And, as the end of the year nears, we’ll tell you what they said. In other words, it’s time for our look back at the most notable quotables of 2016 — from a Colorado golf perspective.
 
So here we go …

— Caddie Sydney Bates, interviewing for a full tuition and housing Charles “Chick” Evans caddie Scholarship to the University of Colorado:

“I always thought I’d be a drive-through person at Chick-fil-A, but I like this Chick better.”

— Former USGA president Thomas O’Toole, on Colorado Springs resident Judy Bell receiving the USGA’s highest honor, the Bob Jones Award, during U.S. Open week:

“Judy is a towering presence in golf and her contributions to shaping the USGA can be seen to this day. … From her earliest days as an accomplished player through her tenure as USGA president, Judy has been a staunch advocate and diplomat for the game. Those mantles were always delivered with her unique kindness and infectious personality. Judy is a real treasure.”

— On-course TV reporter Dottie Pepper, speaking at the G4 Summit at The Broadmoor, where during the 2008 U.S. Senior Open she had one of the most harrowing moments of her career:

“How can I ever forget being chased by a bear?”

— Rhett Evans, CEO of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and a former chairman of the “We Are Golf” campaign, speaking about golf initiatives in Colorado, including the new Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado:

“The state of Colorado has the foresight to bring together multiple associations for the common good of golf. What’s going on here in the state of Colorado needs to be replicated in a lot of other states as we try to combat some of the headwinds that golf faces. I think what you’re doing here today is a step in the right direction.”

— Longtime PGA Tour player Hal Sutton, speaking at the Denver Golf Expo in February:

“I think the Tour right now is in position to be really exciting to watch with a lot of good players. The Tour is better off right now is my point. … But I’ll throw one caveat into that: What if all of a sudden Tiger Woods was back on his game (and healthy)? There’s a lot of people that really like Tiger Woods, and there’s a lot of people who don’t. But the truth of the matter is, he adds a flare into the game that I think we miss a little bit right now.”

— Former Colorado Springs resident — and onetime USGA president — Judy Bell, on the CWGA celebrating its 100th anniversary:

“The CWGA is one of the most respected women’s golf associations in the United States. Its reputation has grown over the years right along with its membership. In all my years with the USGA, I was always very proud of the Colorado Women’s Golf Association.”

— Pat Hamill, founder of the Colorado Open Golf Foundation, on the quadrupling of the first-place money for the CoBank Colorado Open:

“Getting first place to $100,000, it makes me want to go work on my golf game.”

— CGA executive director Ed Mate, speaking at the annual Caddie Summit in Colorado:

“To me, you’ve got to continue to put the effort in. Caddying is not the path of least resistance. It’s not like the things at a club that you don’t need to push, that you don’t need to promote; they’ll just be fine. You don’t need to promote golf carts. People are going to take them. And if you’re not careful, they’ll take them too much. So just to maintain (the amount of caddie activity there is in Colorado) is success because it’s not the path of least resistance.”

— Colorado PGA executive director Eddie Ainsworth, on the number of rounds of golf being played in the state:
 
“I wouldn’t look at (relatively) flat as a negative; I’d look at flat as a positive in a down economy. I’m not just trying to paint a rosy picture. I literally believe that. If we’re flat and we’re currently in the economy we’re in, that’s a good thing.”

— Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Gary Potter, on raising about $95,000 for the Hall of Fame and junior golf through the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame Classic 100, an event in which participants garner pledges and then play 100 holes:

“It’s a hell of a success. Our goal Jan. 31 was to get to $40,000 overall, so doubling that is a great success.”

— CGA executive director Ed Mate, on his experience as a rules official at the Masters:

“It was amazing — everything you’ve heard about the Masters. From the experience standpoint, it’s unlike anything, so unique. It’s like you’re in a time warp, with no cell phones (allowed for fans on the grounds) and the food costs ($2.50 for a Masters club sandwich, $2 for a soft drink and $1.50 for a Georgia Peach ice cream sandwich). It’s the spirit of Bobby Jones and Cliff Roberts: They don’t measure themselves against what everyone else is doing. They do stuff their own way. It’s not a coincidence they’re viewed the way they are.

“There was a great quote (uttered) at a rules meeting: ‘We strive for everything to be the best, and if it’s not, we’ll figure out how to make it the best.’ … They just make you feel good. And if everyone around you treats you courteously, you can’t help but reciprocate.”

— George Solich, a 1983 University of Colorado Evans Scholar alum, on the $6 million renovation and expansion the E.S. house underwent recently:

“Being in the house today, it was remarkable to see. We have such fond memories of being in that house. We used to have freshman projects to improve the house, and our freshman project was using barn wood as siding for ‘The Pit’ room (in the basement). To see that room today when we had a directors meeting there, it was really like an out of body experience.” 

— CWGA Golfer of the Century Carol (Sorenson) Flenniken, recalling her heyday as a player in 1964:

“I’ll tell you what meant more to me than anything else: After I won the British (Ladies Amateur) that year, I was named Wisconsin Athlete of the Year. I beat out Bart Starr of the Green Bay Packers and whoever else was up that year. Little Carol Sorenson, I was the Wisconsin Athlete of the Year. I’ll tell you what: That stuck with me all these years.”

— Robert Polk, who won his third CGA Senior Four-Ball Championship with his third different partner, joked with 2016 teammate Bill Fowler that he soon may be switching him out too.

The exchange between the two players:

“He keeps trading down, getting somebody younger,” said Fowler, who just turned 53.

“I’m not stupid,” the 60-year-old Polk said with a hearty laugh. “You better watch yourself.”

“I turned 53 yesterday,” Fowler noted. “He’s looking for somebody 50.”

— Craig Stadler‘s friend — and fellow Colorado resident — Mark Wiebe was inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame five years ago, but the Walrus couldn’t help friendly needling his buddy during the reception prior to Stadler himself being enshrined into the Hall. After all, Wiebe didn’t attend his induction as he was in the midst of winning a PGA Tour Champions tournament that weekend:

“Every time I’ve seen him the last few months I’ve given him a hard time,” noted Stadler. “I say, ‘At least I’m showing up for (my induction).’ He said, ‘I was winning a golf tournament.’ I say, ‘That’s no excuse.'”

— World Golf Hall of Famer Hale Irwin (pictured), who grew up in Colorado, following a kids clinic in the Centennial State:

“There’s so much to be learned out there in the world and I’ve learned an awful lot through golf. Some of the people I’ve been around have been just outstanding people. If I can take just a germ of that and give it to these kids, and it seeds itself and it grows, they’re far better off. And what’s not to love about being out there with these kids? If you don’t love that, there’s something wrong with you.”

— Irwin, on significantly cutting back his competitive schedule in his early 70s:

“If you had asked me two or three years ago, ‘Would I ever miss a major?’ I’d say, ‘Never.’ Well, I am. The leaves always turn in the fall, don’t they? Well, my leaf is starting to turn.”

— David Oraee, on advacing through U.S. Open Local Qualifying after a nine-month layoff from tournament golf while he graduated from CU and prepared to take the Medical College Admission Test:

“It’s crazy to think it’s been (nine) months. I like tournament golf a lot. This is why I play golf. It’s good to get back into it. But I’ve never played this bad and won something.”

— Jeff English, on draining a 35-foot birdie putt on the 19th hole that gave him the title in a back-and-forth CGA Super-Senior Match Play final against Steve Scheffel:

“I was just absolutely floored” at making the long winning putt. “I just got plain-ass lucky frankly.”

— CGA executive director Ed Mate, on the death of Colorado Sports Hall of Famer Will Nicholson Jr.:

“I’m pleased we were able to recognize him as our Man of the Century last fall (in 2015). That pretty much says it all. There’s no individual who’s done more for the game and for the CGA in the last 100 years than Will Nicholson. He’s on the Mount Rushmore of golf in Colorado for sure.”

— Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Janet Moore, on Jennifer Kupcho, the CWGA Player of the Year the last three years:

“I started playing in the CWGA stuff probably when I was 10 or 12 — so about 40 years ago. I’ve never seen anyone like (Kupcho). She’s in a different league altogether. She has great temperament, a world-class swing, she’s really powerful and she’s just a good kid, too. I think she’s going to do very well.”

— Braden Bentley, on claiming the boys title at the first major ever conducted by the new Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado:

“It’s cool to be the first of a new era. It’s cool to think I’m the first one of so many junior golfers that are going (to win these Junior Golf Alliance majors). It’s also good to be part of the tradition of the (CGA Junior) Stroke Play that’s been going on forever. Players like (current PGA Tour professional Mark Hubbard, the 2007 Junior Stroke Play champion) and so many others that are playing good golf at a high level that have won this tournament before. It’s cool that it means it puts me in good company.”

— CGA amateur open-division captain Nick Nosewicz, after the open, senior and women amateurs swept the Colorado PGA professionals in the Colorado Cup Matches for the first time:

“Obviously as amateurs we want to beat the pros, and the pros obviously want to beat us, so there is a good rivalry between the two of us. It’s pretty special. Anytime you can get your name on the trophy that’s state-related and be part of a team, it’s fun.”

— Ron Vlosich qualified for his fifth U.S. Senior Open, but wasn’t particularly confident going into the qualifying round:

“In the (Colorado PGA) Section pro-am stuff, I was shooting like 75 all the time. I told my buddy, ‘I think 75 is par now.'”

— Just like a fellow southpaw who held the 36-hole lead at the British Open (Phil Mickelson) at the same time, AJ Ott of Fort Collins rode rounds of 63-69 to the top of the leaderboard at the Colorado Junior PGA Championship. Said Ott:

“Lefties are making a comeback, I’ll tell you what.”

— Wil Collins, who shot a 62 in the first round of the CoBank Colorado Open, early in the year had all but given up being a full-time tournament player:

“I was out. I was substitute teaching, teaching some juniors, got a job at the golf course, was doing some caddying. I needed to take a look at the other side of life. … I needed a change of perspective, and I was trying to get it by looking at the real world. It scared the daylights out of me. I’m trying not to take this (playing tournament golf) for granted. It’s pretty special.”

— Part-time Denver resident Kevin Stadler on the left hand injury that kept him off the PGA Tour for most of the past two seasons:


”It literally felt like I had a firecracker going off in my palm every time I’d practice. It was a nightmare.”

— Gunner Wiebe, who sustained a very, very deep cut on the underside of his upper right arm after walking through a sliding glass door that he thought was open, and it shattered:

“To think, if it’s a little bit deeper cut, it hits my artery and I’m not here … You’re in Mexico, (the person treating him) did the best he could. (But) I felt a little bit like I was a pet at a vet.”

— Neil Johnson, who, after barely qualifying for his first CoBank Colorado Open earlier in the week, won the tournament and the $100,000 first prize:

“Maybe literally I was the last guy in (the field). The elephant in the room is the big $100,000 check, which is awesome. But for me I always just loved playing golf. … To beat a field like this … You’ve got every type of player — you’ve got PGA Tour winners, PGA Tour members, Web.com members, Canadian and Latinamerican Tour players and mini-tour all-stars. To come out on top is definitely the defining win so far of my career.”

— Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Janet Moore, on playing in the CWGA Stroke Play at Denver Country Club 25 years after winning that same tournament at the club (Janet is married to fellow Hall of Famer Kent Moore):

In ’91, “Kent’s mom brought (Janet and Kent’s son) Steven out because my parents were watching and she was babysitting. I have pictures holding Steven when he was probably four months old. And now Steven is here at my house with my granddaughter. That shows you how time passes. Here I am playing 25 years later and there’s another baby in the mix, and it’s a grandchild. That’s a huge blessing and a lot of fun.”

— Wes Martin on qualifying for the U.S. Mid-Amateur for the first time since 2009:

“It’s a huge deal. I can confidently say there hasn’t been a day gone by over the last seven years that (returning to the U.S. Mid-Am) hasn’t been my goal. They give a little badge (to participants, and the one from 2009) is right where I keep my wallet and keys and I see it several times a day. I’m definitely looking for redemption.”

— Ashleigh Wilson of Highlands Ranch, who skipped her first day of fourth grade at SkyView Academy to play in the JGAC 10 & Under Junior Series Championship, which she ended up winning for the second time:

“I’m glad I skipped the first day of school to come here. My mom wasn’t too sure (about missing school to play in the tournament), but my dad and me were like, ‘If I’m in it, I’m playing.’ I wasn’t going to miss it. I’m glad I didn’t.”

— Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Kent Moore, whose win in the CGA Super-Senior Stroke Play gave him titles in seven different individual championships — an unprecedented feat in CGA competition — over the course of five decades:

“I’ve always tried to be persistent. 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.”

— Moore, after noting Club at Rolling Hills members Kevin Ott and Bill Fowler set the pace throughout much of the CGA Senior Amatuer, which just happened to be played at Rolling Hills:

“It’s like a club championship.”

— Arnold Palmer, who passed away this year, on his victory at the 1960 U.S. Open at Cherry Hills:

“It was my only (U.S.) Open win; it was the highlight of my career.”

— Louise Lyle, who helped Patty Jewett Golf Course in Colorado Springs win the CWGA Club Team Championship:

“It’s nice (to prevail) because the Denver clubs seem to win everything. It’s nice to be like the little club that could.”

— Steve Irwin, after teaming with Barry Erwin to win the CGA Four-Ball title, giving Irwin six CGA championships:

“It feels fantastic to get back in the winners’ circle. Maybe I should start doing the four-ball circuit after winning The Broadmoor Invitation and now this. I guess that’s what happens when you get a little older — you need the support of your partners.”

— Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Christie Austin, on being one of the first women to receive an invitation to join the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland, a longtime men’s-only club:

“I get this email about the third week of November (in 2015), and I don’t know who this is, I don’t know what they’re talking about. I click on the attachment, which was the formal letter inviting me to be a member. I sat there and read it, thinking, ‘Who sent this as a joke? Who’s trying to fool me?”

— Dustin Jensen, the CGA’s managing director of operations, reflecting on the first year of the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado, a collaboration of the CGA and Colorado PGA, with the help of contributing partner CWGA:

“I’d call it without a doubt one of the most successful things we’ve ever done. The entire thing just exploded in a great way. It was a complete success.”

— Janene Guzowski, on being one of the first two female members (along the Tracy Zabel) of the CGA Board of Governors:

“It’s the first time in 101 years that they’ve ever had any women on the (CGA) board. There’s two of us, which is kind of an honor.”

— M.J. Mastalir, on being voted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame:

“It’s a nice honor — and humbling. I’ve been really fortunate. I’ve worn a lot of different hats in golf, I’ve met a lot of nice people and gone to a lot of nice places.”

— Windy He, who works as a rules official for both the CGA and CWGA, on how she got interested in the Rules of Golf while living in her native China:

“That was a very interesting story. In 2003 my son Li Chen was trying to qualify in China for the Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego. He was 6 years old, and he hit the wrong ball. Somebody told me, ‘There is a two-stroke penalty.’ I said, “What!? There is a penalty in golf? Seriously?’ The guy said, ‘Yes, that’s the rules.’ I said, ‘How many rules are there in golf?’ And the guy said, ‘Lots of rules.’ I had to figure it out. So I bought some rules books and began to read the rules.”

— Broncos general manager John Elway, the honorary chairman for the 2018 U.S. Senior Open at The Broadmoor, on what he likes about golf:

“As an athlete, golf is the one game you can play forever. It’s a game that is different every single day. It’s a game that you can never ever get your arms around all the time. It’s a tremendous challenge, but most importantly it gives us ex-athletes a chance to compete again. I love the challenge of it.”

— CWGA executive director Laura Robinson, on the prospect of hosting the 2018 Girls Junior America’s Cup at Hiwan Golf Club, where she’s a member:

“The more we talk to people who have hosted, the more energy and enthusiasm we get. We’re throwing a party for 72 of the best high school golfers west of the Mississippi, and we’re competing with others who have gone before us. We have to make it unique for Colorado, and we want it to be memorable.”

— Denver-area resident David Duval, who teamed with stepson Nick Karavites to win the nationally televised PNC Father/Son Challenge, on his first big victory in 15 years:

“It’s wonderful. It’s wonderful to have the feelings, the nerves of really paying attention to what you’re doing, executing the golf shots and picking your lines. … This is as good as anything. It truly is. I know it’s not winning The Players or something like that, but this is what the progression of life is. To be able to come out in a professional event and win and have the whole family here, I’ll never forget it.”
 

It’s been a memorable 2015 in Colorado golf, but sometimes just as interesting as what happened are what people said about those happenings.

That leads us to our annual reflection on the most notable quotables in Colorado golf this year, which is quickly drawing to a close:

— Ann Finke, director of instruction at the Country Club of Colorado, on being voted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame:

“I can hardly put into words (my reaction). It’s amazing. I can’t help but think about that kid playing golf a hundred years ago and wonder, ‘How did I get here?’ I can’t tell you how neat it is. I’m taken aback, to be honest.”

— Jack Nicklaus, an honored guest at the Century of Golf Gala, on his history in Colorado:

“I’m really pleased to have had the pleasure to have Colorado be such a large part of my golfing life. … I’ve been blessed to be able to (design or redesign 10) golf courses in Colorado (with three other Colorado courses done by Nicklaus Design). I’ve had a blast coming here. I’ve had two or three homes in Colorado, skied a lot in Colorado and spent a lot of time with (President) Gerald Ford when he was here; what a man. What I’m trying to say is, we’ve had a great, great time in Colorado, and it’s nice to be back.”

— Nicklaus, on finishing second at the 1960 U.S. Open at Cherry Hills Country Club, as a 20-year-old amateur:

“Probably the best thing that ever happened to me in my career was not to win that tournament. Had I won that tournament, I probably wouldn’t have put my nose to the grindstone and would not have wanted to get better. It brings you down to earth.”

— New CWGA president Juliet Miner, on her golf volunteerism:

“I am so enthusiastic about golf. And I can’t say ‘no’.”

— Nick Nosewicz (pictured at top), on his excitement over winning the CGA Match Play:

“I don’t think I ever fist-pumped in my life on a tee box, and I did it like nine times this week, which tells you how bad I wanted this. I wanted it maybe more than anybody has wanted this trophy before.”

— CGA executive director Ed Mate, reflecting on Century of Golf-related events in 2015:

“We made the most of the centennial.” The Gala was “the biggest golf gathering of our time (with about 1,250 in attendance at The Broadmoor). We raised a ton of money. We launched an exciting relationship with the PGA. It’s a home run. I look back on this as a special year. It’ll be a tough act to follow.”

— Mate, on accepting an invitation to join the USGA Rules of Golf Committee:

“It’s pretty much a no-brainer for me. I’m a self-proclaimed Rules geek. I’ve always been interested in the Rules since I got involved in the game. So to be part of process is amazing.”

— Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, on Arnold Palmer:

“He was really the first approachable talent, if you will. Arnold Palmer knew how to treat his fan. He respected them with a wave and smile and made that fan feel special. He was always available for an autograph or a picture. I’ve tried to have (a similar) relationship with the fans.

“You always heard he had a very neat signature. That’s a powerful statement because it’s that moment with that individual person and you’re not going to get a chance to re-do that.

“Arnold Palmer really set the bar for being available, being approachable. … That gives an athlete like me a lot of inspiration to keep interacting with fans.”

— Rich Langston, reflecting on a favorite memory as a rules official in Colorado:

He noted how a competitor hit his tee shot into a greenside bunker, and when he took his stance, the ball moved. The player asked Langston how to proceed, and Langston told him to replace the ball and add a stroke. The golfer replaced the ball, took his stance and … once again his ball moved.

“He turned around and I looked at him and he said, ‘What the hell?'” Langston remembers. “At that time, probably a 2-foot-diameter big greenback turtle raises up out of the bunker (from beneath the surface of the sand). Part of his stance was probably mashing that turtle and underneath the sand she was moving around and raised up out of there. I said, ‘Go to a different part of the bunker, drop your ball and forget about that one stroke we talked about.’ We got to looking and I raked some sand and I saw some eggs. I called the golf shop. Eventually 74-75 (turtle) eggs were pulled out of there.

“It was funny as could be. … And by this time there were about three groups backed up on the 16th tee. But it’s sort of like when you make a birdie putt on 18 — something always keeps you coming back. Well, that’s what always kept me coming back.”

— Langston, on preferring to work a lot of junior tournaments during his many years as a rules official:

“I said I do not enjoy being on the golf course with a bunch of kids. But I love being out there with young players — and there is a difference. I don’t in any way, shape, fashion or form think that I have helped ‘sculpt their youth’. Hey, that’s for their mom and dad to do. But I enjoy being around young people. What I’ve always found is, you treat them with respect, and it comes right straight back to you.”

— Colorado PGA executive director Eddie Ainsworth, on the CPGA and CGA joining forces to bolster junior golf in the state:

“With the two organizations and what great things they’ve accomplished, just imagine now becoming one powerhouse where our focus is all going to be about the kids and the families. How can that not be great? For me, this is a major day. This is just huge.”

— Fort Collins’ Hunter Paugh, on closing out his high school golf career with a victory at state in his hometown and on his home course.

“This is just how my dream was — just exactly. I can’t picture it any better, with all my family and friends around to support me after winning the state title. It’s amazing.”

— Carbondale’s Doug Rorhbaugh, on tying a record with his third straight win in the Colorado PGA Professional Championship:

“That was everything. To be honest, that was my goal coming in. Yes, you’re trying to win, but knowing the three-peat hadn’t been done much, I was definitely thinking about it. To want a three-peat and do it, that makes it sweeter. It means a lot. It was more than just a win.”

— Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Janet Moore (left), on competing at Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen:

“I got within 20 feet of a (large) bull elk. It was a little bit intimidating. He was just staring at us. We were like, ‘What do we do now?'”

— Jill Gaschler, on beating decorated Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Kim Eaton at the CWGA Senior Stroke Play:

“She’s a great player. I have great respect for her. I enjoyed playing with her today, I really did. I’m sorry that she didn’t win, but I’m glad I did.”

— George Solich, who with brother Geoff (Duffy) Solich have lent their name to the Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy, on the program now thriving at three golf courses in Colorado:

“I think it’s really pretty powerful what’s happened. Four years into it, I think it’s awesome.”

— After shooting a 4-over-par 76 in the final round of the Colorado Women’s Open, former University of Denver golfer Melissa Martin wasn’t entertaining thoughts of being the low amateur. In fact, when it was determined that she did, in fact, claim low-am honors, she was long gone from the premises at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club. Said Martin:

“I was literally at Chick fil A, and they were like, ‘Can you come back?'” to accept the low-am trophy.

— Janet Moore, on shooting an 80 to qualify for the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur the day after husband Kent shot 69 to qualify for the U.S. Senior Amateur:

“It is very special. But after careful calculation, we figured we played in a 12-shot wind today.”

— Ashleigh Wilson of Highlands Ranch, winner of the CJGA 10 & Under Junior Series Championship as an 8-year-old, after being apprised Elizabeth Wang accomplished the same feat seven years before winning the national Junior PGA Championship in 2015:

“Seriously? That’s cool.”

— Mary Weinstein, who called a two-shot penalty on herself during the CJGA Junior Series Championship, despite her playing partners not seeing any infraction:

“I don’t think it’s ever worth cheating.”

— Jimmy Gunn, on making two eagles in three holes on the back nine of the final round en route to beating Zahkai Brown at the HealthOne Colorado Open:

“When I chipped in for eagle on 14, that was like a dagger toward him.”

— Amy Chitkoksoong, on winning the CWGA Junior Match Play at age 14:

“It feels great. It would feel great winning it even if I’m 22, but winning at 14 is giving me a lot of confidence for the next years coming up.”

— Amateur captain Steve Irwin, on the ominous weather — heavy rain, gale-force winds, lightning, hail, flash flooding and a tornado warning — that shortened the Colorado Cup matches at CommonGround Golf Course:

“We were down on No. 12 and I was getting a little nervous because it was starting to get dark. I looked up and saw the cloud spinning, and that really got all of our attention. So we were glad they called it when they did. We were ready to get out of there.”

— Mary Weinstein, on one reason she enjoyed winning the CWGA Junior Stroke Play Championship:

“It’s a good feeling because one of the CWGA ladies came up to me before the tournament — she wanted to give a little spiel about every single person when we teed off — and she asked me if I’d won a CHSAA tournament or a CWGA tournament. I was like, ‘No, I haven’t. Sorry. My bad.'”

— Zahkai Brown, on shooting a 13-under-par 57 in a casual round at Lake Arbor Golf Club:

“I thought, ‘How is anyone going to believe this?’ It was effortless. I just hit fairways and greens and made putts.”

— Sixteen-year-old Texan Reese Ramsey, on the course-record 10-under-par 61 he shot at CommonGround en route to claiming the title at the inaugural AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior:

“It’s crazy that it actually happened. I didn’t really expect that it would, but it did. It was just a special day and a special moment, so I’m going to savor it. It was a round I’ll never forget.”

— Christie Austin, on being inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame:

“Have you ever had something happen in your life so special that you just can’t even believe it’s happening? Well, this is my something tonight. This is pretty amazing.”

— After friends and USGA teammates Jennifer Kupcho and Gillian Vance won each of the girls state high school titles:

“That was definitely our goal,” Vance said. “We call ourselves Team Kupance. We thought Team Kupance could go to Oregon (for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball) and play our best, then go back and win state. We’ve made it so far together. We definitely wanted to go out with a bang together.”

— Derek Tolan, who 13 years ago qualified for the U.S. Open at age 16:

“You know, (qualifying in 2002 at such a young age) doesn’t really mean much anymore. It was a great experience at the time. Even now if you make it, it doesn’t really mean anything unless you do well and do something with it. I don’t know if that’s part of growing up, having more expectations or my game improving. … You’ve got to really play well, and have a chance to parlay it into a career.”

— CU women’s golf coach Anne Kelly, on outdueling the top-ranked team in the nation, Southern California, in a head-to-head matchup at the Women’s Pac-12 Conference Championships in Boulder, and finishing a program-best fifth at the tournament:

“This is what college sports is all about.”

— Two-time CWGA Player of the Year Jennifer Kupcho, on having the chance to meet Judy Bell and Barbara McIntire at the CWGA Annual Meeting. (Bell was the first female president in the 121-year history of the USGA, in addition to being an outstanding player, and McIntire won two U.S. Women’s Amateurs and a British Ladies Amateur):

“It’s really cool because that’s my dream to win tournaments that big — the ones that they did. To be able to talk to them and get their phone numbers, that’s pretty sweet.”
 

The year 2014 is quickly coming to a close, but before it ends, we want to take a look back at some of the most notable quotes of the year in Colorado golf:

— Christie Austin on being voted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame on her birthday:

“Honestly, my first reaction was it was a hoax because it’s my birthday and my husband (Bob) does stuff like that all the time.” (Christie and Bob Austin are pictured together at left.)

— Doug Rohrbaugh of Carbondale, after making a 5-foot birdie putt in sudden death at Q-school to earn conditional status on the 2015 Champions Tour:

“I made a Tiger (Woods) fist pump look like nothing.”

— George Solich, general chairman of the BMW Championship at Cherry Hills, on the event receiving the PGA Tour Tournament of the Year honor for the third consecutive year:

“The third in a row, we didn’t know if that was achievable. But it was hard for the Tour to ignore the job the team did.”

— Connie Gallagher of Denver, on acing a 253-yard par-4 hole at Pebble Beach:

“It was embarrassing. It was the first time I had ever played Pebble Beach and I was not paying attention (to club selection). I was just looking at the view. Looking back, I wouldn’t have taken out driver. It was just kind of a fluke.”

— Gillian Vance on qualifying with Jennifer Kupcho for the first U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship:

“I think it’s extra special because for 50 years and however long it will be going on, we’ll be able to say we played in the first one.”

— Chris Thayer on winning the CGA Mid-Amateur and ending Keith Humerickhouse’s run of consecutive titles at four:

“Keith was one of the first people to congratulate me after the playoff. He’s a real classy guy. I thanked him for winning four years in a row. It pushes everyone to get better.”

— Kent Moore (left) on being victorious in major CGA championships every decade since the 1970s:

“It shows that I won’t give up, I guess. Not a lot of talent, but a lot of persistence.”

— Billy Horschel on winning the BMW Championship at Cherry Hills after faltering with a chance to win earlier in the week at the Deutsche Bank Championship:

“The people on Twitter and social media … say that I choked and ‘you’re no good.’ That doesn’t affect me, but I just like to stick it to them and it was nice to get that victory and stick it to some of those people that had some negative comments for me. That just adds fuel to my fire, and I’m going to stick it to you every time.”

— Horschel on the crowds at Cherry Hills:

“There were thousands and thousands of people out here this weekend. I hope the PGA Tour realizes what kind of fan base and what support they have in Colorado.”

— Melyzjah Smith, on what she said upon meeting Hunter Mahan, whose hole-in-one at the 2013 BMW Championship earned her an Evans Caddie Scholarship at CU:

“I just wanted to make sure to tell him how grateful I was and let him know how big an impact he made for me. He’s the reason why I’m going to school (on scholarship).”

— As one of three lucky winners of $12,000 pro-am spots in the BMW Championship, Pete Knutson was beside himself with joy at the prospect of playing alongside a PGA Tour professional at Cherry Hills Country Club:

“I’m giddy, just absolutely giddy. My mom said I’d never amount to anything by golfing all the time. Look at me now, mom.”

— Heather Gardens PGA head professional Robert Macaluso:
“I made a joke at one of our PGA meetings:

“Everybody is all about the junior golfers, but I’m over at Heather Gardens where my job is to help the seniors keep playing. They talk about PGA pros and what are you most proud of, and they talk about they shot 66 the other day or ‘I’ve got a large junior program’. I’m most proud of, I’ve got a great staff and a great community that has supported me for 22 years — and we’re keeping these people playing golf into their 90s.”

— Macaluso, noting that comedian Jack Benny always used to say he was 39 years old, regardless of his actual age. With that in mind, whenever 95-year-old Don Meyer would shoot 39 at Heather Gardens, he’d come into the golf shop and say, “Jack Benny today”.

“After he turned 90, and his game (wasn’t as good), we changed it to ‘Senior Jack Benny’, which is (shooting) 49. So now he’ll go ‘Senior Jack Benny’ when he shoots 49.”

— Former CU golfer Luke Symons on undergoing hip surgeries five times since 2009:

“If I knew (the issue) I probably wouldn’t have to keep having them done.”

— Cole Nygren (left) on holing out from 296 yards for a double eagle at the HealthOne Colorado Open:

“It’s the best shot I’ve ever hit definitely. I’ve had a couple of hole-in-ones, but that tops it. It was pretty unbelievable. I’ve never felt anything like it. Rarely do you make better than a hole-in-one.”

— Micah Rudosky on he and his son, Jakob, both making holes-in-one in the same day, and in the same group — both using 8-irons — during a practice round for the Colorado Open:

“When (Jakob’s) went in, it was unbelievable. Then when I made it — that just doesn’t happen. In your group you might have one, but for both of us to have one — and they were both 8-irons … That’s kind of funny. We’ll never forget it.”

— Former CU Evans Scholar Ryan Pellet on the late Jim Moore, a longtime educational director for the Western Golf Association, which administers the scholarship for caddies:

“Nobody has a bad memory about Jim Moore. When I was in the house, he was always called ‘Smiling Jim’. He was the guy who could always get mad at you, but it was OK because you just knew he was guiding you the right way. There’s generations of Scholars that everyone has the same fond memories.”

— Amateur Keith Humerickhouse on facing Colorado PGA professionals in the annual Colorado Cup matches:

“It’s all fun, but when you get out there, it’s like, you don’t want to lose either. It’s that competitiveness that we all love. Camaraderie is awesome, (but) ultimately you want to win. I don’t care who you are.”

— Tom Lawrence, president of the CGA last year when the floods took a huge toll at CommonGround Golf Course, on the course fully reopening in late May:

“It’s like a rebirth.”

— Deb Hughes, whose decisive 18th-hole approach shot in the CWGA Senior Match Play final hit a small green drain cover short of the green, take a huge hop and end up on the green, leading to a tournament-winning birdie putt:

“I’ve never seen such a thing in all my born days.”

— CGA Mid-Amateur Match Play Invitational champ Michael Harrington on why he often enjoys wearing the color purple in competition:

“Since I was a little kid, I’ve always liked it. I remember painting my dad’s station wagon purple with a paint brush one time. He didn’t like that at all.”

— Cody Kent on winning the CGA Match Play title after finishing second twice during his high school years at the 5A state tournament, and also being runner-up in the 2010 CGA Junior Stroke Play:

“I’m tired of second place. It’s been a long time coming. I had a pretty good junior career. It kind of stuck in the back of my head that I didn’t win any junior or men’s CGA championships. That’s something I’ve been wanting to do, so it’s nice to get one.”

— John Elway on shooting a 71 in the first round of the HealthOne Colorado Senior Open in the spring:
“I don’t remember my bad habits yet.”

— Coloradan Jim English, low amateur in the 1959 U.S. Open:

“When you’re around this number of years, you’re going to have a few stories.”

— Colorado resident and 1982 Masters champion Craig Stadler, on being able to compete in the same field with son Kevin at Augusta National (left):

“It’s emotional in a very, very good way. I had envisioned this and knew it would happen some day. I was hoping it would happen some day. I was pretty sure. The rest was up to him. But it was very cool on Saturday evening registering and then walking down and (seeing our) two names next to each other on the scoreboard. That got me a little bit. … If and when I do bow out, I can’t think of a better way to do it than playing with your son in the same tournament. I mean, it’s awesome.”

— Part-time Denver resident Rick Reilly, on Jack Nicklaus winning the Masters in 1986 at age 46, as Reilly was covering the event for the first time:

“That might be the greatest thing I’ve ever witnessed in sports in terms of just sheer ‘slap your own face, spit out your dentures’ amazing.”

— Robin Jervey on leaving the CWGA after a 22-year run as executive director, to handle tournament operations for the Legends Tour:

“I’ve had a lot of tears the last 24 hours. It’ll be very hard to leave. I’m excited for what’s coming, but sad to go.”

— Rory McIlroy, at Cherry Hills for the BMW Championship, talking about the success PGA Tour players in their 20s are having:

“I think it’s great to see that there’s younger guys winning on Tour, and it only bodes well for the future of this game. I’m glad I’m the leader of that pack, and hopefully I’m the leader of the pack for the next 20 years as well.”

— CGA director of junior competitions Eric Wilkinson, on how people reacted when the doors to the Denver Golf Expo first opened and they rushed to the CGA/CWGA Used Club Sale:

“We didn’t open until 10 and some people were waiting in line for an hour. One guy thought another guy was cutting in line, and things started getting physical. They were shoving to get the best spot. It was like the Running of the Bulls.”