Among the golfers for whom Oldham has been a longtime instructor is Jennifer Kupcho of Westminster, the reigning Women’s NCAA Division I individual champion and currently the No. 2-ranked women’s amateur in the world, who will become a member of the LPGA Tour in the late spring.

Oldham has earned the Colorado PGA Teacher of the Year Award in 1999 and 2013, was the Section’s PGA Professional of the Year in 2001 and 2002, and is a PGA Master Professional.

The Top 50 Kids Coaches list features outstanding youth instructors from across the U.S. as well as Europe, Asia and Australia. U.S. Kids Golf has presented this honor since 2004. Applicants complete an online survey and a committee selects the winners based on factors including innovation, creativity, communication, parental engagement, organization, experience, and the ability to instill a passion for the game in young golfers.

The award winners will be honored on Jan. 23 during the PGA Show in Orlando, Fla.

This group of the Top 50 Kids Coaches hails from 28 states and nine countries.

“These coaches are honored as more than teachers of the game,” Dan Van Horn, the president and founder of U.S. Kids Golf, said in a release. “They create outstanding opportunities for young golfers to learn in a fun and rewarding environment that instills a love for the game and engages the entire family.  Their ability to connect with students and fully engage them in the learning process sets them apart.”

For the complete list of the Top 50 Kids Coaches, CLICK HERE.

The PGA assistant professional at Denver Country Club won the first two CPGA Women’s Championships and she led after round 1 of this year’s tournament at The Ranch Country Club in Westminster.

But there would be no trifecta for Braga on Thursday.

Tara Morris, a PGA assistant pro at the Country Club at Castle Pines, saw to that.

Morris and Braga were tied after the scheduled 36 holes of the event, with both players at 4-under-par 138 as Braga bogeyed the final two holes after making birdie at the previous two.

But after Braga missed a 12-foot birdie attempt on the first playoff hole, Morris drained a slick 8-foot downhiller for birdie and the victory, which was worth $1,000.

Morris, who bogeyed the first two holes of Thursday’s round, trailed by five after 25 holes as Braga birdied Nos. 3 and 6. But Morris rallied, making birdies at 8, 9, 12 and 15 before a bogey at 17 for a back-nine 35. Braga closed with a 38 on the final nine of regulation.

The victory earned Morris (pictured in a CPGA photo) a spot in the 2019 PGA Women’s Stroke Play Championship.

Sherry Andonian-Smith, who played in the U.S. Senior Women’s Open last month, finished third in the 13-player field on Thursday with a 1-under 141 total.

Colorado PGA Women’s Championship
Aug. 22-23, 2018 (final) at The Ranch CC in Westminster
1. Tara Morris 68-70–138 (winner in playoff)
2. Alexandra Braga 67-71–138
3. Sherry Andonian-Smith 70-71–141
4. Stefanie Ferguson 75-74–149
5. Shannon Hanley 72-79–151
T6. Liz McCabe 78-79–157
T6. Terra Shehee 78-79–157
8. Kelly Deimund 80-80–160
9. Holly Champion 80-84–164
10. Rachel Cavalier 86-80–166

For complete results, CLICK HERE.
 

University of Colorado golfer Robyn Choi has never competed in a USGA championship other than the one that’s considered by many to be the most prestigious tournament in women’s golf.

And now, to add to that oddity, Choi on Monday qualified for her second consecutive U.S. Women’s Open.

“It’s the biggest tournament,” Choi said. “I feel like I’ve had a big jump. I feel like I’m missing the (USGA) in-betweeners. I think it’s weird.”

Weird in a good way, that is.

The CU sophomore shot rounds of 66-70 to earn qualifying medalist honors at The Ranch Country Club in Westminster with a 6-under-par 136 total.

Landing the only other available berth out of a field of 48 players on Monday was Jillian Hollis, a University of Georgia junior from the Cleveland area, who posted scores of 69-71 for a 140 total. (The qualifiers are pictured, with Choi at left.)

The result is that in two weeks, Choi and Hollis will be headed to one of the majors in women’s golf, this year set for Shoal Creek near Birmingham, Ala., May 31-June 3.

Choi, a 20-year-old from Australia, shot a bogey-free round in the morning, then after struggling somewhat on the front nine of the afternoon round, she played her final eight holes in 3 under par. For the day, she finished with 10 birdies and four bogeys.

“It’s a tournament I really wanted to go back to because I gained a lot of experience from it (last year),” Choi said of the Women’s Open. “I’m excited to play again so I can progress on and hopefully become a better player.

“Last year it wasn’t like ‘I have to get there’ (in the 36-hole qualifying tournament) because I didn’t have any expectations of myself. But because I made it last year it was something I really wanted to do again. It was definitely one of my main goals this year.”

Choi (left) missed the cut at last year’s U.S. Women’s Open by seven strokes, and has set a goal to play on the weekend this year at the national championship. And she thinks she’s up for that jump. After often hitting her drives 20 or 30 yards short of other competitors at the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open, Choi has increased her swing speed and has picked up 20 yards or so on her drives.

That’s helped her move up to No. 88 in the Women’s World Amateur Golf Rankings.

Hollis, winner of four individual college titles in her three seasons at the University of Georgia, plans to forego her final year of NCAA eligibility and turn pro just prior to the Women’s Open. And she’ll do it coming off a strong spring in which she won twice in the college ranks — including on her 21st birthday — and qualified for her first U.S. Women’s Open.

On Monday, Hollis finished with seven birdies and five birdies. And she would have challenged for medalist honors had she not finished her 36-hole day by going bogey-bogey-bogey.

“Qualifying is definitely very sweet,” said Hollis, who will have full status on the Symetra Tour once she turns pro. “It means a ton. I love golf and the competition; that’s why I play. I love it so much. This is so neat to fight and grind for something — especially over 36 holes like this — and to make it through.”

Hollis punctuated her good play on Monday with a 90-yard chip-in for birdie on her sixth hole of the afternoon round.

Before going to the U.S. Women’s Open, both Choi and Hollis will head to Stillwater, Okla., this week to compete in the Women’s NCAA Championship Finals, which start on Friday.

Colorado State University golfer Katrina Prendergast, who recently paired with teammate Ellen Secor to win the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship, landed the first alternate spot from The Ranch qualifier on Monday after rounds of 72-71 left her at 143.

Jennifer Kupcho (left) of Westminster, who qualified for the last two U.S. Women’s Opens and finished 21st at last year’s national championship, struggled on Monday — her 21st birthday — and failed to make it three in a row. Playing at a course at which she works during the summer and often practices, the U.S. Curtis Cup team member managed just two birdies in 36 holes while recording seven bogeys and one double bogey.

The recent winner of her second consecutive NCAA Regional tournament, Kupcho shot rounds of 74-75.

“To sum it up, I didn’t hit the ball well,” said Kupcho, the 2017 Women’s NCAA runner-up. “I can’t say I’ve ever seen myself hit the ball this bad. It was just all over the place. I couldn’t really do anything. It was a tough day, scrambling all around.

“It surprised me a little bit because I was hitting it so well at (NCAA) Regionals and I’ve been hitting it so well the three days I’ve been back (in Colorado). Then I get out here and can’t even hit the broad side of a barn.”

Asked what she was going to do for the remainder of her 21st birthday, Kupcho said she wasn’t certain. “But I’ll definitely have a drink, don’t worry,” she said with a smile.

Then it’s off to Stillwater for the Women’s NCAA Finals. And she doesn’t think there will be any hangover — no pun intended — from her day on the course Monday.

“I think I should be good,” she said. “Just forget about it. It was one bad day. You always have a bad day. Since I was playing well and hitting it well leading up to it, I’m not worried.”

U.S. Women’s Open qualifying tournaments have been held in Colorado each year since 2011. In 2018, 25 qualifying events are being contested worldwide, including 21 in the U.S.
 

U.S. Women’s Open Qualifying
At Par-71 The Ranch CC in Westminster
QUALIFIED FOR U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN
Robyn Choi, Australia 66-70–136
Jillian Hollis, Rocky River, Ohio 69-71–140

ALTERNATES (In Order)
Katrina Prendergast, Sparks, Nev. 72-71–143
Jessica Vasilic, Anaheim Hills, Calif. 71-73–144

For complete scores, CLICK HERE.
 

The Westminster resident already has a leg up on the field in many respects, given that she’s No. 3 in the Women’s World Amateur Golf Rankings, has qualified for the last two Women’s Opens, and finished 21st overall (second among amateurs) in the championship last summer. It was the best U.S. Women’s Open showing by a golfer who grew up in Colorado since Cherry Creek High School graduate Jill McGill ended up 12th in 2002. 

But in addition to all that, there’s this: Kupcho is by no means a stranger to The Ranch Country Club, which will host the 36-hole qualifying tournament on Monday. Indeed, the Wake Forest junior and U.S. Curtis Cup team member has been an employee at The Ranch during the summer for the past two years and plans to be again in 2018. And because she has playing privileges there, she practices and plays there frequently during the summer.

And if you need one more reason to think earning a return trip to the U.S. Women’s Open might be in the cards, the qualifying is being held on Kupcho’s 21st birthday.

Kupcho, fresh off her second straight individual victory in a Women’s NCAA Regional, will head the field of 50 players, who will be chasing two spots in the U.S. Women’s Open, set for Shoal Creek near Birmingham, Ala., May 31-June 3. Should she qualify, Kupcho won’t be headed to Shoal Creek blind as she played there in December for a Curtis Cup practice session.

Also scheduled to compete on Monday is the other 2017 U.S. Women’s Open qualifier in Colorado. That would be Australian Robyn Choi, a University of Colorado sophomore, who missed the cut in last year’s national championship.

Kupcho and Choi are ranked No. 6 and No. 30, respecitvely, among the nation’s women’s college golfers by Golfweek.

Also teeing it up at The Ranch are CU senior Brittany Fan, who just finished sixth individually at an NCAA Regional; former University of Denver golfer Mariell Bruun, and who has conditional status on the Ladies European Tour; and Colorado State University teammates Katrina Prendergast and Ellen Secor, who recently won the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship.

U.S. Women’s Open qualifying tournaments have been held in Colorado each year since 2011. In 2018, 25 qualifying events will be contested worldwide, including 21 in the U.S.

For Monday’s tee times, CLICK HERE.
 

In the case of Colorado Golf Club competing at the CWGA Club Team Championship, apparently the third time is a charm.

After top-10 finishes in the event each of the past two years, CGC hoisted the trophy on Monday at The Ranch Country Club in Westminster.

With three players out of the foursome shooting 90 or better despite temperatures hovering around 50 degrees, Colorado Golf Club edged out West Woods and Woodmoor by a single shot to claim the title in the 32-team event.

“It’s bragging rights and I think it’s really good for our club,” said Robin Thorsen, the club’s A player for the championship. “I’m really excited. I can’t wait to tell our head pro, Graham Cliff, and bring that big trophy home to the club. I think they’ll be really proud of us. We’re really proud to represent our club. I’m sure they’ll display our trophy in the entry hall.”

In a tournament that features an ABCD stroke play format in which the scores of four players of significantly varying abilities are added up for a gross aggregate team total, the Parker-based club finished with 82-over-par 366 for the day.

Individually, C player Leigh Ann Post led the way with an 83, while B player Gwyn Wheeler had an 89, Thorsen a 90 and D player Ann Motokane a 104. (The champions are pictured above, from left: Thorsen, Wheeler, Post and Motokane.)

“I think Leigh Ann was amazing all day,” Motokane said of Post, whose round included two birdies. Wheeler nearly aced the 122-yard eighth hole, recording CGC’s other birdie.

Post attributed much of her strong play to a new putter her husband just purchased for her. That would be Charlie Post, winner of the CGA Senior Amateur in 2000 and a competitor in the 2017 U.S. Senior Open.

“That putter really worked for me today,” Leigh Ann Post said. “For my whole life, I’m going to keep that putter.”

West Woods (left) — led by Sue Hartwell, who recently advanced to the round of 32 at the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur — checked in at 367 along with Woodmoor, narrowly missing forcing a playoff. Hartwell’s round included an eagle on the 414-yard 16th hole, but also two 8s.

Rounding out of the top five team finishers were Broken Tee (377) and Fox Hollow (379).

The CWGA Club Team is unique in that every player feels some pressure given that each person’s stroke-play score on every hole counts toward the team total.

“It’s nerve-wracking because it’s (gross) stroke play; you don’t get to use your handicap at all,” Motokane said. “As a D player, you could really blow up and have some huge scores. That’s really stressful.”

That goes for the A, B and C players also. But the Colorado Golf Club team has bonded given that three of them — Thorsen, Post and Motokane — have competed together in the Club Team Championship three times, with Wheeler participating twice. And they’ve all been members at CGC since the club opened more than a decade ago.

“We all have our moments — both (good and bad),” Thorsen noted. “We’re serious — we played as well as we could — but it’s a lot of fun. We enjoy playing with each other.

“We just had good karma.”

The Club Team marks the final CWGA championship of 2017.

CWGA Club Team Championship
At Par-71 The Ranch CC in Westminster

1. Colorado GC 366
Leigh Ann Post 83; Gwyn Wheeler 89; Robin Thorsen 90; Ann Motokane 104.

T2. West Woods 367
T2. Woodmoor 367
4. Broken Tee 377
5. Fox Hollow 379
6. Hyland Hills 380
7. Rolling Hills 383
T8. Omni Interlocken 384
T8. Glenmoor 384
10. Ranch 385
T11. Foothills 387
T11. Blackstone/Black Bear 387
13. Valley 389
T14. South Suburban 391
T14. City Park 391
T14. Pinehurst 391
T17. Highlands Ranch 393
T17. Heritage Eagle Bend 393
T17. Indian Tree 393
20. Riverdale 395
21. Patty Jewett 397
T22. Wellshire 402
T22. Meridian 402
24. Saddle Rock 403
25. Willis Case 405
26. Lake Valley 409
27. Meadows 410
28. Overland Park 415
29. Littleton 416
30. Spring Valley 422
31. Olde Course at Loveland 432
32. Heather Ridge DQ

For all the scores from the Club Team — both team and individual, CLICK HERE.

The CWGA Club Team Championship will be held for the 14th time on Monday (Sept. 25), with The Ranch Country Club in Westminster hosting the tournament this time around.

The event features an ABCD stroke play format in which the scores of four players of significantly varying abilities are added up for a gross aggregate team total.

A team from Patty Jewett Golf Course in Colorado Springs will be back to defend its title. Lita Van Cleave will return after playing on the Patty Jewett foursome that won the title by nine strokes last year.

Other former champions in the field including South Suburban (2014 and ’15), Blackstone/Black Bear (2013), Saddle Rock (2011), Glenmoor (2010), The Meadows (2009), The Ranch (2008) and Heather Ridge, winner of the inaugural championship in 2004.

Among the individuals scheduled to compete who have won individual CWGA championships are Laurie Steenrod (Saddle Rock) and Mary Doyen (Foothills). Kelly Martin from Fox Hollow recently teamed up with Deb Hughes to win the CWGA Dunham Chapman title. And Sue Hartwell from West Woods earlier this month made it to the round of 32 at the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur.

For Monday’s pairings at The Ranch, CLICK HERE.

Two U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball qualifying tournaments with current CSU teammates, two success stories.

A year after teaming up with Jessica Sloot to qualify for the national Women’s Four-Ball, Secor did it again on Tuesday, this time with CSU sophomore Katrina Prendergast.

Secor and Prendergast shot a 2-under-par 69 Tuesday at The Ranch Country Club in Westminster to earn the lone available qualifying spot for the third annual U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship.

Secor, an 18-year-old freshman from Oregon, and Prendergast, a 19-year-old sophomore from Nevada, finished strong to land the medalist spot, playing the last four holes in 3 under par and making an eagle on the 417-yard par-5 16th hole. They finished the day with an eagle, three birdies and three bogeys. (The two are pictured above, with Prendergast at left.)

Though the qualifier was held in October, the U.S. Women’s Four-Ball for which Prendergast and Secor punched their tickets won’t be contested until May 27-31 at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

“These national tournaments are learning experiences,” Secor said. “I just try to have fun with it because you never know when you’re going to be there next. Fortunately for me, this is my second year in a row going to this (national ) tournament, which is one of the best USGA tournaments out there.

“This one does mean a lot because me and KP, this is our first year together. It’ll be a lot of fun for us because it will be another bonding experience. These national tournaments are a huge steppingstone for us and for our (CSU) program because it makes us look really good.”

Secor and Sloot not only qualified for the 2016 national championship, but advanced to match play. Overall, the 2017 Four-Ball will be the fourth USGA championship for both Prendergast and Secor, each of whom has been to the U.S. Women’s Amateur and the U.S. Girls’ Junior. In fact, Prendergast, runner-up in the Mountain West Conference Championships as a CSU freshman, also qualified in Colorado for this year’s U.S. Women’s Am.

“I played in the Women’s Amateur this year and it was awesome to play with the really good amateurs there,” Prendergast said. “It’s really good competition. These are good preparation for college tournaments and even later in life for pro tournaments. So it’s great to be able to qualify, especially with your teammate.”

Prendergast and Secor chipped in twice on Tuesday — for birdie on No. 9 by Secor and for eagle on No. 16 by Prendergast.

“We had a rough start, bogeying the first par-5, but we finished strong,” Prendergast noted.

Finishing second in Tuesday’s seven-team field were sisters Lauren and Katelyn Lehigh of Loveland — 15 and 12 years old, respectively — who posted a 72 after bogeying their final two holes. They’re the first alternates from Tuesday’s qualifier. Lauren Lehigh qualified last year for the 2016 U.S. Women’s Four-Ball — with teammate Aili Bundy — but they elected not to play because the national event conflicted with the girls state high school tournaments.

Placing third Tuesday — and landing the second alternate spot — were Georgiana Salant of Boulder and Isabella Salant of Carlsbad, Calif., who carded a 73.

Tuesday marked the final USGA qualifier in Colorado for 2016.

U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Qualifying
At Par-71 The Ranch CC in Westminster

QUALIFIED FOR U.S. WOMEN’S FOUR-BALL
Katrina Prendergast, Sparks, Nev./Ellen Secor, Portland 35-34–69
ALTERNATES (In Order)
Lauren Lehigh, Loveland/Katelyn Lehigh, Loveland 34-38–72
Georgiana Salant, Boulder/Isabella Salant, Carlsbad, Calif. 35-38–73
FAILED TO QUALIFY
Ampi Diaz, Mexico/Ericka Diaz, Mexico 37-36–73
Kathy Malpass, Evergreen/Katherine Moore-Lilly, Longboat Key, Fla. 37-40–77
Amy Chitkoksoong, Aurora/Caroline Jordaan, Cherry Hills Village 42-38–80
Wendy Atkinson, Westminster/Kathleen Johnson, Broomfield 43-44–87
Christie Austin, Denver/Janet Moore, Centennial WD

This will mark the final USGA qualifying tournament of the year in Colorado — women’s or men’s — but in this case the golfers will be competing for a spot in a 2017 national championship. The U.S. Women’s Four-Ball is set for May 27-31 at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club (pictured) in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Back in the qualifying field this year is Lauren Lehigh of Loveland, who qualified last year for the 2016 U.S. Women’s Four-Ball — with then-teammate Aili Bundy — but elected not to play because the national event conflicted with the girls state high school tournaments. Lehigh will team up with sister Katelyn this time.

Among the other two-person teams entered in the four-ball stroke-play qualifier are Kathy Malpass of Evergreen and Katherine Moore-Lilly of Cordillera Golf Club, who both played in last month’s U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur and won the first flight of this year’s CWGA Brassie Championship; Amy Chitkoksoong of Aurora and Caroline Jordaan of Cherry Hills Village, both runners-up in their respective girls state high school tournaments in the spring; and Colorado State University teammates Katrina Prendergast and Ellen Secor.

For Tuesday’s tee times, CLICK HERE.

There was much to admire Tuesday as the CJGA 14-18 Junior Series Championship concluded at The Ranch Country Club in Westminster.

The boys champion, Coby Welch of Highlands Ranch, became the first person in history to win all three age divisions of the Junior Series Championships.

And the girls winner, Mary Weinstein, also of Highlands Ranch, prevailed despite calling a two-stroke penalty on herself Monday for an infraction which her playing partners didn’t notice.

Talent and integrity. That’s quite a 1-2 punch, especially when possessed by junior players.

Welch (pictured above and below), who last week finished seventh individually in the prestigious Junior America’s Cup, won the 10-and-under Junior Series title in 2008 and the 11-13 championship in 2012.

“It means a lot,” the 17-year-old said of completing the Junior Series sweep. “It shows that my golf game has improved, I guess, which is good to know. Hopefully going into college (in 2016) it’ll improve even more, and more past that.
But that’s a big accomplishment. It was something I wanted to do — a goal of mine. I accomplished it, so that’s good.”

In the 14-18 tournament, the Valor Christian High School senior-to-be shot consecutive sub-par rounds at The Ranch — 68 and 70 — for a 4-under 138 total. This, mind you, after closing with a 67 Friday at the Junior America’s Cup in Flagstaff, Ariz., meaning Welch is a cumulative 9 under par for his last three competitive rounds. On Tuesday, after being tied with Davis Bryant of Aurora after 27 holes, Welch shot a bogey-free 33 on the back nine Tuesday to pull away.

Daniel Pearson (left) of Longmont made five birdies on Tuesday in a round of 68 to finish second at 140. Bryant, like Welch a U.S. Junior Amateur qualifier and a CGA team representative at the Junior America’s Cup, placed third at 141 after closing with a 71. Timothy Amundson of Littleton posted consecutive 71s for a 142 total and fourth place.

Welch has played some of his best golf of the summer since recently verbally committing to play college golf at the University of Northern Colorado beginning a year from now.

“I think it helps a little bit (to have the pressure off),” said Welch, winner of the 2014 CJGA Tournament of Champions. “It isn’t as intense anymore.

“I’ve been playing good. I started out the summer a little rough, but I definitely got better and I’m playing some good golf now, so that’s exciting.”

On Tuesday, while Welch said he wasn’t in peak form, he was steady as a rock, carding two birdies, one bogey and 15 pars. Once Bryant bogeyed the 10th and 11th holes, Welch led for good.

“I wasn’t hitting the ball great today, but I just kept chugging and chugging and hoping it would come around,” Welch said. “A couple birdies came, and that was it.”

Weinstein (left and below), the 2015 CWGA Junior Stroke Play champion, shot rounds of 73-73, but Monday’s score included a two-stroke penalty on the par-3 15th hole, where the 17-year-old realized after the fact that she had teed off slightly in front of the tee markers. And though her playing partners didn’t see anything amiss, Weinstein called the infraction on herself and went on to take a double bogey on the hole.

“I don’t think it’s ever worth cheating,” said Weinstein, a senior-to-be at Regis Jesuit High School. “The way I played this tournament, it was good enough. I asked my playing mates, Morgan (Sahm) and Jaclyn (Murray), and they weren’t watching, so I called it. A rules official came over and did a string from my divot, but I knew I was out so I called the penalty and hit again.”

Penalty or not, Weinstein set the standard at The Ranch. Her 2-over 146 total was four shots better than runners-up Sahm, of Centennial, and Murray, of Grand Junction. Sahm, a 2015 U.S. Girls’ Junior qualifier, closed with a 72 as she eagled the seventh hole and birdied two of the last three on Tuesday. Murray (pictured below), runner-up in the 2015 CWGA Junior Match Play, had a 77 in a round that included a triple-bogey 8 on the third hole and an eagle 3 on the 16th.

Amy Chitkoksoong of Aurora, the CWGA Junior Match Play champion, placed fourth at 154 after a final-round 71 in which she played her final nine in 4-under 32.

For Weinstein, it’s been quite the summer. She won the CWGA Junior Stroke Play, finished 15th at the IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championships (the best showing ever by a Coloradan in the girls 15-17 age group), placed second in the CWGA Stroke Play, and now wins the CJGA 14-18 Junior Series Championship.

“I worked really hard and worked on my swing a lot, practiced hard and played a lot more tournaments,” she said, also crediting her swing coach, Terry Stearman. “All of that added up to playing better.”

Weinstein hasn’t yet settled on where she’ll play college golf, but she figures a verbal commitment will be forthcoming in the next week or so.

The CJGA Junior Series Championships for younger golfers will take place next week, with the 11-13 age group competing Aug. 10-11 at Deer Creek Golf Club in Littleton, and the 10-and-unders playing Aug. 12 at the Les Fowler Par-3 Course at Boulder Country Club.
 

CJGA 14-18 Junior Series Championship
At The Ranch CC in Westminster

Boys (Par-71)
Coby Welch, Highlands Ranch, Colo. 68-70–138
Daniel Pearson, Longmont, Colo. 72-68–140
Davis Bryant, Aurora, Colo. 70-71–141
Timothy Amundson, Littleton, Colo. 71-71–142
Isaac Petersilie, Colorado Springs, Colo. 74-69–143
Glen-Michael Mihavetz, Montrose, Colo. 73-71–144
Philip Lee, Denver, Colo. 72-73–145
Andrew McCormick, Denver, Colo. 75-71–146
Evan Buchalski, Loveland, Colo. 75-72–147
Samuel Taylor, Nederland, Colo. 73-74–147
Austin Burgess, Colorado Springs, Colo. 71-77–148
Tyler Zhang, Lone Tree, Colo. 71-77–148
Zach Gomez, Westminster, Colo. 74-74–148
Wes Moran, Colorado Springs, Colo. 71-78–149
Alec Poorman, Boulder, Colo. 77-73–150
Austin Hardman, Highlands Ranch, Colo. 73-77–150
Jack Castiglia, Lakewood, Colo. 73-77–150
Jackson Crist, Highlands Ranch, Colo. 74-76–150
Chadd Vasquez, Colorado Springs, Colo. 77-74–151
Ryan Pearson, Highlands Ranch, Colo. 76-75–151
Ryan Zetwick, Castle Rock, Colo. 80-72–152
David Leede, Greenwood Village, Colo. 75-79–154
Jake Welch, Highlands Ranch, Colo. 77-77–154
Subin Lee, Englewood, Colo. 79-75–154
Micah Stangebye, Montrose, Colo. 79-77–156
Dillon Baker, Castle Rock, Colorado 81-78–159
Isaac Calden, Estes Park, Colorado 77-82–159
Kyle Pearson, Highlands Ranch, Colo. 78-82–160
Christopher Kennedy, Aurora, Colo. 76-86–162
Cameron Chapman, Highlands Ranch, Colo. 79-92–171
Linc Kleager, Glenwood Springs, Colo. 93-81–174
Michael Perea, Golden, Colo. 81-WD
 
Girls (Par-72)
Mary Weinstein, Highlands Ranch, Colo. 73-73–146
Morgan Sahm, Centennial, Colo. 78-72–150
Jaclyn Murray, Grand Junction, Colo. 73-77–150
Amy Chitkoksoong, Aurora, Colo. 83-71–154
Lauren Murphy, Carbondale, Colo. 78-77–155
Delaney Elliott, Superior, Colo. 75-81–156
Erin Sargent, Longmont, Colo. 82-74–156
Alexis Chan, Castle Pines, Colo. 76-82–158
Kacey Godwin, Denver, Colo. 83-82–165
Andrea Hoos, Thornton, Colo. 79-87–166
Jordan Remley, Lakewood, Colo. 80-86–166
Lauren Lehigh, Loveland, Colo. 88-85–173
 

In baseball parlance, Kent Moore essentially has hit for the cycle when it comes to CGA individual championships — in two different respects.

On Friday, the Colorado Golf Hall of Famer won a CGA championship for the fifth consecutive decade.

The golfer from Cherry Hills Country Club covered the “Teens” by claiming victory on Friday in the 43rd CGA Senior Stroke Play Championship at The Ranch Country Club.

Beyond Moore hitting all the bases as far as success over many decades, he’s won almost every individual CGA championship for which he’s been eligible.

He won the Junior Match Play in 1973, the Stroke Play in ’86, the Match Play in ’89, the Mid-Amateur in ’95, the Senior Match Play in ’06 and now the Senior Stroke Play in ’14.

Suffice it to say that puts him in very rarefied air.

Regarding being victorious in major CGA championships every decade since the 1970s, Moore (above and left) said with a smile, “It shows that I won’t give up, I guess. Not a lot of talent, but a lot of persistence.”

Or perhaps plenty of both.

As for winning nearly every individual championship for which he’s eligible on the CGA schedule, he compared it to the record of another Colorado Golf Hall of Famer, Kim Eaton.

“I think she’s won one at every level” of CWGA championships. “It’s very, very, very satisfying. I wanted to win this (Senior Stroke Play) really badly. I worked really hard, so it’s feels great. It’s something I really, really wanted because of that, to round out” that career record.

And this one, at age 58, was convincing. Moore’s six-shot victory at The Ranch matched the largest margin since Robert Polk won the event by nine in 2007. Jerry Kidney also prevailed by a half-dozen, in 2011.

Moore, runner-up in the Senior Stroke Play last year, fired a 1-under-par 70 Friday in temperatures that ranged from the mid-30s to the low-40s. That left him with a 2-over-par 215 total. Moore, who earned low-amateur honors in the 2014 HealthOne Colorado Senior Open, defied the conditions with a two-birdie, one-bogey round that closed the door on all his competitors.

At age 62, Steve Bell (left) of Denver Country Club claimed second place three months after also being the runner-up in the CGA Senior Match Play. Bell carded a 74 Friday for a 221 total. Grant Porter of CommonGround Golf Course took third place at 223 after closing with a 72, while Robert West of Cherry Creek Country Club finished fourth at 224 following a 71 on Friday.

Larry Netherton of Highlands Ranch Golf Club added a highlight during the final round, making a hole-in-one with an 8-iron at the 141-yard 17th hole en route to a 74. It was the eighth ace of Netherton’s life, and his second in tournament golf.

As for Moore (below), his final-day performance was impressive, given that players were bundled up to combat the cold weather. The temperature didn’t creep past the 40-degree mark until the leaders were well onto the back nine.

“Kent played great golf,” Bell said. “I told him — and I believe this — if there is an adverse condition player, Kent is it. He is the best that I have ever seen (in that regard). We’re out here with a lot of clothes on, cold temperature and so on, and I knew it was going to be a really hard day to overtake Kent. I’m happy with where I am.

“Obviously, everybody likes to win, but being a bridesmaid isn’t half bad.”

Moore’s only bogey of the day came at the par-4 10th hole, where he hit an errant drive, left his approach in the front bunker and missed a 6-foot par putt. But starting on No. 13, he one-putted three times, never giving a glimmer of hope to his fellow players.

Moore is no stranger to the cold, having played college golf at Purdue, and now being the men’s golf coach at Wheaton College near Chicago.

“We play in horrible weather in Illinois at times, and I’m always telling the boys, ‘You’ve got to still keep your game and put your best swing on it every time,'” he said. “When you feel cold, or whatever, just your best swing. That’s what I tried to do. I try to picture the shots and go all in on them.”

David Delich (left) of the Broadmoor Golf Club, the 2012 champion, entered the day one behind Moore but struggled on Friday. The former Colorado College hockey player was 1 under par for the day through four holes, but triple bogeyed both No. 5 and 9. He finished with a 79 and tied for fifth place at 225.

Delich wasn’t making excuses, but his plate is certainly full this week. Right after completing play Friday in the Senior Stroke Play, he left to catch a plane to the West Coast, where he’ll play in the first round of the U.S. Senior Amateur Saturday in Newport Beach, Calif.

“I don’t know if I was half here today or half gone,” he said. “I should have been a little more focused on today’s game. It just seemed like I was never in there today and focused. I made a couple of sloppy big numbers, which is not normal for me in a stroke-play event. I know what to do to prevent that.”

Delich said one reason he competed in the Senior Stroke Play right before the U.S. Senior Amateur is because he had played little tournament golf since Memorial Day. He won the Southern California Senior Amateur this summer and qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur, but that had been about the extent of his competitive golf in recent months.

“I didn’t expect to play today (in the final round of the Senior Stroke Play), but I was in the hunt and that’s why I played,” he said. “I didn’t have many tournament rounds under my belt, and it showed today. But I know the golf course (in Newport Beach); I’ve played it and I’m comfortable on it. I’ve flown out there many times the night before an event (in California) and played courses I haven’t seen and fared well.”

CGA Senior Stroke Play Championship
At Par-71 Ranch CC in Westminster

Kent Moore, Cherry Hills CC, 71-74-70–215
Steve Bell, Denver CC, 76-71-74–221
Grant Porter, CommonGround GC, 76-75-72–223
Robert F West, Cherry Creek CC, 80-73-71–224
David Delich, Broadmoor GC, 71-75-79–225
Bob Chandler, Heritage at Westmoor, 78-75-72–225
Owen Ellis, Flatirons GC, 76-80-70–226
Eric Hoos, Highlands Ranch GC, 74-76-76–226
Scott Sullivan, Bookcliff CC, 78-77-71–226
Keith Atkins, Harmony Club, 76-76-74–226
Pat Bowe, CommonGround GC, 78-74-75–227
Bill Fowler, The Club at Rolling Hills, 78-76-73–227
Bob Beiersdorf, Ridge at Castle Pines North, 76-78-73–227
Tim Glasgow, Ranch CC, 74-78-75–227
Thomas Roos, Spring Valley GC, 76-79-73–228
John Ingram, Colorado GC, 73-80-76–229
Robin Bradbury, Heritage at Westmoor, 76-78-75–229
Mike Larson, Boulder CC, 76-76-77–229
Brian Woody, Ridge at Castle Pines North, 81-74-74–229
Guy Mertz, Fox Hill CC, 79-75-76–230
Dave Brown, RMGCSA Golf League, 71-79-80–230
Larry Netherton, Highlands Ranch GC, 75-81-74–230
Kirk Blaszyk, Glenwood Springs GC, 72-77-81–230
Bill Bolgar, Ridge at Castle Pines North, 75-76-79–230
Dennis Fields, Heritage at Westmoor, 77-78-76–231
Bob Maggard, CommonGround GC, 75-79-77–231
Larry Mackenzie, Ranch CC, 78-76-77–231
Steve Ivan, Patty Jewett GC, 76-78-77–231
Mark Armistead, CommonGround GC, 79-77-76–232
Paul K Edwards, Meridian GC, 72-78-82–232
Mark Inboden, Raccoon Creek GC, 74-81-77–232
Kelly Crone, Highlands Ranch GC, 75-81-77–233
Gary Fox, CC at Castle Pines, 78-78-78–234
Ted Warner, Greeley CC, 72-80-82–234
Ronald Swartzwelder, CommonGround GC, 75-78-81–234
Sloan Harrison, Highlands Ranch GC, 77-78-80–235
Dan Heideman, Coyote Creek GC, 73-82-80–235
Steve Sullivan, Bear Dance GC, 76-78-82–236
LeRoy Mekelburg, Riverdale GC, 73-79-84–236
Steve Kass, Meadow Hills GC, 74-78-86–238
Jerry Beren, Lone Tree GC, 78-78-83–239
Gary Borgese, Boulder CC, 78-77-84–239

Failed to Qualify for Round 3
Thomas McGeary, Highlands Ranch GC, 78-79–157
Sean Forey, Bear Creek GC, 79-78–157
Todd Vaughn, Overland Park GC, 75-82–157
Chuck Delich, Eisenhower GC, 79-78–157
Pete Balzer, Keystone GC, 78-79–157
Jim LeMar, Meadows GC, 79-79–158
John Sostman, Meadows GC, 75-83–158
Robert Bulthaup, Valley CC, 75-83–158
Roger Gunderson, Aurora Hills GC, 80-78–158
Ken Cosper, Ptarmigan CC, 78-80–158
Mark Franz, Saddle Rock GC, 77-82–159
Lonnie Miller, Meridian GC, 78-81–159
Rick Tarasiewicz, Patty Jewett GC, 80-79–159
Bo Powell, West Woods GC, 75-84–159
Bradley Becker, Plum Creek G & CC, 77-83–160
Craig Stephenson, Saddle Rock GC, 82-79–161
Bob Cloud, Bear Creek GC, 83-78–161
Mark Lundquist, Fox Hollow GC, 84-77–161
Tony Goodman, Silver Spruce GC, 78-83–161
Rick George, Castle Pines GC, 77-84–161
Pat Bucci, West Woods GC, 78-83–161
Tom Trueax, Murphy Creek GC, 78-83–161
David Draper, Green Valley Ranch GC, 81-81–162
Doug Jones, Tiara Rado GC, 80-82–162
John Applegate, Meadow Hills GC, 78-84–162
Jim Jagels, Hiwan GC, 78-84–162
Dan Birnley, Conquistador GC, 80-82–162
Frank Wilkinson, Lincoln Park GC, 81-82–163
Mark Barkley, Canongate Colorado, 79-84–163
Randall Dolan, CommonGround GC, 86-78–164
Steven Linnemeyer, Hillcrest GC, 79-86–165
Joe Morrill, Eagle Ranch GC, 84-81–165
Lance Balthaser, Broken Tee GC, 81-85–166
Rich Vigil, West Woods GC, 81-85–166
Jeff Jones, Patty Jewett GC, 80-87–167
Bob Brown, Fox Hill CC, 80-87–167
John Leamon, Littleton GC, 85-83–168
Mark Runyan, Canongate Colorado, 83-85–168
John Litvay, Collegiate Peaks GC, 91-85–176
John Olive, Broadmoor GC, 81-NS
Danny Wyrick, West Woods GC, 82-NS
Tom Musselman, Telluride GC, 75-NC