The Vail resident has attempted to qualify for dozens of USGA national tournaments over the years, but it wasn’t until Monday that he hit pay-dirt.

Johnson, who earlier this year captured the Senior Match Play title for his first individual CGA championship, landed medalist honors in Monday’s qualifying tournament for the USGA Senior Amateur. The golfer from Eagle Ranch Golf Course shot an even-par 71 at Pueblo Country Club to set the standard for a field that originally numbered 50.

Johnson and the other reigning CGA senior champion, 2012 Senior Stroke Play winner David Delich of Colorado Springs, joined Ted Warner of Greeley in qualifying for the national Senior Amateur. Delich and Warner fired 73s to earn the final two USGA berths at stake on Monday. (The three are pictured above, from left: Warner, Johnson and Delich.)

The USGA Senior Amateur, for players 55 and older, will take place Sept. 21-26 in Cashiers, N.C.

“I’m excited,” Johnson said by phone on Monday. “I’ve been playing a long time, and this will be my first USGA event. Maybe I thought I was running out of time. I’ve always been a blow or two back (in qualifiers). In a one-day deal, you’ve got to be fortunate, and I was today.”

Johnson has tried to qualify for a variety of USGA championships, including the U.S. Open. But it was his ninth time attempting for the USGA Senior Am — every year since he became eligible by turning 55 — that he was successful.

Perhaps not coincidentally, Johnson played his lone practice round at Pueblo Country Club with Delich — along with Delich’s brother Chuck and another contestant, Rick George — after they suggested getting a look at the course. “Chuck Delich, especially, was an immense help” with Pueblo CC, Johnson said.

“It’s a short, tight course, with the strength in the greens,” Johnson noted. “You’re gong to miss some fairways, but when I did miss a fairway, I had a play.”

Johnson, the 2011 CGA Senior Player of the Year, finished with three birdies and three bogeys on Monday. David Delich, the 2012 Senior Player of the Year, opened with a double bogey and was 4 over at the turn. But the four-time CGA champion shot a bogey-free 2-under 34 on the back nine to earn a spot in his eighth USGA championship. Warner, meanwhile, offset two birdies with four bogeys on Monday.
 

USGA Senior Amateur Qualifying
At Par-71 Pueblo CC

QUALIFIERS
Harry Johnson, Eagle Ranch GC, 35-36–71
David Delich, Broadmoor GC, 39-34–73
Ted Warner, Greeley CC, 38-35–73

ALTERNATES (in order)
Bruce Hogg, Patty Jewett GC, 37-37–74
Robin Bradbury, Heritage at Westmoor, 35-39–74

FAILED TO QUALIFY
Thomas Roos, Spring Valley GC, 35-40–75
Kary Kaltenbacher, Glenmoor CC, 35-40–75
Rodney Walters, Heritage at Westmoor, 36-39–75
Kelly Crone, Highlands Ranch Golf Club, 38-38–76
Hal Marshall, Bear Creek GC, 43-33–76
Kent Moore, Cherry Hills CC, 36-40–76
Robert Polk, Colorado GC, 37-40–77
Rick George, Castle Pines GC, 37-40–77
Roger Gunderson, Aurora Hills GC, 39-38–77
Steve Summers, Dallas CC, 38-39–77
Sean Forey, Rolling Hills, 39-39–78
Carlos Salaber, The TwinEagles Club, 40-38–78
Jim Pierce, Stone Canyon Club, 39-40–79
Grant Porter, Commonground Golf Course, 38-41–79
Tim McAdam, Whisper Rock GC, 39-40–79
Daniel Birnley, Conquistador GC, 38-41–79
Stephen Bell, Denver CC, 38-41–79
Pat Bowe, Commonground GC, 43-37–80
Charlie Post, Colorado GC, 40-40–80
Scott Crone, Pinehurst CC, 39-41–80
Robert Cloud, Bear Creek GC, 40-40–80
John Hoge, Spring Valley Gc, 42-38–80
Lou Gerig, Commonground GC, 40-40–80
Mark Runyan, Canongate Colorado, 40-41–81
Doug Jones, Tiara Rado GC, 37-44–81
Doug Wilson, Oro Valley CC, 40-41–81
Mark Barkley, Canongate Colorado, 39-43–82
James Lemar, Meadows GC, 41-41–82
Charles Delich, Eisenhower GC, 41-41–82
Paul Leonard III, Starr Hollow GC, 42-40–82
Frank Wilkinson III, Lincoln Park GC, 42-42–84
Keith Fretwell, CC of Colorado, 38-47–85
John Vanderbloemen, Haymaker Golf Course, 46-40–86
Bret Yetter, Colorado Springs CC, 42-44–86
Laird Middleton, Coal Creek GC, 43-46–89
James Ball, Walking Stick GC, 45-44–89
W. Eric Elison, Canongate Colorado, 44-45–89
Paul Yoon, Colorado Springs CC, 53-41–94
Chuck Fisher, Legacy Ridge GC, WD
John Olive, Paradise Valley CC, NS
Duwayne Lewis, Airport GC, WD
Tres Cochran, Royal Oaks CC, NS
David Cohn, Bethesda CC, WD
Kenneth Sady, Eagle Ranch GC, NS
David Brown, Highlands Ranch GC, WD
    

Competing on a course that’s the longest in Colorado — one that can stretch to over 8,000 yards from the tips — it might surprise some to hear that a 67-year-old produced the low score in Tuesday’s USGA Senior Amateur Sectional Qualifying.

But those who would be surprised probably don’t know a lot about John Olive and his golf game. After all, he isn’t a member of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame for nothing.

Playing Tuesday at 7,140 yards at Antler Creek Golf Course in Falcon, Olive earned medalist honors for the second straight year in USGA Senior Amateur qualifying. This time around, the Broadmoor Golf Club member shot an even-par 72 to land a trip to nationals.

Olive (pictured above) will be joined at the Senior Amateur — Sept. 29-Oct. 4 in West Caldwell, N.J. — by fellow 60-something Kelly Crone (73) and 55-year-old Hal Marshall (74), both of Littleton.

Marshall (pictured at left), who fell into a playoff by three-putting the 18th hole for bogey, gained the final berth by making a 4-foot birdie on the second extra hole against Colorado Springs’ Bruce Hogg, who became the first alternate. Hogg had just left a 15-foot birdie putt on the lip of the cup.

The USGA Senior Amateur is limited to players 55 and older, and this year the field originally numbered 50.

“The older you get, it makes it even more special” to qualify for USGA championships, said Olive, a part-time Colorado Springs resident. “I know I don’t have many more to do.”

Ironically, though he qualified for the national event last year, Olive passed up the opportunity to actually compete. Because of obligations related to a business opportunity, he gave up his spot to alternate Robert Polk.

Given what the decision involved, Olive doesn’t regret not going.

“I knew if I went back there, I’d do a half-(baked) job on the business and a half-(baked) job on the golf,” he said. “My friend Robert Polk was the first alternate. I thought, ‘I could really make his day.’ I didn’t do it for him, but it was icing on the cake.”

Still, bypassing a USGA championship at that age wasn’t easy.

“That’s why giving up the spot last year was a bit painful,” said Olive, who noted he’s “pretty certain” he will compete this year.

Olive, who carded six birdies on Tuesday, estimates he’s qualified for about 14 USGA championships in his lifetime. That’s in addition to winning 10 CGA individual championships — nine in the senior ranks — and the inaugural Colorado Senior Open in 1999.

“And I’m actually playing very well this year,” he said. “My handicap has come down to a plus range again. I’ve shot my age about 15 times. It’s a pleasant surprise when you start shooting your age a bunch and it’s a bad day if you don’t.”

Olive qualified for his fourth USGA Senior Amateur, while Crone (pictured at left) will be going to his third and Marshall to his first.

“USGA championships are by far the best part of your career,” said Crone, winner of two CGA individual senior titles. “They’re the cream of the crop and a lot of fun. You get treated like a tour professional. It’s very cool. They run first-class championships and the courses are set up extremely difficult. It’s what golf is all about.”

Marshall was a little choked up shortly after holing his birdie putt to win the playoff and advance to his first USGA championship of any sort.

“I have shivers right now,” said the Bear Creek Golf Club member, a runner-up in the 2009 CGA Senior Stroke Play. “It’s pretty exciting. I turned 55 this year and I was really pumped to have a chance (to play). This is a dream come true.”

Marshall made it come true with a nice 5-wood off an “iffy” lie from 247 yards on the second playoff hole. Though the ball rolled just over the green, he got up and down for birdie and the playoff victory.

Going to the USGA Senior Amateur will join his list of top golf moments. But it certainly won’t erase one of his most indelible memories.

“I was a 7 handicap at Meridian (Golf Club) in 1990 and shot 64 from the back tees,” Marshall notes. “That’s the same year that (Phil) Mickelson did it (at Meridian in stroke play) for the U.S. Amateur. He shot 64 and they took my name down and put his up, which is OK with me.”

Indeed, if your name has to be replaced, let it be by the U.S. Amateur champion, who now happens to be a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
 

USGA Senior Amateur Sectional Qualifying
At Par-72 Antler Creek GC in Falcon

QUALIFIED
John Olive, Colorado Springs, Colo., 38-34–72
Kelly Crone, Littleton, Colo., 36-37–73
Hal Marshall, Littleton, Colo., 37-37–74

ALTERNATES (in order)
Bruce Hogg, Colorado Springs, Colo., 36-38–74
Kary Kaltenbacher, Englewood, Colo., 39-37–76

FAILED TO QUALIFY
Robin Bradbury, Superior, Colo., 40-36–76
Jim LeMar, Littleton, Colo., 38-39–77
Jake Jacobson, Castle Rock, Colo., 38-39–77
Rodney Walters, Arvada, Colo., 41-36–77
Kent Moore, Greenwood Village, Colo., 40-37–77
Reed Myer, Denver, Colo., 38-40–78
Charlie Post, Castle Riock, Colo., 42-36–78
James Fucillo, Lone Tree, Colo., 39-40–79
Sean Forey, Morrison, Colo., 39-40–79
Harry Johnson, Edwards, Colo., 37-42–79
Douglas Rouse, Evergreen, Colo., 42-38–80
Frank Wilkinson, Grand Junction, Colo., 41-39–80
Mark Franz, Aurora, Colo., 41-39–80
Tim McAdam, Edwards, Colo., 46-35–81
David Delich, Colorado Springs, Colo., 44-37–81
Randy Miller, Boulder, Colo., 43-38–81
Robert Polk, Parker, Colo., 40-42–82
Jerry Greenbaum, Atlanta, Ga., 43-39–82
Roger Gunderson, Aurora, Colo., 42-40–82
Chuck Canepa, Denver, Colo., 43-40–83
Jim Hollingsworth, Durango, Colo., 40-43–83
Laird Middleton, Centennial, Colo., 44-39–83
Robert Bulthaup, Centennial, Colo., 44-40–84
Rick George, Greenwood Village, Colo., 45-39–84
Tres Cochran, Houston, Texas, 45-39–84
Robert Cloud, Denver, Colo., 43-41–84
Doug Jones, Grand Junction, Colo., 43-41–84
Jerry Kidney, Littleton, Colo., 45-40–85
Steve Summers, Dallas, Texas, 43-42–85
Tom Keltner, Silverthorne, Colo., 44-42–86
Chuck Fisher, Westminster, Colo., 42-44–86
Matthew Foster, Lone Tree, Colo., 50-37–87
Dave Bullock, Greenwood Village, Colo., 44-43–87
David Merritt, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 42-46–88
Ronald Lundberg, Montrose, Colo., 43-47–90
Danny Wyrick, Arvada, Colo., 45-45–90
Fred Artim, Palmdale, Calif., 47-47–94
Jim Adams, Colorado Springs, Colo., 48-48–96
Mark Barkley, Highlands Ranch, Colo., WD
Daniel Birnley, Dolores, Colo., WD
Stephen D Bell, Denver, Colo., NS
Gary Borgese, Niwot, Colo., WD
Mark Runyan, Centennial, Colo., NS
 

After all, when the part-time Colorado Springs resident earned medalist honors Monday in USGA Senior Amateur Sectional Qualifying at Heritage Todd Creek Golf Club, it marked roughly the 12th time Olive has landed a spot in a USGA championship.

In addition, he’s won at least 10 CGA individual titles, including the 1977 Stroke Play and nine senior championships, in addition to capturing the inaugural Colorado Senior Open. It’s little wonder why he’s in the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame.

Still, Monday’s achievement was pretty special given that Olive will turn 66 years old later this month, and he was competing against a field primarily made up of 50-somethings. (The Senior Amateur is limited to players 55 and older.) And he beat every one of them, plus all his fellow 60-somethings.

“It means more the older you get,” said Olive (pictured). “I’m 66 this month. It just feels really good to be still competitive. I still play pretty good at times, but not all the time. You appreciate the good that you can have where when you’re younger you take it for granted sometimes. Now you don’t take it for granted anymore. So it means a lot.”

Olive shot an even-par 72 to set the standard out of Monday’s field of 55 golfers. He was one of three players who landed berths in the USGA Senior Amateur, which will be contested Sept. 10-15 in Manakin-Sabot, Va.

Joining him at the national championship will be Rick George of Greenwood Village and Brian Harris of Rochester, N.Y., Bausch & Lomb’s chief financial officer, who still owns a home in Denver. George and Harris posted 1-over-par 73s.

Olive will be going to his third USGA Senior Amateur, while George and Harris qualified for their first USGA championship.

Olive has previously landed spots in a U.S. Amateur, a U.S. Senior Open, “six to eight” U.S. Mid-Amateurs, along with his two other USGA Senior Amateurs.

While fellow competitor Robert Polk of Parker playfully joked that “anybody that old ought not be able to qualify” when Olive had to hold his scorecard at arm’s-length to see the numbers clearly, Olive’s fellow players fully realize he has plenty of game as he approaches his 66th birthday. He’s already shot below his age a couple of times — “In another week (when he turns 66) it’s going to be easier,” he said with a laugh. “All I’ve got to do is try to stay upright.” — and two years ago he advanced to match play at the Senior Amateur. Then on Monday he battled back to shoot an even-par 72 after being 2 over par through six holes.

“There were a lot of times when I was probably the favorite that I didn’t (qualify) because you put a lot of pressure on yourself,” said Olive, who plays out of the Broadmoor Golf Club. “I’m sure there are some guys here who just know they’re plenty good enough to be medalist and who don’t do it. Sometimes, you don’t have any expectations and you come and play golf and somehow I think it works better. When I was younger sometimes you’re trying too hard. I’m thinking there’s a half-a-dozen guys here who I would guess day in and day out would really be better than me, but they’re trying too hard. So you never know.”

Olive used to be a hard-core tournament player, but his attitude has mellowed a bit over time.

“Now I’m a social golfer who occasionally plays a tournament,” he said. “And I’m happy to say that. It was tough to get to that point psychologically. It used to be, ‘I’m a tournament player. That social golf is sissy stuff.’ But I’m proud to say now that I’m a social golfer playing the white tees with lots of friends.”

Meanwhile, George and Harris are happy to get a chance to compete in a USGA championship for the first time.

George, a member of the CGA Board of Governors, birdied two of his last three holes Monday to qualify. But even with that, he was stunned that he had a chance at a national berth.

“I was surprised,” said the 59-year-old who plays out of Castle Pines Golf Club. “I thought I had missed enough birdie opportunities that I wasn’t going to make it. I missed a lot of chances and I thought that would come back to haunt me.”

But with some tough pin placements, no one in the field broke par, which left George a happy man.

“This will be a very special experience for me,” George said of playing in the USGA Senior Amateur.

Harris will just meet the age requirement for the Senior Amateur as he turns 55 between now and the start of the national tournament. On Monday, he qualified despite taking a double bogey on the 17th hole.

So when Harris said, “I just get in under the wire” regarding his age, he could have also been talking about qualifying with no room to spare.

Advancing to nationals “is fantastic,” he said. “It’s always a thrill to qualify for a USGA event. I’m more of a club golfer, but when the opportunity presents itself … My game has been a bit mixed to be honest, so it was nice to put a steady round together today.”

Harris was a resident of Denver until 2009, when he was named CFO of Bausch & Lomb and moved to the company’s worldwide headquarters in Rochester. The native of Scotland still keeps a home in Denver.

Polk and Rich Morrison of Marana, Ariz., will be the first and second alternates, respectively, from the Todd Creek USGA Senior Amateur qualifying site.

USGA Senior Amateur Sectional Qualifying
At Par-72 Heritage Todd Creek GC in Thornton

QUALIFIERS
John Olive, Colorado Springs, Colo., 37-35–72
Brian Harris, Rochester, N.Y., 37-36–73
Rick George, Greenwood Village, Colo., 38-35–73

ALTERNATES (in order)
Robert Polk, Parker, Colo., 36-38–74
Rich Morrison, Marana, Ariz., 39-35–74

FAILED TO QUALIFY
Van Lefferdink, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., 37-38–75
Steve Summers, Dallas, Texas, 37-38–75
Robert Cloud, Denver, Colo., 38-37–75
Gary Albrecht, Denver, Colo., 37-38–75
Jim Lemar, Littleton, Colo., 37-38–75
David Brown, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 39-36–75
Jim Pierce, Oro Valley, Ariz., 39-37–76
Stephen Bell, Denver, Colo., 39-37–76
Robin Bradbury, Louisville, Colo., 38-38–76
Jerry Kidney, Littleton, Colo., 37-39–76
Kelly Crone, Littleton, Colo., 42-35–77
Tom Turner, Fort Collins, Colo., 40-37–77
Doug Jones, Grand Junction, Colo., 39-38–77
Scott Radcliffe, Golden, Colo., 40-37–77
Mark Runyan, Centennial, Colo., 38-39–77
Jon Campbell, Casper, Wyo., 36-41–77
Kelly Cox, Midland, Texas, 43-35–78
Charlie Post, Castle Rock, Colo., 36-42–78
Jim Reynolds, Denver, Colo., 37-41–78
Larry Netherton, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 40-38–78
David Davis, Lakewood, Colo., 39-40–79
Bruce Hayes, Niwot, Colo., 42-37–79
Steve Ivy, Fort Collins, Colo., 38-41–79
Frank Wilkinson III, Grand Junction, Colo., 41-38–79
Jim English, Boulder, Colo., 38-41–79
Tom Keltner, Silverthorne, Colo., 41-38–79
John Sostmann, Littleton, Colo., 40-39–79
Kary Kaltenbacher, Englewood, Colo., 37-42–79
Roger Gunderson, Aurora, Colo., 41-38–79
Chris Pennels, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 39-41–80
David Merritt, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 39-41–80
Jack Clevenger, Castle Rock, Colo., 41-39–80
Randy Miller, Boulder, Colo., 39-42–81
Fredrick Steffers, Colorado Springs, Colo., 39-42–81
John Applegate, Littleton, Colo., 40-42–82
Jeff Wagner, Golden, Colo., 40-42–82
Tim McAdam, Edwards, Colo., 43-40–83
Tom Johnson, Tampa, Fla., 43-40–83
Laird Middleton, Centennial, Colo., 41-43–84
Don Berthiaume, Littleton, Colo., 45-40–85
Alan Diercks, Davie, Fla., 42-44–86
Danny Wyrick, Arvada, Colo., 43-43–86
Bob Berglund, Parker, Colo., 43-43–86
Michael Davis, Denver, Colo., 42-44–86
Dan Grigsby, Thornton, Colo., 41-45–86
Thomas Kundinger, Horseshoe Bay, Texas, 41-46–87
Robert Hallmark, McLean, Va., 47-41–88
Mark Barkley, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 45-45–90
Duwayne Lewis, Cheyenne, Wyo., NS
Gary Potter, Denver, Colo., WD