Andonian-Smith (pictured), who in 2014 became the first woman to compete in the Colorado Senior Open, shot rounds of 77-72-74 for a 7-over-par 223 total at Mid-Pines Inn & Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C. She finished nine strokes behind senior champion — and North Carolina native — Cathy Johnston-Forbes.
The top five finishers in the senior division of the T&CP National Championship landed berths into the 2018 Senior LPGA Championship, which will be played at the French Lick Resort in Indiana. The Senior LPGA, limited to players 45 and older, was contested for the first time this year. It’s nationally televised by the Golf Channel.
Despite that, the Lakewood resident had never won the Colorado Senior PGA Professional Championship.
Until Tuesday, that is.
The 60-year-old PGA Life Member (pictured) shot a bogey-free 6-under-par 66 in Tuesday’s final round to prevail by one stroke at Valley Country Club in Centennial.
Vlosich, a five-time Colorado PGA Player of the Year and two-time runner-up in the Colorado Open, finished with a 9-under 135 total after playing his final five holes in 3 under. He made just one bogey over the 36-hole tournament. Tuesday’s victory was worth $1,125.
Finishing a stroke behind Vlosich was defending champion Mike Northern of Colorado Springs, who closed with a 70 after going 1 over for his final five holes.
Mike Zaremba of Desert Hawk at Pueblo West, the 2005 champion, tied for third place at 137 with Don Hurter of Castle Pines Golf Club. Hurter posted a final-round 68 and Zaremba a 70.
Those four players, plus Valley head professional Barry Milstead, Rick Cole and Bill Hancock, qualified for the national Senior PGA Professional Championship, scheduled for Sept. 28-Oct. 1 in Scottsdale, Ariz. Milstead, Cole and Hancock tied for fifth place on Tuesday. Bill Loeffler, who placed 11th at Valley, was exempt into the national tournament by virtue of winning it in 2007.
Colorado Senior PGA Professional Championship
Aug. 14-15, 2017 (final) at Par-72 Valley CC in Centennial
1. Ron Vlosich 69-66–135
2. Mike Northern 66-70–136
T3. Don Hurter 69-68–137
T3. Mike Zaremba 67-70–137
T5. Rick Cole 68-70–138
T5. Barry Milstead 69-69–138
T5. Bill Hancock 71-67–138
T8. Chris Johnson 67-72–139
T8. Doug Rohrbaugh 68-71–139
10. Sherry Andonian-Smith 71-69–140
For complete results, CLICK HERE.
Murray, a recent Regis Jesuit High School graduate who plans to play college golf at the University of Colorado beginning this fall, shot a 1-over-par 73 on Tuesday at Valley Country Club in Centennial to land one of the three national spots that were at stake.
“I think it’s a great way to end up my junior career,” said the 18-year-old. “I really wanted this. It’ll be fun to have one last go at it. It means a lot to me.”
Joining her at the U.S. Girls’ Junior — scheduled for July 24-29 at Boone Valley Country Club in Augusta, Mo. — were medalist Jennifer Cai, a 14-year-old from Irvine, Calif., and Shelby Poynter of Scottsbluff, Neb., who’s a member of the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado. Cai carded a 1-under-par 71 and Poynter a 74. (The qualifiers are pictured, from left, Cai, Murray and Poynter.)
Murray, who became the first Colorado resident in two years to qualify in the Centennial State for a spot in the U.S. Girls’ Junior, hit 15 greens in regulation on Tuesday but managed just one birdie to go with two bogeys. She parred her final 10 holes of the day.
“I couldn’t make a putt,” said the two-time Colorado Girls Junior America’s Cup representative. “I had so many opportunities — so many putts within 10 feet, 5 feet. I just couldn’t make them. I had a lot of two-putts, but should have had more one-putts. But I’m definitely happy (with a 73). I hit the ball super, super well so I can’t complain.”
Murray, runner-up in this month’s Colorado Junior PGA Championship, was among the beneficiaries this year of a change in age restrictions for the U.S. Girls’ Junior that allows 18-year-olds to compete, after 17 had been the maximum.
It will mark the third USGA championship overall for Murray, who also competed in the 2015 USGA Women’s State Team. Cai will be going to her second USGA championship, having played — alone — in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball last month. It’ll be the first USGA tournament for Poynter.
“This is probably the biggest thing I’ve done (in golf),” said the 17-year-old Poynter, a high school senior-to-be. “I placed second at state my sophomore year of high school, but this is a much bigger deal to me.
“It’s really special. It’s really an honor. I haven’t been playing golf for very long. (Qualifying for a USGA championship) has been one of my biggest goals since I started playing, so it’s awesome. It’s a good feeling.”
Cai, who made four birdies on Tuesday, was 4 under par through 15, but carded a double bogey on 16 and a bogey on 17 and still managed to post the only sub-par round out of a field that originally numbered 33. That despite this trip marking her first time playing golf in Colorado.
Poynter also chalked up four birdies — including a 60-footer on No. 12 — in addition to four bogeys and a double bogey.
“I actually played really well,” Poynter said. “I didn’t get a practice round in this year. I was actually late getting here this afternoon. I didn’t get here as early as I would have liked, so I didn’t really know what to expect. I didn’t think I would really make it (qualify). I was hoping for it, but …
“I was putting really well. I hadn’t been putting well for a long time. My coach just said, ‘You’re close. It’ll come. Just be patient.’ And I was today and they started falling.”
As for Cai, she said she came to Colorado to qualify because the odds were better than if she tried it in her home state of California.
“It’s more competitive at other places,” she said. “There’s too many good players in California.”
Whatever the case, getting a recent taste of what USGA championships are like at the Women’s Four-Ball, Cai was happy to earn another berth in a national tournament.
“It means a lot. I love USGA events,” she said. “They’re really well-planned. To play in another one is really great. When I played in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball, I was amazed by how good it was. It was a great experience. It was really fun, but I also learned a lot.”
U.S. Girls’ Junior Qualifying
At Par-72 Valley CC in Centennial
ADVANCE TO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Jennifer Cai, Irvine, Calif. 34-37–71
Jaclyn Murray, Grand Junction, Colo. 37-36–73
Shelby Poynter, Scottsbluff, Neb. 36-38–74
ALTERNATES (In Order)
Caroline Jordaan, Denver, Colo. 40-35–75
Jenna Chun, Englewood, Colo. 39-37–76
FAILED TO QUALIFY
Sadie Englemann, Austin, Texas 40-36–76
Julia Baroth, Denver, Colo. 39-38–77
Libby Singleton, Kingwood, Texas 39-38–77
Amy Chitkoksoong, Aurora, Colo. 39-38–77
Tabitha Diehl, Highlands Ranch, Colo. 41-36–77
Anju Ogi, Arvada, Colo. 39-39–78
Lauren Murphy, Carbondale, Colo. 39-39–78
Hailey Schalk, Erie, Colo. 41-37–78
Alexis Chan, Highlands Ranch, Colo. 39-39–78
Sofia Choi, Littleton, Colo. 40-39–79
Lexi Mueldener, Arvada, Colo. 43-37–80
Sarah Hwang, Monument, Colo. 40-40–80
Lauren Lehigh, Loveland, Colo. 41-39–80
Dylin Myers, Huntington Beach, Calif. 43-38–81
Kellsey Sample, Monument, Colo. 43-38–81
Gracie Olkowski, Grand Junction, Colo. 43-38–81
Sydney Eye, Golden, Colo. 41-41–82
Marie Jordaan, Denver, Colo. 44-39–83
Amelia Lee, Castle Rock, Colo. 42-41–83
Natasha McClain, Denver, Colo. 42-42–84
Eva Pett, Denver, Colo. 40-45–85
Olivia Roper, Denver, Colo. 42-43–85
Kelsey Fuess, Austin, Texas 43-43–86
Caitlin O’Donnell, Centennial, Colo. 44-42–86
Olivia Patrick, Tustin, Calif. 42-47–89
Amisha Singh, Greenwood Village, Colo. 48-45–93
Among the 33 players entered are Hailey Schalk, who just completed her freshman year at Holy Family High School (3A winner); Lauren Lehigh, a junior-to-be at Loveland High School (4A); and Amy Chitkoksoong, a junior-to-be at Grandview (5A).
Since claiming the 3A state title, Schalk has won the AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior by Transamerica, and the Colorado Junior PGA Championship. And Lehigh just won the state Big I Junior Classic.
At stake on Tuesday will be three berths into the national championship, set for July 24-29 at Boone Valley Country Club in Augusta, Mo.
Also in Tuesday’s qualifying field are Jaclyn Murray, the 2017 Colorado Junior PGA runner-up and a 2014 U.S. Girls’ Junior qualifier; and Caroline Jordaan, winner of the North American Junior Amateur in January.
Starting this year, the maximum age for the U.S. Girls’ Junior has been raised from 17 to 18, and the maximum Handicap Index for competitors has been lowered from 18.4 to 9.4.
For Tuesday’s qualifying tournament pairings at Valley CC, CLICK HERE.
]]>A team from outside the Denver metro area had won the CWGA Club Team Championship just once — and never when the event was contested in the metro area — but a squad from Patty Jewett Golf Course in Colorado Springs broke new ground in an emphatic way on Monday.
With many competitors getting into the spirit of the event by wearing color-coordinated outfits at Valley Country Club, the team in pink from Colorado Springs ruled the day.
Though none of its four team members had played in the event before, Patty Jewett caught on quickly in posting a nine-shot victory in the ABCD stroke play format in which the scores of four players of significantly varying abilities are added up for a gross aggregate team total. Patty Jewett’s final tally of 363 was just four strokes off the tournament record, set last year by South Suburban.
Patty Jewett’s winning foursome — out of a 32-team field — consisted of Louise Lyle, who shot a 10-over-par 82; Hilary Dussing (86); Lita Van Cleave (91) and Beth Lindquist (104). (Pictured above are the champions, from left: Lindquist, Dussing, Lyle and Van Cleave. At left are Van Cleave and Lyle holding the trophy.)
“It’s nice (to prevail) because the Denver clubs seem to win everything,” Lyle said. “It’s nice to be like the little club that could. Our club itself is going to be so ridiculously happy. That’s what makes me so excited about it.”
Added Van Cleave: “They’ll be screaming. It’ll be so much fun. I’m excited about it because we’re a public course down in Colorado Springs and we want to make our club proud. It’s just a joy to be allowed to be part of this team.”
Patty Jewett, which hosted the first CWGA championship 100 years ago last month, joined the 2012 squad from the Country Club of Colorado as the only Colorado Springs teams to have won this event. The Country Club of Colorado prevailed at its home club four years ago.
Hyland Hills, The Club at Rolling Hills and the team from Blackstone/Blake Bear shared second place Monday at 372, while host Valley CC was fifth at 373.
South Suburban, winner of this event the last two years, placed ninth at 380 in the last CWGA championship of 2016.
In tying for second place individually, Lyle chalked up a birdie and eight pars in very windy conditions, while Dussing made a birdie and six pars, Van Cleave six pars, and Lindquist two.
“Everybody had bad shots (and) everybody had a bad hole or two,” Van Cleave said. “But we all had some good holes too. On a few of the holes, we all had good holes together. The D player (Lindquist) was getting some pars. That helped everyone involved.”
When asked after the round what they had shot individually, neither Lyle nor Van Cleave knew right away.
“We were just trying to play as a team,” Lyle said. “Somebody would have a bad hole, but someone else would have a par, and it’s like, ‘OK, we’re good.’ We weren’t trying to keep track of numbers. We were just thinking middle of the pack is great. We really didn’t have any expectations coming in. We just wanted to have a good time, and it just ended up that we pulled it out.
“Hilary had a couple of crazy chips that went about 6 inches from the cup. We all had some really good shots. It wasn’t like one person.”
Van Cleave wasn’t even originally scheduled to be on the squad competing at the Club Team Championship, but when another competitor’s handicap went down too much to be a C player, Van Cleave received a call.
“They said, ‘Can you fill in for us?’ I said, ‘You bet, because I’ve wanted to do this for many years,'” Van Cleave recalled. “You have to be asked at our club. I felt very honored to have this opportunity to play.”
Individually on Monday, Nina Dulacki of Broken Tee shot the best score of the day overall, an 8-over-par 80. Lyle and former CWGA Senior Stroke Play and Senior Match Play champion Mary Doyen from Foothills tied for second place in the individual competition at 82.
CWGA Club Team Championship
At Par -72 Valley CC in Centennial
Patty Jewett 174-189–363
(Patty Jewett Team Members: Louise Lyle 38-44–82; Hilary Dussing 42-44–86; Lita Van Cleave 44-47–91; Beth Lindquist 50-54–104)
Blackstone/Black Bear 186-186–372
Hyland Hills 185-187–372
The Club at Rolling Hills 187-185–372
Valley CC 190-183–373
Spring Valley 194-180–374
Broken Tee 189-186–375
Glenmoor CC 189-190–379
South Suburban 194-186–380
Colorado Golf Club 188-194–382
Kissing Camels 193-190–383
Pinery CC 192-191–383
Wellshire 187-196–383
Fox Hollow 192-194–386
West Woods 200-187–387
The Meadows 189-200–389
Heritage Eagle Bend 198-193–391
Willis Case 197-194–391
Foothills 198-195–393
Lake Valley 198-195–393
Highlands Ranch 199-198–397
Overland Park 196-204–400
Pinehurst CC 209-191–400
Littleton 205-198–403
Red Hawk Ridge 204-199–403
Meadow Hills 210-194–404
The Ranch CC 208-199–407
Saddle Rock 204-208–412
Fitzsimons 203-219–422
Pradera 214-214–428
Raccoon Creek 220-213–433
Indian Peaks NC
In some respects, these are unprecedented times for the amateurs in the Colorado Cup Matches they play against professionals from the Colorado PGA.
To wit:
— On Tuesday, when the matches were contested for the 46th year overall, and the 11th year with a women’s division, the CGA and CWGA amateurs swept the titles in the open, senior and women’s competitions for the first time.
— The eight-point winning margin in the open division (13-5) was the largest since the pros won 13.5-4.5 in 2002. (The CGA’s open team is pictured above.)
— With Tuesday’s victory at Valley Country Club, the amateurs have now won the open division three straight years, something they had never done before since the Cup Matches began in 1971. In fact, the last time the amateurs had won two straight before this current run was 2000-01, when their teams included a current PGA Tour player (Kevin Stadler), the winners of four Colorado Opens (Derek Tolan, Stadler and Ben Portie) and a Colorado Golf Hall of Famer (Rick DeWitt).
— And, of course, the CWGA amateurs continue to own a remarkable unblemished record, having gone 11-0 against the professionals.
— Even in the senior division, where the amateurs had won just once since 2005, they eked out a victory on Tuesday. (They’re pictured at left.)
“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,” said CGA amateur open-division captain Nick Nosewicz, winner of the 2015 CGA Match Play. “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.”
On Tuesday, the CGA amateurs defeated the Colorado PGA professionals 13-5 in the open division and 9.5-8.5 in the seniors, while the CWGA amateurs (below) kept their record unblemished against the pros, winning 6-3.
“That was a relief,” said Deb Hughes, who served as CWGA amateur captain and won both her four ball and singles matches, the latter thanks to carding an eagle and three birdies. “(The pressure to keep the perfect record intact) was no joke. I told the girls, ‘Don’t worry about it, just go out and play and enjoy yourselves.
“But I was worried because I didn’t expect to be appointed the captain. I came in this morning and all the girls were sitting at the table and I sat down thinking I was just going to join in. They all looked at me and said, ‘You’re the captain.’ I said, ‘What?’ I thought they were kidding. I’ve never done anything like this before. But it worked out OK.”
As it did for the seniors, whose only previous win against the pros in the last decade came in 2012. This time around, Tom Roos served as senior amateur captain.
“I think it’s great (to notch the victory),” said 2015 CGA Senior Stroke Play winner Bill Fowler, who won his singles match and halved his four-ball while teaming with Sean Forey. “We obviously played well. It’s kind of a cobbled-together team, but I think everyone went out to do the best they could, and at the end of the day we got one more point than them.”
The professionals still handily lead the all-time open series, 30-14 with two draws. With Tuesday’s victory, senior amateurs took the overall lead in their series 16-15 with three draws. And, after a one-year hiatus in the women’s competition, the women’s amateurs continued their Colorado Cup win streak.
Eight players — all amateurs — won both their four-ball and singles matches on Tuesday: Chris Thayer, Andrew Tapia, Connor Klein and Tristan Rohrbaugh in the open division; Hughes, Taylor Dorans and Sarah Hankins in the women’s competition; and Art Cudworth in the seniors. (Hughes and Dorans are pictured at left.)
Suffice it to say there was some pretty good golf played on Tuesday.
Nosewicz noted that he was 5 under par on his own ball in the morning four ball, and teammate Chris Korte, winner of the 2015 CGA Stroke Play, was 5 under on his. But the future U.S. Amateur Four-Ball qualifying team still lost 3 and 2 to professionals Geoff Keffer and Blake Sharamitaro.
But both CGA champions notched singles victories against former Colorado PGA Players of the Year, with Korte edging Keffer 3 and 1 and Nosewicz defeating Caine Fitzgerald 2 and 1. As captain, Nosewicz arranged to face Fitzgerald as the former plays out of Meadow Hills Golf Course and the latter is an assistant professional there.
“I wanted to make sure somebody from Meadow Hills won today,” Nosewicz said with a smile. “But I think I had six birdies and an eagle and won with a hole left to play. It was a battle, but a fun one indeed.”
As for his four-ball pairings, Nosewicz said, “I kind of knew the players I wanted to pair together. I know a couple of the amateurs’ games and I knew which ones could play this course really well. I asked Chris Thayer and Korte for a little input. I had six solid squads that we wanted to play. Then I got in and (almost everyone else) won. I did OK. Dustin (Jensen from the CGA) said I could stay.”
While Nosewicz is a relative newcomer to the Colorado Cup Matches — Tuesday was his second — Hughes and Fowler are veterans, Hughes having competed in five and Fowler in enough that he doesn’t remember the exact number.
“I haven’t won very many (titles with the amateur team), so this is historic for me too,” Fowler said. “I haven’t seen my name on the trophy on the open side but I’m going to look for it because I’m hoping to have my name on (for both the open and senior divisions).
“It took me a long time to realize I’m good enough to play against some of these pros, and to actually go and beat them once in a while is certainly an accomplishment that I’m proud of. The professionals obviously play at a very high level so that’s kind of a barometer for us to be able to compete and be successful at that level. I respect them. It’s always fun to compete and see how we compare.”
(Above, amateur Colin Prater putts as professionals Kyle Voska and Rob Hunt look on.)
Colorado Cup Matches
At Valley CC in Centennial
OPEN DIVISION
Overall Score: CGA Amateurs 13, Colorado PGA Professionals 5
Four Ball: CGA Amateurs 4, Colorado PGA Professionals 2
Jimmy Makloski/Andrew Tapia (A) def. Chris Johnson/Scott Ough, 5 and 4
Lamar Carlisle/Connor Klein (A) def. Ryan Wroblewski/Peter Norwood, 2 and 1
Geoff Keffer/Blake Sharamitaro (P) def. Nick Nosewicz/Chris Korte, 3 and 2
Chris Thayer/Kyle Danford (A) def. Kyle Voska/Rob Hunt, 4 and 2
Barry Milstead/Caine Fitzgerald (P) def. Colin Prater/Jake Staiano, 3 and 2
Tristan Rohrbaugh/Sam Marley (A) def. Dan O’Shaughnessy/Tray Shehee, 3 and 2
Singles: CGA Amateurs 9, Colorado PGA Professionals 3
Connor Klein (A) def. Barry Milstead, 3 and 2
Tristan Rohrbaugh (A) def. Chris Johnson, 1 up
Kyle Voska (P) def. Lamar Carlile, 4 and 2
Colin Prater (A) def. Rob Hunt, 1 up
Nick Nosewicz (A) def. Caine Fitzgerald, 2 and 1
Chris Korte (A) def. Geoff Keffer, 3 and 1
Blake Sharamitaro (P) halved with Sam Marley (A)
Peter Norwood (P) def. Kyle Danford, 1 up
Andrew Tapia (A) def. Scott Ough, 2 and 1
Chris Thayer (A) def. Ryan Wroblewski, 3 and 2
Jimmy Makloski (A) halved with Tray Shehee (P)
Jake Staiano (A) def. Dan O’Shaughnessy, 5 and 4
SENIOR DIVISION
Overall Score: CGA Amateurs 9.5, Colorado PGA Professionals 8.5
Four Ball: Colorado Colorado PGA Professionals 3, CGA Amateurs 3
Robin Bradbury/Scott Sullivan (A) def. Rudy Castaneda/Doug Perry, 3 and 2
Scott Hart/Dave Detweiler (P) def. Owen Ellis/Bob Beiersdorf, 2 and 1
Ron Vlosich/Perry Holmes (P) halved with Mike Larson/Kelly Crone (A)
Bill Fowler/Sean Forey (A) halved with Scott Walter/Scott Sommers (P)
Pat Bowe/Art Cudworth (A) def. Russell Aragon/Vance Pollock, 2 up
Rick Ellefson/Tom Krause (P) def. Tom Roos/Gary Driber, 2 up
Singles: CGA Amateurs 6.5, Colorado PGA Professionals 5.5
Art Cudworth (A) def. Russell Aragon, 4 and 2
Vance Pollock (P) def. Robin Bradbury, 1 up
Ron Vlosich (P) def. Scott Sullivan, 2 and 1
Perry Holmes (P) def. Kelly Crone, 3 and 2
Scott Walter (P) def. Owen Ellis, 4 and 3
Bill Fowler (A) def. Scott Sommers 4 and 3
Mike Larson (A) def. Rick Ellefson, 5 and 4
Gary Driber (A) def. Tom Krause, 1 up
Dave Detweiler (P) halved with Tom Roos (A)
Bob Beiersdorf (A) def. Scott Hart, 3 and 1
Doug Perry (P) def. Pat Bowe, 5 and 4
Sean Forey (A) def. Rudy Castaneda, 5 and 4
WOMEN’S DIVISION
Overall Score: CWGA 6, Colorado PGA 3
Four Ball: CWGA 3, Colorado PGA 0
Taylor Dorans/Delaney Elliott (A) def. Patti Marquis/Sherry Andonian-Smith, 2 and 1
Kylee Sullivan/Megan Vernon (A) def. Casey Brittain/Courtney Rudolph, 5 and 4
Deb Hughes/Sarah Hankins (A) def. Katie Milstead/Erin Diegel, 1 up
Singles: CWGA 3, Colorado PGA 3
Taylor Dorans (A) def. Erin Diegel, 7 and 5
Deb Hughes (A) def. Patti Marquis, 4 and 3
Sarah Hankins (A) def. Katie Milstead, 4 and 3
Sherry Andonian-Smith (P) def. Kylee Sullivan, 5 and 4
Casey Brittain (P) def. Delaney Elliott, 3 and 2
Courtney Rudolph (P) def. Megan Vernon, 5 and 3
Valley Country Club in Centennial will host the matches on Tuesday (July 5), with three separate team competitions taking place: open division, senior, and women.
In each case, there will be four-ball matches in the morning and singles in the afternoon. That is, if weather permits. Last year’s matches were limited to the four-ball, as the singles were interrupted — and eventually canceled — due to violent weather.
The Colorado PGA team leads the all-time series in the open division, 30-13-2, but the CGA amateurs have won the last two years. In the senior division, it’s tied 15-15-3, but the CPGA squad has gone 8-1-1 in the last 10 meetings.
The CWGA amateurs have won all 10 years against the pros. The women’s competition will resume after a one-year hiatus.
The CPGA open team will be led by recent Section Players of the Year Caine Fitzgerald, Geoff Keffer, Rob Hunt and Chris Johnson, while 2015 CGA Stroke Play (Chris Korte) and Match Play (Nick Nosewicz) and 2014 Mid-Amateur (Chris Thayer) winners will compete for the amateurs.
Reigning CGA Senior Stroke Play champ Bill Fowler will lead the way for the CGA seniors, while five-time Section Player of the Year Ron Vlosich will play for the Colorado PGA’s senior squad.
University of Wyoming golfer Taylor Dorans will be one of several college golfers who will try to keep the CWGA’s win streak going in the women’s division. Sherry Andonian-Smith, who has competed in the CoBank Colorado Senior Open multiple times, will lead the CPGA women’s squad.
For Tuesday’s four-ball pairings, CLICK HERE.
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Thirty golfers will vie for three spots in the national championship, which will be held at The Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, N.J., July 18-23.
Among the entrants Monday is Jaclyn Murray of Grand Junction, who qualified for the U.S. Girls’ Junior in 2014.
Also in the field are 2015 CWGA Junior Match Play champion Amy Chitkoksoong, the 5A state high school runner-up; Hailey Schalk, runner-up in last week’s Colorado Junior Amateur; 2015 Colorado PGA Junior Championship winner Caroline Jordaan, the 4A state high school runner-up in May; and Lauren Lehigh, who like Chitkoksoong recently qualified for the IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championships.
For Monday’s tee times, CLICK HERE.
]]>Keith Humerickhouse of Gypsum and David Delich of Colorado Springs are friends who have each won multiple CGA championships over the years.
And on Monday, they shared more than the 3-under-par 69s they shot at Valley Country Club in Centennial.
They each qualified for their fourth U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship — for players 25 and older — and they both did so with some medical issues hanging over their heads.
Delich, 58, faces heart surgery on Sept. 14. Humerickhouse, 39, has been battling yet-to-be-identified problems in his “gut” which have limited the four-time CGA Mid-Amateur champion to a handful of 2015 tournaments instead of the usual 15 or so he normally would have competed in by this time of year.
But those issues didn’t keep them from earning two of the five spots at stake Monday for the U.S. Mid-Am, which will be contested Oct. 3-8 in Vero Beach, Fla.
“I’m stoked. I can’t tell you how excited I am,” said Humerickhouse, who has twice made match play in the U.S. Mid-Am, advancing as far as the round of 16. “I’m the most proud of this one because I haven’t been playing, I haven’t been competing, I haven’t been able to practice. So this is awesome. This means so much to me — that I battled it out and got it done.”
As for Delich, who earlier this year won the CGA Senior Match Play and qualified for the U.S. Senior Open, he hopes to have recovered well enough from his heart surgery in mid-September to be competing in his 11th USGA championship come early October.
“I’m excited to make it,” said the former Colorado College hockey standout. “As long as the procedure goes well, I’ll have a couple weeks of rest and I think I’ll be fine. If it interferes with playing in the (CGA) Senior Stroke Play or the U.S. Mid-Amateur, it’ll interfere. I will argue with the doctor, but at the end of the day you’ve got to listen to what they say.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to go back. It’s always a great experience even if I don’t get into match play. I look forward to it. I’m glad to be going one more time. It feels good.”
In all, five Coloradans, including two left-handers, qualified for the U.S. Mid-Am out of a field that originally numbered 82 at Valley CC.
Andrew Tapia, a longtime resident of New Mexico who recently moved to Castle Rock, earned medalist honors with a 4-under-par 68. Humerickhouse and Delich had their 69s. And Barry Erwin of Aurora — a southpaw like Humerickhouse — and Alan Boyko of Denver fired 70s and survived a playoff to advance.
(Pictured above are the top three qualifiers, from left: Delich, Tapia and Humerickhouse.)
Tapia, a former New Mexico state high school champion who played college golf at Colorado State University-Pueblo, will be playing his second U.S. Mid-Am and his third USGA championship overall. Both Tapia and Humerickhouse competed — with different partners — in the inaugural U.S. Amateur Four-Ball this spring.
“Once you play in one USGA event, you always want to go back because they treat you so well and the venues are absolutely fantastic,” said Tapia, 36. “It’s a treat to play.”
Tapia made five birdies and a bogey to claim the medal on Monday.
Meanwhile, it will be the first U.S. Mid-Am for Erwin and Boyko. In fact, this will be the first USGA championship of any sort for the two.
“It’ll just be amazing just to have that experience,” said Erwin, 34, a lifelong Coloradan who grew up in Montrose. “I’ve really never played outside of Colorado competitively, so it’ll be awesome.”
As for Boyko (left), 35, he’s looking forward for the chance to re-introduce himself to Nathan Smith, the four-time U.S. Mid-Am champion against whom he played college golf in Pennsylvania about 15 years ago.
“It means a lot to me” to qualify, Boyko said. “I work pretty hard on my golf game as a weekend golfer. I used to play against Nathan Smith in college. He’s the kind of guy everyone wants to model themselves after. It would be nice to see him again and shake his hand since I haven’t seen him in close to 20 years now.”
Erwin and Humerickhouse are former pros who regained their amateur status. They both competed on Monday without ever having played Valley CC before.
Delich and Humerickhouse were both coming off poor performances by their standards in their last tournaments. Delich shot a 78 at the U.S. Senior Amateur qualifier on Friday at Flatirons Golf Course in Boulder, while Humerickhouse (left) went 83-76 in a tournament at Eagle Ranch.
“I’m trying to change my swing a little bit. I’m kind of halfway between where I used to be and where I should be,” said Delich, who made six birdies on Monday en route to his 11th USGA championship berth. “Today was the first time I hit a golf ball since Boulder, but I just felt right on with the set-up and the position on the range. I drove it beautifully all day.”
Said Humerickhouse: “I came into this thing with no confidence. My caddie said you have the game to be there. You need to go. I wasn’t even going to come down.
“It’s been a rough summer. For me to even get through is awesome. I was in control all day. I hit the ball great tee to green, really solid. Hopefully we can figure this (medical) thing out and get on the road to recovery.”
U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifying
At Par-72 Valley CC in Centennial
ADVANCE TO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Andrew Tapia, Castle Rock, N.M., 34-34–68
David Delich, Colorado Springs, Colo., 32-37–69
Keith Humerickhouse, Gypsum, Colo., 36-33–69
Barry Erwin, Aurora, Colo., 35-35–70
Alan Boyko, Denver, Colo., 35-35–70
ALTERNATES (in order)
Michael Larson, Longmont, Colo., 38-32–70
Jeff Chapman, Centennial, Colo., 36-35–71
FAILED TO QUALIFY
Tom Krystyn, Denver, Colo., 37-34–71
Derek Brown, River Oaks, Texas, 33-38–71
Joel Perez, Denver, Colo., 37-34–71
Steven Irwin, Arvada, Colo., 34-37–71
Jon Lindstrom, Broomfield, Colo., 37-34–71
Chris Carlson, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 35-37–72
Jason Vedadi, Williston, N.D., 38-34–72
Jason Poppenhagen, Aurora, Colo., 34-38–72
Alex Kephart, Colorado Springs, Colo., 33-39–72
Kyle Sullivan, Parker, Colo., 35-37–72
Michael Passananti, Fort Collins, N.Y., 34-38–72
Kent Moore, Cherry Hills Village, Colo., 36-36–72
Danny Riskam, Broomfield, Colo., 36-36–72
Ryan Axlund, Denver, Colo., 38-35–73
Damon Dageenakis, Erie, Colo., 35-38–73
Troy Anderson, Scottsdale, Ariz., 36-37–73
Tony Bagneschi, Scottsdale, Ariz., 39-34–73
David Harris, Avon, Colo., 35-38–73
Christopher Wilson, Colorado Springs, Colo., 36-37–73
Jeremy Lederer, Eagle, Colo., 38-36–74
Owen Ellis, Boulder, Colo., 39-35–74
Michael Glaesel, Arvada, Colo., 36-38–74
Thomas Roos, Centennial, Colo., 36-38–74
Clint Miller, Englewood, Colo., 32-42–74
Jonathan Kuzava, Littleton, Colo., 40-34–74
Christopher Thayer, Denver, Colo., 35-39–74
Michael Slutzky, Littleton, Colo., 37-37–74
Gary Driber, Castle Pines, Colo., 40-35–75
Jeff Tyrrell, Casper, Wyo., 37-38–75
James Kackley, Denver, Colo., 38-37–75
John Luoma, Parker, Colo., 38-37–75
Doug Manske, Littleton, Colo., 37-38–75
Mark Zbrzeznj, Edwards, Colo., 38-37–75
Wesley Martin, Denver, Colo., 36-39–75
Brodie Hullinger, Denver, S.D., 40-36–76
Scott Shore, Littleton, Colo., 35-41–76
Jay Orris, Boulder, Colo., 40-36–76
Mark Mance, Whitefish, Mont., 38-38–76
Anthony Komatz, Eagle, Colo., 36-40–76
Adam Pladson, Aurora, Colo., 40-36–76
Michael Young, Cheyenne, Wyo., 39-38–77
David Yergert, Thornton, Colo., 39-38–77
Brian Harris, Denver, Colo., 40-37–77
Chase Chaldekas, Lakewood, Colo., 37-41–78
Dustin Box, Fort Collins, Colo., 39-39–78
John Sostman, Littleton, Colo., 39-39–78
Nick Burns, Denver, Colo., 39-39–78
Brian Dorfman, Denver, Colo., 40-38–78
Zachary Warner, Littleton, Colo., 40-38–78
Ben Von Drehle, Denver, Colo., 37-42–79
Jonathan Marsico, Denver, Colo., 40-39–79
Rob Glucksman, Denver, Colo., 42-37–79
Scott Brozena, Denver, Colo., 39-40–79
Jim Broderick, Jackson, Wyo., 40-39–79
Pete Mangold, Denver, Colo., 36-43–79
Shane Unfred, Windsor, Colo., 37-42–79
Jason Owenby, Birmingham, Ala., 39-40–79
Tristan Sanders, Denver, Colo., 43-37–80
Ryne Scholl, Breckenridge, Colo., 41-39–80
Nathan Wilson, Sheridan, Wyo., 42-39–81
Brett Housman, Pueblo, Colo., 38-43–81
Ryan Bent, Evergreen, Colo., 38-43–81
Pat Diaz, Parker, Colo., 41-40–81
Andrew Kennedy, Denver, Colo., 41-41–82
Brian Key, Louisville, Texas, 42-40–82
Zach Florence, Denver, Colo., 40-45–85
Jared Polivka, Denver, Colo., 42-45–87
William Veith, Larkspur, Colo., 39-50–89
Kwasi Lee, Aurora, Colo., 48-41–89
Bryan Cannon, Columbine Valley, Colo., WD
Chris Strouse, Greenwood Village, Colo., WD
Ross Liggett, Fort Collins, Colo., NS-NS
Dewey Burke, Denver, Colo., WD
Zac Frazier, Las Vegas, Nev., WD
Sean Crowley, Littleton, Colo., WD