He even felt some of that on Sunday in the final round of the CGA Four-Ball Championship at Legacy Ridge Golf Course in Westminster. But as a practical matter, he had a couple of dogs in the fight.
Hoos didn’t end up winning the tournament, but the University of Denver men’s golf coach finished second to two of his players, senior Jordan Burgess and junior Ole Ramsnes. So even though Hoos might catch a little friendly grief about that, it was kind of a win-win situation for him.
“Being pretty competitive, I really don’t ever like to lose, but I’d rather lose to them than anybody else,” Hoos said with a little chuckle. “My job now is to make them better. It gives me great pride to do that.”
Ramsnes and Burgess, who just completed their college season, overcome their head coach — and his partner, Tom Krystyn of Meridian Golf Club — on Sunday thanks to the round of the tournament, a 10-under-par 61 in the scratch two-man best-ball format. That gave the Pioneers teammates a two-stroke victory over Hoos and Krystyn.
(In the photo above, Burgess, left, congratulates Ramsnes after the latter made a birdie on the 18th hole Sunday.)
Meanwhile, 60-year-olds Kelly Crone and Larry Netherton — who like Burgess and Ramsnes play out of Highlands Ranch Golf Club — claimed the CGA Senior Four-Ball title for the second time in five years, this time at Todd Creek Golf Club in Thornton. (Netherton is pictured at left in the accompanying photo.)The two four-ball tournaments, held concurrently, marked the first championships of the 2013 season for the CGA.
At the Four-Ball at Legacy Ridge, Ramsnes and Burgess each captured his first CGA championship after posting a 15-under-par 127 total. But just as important was beating Hoos.
“It was a tournament within the tournament for all of us,” said Burgess, the runner-up in the CGA Stroke Play Championship last year.
“They knew it was a big competition between us,” said Hoos, the low amateur in the HealthOne Colorado Senior Open two years ago. “It was fun to get out there and battle. But I’m very proud of them. Both Jordan and Ole worked so hard during the year and they haven’t had the success they probably would have liked. I’m so happy for them that (the win) showed the work ethic is paying off and they’re going in the right direction.”
Ramsnes, a Norwegian who just completed his junior season at DU, made an eagle and seven birdies on his own ball Sunday. Playing his first CGA championship, he didn’t putt out everything in the team format, but if he had he probably would have shot a 62 individually. Meanwhile, Burgess, a resident of Windsor, birdied their final hole to give the teammates the two-stroke victory.
“That was my best round (ever),” said Ramsnes, who eagled the par-5 third hole by hitting driver-4 iron to 12 feet and draining the putt. “I just had one of those days where putts were dropping and I felt really good. We had a great time, and that just made us play good. (Hoos and Krystyn) played really well. It was kind of fun to see that it actually mattered that we shot 10 under to beat them by two.”
The “just have fun attitude” obviously paid off in the end for Burgess and Ramsnes (pictured at left with their trophies).“It feels good to win,” said Burgess, who tentatively plans to turn professional sometime next year. “It’s nice just to come out here and have fun the last couple of days after just finishing up our college season. Obviously we definitely wanted to win too, so it worked out.”
Hoos, of Bear Creek Golf Club, and Krystyn were the only team closer than five shots to Ramsnes and Burgess. The elder twosome carded a 7-under-par 64 on Sunday and likewise went bogey-free for 36 holes, finishing at 129.
First-round leaders Eric Hallberg and Connor Klein closed with a 68 to be one of four teams tied for third place at 132.
At the Senior Four Ball, 2009 champions Crone and Netherton won by two at Todd Creek after consecutive rounds of 4-under-par 68. They made five birdies and one bogey each day en route to their 8-under 136 total.
Besides previously winning the Senior Four-Ball, Crone and Netherton paired up to claim the CGA Senior Two-Man Team Championship in 2007.
“We’re both super-seniors (over 60) now, so it’s fun beating ‘the kids’,” Netherton said.
The key this time, said Crone, was ham-and-egging it.
“When one of us was in trouble, the other stepped up,” said Crone, a past champion in both the CGA Senior Stroke Play and Senior Match Play. “That really helps. You’ve got to have a good partner when you need it.”
Robert Polk of Colorado Golf Club, a two-time winner of the Senior Four-Ball, teamed with Bill Fowler of Bear Creek to finish second as a closing 67 left them at 138.
Both the Four-Ball and Senior Four-Ball were originally scheduled to be 54-hole events, but the snowstorm earlier in the week led to them being shortened to two rounds each.
CGA Four-Ball Championship
At Par-71 Legacy Ridge GC in Westminster
View Leaderboard and Scorecards
Jordan Burgess, Highland Hills GC / Ole Ramsnes, Highlands Ranch GC 66-61–127
Tom Krystyn, Meridian GC / Eric Hoos, Bear Creek GC 65-64–129
Gary Driber, Golfweek Amateur Tour / Dallas Massey, South Suburban GC 66-66–132
Mark Zbrzeznj, Eagle-Vail GC / David Harris, Eagle Vail GC 68-64–132
Connor Klein, Lone Tree GC / Eric Hallberg, Colorado GC 64-68–132
Rocky Ariano, Dalton Ranch GC / Ben Hayes, CommonGround GC 67-65–132
Steve Irwin, Lakewood CC / Pat Diaz, Meridian GC 68-65–133
Danny Hahn, CommonGround GC / Matthew Neam, City Park GC 67-66–133
Derek Fribbs, Colorado National GC / Steve Kass, CommonGround GC 65-68–133
Michael Harrington, Garden of the Gods Club / Jim Doidge, Pueblo CC 68-66–134
Brian Richmeier, Meadow Hills GC / Andy Dannewitz, Meadow Hills GC 67-67–134
Alex Buecking, Columbine CC / Paul Robinson, Columbine CC 67-67–134
Alex Kephart, Eisenhower GC / Nick Tarasiewicz, Patty Jewett GC 65-69–134
Jared Bickling, Glenwood Springs GC / Keith Humerickhouse, Gypsum Creek GC 72-62–134
Paul Erdman, Colorado National GC / Charles Santaularia, CommonGround GC 68-67–135
Curt Jenkins, Lakewood CC / Richard Bradsby, Lakewood CC 68-68–136
Christopher Good, Lone Tree GC / Jim Reynolds, Bear Creek GC 67-70–137
Cameron Brown, Sonnenalp GC / Dillon McDonald, Red Sky GC 73-64–137
Dean Siskowski, CommonGround GC / Eric Tabanico, CommonGround GC 67-70–137
Wes Martin, The Courses at Hyland Hills / Shane Unfred, Highland Meadows GC 69-69–138
Tim Fitzgerald, Meridian GC / James Kurtenbach, South Suburban GC 70-68–138
Tim Kratz, CommonGround GC / Tristan Sanders, CommonGround GC 71-67–138
Jeremy Thibault, Heritage at Westmoor / Alan Boyko, Heritage at Westmoor 67-71–138
Perry Rickel, Colorado GC / Chris Egan, Colorado GC 69-69–138
Danny Riskam, Columbine CC / Pete Mangold, Cherry Creek CC 70-69–139
Shawn Mccaskey, South Suburban GC / Stu Allen, Fox Hollow GC 71-68–139
Kyle Danford, Fort Collins CC / Chris Schwartz, Harmony Club 69-70–139
Doug Moore, Lone Tree GC / James Tatro, Lone Tree GC 70-71–141
Don Stoner, Indian Tree GC / Patrick Wethington, Indian Tree GC 72-69–141
Jon Lindstrom, Heritage at Westmoor / Dean Clapp, Meadow Hills GC 69-72–141
Henry Bissell, Meadows GC / Kevin Burke, CommonGround GC 72-69–141
Timothy Nowak, Ute Creek GC / Daniel Price, Murphy Creek GC 70-72–142
Bob Athey, CC of Colorado / Chris Pratz, Springs Ranch GC 75-67–142
Roger Chivukula, Omni Interlocken GC / Owen Ellis, Flatirons GC 72-70–142
Levi Fladebo, CommonGround GC / Brian Edelman, Raccoon Creek GC 68-74–142
Sam Solomon, Broadlands GC / Mitchel Solomon, Broadlands GC 72-71–143
Alex Leonida, Inverness GC / Brian McCloy, Saddle Rock GC 72-72–144
John Perry, Highland Meadows GC / Richard Brown, Raccoon Creek GC 72-72–144
Erich Weiss, The Ranch CC / Patrick Mansfield, The Ranch CC 72-73–145
Chris Carlson, Highlands Ranch GC / Michael Love, The Club at Pradera 72-73–145
Andy Brooks, CommonGround GC / Eric Butler, CommonGround GC 74-72–146
Stephen King, Green Valley Ranch GC / Faraj Elmagbari, Canongate Colorado 76-71–147
Mark Brown, Highlands Ranch GC / Adam Benshoof, CommonGround GC 76-72–148
Wyck Brown, Lakewood CC / Brian Ohara, Lakewood CC 73-76–149
Adam Thoutt, Legacy Ridge Golf Course / Brock Voss, Riverdale GC 79-71–150
Matt Reinick, Todd Creek GC / Mike Cordell, Buffalo Run GC 73-77–150
Tom Gysin, Lakewood CC / Tom Mesch, Lakewood CC 77-74–151
Garrett Farnsworth, Lone Tree GC / Dale Chavez, CommonGround GC 76-77–153
Chuck Scheinost, Boomerang GL / Jim Turk, Boomerang GL 78-77–155
Billy Ramsey, Lone Tree GC / David Ramsey, Lakewood CC 79-76–155
Taylor Osieczanek, Broadlands GC / Ed Connors, Legacy Ridge GC 81-79–160
Matt Keeler, Broadlands GC / Mark Ury, Heritage at Westmoor 78-83–161
CGA Senior Four-Ball Championship
At Par-72 Todd Creek GC in Thornton
View Leaderboard and Scorecards
Larry Netherton, Highlands Ranch GC / Kelly Crone, Highlands Ranch GC 68-68–136
Bill Fowler, Bear Creek GC / Robert Polk, Colorado GC 71-67–138
Mr Harry Johnson, Eagle Ranch GC / Ken Sady, Eagle Ranch GC 71-69–140
Kary Kaltenbacher, Glenmoor CC / Rod Walters, Heritage at Westmoor 70-70–140
Chuck Delich, Eisenhower GC / Rick George, Castle Pines GC 70-70 140
Pat Bowe, CommonGround GC / Dave Brown, Rmgcsa GL 73-67–140
Bob Dameron, The Courses at Hyland Hills / Bobby Ortega, The Courses at Hyland Hills 73-67–140
Randal Gaddis, Lone Tree GC / Jerry Beren, Coal Creek GC 72-69–141
Guy Mertz, The Fox Hill Club / Mike Larson, Boulder CC 72-69–141
Dennis Fields, CommonGround GC / Thomas Roos, Spring Valley GC 74-67–141
Bob Chandler, Heritage at Westmoor / Gary Albrecht, CommonGround GC 71-70–141
Jeffrey English, AvidGolfer Passport Club / Bill Bolgar, The Ridge at Castle Pines North 70-72–142
Mike Lohse, West Woods GC / Len Mize, West Woods GC 71-71–142
Bob Kubiak, South Suburban GC / Allen Phelon, South Suburban GC 71-71–142
Bob Cloud, Bear Creek GC / Hal Marshall, Bear Creek GC 68-75–143
Jeff Sweet, Saddle Rock GC / Daryl Fengler, Murphy Creek GC 69-74–143
Frank Wilkinson, Lincoln Park GC / Carter Mathies, The GC at Redlands Mesa 69-74–143
Phil Herrera, Lincoln Park GC / Dennis Lucero, Lincoln Park GC 71-73–144
Mark Hirsch, Lone Tree GC / Michael Davis, Meadow Hills GC 75-70–145
Grant Porter, CommonGround GC / Jim LeMar, Meadows GC 72-73–145
Sean Forey, Bear Creek GC / Terry Kunz, Applewood Golf Club 72-73–145
Mark Franz, Saddle Rock GC / Charlie Post, Colorado GC 73-72–145
Robert Blayney, Highlands Ranch GC / Thomas McGeary, Highlands Ranch GC 75-70–145
Art Cudworth, Raccoon Creek GC / Scott Crone, Pinehurst CC 69-76–145
Keith Masters, Meadow Hills GC / John Applegate, Meadow Hills GC 72-74–146
Gary Fox, CC at Castle Pines / Steve Stultz, CC at Castle Pines 76-70–146
Tom Coates, South Suburban GC / Pete Perry, South Suburban GC 75-72–147
Mark Runyan, Blackstone CC / Mark Barkley, Blackstone CC 72-75–147
Robert Sherrill, Columbine CC / Gary Keogh, Columbine CC 71-76–147
Bradley Smith, Ptarmigan CC / Richard Sabo, Ptarmigan CC 72-75–147
Jerry Kidney, Overland GC / Daniel Dymerski, Columbine CC 75-74–149
Glenn Hyde, Riverdale GC / Chuck Fisher, Riverdale GC 74-75–149
John Sostmann, Raccoon Creek GC / Robert Burke, Twin Peaks GC 73-76–149
Bruce Hogg, Patty Jewett GC / David Delich, Broadmoor GC 78-72–150
Joe Morrill, Eagle Ranch GC / Rick Pirog, The Club at Cordillera 77-73–150
Darin O’Shea, Raccoon Creek GC / Bob Rognmoe, Raccoon Creek GC 76-74–150
Tom Warren, Fossil Trace GC / Bartley Corfee, Fossil Trace GC 74-76–150
Mike Campbell, Aurora Hills GC / Steve Kosarek, CommonGround GC 74-76–150
Frank Carson, Meridian GC / Scott Anderson, Harmony GC 74-77–151
Joe Distefano, Telluride GC / Ken Bailey, Telluride GC 77-74–151
Bill Stevens, Raccoon Creek GC / Jerry Molitor, Colorado Springs CC 76-76–152
Bradley Becker, Plum Creek GC / Perry Umlauf, CommonGround GC 76-76–152
Robin Bradbury, Heritage at Westmoor / Scott Sullivan, Bookcliff CC 75-77–152
Jim Brown, The Fox Hill Club / Bob Bauers, Boulder CC 76-77–153
Richard Harrison, Ptarmigan CC / Mark Hailey, The Olde Course at Loveland 79-75–154
Paul Yoon, Pueblo CC / Roger Larsen, Pueblo CC 77-78–155
Mark Davidson, Hiwan GC / Dave Bell, Hiwan GC 81-74–155
Tim Kromer, Inverness GC / Tony Tormey, Inverness GC 75-81–156
Bill Boyd, Highland Hills GC / Bob Heiny, Highland Hills GC 78-82–160
Bill Lundquist, The Club at Pradera / Mike Gilbert, The Club at Pradera 83-77–160
John Leamon, Littleton GC / Don Gaines, Littleton GC 87-78–165
Art Pitman, Golfweek Amateur Tour / Rick Newberg, Hiwan GC 80-86–166
John Chahbandour, Denver CC / Steve Bell, Denver CC 76-NS
Reed Myer, Denver CC / Craig Gardiner, Denver CC 76-WD
Two years ago, Jim Knous came from 10 shots behind on the final day to shoot 60 and force a playoff, which Wyndham Clark won.
Last year, Zahkai Brown rallied from six strokes down to overcome third-round leader David Schroeder and claim the Stroke Play title.
Then on Sunday in the 76th edition of the Stroke Play, it was more of the same.
Steven Kupcho of CommonGround Golf Course went into the final round nine strokes behind and in 16th place. He teed off in the sixth-to-the-last group of the day.
Not even he thought he had a chance to win. In fact, it didn’t even enter his mind, even at the end of Sunday’s stellar round. But Kupcho learned a very pleasant lesson as he put together one of the biggest final-round rallies ever by a winner of the Stroke Play Championship, overcoming that nine-stroke deficit to claim the title at Fort Collins Country Club.
“I had no idea I could really win it from that far back today,” the 19-year-old from Westminster said. “I honestly didn’t know how far back I was. My goal was to go as low as I possibly could and maybe give the top five a run.”
The University of Northern Colorado golfer wasn’t even considering overtaking Jordan Burgess of Highland Hills Golf Course, who led after each of the first three rounds. But Kupcho, the low amateur at this summer’s HealthOne Colorado Open, shot the best round of the tournament — a 4-under-par 66 — to overtake the University of Denver golfer and win by one.
Kupcho birdied his final three holes Sunday, while Burgess bogeyed five of his last seven to shoot a 76.
“I’m pretty upset about (letting the lead slip away),” said Burgess, a U.S. Amateur qualifier last year. “… This is my first time in this position in one of these tournaments, and I didn’t handle it as well as I would have liked to, and it looked like Kupcho played a great round today.” (Burgess is pictured at left in light blue while getting a ruling Sunday.)
Kupcho, the CGA Junior Stroke Play champion last year, won the Stroke Play on Sunday with a 3-over-par 283 total after going 69-66 on the weekend. Burgess three-putted the final hole for a bogey, missing a 5-foot par attempt that would have forced a playoff.
Keith Humerickhouse of Gypsum Creek Golf Course, who won the first of his two CGA Mid-Amateur titles at Fort Collins CC two years ago, was paired with Kupcho Sunday and fired a 68 to share third place at 285. Also at that figure were 2009 CGA Mid-Amateur Player of the Year Michael Harrington (70 Sunday), Gonzaga University golfer Brendan Connolly (76) and Chris Hyten of Silver Spruce Golf Course (75).
Only three players broke par in the final round: Kupcho, Humerickhouse and University of Kansas golfer Alex Gutesha (68 for a 289 total).
Burgess was in solid shape through 11 holes Sunday, standing 1 over par for the day and 1 under for the tournament. However, a pitch shot didn’t clear the bunker right in front of him on No. 12, resulting in a bogey, then he three-putted the next two holes for two more bogeys.
After a great drive on No. 16, Burgess pushed his approach into a bunker, leading to another bogey. Then he three-putted No. 18.
“I think the speed started getting off a little on my putts,” said the senior-to-be at DU. “I realize I was a little bit nervous; that could have contributed to that.”
Burgess didn’t know that Kupcho had posted a 66, but he realized that his bogeys down the stretch had opened up a door of opportunity.
“I knew being 5 over (for the day) going into the last hole that I was going to be pretty close with the guys up ahead,” he said.
Kupcho, who tee off almost an hour before Burgess, didn’t know he was making a run at the lead, but some nifty work with his putter down the stretch proved pivotal. He birdied No. 16 from 5 feet, then drained difficult 12-foot birdies on each of the last two holes.
“They were two nasty sliders on the last two (holes),” said Kupcho (pictured at left smiling after Sunday’s round). “I still don’t know how they went in. The one on 17 broke about a foot and a half, and the one on 18 was as slick as could be.
“This is a sneaky tough golf course. You barely miss a shot and you end up in a tough spot. It takes a ton of patience out here.”
Kupcho was deservedly proud of his strong final-round showing Sunday — as he was with the 69 he shot last summer at Greeley Country Club in winning the Junior Stroke Play.
“If there’s been one part of my game I’ve always struggled with, it’s been finishing a tournament,” he said. “Since last summer, to win these two titles finishing strong the last day means so much. It’s something to build on.”
The victory caps a stellar summer for Kupcho. He finished second in the CGA Public Links, made it to the quarterfinals of the CGA Match Play and led the Colorado Open outright after two rounds before settling for low-amateur honors. Then came Sunday’s victory.
“This was always a goal — to win (the CGA Stroke Play) at some point — but I just didn’t think it was going to be this summer. So this is pretty cool,” he said.
And though the tournament season isn’t over, Kupcho is definitely very high on the short list for CGA amateur Player of the Year honors.
“I went into every tournament just wanting to have fun,” he said. “I kind of took this one too serious (in the early rounds of the Stroke Play). I knew that Player of the Year was kind of on the line. I put a lot of pressure on myself, and that showed the first two rounds (73-75). Once I was what I thought was out of it, I just came out and had some fun the last two days. I should have just stuck with the game plan that was working all summer.
“But winning this means a lot. A lot of (college) coaches counted me out coming out of high school, so for me to have this kind of a summer — a Northern Colorado golfer to have this kind of a summer — it’s great. It shows that hard work pays off. And no matter what anyone says, don’t count yourself out.”
CGA Stroke Play Championship
At Par-70 Fort Collins CC
Steven Kupcho, Commonground GC, 73-75-69-66–283
Jordan Burgess, Highland Hills GC, 68-68-72-76–284
Brendan Connolly, Ridge at Castle Pines North, 69-73-67-76–285
Michael Harrington, Kissing Camels at Ga, 69-72-74-70–285
Chris Hyten, Silver Spruce GC, 69-68-73-75–285
Keith Humerickhouse, Gypsum Creek GC, 73-70-74-68–285
Kirby Pettitt, Harmony Club, 73-75-68-71–287
Derek Fribbs, Colorado National GC, 77-68-69-73–287
Kyle Danford, Fort Collins CC, 76-67-73-72–288
Kory Harrell, Pine Creek GC, 72-72-69-75–288
C.J. Kim, CommonGround GC, 73-71-72-72–288
Alex Gutesha, Meridian GC, 75-70-76-68–289
Aj Morris, Maroon CC, 72-71-71-75–289
Ben Krueger, Pine Creek GC, 72-70-71-76–289
Michael Lee, Greeley CC, 72-71-73-74–290
David Oraee, Highland Hills GC, 76-67-77-70–290
Christopher Wilson, Eisenhower GC, 74-73-71-72–290
Alex Kephart, Eisenhower GC, 69-77-71-73–290
George Bollinger III, Red Rocks CC, 71-71-75-73–290
David Schroeder II, Broadmoor GC, 71-79-69-72–291
Jonathan Marsico, Castle Pines GC, 74-72-70-76–292
Taylor Stamp, Broadmoor GC, 74-71-71-76–292
Cameron Harrell, Pine Creek GC, 78-71-74-70–293
Eric Parish, Commonground GC, 75-71-76-71–293
Danny Riskam, Columbine CC, 70-76-74-74–294
Nick Berry, Meadows GC, 71-71-73-79–294
Cameron Brown, Sonnenalp GC, 72-71-79-72–294
Jonathan Park, Green Valley Ranch GC, 77-71-72-75–295
Minkyu Jeon, The Meadows GC, 74-70-76-75–295
Gus Lundquist, The Club at Pradera, 73-75-76-73–297
Joshua Mathis, Colorado Springs CC, 78-71-72-76–297
Blair Matthews, Commonground GC, 74-76-73-75–298
Steve Connell, Riverdale GC, 73-77-73-75–298
Sean Robbins, Commonground GC, 77-70-71-81–299
Chris Schwartz, Harmony Club, 70-73-75-81–299
Lanny Cameron, Mariana Butte GC, 76-74-74-76–300
Kaleb Mahanes, Coal Creek Mens GC, 71-74-77-78–300
Cody Kent, Red Hawk Ridge GC, 76-73-75-78–302
Wes Martin, The Courses at Hyland Hills, 75-73-74-80–302
Joseph Schwark, Colorado National GC, 76-74-77-77–304
Alex Buecking, Columbine CC, 75-74-74-82–305
Dylan Mitchell, Lakewood CC, 74-76-81-75–306
Stephen Fernandes, Meridian GC, 75-75-79-78–307
David Holtgrewe, Cherry Hills CC, 68-79-78-83–308
Ken Cosper, Ptarmigan CC, 74-76-WD
FAILED TO QUALIFY
Brian Richmeier, Meadow Hills GC, 76-75–151
Zach Tripp, Foothills GC, 76-75–151
Adam Vasilakis, CC of Colorado, 77-75–152
Will Roth, Omni Interlocken Resort, 72-80–152
Connor Rakowski, Ironbridge GC, 75-78–153
Dillon Mcdonald, Red Sky GC, 79-74–153
Wlad Colmenares, Legacy Ridge GC, 74-80–154
Chun-Ji Kim, Highlands Ranch GC, 75-79–154
Jim Fucillo, Eisenhower GC, 80-74–154
Matt Porter, CommonGround GC, 76-78–154
Christopher Good, Lone Tree GC & Hotel, 76-79–155
Drew Trujillo, Bridges G&CC, 82-73–155
Jason Coffin, Colorado National GC, 80-75–155
Shane Unfred, Highland Meadows GC, 80-75–155
John Ahern, Bear Creek GC, 77-78–155
Thomas Roos, Spring Valley Golf, 77-79–156
Mark Brown, Highlands Ranch GC, 80-76–156
Tyler S Winslow, Lake Valley GC, 79-77–156
David Ramsden-Wood, Denver Athletic Club, 82-75–157
Damon Dageenakis, Flatirons GC, 78-79–157
Clint Miller, Meadow Hills GC, 80-77–157
Jordan Gallacher, Highlands Ranch GC, 76-81–157
Grant Porter, Commonground GC, 76-82–158
Geoff Nuwash, Commonground GC, 77-81–158
Jeremy W Deems, Lake Valley GC, 83-78–161
Grant Suggs, Collindale GC, 83-78–161
Zachary Coe, Eagle Ranch GC, 77-84–161
Dan Deppen, Broadlands GC, 85-78–163
Nathan Johnson, Fort Collins CC, 81-84–165
Patrick Griffin, Flatirons GC, 86-79–165
Casey Hannen, CommonGround GC, 84-81–165
Bill Parker, Avid Golfer Passport, 80-91–171
Josh Ostmeyer, Estes Park GC, 86-90–176
Chris Beabout, South Suburban GC, 81-WD
Andrew Cornella, The Club at Flying Horse, 78-NS
Cameron Freeman, Collindale GC, 79-WD
Rick Kelly, Commonground GC, 84-NS
Jeff Gravina, Pinehurst CC, 81-NS
Mike Chavez, Applewood GC, 78-WD
Go to full CGA Stroke Play Results
Go to CGA Stroke Play Results Archive
Zahkai Brown has already competed in a nice variety of USGA championships, while Jordan Burgess has never before had the pleasure. But either way, there’s nothing quite like that exhilaration of qualifying for a big national tournament.
Just ask Burgess, who put together a series of Tiger Woods-like fist pumps Monday evening after sinking a 40-foot birdie putt in a playoff that landed him a spot in the U.S. Amateur.
“I believed it was going in,” the 22-year-old from Windsor said. “Obviously you don’t really expect to make a putt like that, but … To qualify in that dramatic fashion makes it extra special.”
Brown (pictured above) also had reason to celebrate, though he didn’t need the thrill of a playoff. The Colorado State University golfer qualified for his second U.S. Amateur and his fourth USGA championship, following previous appearances in the U.S. Junior Amateur, U.S. Amateur and U.S. Amateur Public Links.
“It’s a great honor to go to USGA events because they’re so well run,” the 21-year-old said.
Both Brown and Burgess were the fortunate two Monday who punched their tickets for arguably the top amateur tournament in the world, which will be played this year Aug. 22-28 at Erin Hills in Erin, Wis.
As was the case in 2008, Brown earned medalist honors in a Sectional Qualifying tournament, this time at Highland Meadows Golf Course in Windsor. Brown shot 67-65 for a 10-under-par 132 total. On a day when 15 players finished under par, Brown recorded 15 birdies in 36 holes.
Burgess, who will join the University of Denver golf team this fall after two years at a community college in Phoenix, went 70-64 for a 134 score and posted two eagles and 14 birdies, including the one in the playoff. After Burgess (pictured at left) drained his 40-foot, breaking downhill putt on the first extra hole, Ben Hargis of Amarillo, Texas missed a 30-foot birdie attempt that could have extended the playoff.
All in all, considering Burgess eagled the par-5 earlier in the day, it’s a hole he won’t soon forget.
“This is without a doubt my biggest accomplishment,” said Burgess, who grew up in Greeley and now lives in Windsor, though Highland Meadows isn’t his home course. “It will be my first USGA championship. It’s something I’ve always dreamed of. I’m really grateful for the chance.”
Brown is likewise happy for the opportunity. But beyond qualifying for the U.S. Amateur, he had another reason.
“It’s awesome because my (CSU) teammate, Mike Sorenson, lives up in Wisconsin about 10 minutes from the course, so I’ll go stay with him, which will be great,” Brown said. “I’ll like it a lot.”
Hargis (68-66–134) will be the first alternate from the Highland Meadows qualifier and Matt Schovee of Englewood (67-68–135) the second.
A second U.S. Amateur Sectional qualifier will be held Aug. 8 at Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club in Aurora, where 66 players will compete for three national berths.
Next year’s U.S. Amateur will be contested in Colorado at Cherry Hills Country Club, with CommonGround Golf Course serving as the second course for the stroke-play portion of the event.
U.S. Amateur Sectional Qualifying
At Par-71 Highland Meadows GC in Windsor
QUALIFIERS
Zahkai Brown, Arvada, Colo., 67-65–132
Jordan Burgess, Windsor, Colo., 70-64–134
ALTERNATES (in order)
Ben Hargis, Amarillo, Texas, 68-66–134
Matthew Schovee, Englewood, Colo., 67-68–135
FAILED TO QUALIFY
Michael Lee, Greeley, Colo., 70-65–135
Michael Harrington, Colorado Springs, Colo., 69-67–136
Clinton Boutelle, Cody, Wyo., 66-71–137
Cameron Brown, Edwards, Colo., 69-68–137
Patrick Wilson, Dubbo, 69-68–137
Alexander Gutesha, Greenwood Village, Colo., 67-70–137
Eric Parish, Laramie, Wyo., 68-70–138
Bryan Kruse, Westminster, Colo., 66-73–139
Andrew Moore, Loveland, Colo., 69-71–140
Miguel Macias, Usaf Academy, Colo., 71-70–141
Andrew Hoops, Usaf Academy, Colo., 70-71–141
Nicholas Reisch, Thornton, Colo., 65-77–142
Patrick Sanchez, Mazatlan Sinaloa, 69-73–142
Christopher Good, Aurora, Colo., 71-71–142
Spencer Sheets, Centennial, Colo., 70-72–142
Gus Lundquist, Parker, Colo., 69-73–142
Caleb Leestma, Usafa, Colo., 69-73–142
Scott Wyers, Pueblo, Colo., 75-67–142
Stephen Depuma, Mansfield, Texas, 71-72–143
Kaleb Mahanes, Erie, Colo., 69-74–143
Derek Fribbs, Castle Rock, Colo., 73-70–143
Wesley Martin, Denver, Colo., 71-72–143
Philip Nelson, Lakewood, Colo., 72-71–143
Stuart Allen, Lakewood, Colo., 72-71–143
Peter Hassan, Boulder, Colo., 70-74–144
James Doidge, Pueblo, Colo., 74-70–144
Devin Schreiner, Durango, Colo., 69-75–144
Kyle Burns, Denver, Colo., 69-75–144
Lanny Cameron, Loveland, Colo., 75-69–144
Wes Adkins, Fort Collins, Colo., 71-74–145
Scott Burhorn, Henderson, Nev., 74-71–145
Trey Fankhouser, Goodwell, Okla., 76-70–146
Palmer Giro, Fort Collins, Colo., 73-75–148
Sean Griswold, Durango, Colo., 78-70–148
Michael Cole, Monument, Colo., 75-74–149
Martin Prazak, Denver, Colo., 75-74–149
Wlad Colmenares, Aurora, Colo., 78-71–149
Brady Needens, Brush, Colo., 76-74–150
Chad Novak, Pueblo, Colo., 74-76–150
Greg Johnson, Lakewood, Colo., 74-77–151
Jason Johnson, Westminster, Colo., 77-77–154
Nick Allen, Littleton, Colo., 78-76–154
Joseph Schwark, Westminster, Colo., 78-76–154
Kevin Klatman, Boulder, Colo., 78-77–155
Colin Hendrickson, Loveland, Colo., 77-80–157
Kevin Wohlfarth, Thornton, Colo., 82-81–163
Nicholas Purvis, Montrose, Colo., 83-WD
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