John Elway figures to receive much of the attention from fans and the media on Monday at The Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs, whether the Pro Football Hall of Famer qualifies for the U.S. Senior Open or not. More than 2,000 fans are expected to watch him try to qualify Monday at The Broadmoor.

Attention comes with the territory for Elway, who has an official role to play for this particular U.S. Senior Open even if he fails to earn a spot in the 156-man field. The Broncos general manager is the honorary chairman for this year’s Senior Open, which the East Course at The Broadmoor will host June 28-July 1.

On the golf course, Elway does have some game. He’s made the cut in the CoBank Colorado Open once, and has posted two top-30 finishes in the CoBank Colorado Senior Open. And he’ll be helped out on Monday by oilman and philanthropist George Solich, an Elway friend who grew up caddying at The Broadmoor. George Solich and brother Duffy have lent their names and support to the Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy. Elway is scheduled to tee off at 10:10 a.m. from No. 1 on the East Course.

But the bar will be set high on Monday for Elway and the other 83 competitors in the 18-hole qualifying tournament at the East Course as just two players from the site will advance to the U.S. Senior Open itself.

The field is full of formidable players. Ron Vlosich of Lakewood has qualified for five U.S. Senior Opens and Doug Rohrbaugh of Carbondale for three, and Rohrbaugh has also won a Colorado Senior Open and three Colorado PGA Professional Championships in recent years. Dale Smigeksy of Fort Collins and Charlie Post of Castle Rock played in the 2017 Senior Open.

On top of that, there’s several Colorado Golf Hall of Famers, in addition to Vlosich — Bill Loeffler (the 1986 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion), Kent Moore and John Olive, who’s competing at his home course. There’s 2017 Colorado PGA Professional Champion John Ogden of Cherry Hills Village; Mike Zaremba of Pueblo West, winner of both a Colorado Open and a Colorado Senior Open; Mike Northern of Colorado Springs, who finished fourth in the 2016 national Senior PGA Professional Championship; amateurs David Delich, a two-time U.S. Senior Open qualifier, and Robert Polk, who went to the 2007 Senior Open; 2016 U.S. Senior Open qualifier John Hornbeck of Wyoming; and Chris Johnson, who along with Rohrbaugh is competing in this week’s Senior PGA Championship.

Besides Colorado, states represented in Monday’s field including Arizona (6), Utah (5), Wyoming (3), Oklahoma (2), California (1), Florida (1), Montana (1), Ohio (1), Tennessee (1) and Texas (1).

Monday marks just the fourth time a U.S. Senior Open host course has also held a qualifying tournament leading up to the event. All told, 34 sites will host U.S. Senior Open qualifying events this spring.

Spectators are welcome for Monday’s qualifying tournament at The Broadmoor, and admission is free.
 

Olive (pictured), who’s earned a record seven CGA Senior Player of the Year awards himself, won the Super-Senior Match Play in 2015.

On a day that saw five of the eight round-of-16 matches go to the 18th hole, defending champion and top seed Kent Moore of Cherry Hills Country Club scored a 2-up victory over Gary Kephart of Patty Jewett Golf Course. And two-time Senior Player of the Year Harry Johnson of Eagle Ranch Golf Course, the fourth seed, slipped by Rick George of Castle Pines Golf Club, 1 up.

Also among those advancing to the quarterfinals were third-seeded Sean Forey of The Club at Rolling Hills (2 and 1) and fifth-seeded Jim Reynolds of Bear Creek Golf Club, the 2017 runner-up in this event (2 up).

Wednesday will feature both the quarterfinals and the semifinals, while the finals are set for Thursday morning.

The Super-Senior Match Play is limited to competitors at least 62 years old.

For results from the Super-Senior Match Play, CLICK HERE.

With play beginning on Monday, Moore will defend his title in the event for players 62 and older after defeating Jim Reynolds 1 up in last year’s title match at Coal Creek Golf Course in Louisville. Moore will be the No. 1 seed as the defending champ. Reynolds also is scheduled to be in the field.

Olive, meanwhile, won the Super-Senior Match Play title in 2015 and is seeded 18th this time.

Also set to compete at Black Bear are three-time CGA Senior Player of the Year Robert Polk, who recently paired with Bill Fowler to win the CGA Senior Four-Ball; and Harry Johnson, winner of both the CGA Senior Match Play and Senior Stroke Play in 2013.

Play at the Super-Senior Match Play will continue through Thursday, with Wednesday featuring quarterfinal and semifinal matches.

For Monday’s round-of-32 pairings, CLICK HERE.
 

Twice after finishing as first alternate in qualifying for the U.S. Senior Amateur, Polk has gotten into the national field by virtue of Olive withdrawing ahead of time.

It happened in 2011, and a repeat scenario has played out this summer, which means that Polk will tee it up in the national championship starting Saturday (Aug. 26) at The Minikahda Club in Minneapolis.

“(Olive) had some other stuff come up that he had to take care of,” Polk (pictured) said Wednesday after finishing third in the CGA Super-Senior Stroke Play at Buffalo Run Golf Course in Commerce City. “He called me Friday afternoon and said, ‘Do you want to play?’ I said, ‘Of course, I’d love to.’ He called the USGA and it was all set Friday afternoon.”

Ironically, it was a playoff against Olive that kept Polk from being in the national field in the first place. In a July 24 qualifier at Colorado Springs Country Club, the two were part of a three-golfer playoff to determine the final two national berths from the site. Guy Mertz from Longmont advanced with a par on the first extra hole.

But Polk’s drive on the second playoff hole finished stymied behind a tree in the rough rough and he took an unplayable-lie penalty. Olive finished with a regulation par on the hole to land the final national berth.

But after Olive’s WD, Polk is heading to Minneapolis after all.

“It’s wonderful,” said Polk, a 62-year-old from Colorado Golf Club Parker and a three-time CGA Senior Player of the Year. “I’ve always said, ‘This is why you do it.’ The USGA is the pinnacle for us. You just want to see what you’ve got against the best in the country. That’s always fun.”

It will be the fifth USGA championship overall for Polk, who has also competed in a U.S. Senior Open, a U.S. Mid-Amateur, and a U.S. Amateur Four-Ball with Bill Fowler.
 

The two Coloradans who qualified on Monday at Colorado Springs Country Club for the U.S. Senior Amateur will certainly take interesting stories to the national championship.

Guy Mertz (left) of Longmont lived in Minnesota for the first 26 years of his life, within 100 miles of where the U.S. Senior Am will be contested late next month. And Colorado Golf Hall of Famer John Olive of Colorado Springs drew extra satisfaction from qualifying just shy of his 72nd birthday as he’ll surely be one of the oldest competitors in the field Aug. 26-31 at The Minikahda Club in Minneapolis.

Those two were joined in qualifying for the national championship on Monday by David Nelson of Reno, Nev., who has played in an amazing 30 previous USGA championships, including the 1982 U.S. Open that Tom Watson won at Pebble Beach.

Mertz, a 58-year-old dentist, was born and raised in Rochester, Minn., and he graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1985, when he moved to Colorado.

“My parents live there and so do many of my friends,” Mertz noted after qualifying on Monday. “I wanted to play in this so bad at Minikahda. That’s why it was so much harder for me. I was choking my guts out because of that.

“Mike Larson (a fellow competitor who narrowly missed joining Mertz in qualifying on Monday) is a buddy of mine who’s from Minnesota too. Since they announced Minikahda, we’ve been saying, ‘God, wouldn’t it be great if you and I go back?’ We’ve been talking about it for literally two years. So to get back there, with everything it means to me …

“Today was probably the most nervous I’ve ever been on a golf course,” added Mertz, winner of a CGA Publinks and a CGA Senior Match Play. “I’m just so happy to make this.”

It will be the first U.S. Senior Amateur for Mertz (who has competed in a U.S. Amateur and three U.S. Publinks), the sixth for Nelson and roughly the fifth for Olive. The Senior Am is limited to players 55 and older.

Nelson, a 61-year-old who runs some USGA qualifying tournaments in northern Nevada but was visiting his daughter and grandkids in Denver, was the only player out of the 60-man field to break par on Monday. Despite starting his round with a double bogey, he shot a 1-under-par 70 to earn medalist honors.

Mertz and Olive (left), along with three-time CGA Senior Player of the Year Robert Polk of Parker, tied at 71 after each posting rounds that included three birdies and three bogeys. With that, there was a three-way playoff for the final two national berths.

Mertz, who made an 8-foot birdie on the final hole of regulation to land a spot in the playoff, earned the first national berth when he two-putted from 25 feet for par on the first extra hole. Olive went over the green on No. 10 with his approach shot and missed a 10-foot par putt, settling for bogey. Polk, who had bogeyed his final hole in regulation, was left in the trees off the tee and also made bogey.

After Polk’s drive on the second playoff hole — No. 6 — finished stymied behind a tree in the right rough, he took an unplayable-lie penalty and didn’t get on the green until his fifth stroke on the par-4. Olive, after a perfect drive, two-putted from 18 feet for par and the final national berth.

Olive is certainly no stranger to USGA championships, having competed in a U.S. Senior Open and a U.S. Amateur in addition to many U.S. Mid-Ams and Senior Ams. He’s also won a CGA Amateur — exactly 40 years ago — over the likes of fellow Colorado Golf Hall of Famers Steve Jones, Gary Longellow, Bill Loeffler, Tom Woodard, Mark Crabtree, Rick DeWitt and Ron Moore; as well as the first CoBank Colorado Senior Open and nine individual CGA senior titles. But adding to his USGA total in his 70s is especially sweet.

“It feels good,” the former Air Force Academy basketball player said. “The older you get, the more you appreciate the little things that sometimes you took for granted (earlier). When I was younger, I put a lot of pressure on myself and had expectations that I should qualify and should do this and that. Now, you just don’t. I think it’s a blessing. It helps you play better.”

Not many amateurs can say they’ve competed in more than 30 USGA championships, but Nelson (below) keeps adding to his total. He said he’s played in every one he’s eligible for except the U.S. Senior Open. The run started with the 1973 U.S. Junior Amateur and was highlighted by the ’82 U.S. Open. He’s advanced to the semifinals of the U.S. Publinks and to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Mid-Amateur.

“I just love going to them,” he said. “The USGA does such an amazing job. Any USGA (championship) you make is incredibly special.”

On Monday, Nelson was in the first group to tee off on No. 10. After his first-hole double bogey, he carded four birdies and a three-putt bogey.

“The good news was (after starting with the double), I had 17 more holes left,” he said. “I pulled my cap down a little tighter and start grinding a little bit harder.”

Polk will be the first alternate from the Colorado Springs site, while Sean Forey of Morrison is alternate No. 2 after winning another three-man playoff.
 

U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifying
At Par-71 Colorado Springs CC
ADVANCE TO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
David Nelson, Reno, Nev. 34-36–70
Guy Mertz, Longmont 35-36–71
John Olive, Colorado Springs 36-35–71
ALTERNATES (In Order)
Robert Polk, Parker 35-36–71
Sean Forey, Morrison 36-36–72

For complete scores, CLICK HERE.

Sixty-three players, all 55 and older, will be competing for three national berths into the Senior Amateur, set for Aug. 26-31 at The Minikahda Club in Minneapolis.

Gary Albrecht of CommonGround Golf Course and Robin Bradbury of Walnut Creek Golf Preserve, both 2016 U.S. Senior Am qualifiers, will be in the field in Colorado Springs.

Other qualifiers in Colorado from recent years — David Delich (2013 and ’14), Harry Johnson (2013 and ’14), Colorado Golf Hall of Famers Kent Moore (2015) and John Olive (2012), Thomas Roos (2015), Ted Warner (2013) and Kelly Crone (2012).

Also scheduled to play on Monday are three-time CGA Senior Player of the Year Robert Polk and other former CGA senior champions Tom Musselman, Guy Mertz and Ken Sady.
 

A total of 82 competitors are entered in the event, which will begin with a stroke-play round on Tuesday, with 32 players advancing to match play beginning on Wednesday.

Starting with the round of 16, two rounds of matches will be held both Thursday and Friday, with the 18-hole final scheduled for Friday afternoon.

The former CGA Match Play champs entered include Jeff Oneth (winner in 2016, who will be the No. 1 seed in this year’s bracket), David Delich (2015, ’11 and ’07), Tom Musselman (2014), Harry Johnson (2013), three-time CGA Senior Player of the Year Robert Polk (2009), Kelly Crone (2005) and Colorado Golf Hall of Famer John Olive (2003, ’02, ’01 and 1997).

Also scheduled to compete are 2016 CGA Senior Player of the Year Robin Bradbury, 2016 CGA Amateur champ Kevin Ott, 2015 CGA Senior Am winner Bill Fowler, and Jeff Hornbeck of Wyoming, who qualified in Colorado for both the U.S. Senior Open and U.S. Senior Amateur in 2016.

For Tuesday’s pairings, 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
 

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. 

At stake will be three spots in the national championship, which is set for Sept. 17-22 at Old Warson Country Club in St. Louis.

Among those signed up to compete at Fox Hollow are 2015 qualifiers Moore and Jeff Reich, along with 2016 U.S. Senior Open qualifier John Hornbeck of Saratoga, Wyo. David Delich of Colorado Springs and Harry Johnson of Edwards, both of whom advanced to the U.S. Senior Amateur in 2013 and ’14, are also in the field, along with Olive and fellow former CGA senior champions Robert Polk of Parker and Tom Musselman.

Only players 55 and older can compete in the U.S. Senior Amateur.

For Thursday’s tee times, CLICK HERE.