Robert Polk, a member of the CGA board of directors from Colorado Golf Club in Parker, shot a 1-under-par 71 on Tuesday to take a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the 47th CGA Senior Am.
The champion in this event in 2005, ’07 and ’09, Polk (left) is attempting to become just the fourth person to win the CGA Senior Amateur at least four times, joining Larry Eaton (a seven-time champion), John Olive (five) and Les Fowler (four).
Polk made four birdies and three bogeys on Tuesday.
Keith Atkins of Highland Meadows Golf Course, the 2017 CGA Senior Player of the Year, trails by one after a five-birdie day.
Three players — including Wyoming resident John Hornbeck, winner of the 2018 CGA Senior Match Play — opened with 73s and share third place. Also at that figure are Owen Ellis of Flatirons Golf Course and Mark Spenner of Front Range Golf Club.
The last two champions in this tournament carded first-round 74s — Steve Ivan of Patty Jewett Golf Course (winner in 2017) and Kevin Ott of The Club at Rolling Hills (2016). John Hull of Collindale Golf Course also started with a 74.
The field will be cut from 84 to the low 40 players and ties after Wednesday’s second round. The tournament, limited to players 52 and older, will conclude on Thursday.
For all the scores from the CGA Senior Amateur, CLICK HERE.
Pat Rea captured the title in Grand Junction each year from 1961 through ’64, and Skip Tredway went back-to-back in 1982 and ’83.
But on Sunday, those two had to make room in their elite club for former Brigham Young University golfer Justin Keiley.
The 2017 winner made it two straight at Tiara Rado Golf Course, but needed a playoff to do it. After tying former Montrose resident Brandon Bingaman at 21-under-par 192 for three rounds, Keiley birdied the first extra hole (No. 18) for the victory and the $10,000 that goes with it.
The result foiled the bid of Bingaman, who shot a course-record 11-under-par 60 in Sunday’s final round and eagled the 18th hole in regulation. Bingaman, a former Colorado Mesa University standout, won the National Car Rental Colorado PGA Assistants Championship in 2017. He went on to finish 28th in the national Assistant PGA Professional Championship in November.
Keiley shot rounds of 67-61-64, while Bingaman went 65-67-60.
Former Grand Junction resident Monte Montgomery (66-63-67), a three-time RMO winner, placed third at 196.
Taking low-amateur honors on Sunday was incoming University of Denver freshman Cal McCoy of Highlands Ranch, who went 68-68-71–207 to prevail by two in that division. Low senior am by two was Owen Ellis of Boulder (76-70-74–220).
Erwin (left), a left-hander who teamed with Steve Irwin to win the 2016 CGA Four-Ball Championship, had an eventful first round, making seven birdies, five bogeys and only six pars.
Also carding a sub-par total on Saturday was Kelby Breidel of Tiara Rado Golf Course in Grand Junction, who posted a 70 after making five birdies.
Among those tied for third place at 71 going into Sunday’s final round is defending champion Ross Macdonald, a University of Colorado golfer who plays out of the Country Club at Castle Pines. Also sharing third place are Jason Browder of Dos Rios Golf Club, Sean Thomas of Meridian Golf Club and Cameron Barnhardt of Dalton Ranch Golf Club.
Meanwhile, leading the senior division is Owen Ellis of Flatirons Golf Course, who fired an even-par 71, making five birdies and five bogeys.
Robert Polk of Colorado Golf Club, a three-time CGA Senior Player of the Year, is a shot back after a five-birdie day. Matt Hall of Redlands Mesa Golf Club sits in third at 73.
The 36-hole championship will conclude on Sunday.
For scores from the Western Chapter Championship, click on the following: OPEN, SENIOR.
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