in a big way with two eagles and seven birdies, offset by two additional bogeys.
Harrell (pictured), the 2008 CGA Junior Stroke Play champion, was one of five players who shot 65 or better in the first round of the 54-hole Publinks.
Brandon Bingaman of Black Canyon Golf Club, a Colorado Mesa University golfer, trails Harrell by a stroke. Bingaman’s bogey-free 64 included an eagle and five birdies.
Steven Kupcho of CommonGround Golf Course, Steve Connell of Riverdale Golf Courses and University of Denver golfer Chun-Ji Kim share third place at 65. Kupcho, a University of Northern Colorado golfer, won the 2011 CGA Junior Stroke Play. Kim is the brother of defending champion C.J. Kim.
In all, 24 golfers — more than a quarter of the field — broke par on Friday.
The field will be cut to the top 40 players and ties after Saturday’s second round of the tournament, which will conclude on Sunday.
CGA Public Links Championship
At Par-71 Highland Meadows GC in Windsor
Kory Harrell, Pine Creek GC, 31-32–63
Brandon Bingaman, Black Canyon GC, 32-32–64
Steven Kupcho, CommonGround GC, 33-32–65
Steve Connell, Riverdale GC, 32-33–65
Chun-Ji Kim, Highlands Ranch GC, 32-33–65
Kirby Pettitt, Harmony Club, 34-32–66
Jonathan Park, Walking Stick GC, 36-31–67
David Oraee, Highland Hills GC, 34-33–67
Eric Parish, CommonGround GC, 35-32–67
Bryan Kruse, Heritage at Westmoor, 35-33–68
Brian Richmeier, Meadow Hills GC, 35-33–68
David Schroeder II, Broadmoor GC, 34-34–68
Sean Thomas, Indian Tree GC, 35-33–68
Paul Erdman, Colorado National GC, 33-35–68
Chris Shaw, Collindale GC, 35-33–68
Thomas Roos, Spring Valley GC, 35-34–69
Adam Pladson, Aurora Hills GC, 34-35–69
Grant Suggs, Collindale GC, 33-36–69
Taylor Stamp, Broadmoor GC, 36-34–70
Cameron Harrell, Pine Creek GC, 33-37–70
Casey Knuepfer, Tiara Rado GC, 34-36–70
Brad Rowe, Ute Creek GC, 33-37–70
Andy Yang, Highlands Ranch GC, 34-36–70
Travis Fore, Highland Meadows Golf Course, 37-33–70
Stu Allen, Fox Hollow GC, 36-35–71
Curtis Garver, Conquistador GC, 36-35–71
Tyler Winslow, Lake Valley GC, 36-35–71
Matt Porter, CommonGround GC, 38-33–71
Ben Lyons, South Suburban GC, 33-39–72
Clint Miller, Meadow Hills GC, 32-40–72
Andy Moore, The Olde Course at Loveland, 40-32–72
Shane Unfred, Highland Meadows GC, 35-37–72
Jeff Slupe, Pelican Lakes G & CC, 39-33–72
Tristan Sanders, CommonGround GC, 36-36–72
Wes Adkins, Highland Meadows GC, 34-38–72
Adam Thoutt, Legacy Ridge GC, 37-35–72
Grant Wozencroft, Highlands Ranch GC, 37-35–72
Robert Burke, Twin Peaks GC, 37-35–72
Jordan Burgess, Highland Hills GC, 39-34–73
Blake Basham, Lone Tree GC, 36-37–73
Lamar Carlile, City Park GC, 37-36–73
Pete Perry, South Suburban GC, 38-35–73
Mitch Shinkle, Lake Arbor GC, 37-36–73
Ben Krueger, Pine Creek GC, 34-39–73
Nick Berry, The Meadows GC, 37-36–73
Lanny Cameron, Mariana Butte GC, 37-36–73
Cameron Freeman, Collindale GC, 37-36–73
Derek Fribbs, Colorado National GC, 36-38–74
Jon Lindstrom, Heritage at Westmoor, 39-35–74
Grant Javernick, Meadow Hills GC, 39-35–74
Robert Bedan, Wellshire GC, 38-36–74
Zachary Coe, Eagle Ranch GC, 36-38–74
Wes Martin, The Courses at Hyland Hills, 40-34–74
Nick Tarasiewicz, Patty Jewett GC, 40-34–74
James Kurtenbach, South Suburban GC, 39-36–75
Neil Metz, Flatirons GC, 38-37–75
Levi Fladebo, CommonGround GC, 38-37–75
Christopher Wilson, Eisenhower GC, 38-37–75
Eli Schoenbeck, Desert Hawk GC, 38-37–75
Casey Hannen, CommonGround GC, 39-36–75
Pat Bucci, West Woods GC, 42-34–76
Steve Kass, CommonGround GC, 41-35–76
Nicholas Reisch, Thorncreek GC, 37-39–76
Kent Wilmes, Aurora Hills GC, 38-38–76
Jeff Berthiaume, Southridge GC, 38-38–76
Matt Goodson, Colorado National GC, 40-36–76
Nathan Johnson, Fort Collins CC, 42-34–76
Andy Dannewitz, Meadow Hills GC, 39-38–77
Dan Deppen, Broadlands GC, 38-39–77
Spencer Stern, Vail GC, 39-38–77
Kyle Thurman, Broadlands GC, 36-41–77
Chris Weinstein, Green Valley Ranch GC, 39-38–77
Christopher Good, Lone Tree GC, 41-37–78
Kyle Beard, Meadow Hills GC, 43-36–79
Aaron Irving, Fox Hollow GC, 38-41–79
James Pullin, The Olde Course at Loveland, 39-40–79
Michael Glaesel, Indian Tree GC, 38-41–79
Danny Hahn, CommonGround GC, 41-39–80
Wlad Colmenares, Legacy Ridge Golf Course, 46-34–80
Keyven Gibson, Indian Tree GC, 41-39–80
Peyton Lindbloom, Thorncreek GC, 39-41–80
Stephen Hemphill, Plum Creek G & CC, 37-43–80
Michael Davis, Meadow Hills GC, 45-38–83