2021 Colorado PGA Professional Champion: Micah Rudosky, PGA

Rudosky wins two Championships in one season; first time in Colorado since 2013!

The Colorado PGA Professional Championship, hosted at the Air Force Academy’s Eisenhower Golf Club – Blue Course, September 13-15, 2021, provided an excellent opportunity for our Colorado Members to showcase their skills. With wind gusts on day one, rain delays on day two, fast greens and an overall challenging course, claiming the title of Colorado PGA Professional Champion was no easy feat! Congratulations are in order to Micah Rudosky, PGA Head Professional of Conquistador Golf Course!

The first of three rounds teed off Monday morning, September 13th. Starting off strong, firing three birdies in a row on holes three, four, and five, led David Arbuckle, PGA Life Member, to a three-under-par on the front nine. Adding two birdies on the back nine, secured Arbuckle the lead, carding a two-under-par 70 for the day. By the end of day one, there were five members tied for second at one-under-par for the day: Dan Sniffin, PGA Omni Interlocken, Kyle Voska, PGA The Links Golf Course, Robert Grall, PGA Colorado National Golf Club, Michael Zaremba, PGA Desert Hawk, and Matt Schalk, PGA Colorado National Golf Club. Last year’s champion, Geoff Keffer, PGA Lakewood Country Club, sat for 17th following a round of 74.

Rain or shine, Colorado PGA Professionals showed up and pushed through the second round of the Colorado PGA Professional Championship that eventually was suspended due to darkness. After two rain delays, players resumed play with approximately two hours until sunset, which left seven groups to finish their rounds Wednesday morning before the final round was set to start.

A few other notable rounds came from the 2021 Colorado Senior PGA Professional Champion, Micah Rudosky, PGA Conquistador Golf Course, and 2021 Colorado Assistant PGA Professional Champion, Ben Lanting, PGA Bear Creek Golf Club. Rudosky went out in 37 and closed with four birdies, one bogey, and an eagle on the back nine; posted a three-under-par 69 and sat in second place. Lanting came out of the gates hot firing a six-under front nine consisting of an eagle, birdie, birdie, birdie, birdie stretch on holes five through nine. Lanting stumbled down the stretch with five bogies on the back nine en route to a 41 and a second-round score of one-under-par 71.

Following Tuesday afternoon’s rain delays, blue skies at the Air Force Academy Eisenhower Golf Club – Blue Course Wednesday morning set the tone for a fantastic final round of the Colorado PGA Professional Championship. Wednesday morning, the second round concluded, the cut was made and then the final round commenced!

When asked how the day was playing at the turn, Barry Milstead, PGA Valley Country Club, replied, “they’re playing well”, referring to the other members in his threesome. One of whom was Ben Lanting. Two bogies, a birdie, and two eagles led him a three-under-par 33 on the front nine, which positioned himself from tied for 12th to third place at one-over-par through the front nine. Both posting two-under front nines, Mike Northern, PGA Life Member, and Christopher Hyten, PGA Castle Pines Golf Club, were tied with Ben going into the final nine holes. As a strong contender all week, Rudosky, remained consistent
with an even-par front nine. Tuesday’s leader, Kyle Voska, shot a five-over- par 41 to sit four shots behind Rudosky.

After 54 holes, Rudosky claimed victory! Posting a three-under-par total of 209 (75-69-69). Lanting congratulated Rudosky saying, “I’m pleased with the day. Micah went out and earned it.” With only one bogey and four birdies for the day, Rudosky commented, “I felt good about the round, and I’m excited to be heading to Austin, Texas.” Rudosky admitted that he had not played this course in ten years, with the last time being back in 2011 when the Section Championship was last held at Eisenhower. “I knew coming in how difficult this course could play,” he commented, but “I made the putts I needed to.”

In a similar fashion to his front nine, Lanting carded one bogey and three birdies on the final nine. He ended with an impressive five-under-par 67 for the round and one-under after 54 holes; finished second behind Rudosky. After not his best round on Monday, Lanting knew he needed his mental game to be strong. “Just keep playing,” he commented, “Every shot is a new shot, each day is a new day. In final rounds, you know what you have to do. [Regardless of outcome] I’m blessed to play a game I love.” Lanting kept a great attitude, but his score could be due to the history behind his choice of outfit. He wore the same outfit at the Colorado Open and shot a 67 and also when he won the 2021 Colorado Assistant PGA Professional Championship, with a 64. His mentor and friend, Kirk Rider, PGA Bear Creek Golf Course, also wore the same shirt at the Colorado Senior PGA Championship, shot 67, and qualified for the Senior PGA Professional Championship!

Tied for third belongs to Caine Fitzgerald, PGA Meadow Hills Golf Course, and Christopher Hyten, PGA Castle Pines Golf Club, with rounds of 77-74-67–218 and 74-73-71–218, respectively.

Finishing solo fifth, but not eligible to advance to the National PGA Professional Championship, because of his PGA Life Member status, was 2006 Colorado PGA Professional Champion Mike Northern, PGA. Northern fired rounds of 76, 71, 72 leading him to a three-day total of 219, three-over-par.

This win marked the second time anyone had won two of the three Colorado Championships in a season. The last was Doug Rohrbaugh, PGA The Snowmass Club, in 2013 when he won the Colorado Senior PGA Professional Championship and the Colorado PGA Professional Championship. Rohrbaugh, reflecting on those Championships, commented it was a “crazy year,” also winning the Colorado Senior Open.

Thank you to our sponsors, Cadillac, Club Car and Rolex, and to the Air Force Academy, Eisenhower Golf Club and the staff for their help in hosting and making this Championship successful.

The top nine finishers qualify for the 55th PGA Professional Championship, scheduled for April 17-20, 2022, at the OMNI Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas.

To see the full results of the 2021 Colorado PGA Professional Championship, click here.

PGA Professional Championship Qualifiers
April 17-20, 2022 at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas

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Tara Morris, PGA of Colorado Golf Academy Goes Wire-to-Wire to Capture Her Third COPGA Women's Championship

By Steven Bartowski • October 13, 2025

Chris Kennedy, of Murphy Creek Golf Course, Captures West Chapter Championship of First Playoff Hole

By Steven Bartowski • October 1, 2025

Vail, Colo. - September 30, 2025 - In a thrilling conclusion to this year's Colorado PGA West Chapter Championship, Chris Kennedy of Murphy Creek Golf Course emerged victorious after a tightly contested battle that needed to be settled via a sudden-death playoff. Kennedy posted rounds of 68 and 71 to finish at 1-under-par (139), securing the win on the first playoff hole over Justin Carlock of Eaton Country Club, who matched the same two-day total after a brilliant second round of 4-under-par 66, the lowest round of the tournament. Carlock’s charge up the leaderboard showcased clutch shot-making and nerves of steel, but Kennedy’s consistent play across both days proved enough to edge out the win. “Today is my Dad’s birthday, and he passed away 2 years ago, so to win this championship today makes it extra special,” Kennedy said. Kennedy’s final round consisted of three birdies and four bogies to finish at 1-under-par for the 36 holes and dead even with Carlock. Finishing in a tie for third were John Gorell, Associate Professional, and Chris Johnson, PGA, General Manager, both from The Country Club of Woodmoor, who both finished at even par for the 36 holes. Johnson was the 2010 West Chapter Champion. Finishing in solo fifth place was 2025 Section Champion, Geoff Keffer, PGA Assistant Professional at Lakewood Country Club, after firing rounds of 71-70 for a two-day total of 1-over-par. Capturing victory in the Senior Division was PGA General Manager Chris Johnson. Johnson fired rounds of 68-72 to post an even par total and a five-shot victory. A huge thanks to all of our partners for the West Chapter Championship. Tom Bauerle, Drew Hunter, and Reed Tomlinson of Colorado Golf & Turf and Club Car, Chris Garton and Jake Coldirons of Creative Travel Brands, Ryan Helin of 2nd Swing Golf, Chase and Derby McGee of Links & Peaks, Kevin Neff of Sterling Cut Glass, Dylan Toups and Jeff Wood of Perry Weather and Lara Burchfield of CMC Designs for their support of this championship and the Colorado PGA West Chapter. Last but certainly not least is our fantastic host facility, Vail Golf Club, and its dedicated staff. PGA Director of Golf, Trey Johnson, PGA Head Golf Professional, Andrew Villescas, Golf Course Superintendents Andy Beske, and Dan McFadden, and their entire grounds staff for having the course in peak championship condition for the entire tournament. Colorado PGA West Chapter Championship Final Leaderboard 1. Chris Kennedy (Murphy Creek Golf Course) —68-71—-139 (-1) 2. Justin Carlock (Lakewood Country Club) —73-66—139 (-1) T3. John Gorell (Country Club at Woodmoor) —71-69—140 (E) T3. Chris Johnson, PGA (Country Club at Woodmoor) —68-72—140 (E) 5. Geoff Keffer, PGA (Lakewood Country Club) —71-70—141 (+1) 6. Ben Lanting, PGA (Bear Creek Golf Club) —70-73—143 (+3) 7. Glen-Michael Mihavetz (Red Sky Golf Club) —72-72—144 (+4) T8. Kirk Trowbridge, PGA (MetaGolf Learning Center) —74-71—145 (+5) T8. Mike Weingartner, PGA (Colorado Golf Academy) —73-72—145 (+5) T8. Shaun Wright, PGA (Red Sky Golf Club) —72-73—145 (+5) T8. Doug Rohrbaugh, PGA (River Valley Ranch Golf Course) —71-74—145 (+5)

Geoff Keffer, PGA, of Lakewood Country Club Fires Final Round 66 to Capture His Third Colorado PGA Professional Championship Title of His Career

By Scott Minta • September 18, 2025

Seven Others Qualify to Join Keffer at Bandon Dunes Next April at the 2026 PGA Professional National Championship Colorado Springs, CO, September 17, 2025 - The final round of the 68th Colorado PGA Professional Championship was pushed back two hours from the scheduled 7:30 am start time due to the second round not being completed the night before. The second round resumed at 7:30 am on Wednesday morning and concluded at 8:35 pm. The cut was made at +9, and final round tee times were off and running at 9:30 am, with the leaders teeing off at 11:00 am. That final group included two-time Colorado PGA Professional Champion Geoff Keffer, PGA Assistant Professional at Lakewood Country Club. Keffer began the day with a one-shot lead and was determined to hoist the Ralph “Rip” Arnold Memorial Award Trophy for a third time. After birdies on one and four and an eagle on five, Keffer had jumped to 11-under-par and held a five-shot lead over his closest competitor. Keffer had seven pars, two birdies, and two bogies over his next 11 holes. “Knowing where I was at, just tried to make low stress pars the whole way,” Keffer said. Then, after low-stress golf over the last 11-hole stretch, Keffer stood on the 17th tee with the golf tournament pretty much won. He could very easily lay up and secure his par, which he did the exact opposite of. Knocking a mini driver on the green to 30 feet and rolling in the eagle putt to jump to 13-under-par. “Getting that one to go in on 17 was just a bonus,” Keffer stated. After a par at the last, Keffer posted a final round 66 and an eight-shot victory in a truly dominant wire-to-wire finish. Keffer captures his first section championship triumph since he won the trophy back in 2020 at Valley Country Club. “We have so many great players in this section that anytime I can be around the top, it is always great,” Keffer said. This win is Keffer’s seventh for the Colorado PGA tournament season, and extends his lead atop the Dow Finsterwald Player of the Year List to 1,548 points with only the Pro-Assistant, Masek Match Play Finals, and the West Chapter Championship left on the 2025 Colorado PGA tournament calendar. Keffer’s win qualifies him for the 2026 PGA Professional Championship, his seventh consecutive PPC. Along with Keffer, seven others will join him at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort on April 26-29, 2026. Finishing in a four-way tie for second place, with a 54-hole total of 211, 5-under-par, were Henry Bernard, PGA Assistant Professional at TPC Colorado; Matt Schalk, PGA General Manager at Colorado National Golf Club; Caine Fitzgerald, PGA Head Professional at Meadow Hills Golf Course, and Ben Lanting, PGA Assistant Professional at Bear Creek Golf Club. Joining those five at Bandon Dunes next April will be solo sixth finisher and four-time section champion, Micah Rudosky, PGA Head Professional at Conquistador Golf Course, who fired rounds of 71-69-72 for a three-day total of 212, 5-under-par. A huge thanks to all of our partners of the Colorado PGA Professional Championship. Tom Bauerle, Drew Hunter, and Reed Tomlinson of Colorado Golf & Turf and Club Car, Chris McCallum of Titleist, and Adam Boland of Footjoy, Steven Vigil of Nike Golf, Shaun Haberstroh, Chris Brown, Sam Marley, and Chris Kurth of Taylormade Golf, and Mike Marsilli and Marcus Gregory of Callaway Golf. To our local partners, Chase & Derby McGee of Links & Peaks, Dr. Little of The Golf Clinic, Erin Bates of Liquid Death, Taylor Erkman of Strackaline, Samantha Masciarelli of 1st and 10th tee bars, Zach Ledvina of Maui Jim, and Kelly Jobe of Sterling Cut Glass, for their support of this championship and the Colorado PGA. Last but certainly not least is our fantastic host facility, Flying Horse North, and its dedicated staff. PGA General Manager, Glenn Wallace, PGA Director of Golf, Jacob O’Dell, PGA Head Golf Professional, Mack Borowicz, and Golf Course Superintendent, John Doncilovich, and his entire grounds staff for having the golf course in peak championship condition for the entire week. In the solo seventh position was Chris Hyten, PGA Assistant Professional at Castle Pines Golf Club. Hyten shot rounds of 71-67-75 for a three-day total of 213, 4-under-par. Hyten qualified for his fourth PGA Professional Championship and first since 2022 at Todd Creek. The eighth and final qualifier for Bandon Dunes is Bill Hancock, PGA Assistant Professional at Meadow Hills Golf Course. Hancock defeated Dan Sniffin in a one-hole playoff after making a birdie on the par-5 5th hole. Hancock fired a final round of 75 after rounds of 71 and 68 on days one and two.

Keffer Chasing His Third Colorado PGA Professional Championship Title; Miller and Hyten Sit One Shot Back Heading Into Final Round at Flying Horse North

By Scott Minta • September 17, 2025

Colorado Springs, CO, September 17, 2025 - Day two of the Colorado PGA Professional Championship was a carbon copy of day one, with cool temperatures and sunny skies greeting the players as they arrived at Flying Horse North for “moving day.” Up for grabs this week is the Ralph “Rip” Arnold Memorial Trophy, eight qualifying spots into the National PGA Professional Championship at Bandon Dunes in 2026, and a $75,000 purse, which is the largest purse in the history of the championship. Among the day one leaders to get an early start on day two was Geoff Keffer, PGA Assistant Professional at Lakewood Country Club. Keffer teed off at 8:00 am and got off to a tough start, bogeying three of his first six holes. “I just got some bad breaks on my opening nine, leading to the three bogies,” Keffer stated. A much-needed birdie on the 18th jump-started Keffer, and he carried that momentum on his closing nine. “I hit a couple close and had a couple of two-putt birdies [on the back nine],” Keffer stated. Keffer carded five birdies with no bogies on his back nine for a closing 31 and second round 69 to sit at seven-under-par for the Championship. Three back of Keffer’s lead is Ben Lanting, PGA Assistant Professional at Bear Creek Golf Club. “I feel very tired, rollercoaster is the only way to describe it,” Lanting said, after having another up-and-down day at Flying Horse North. Lanting carded an eagle, five birdies, two bogies, and two double bogies to card a one-under-par 71 for his second round and sit at four-under-par for the Championship and in the running to capture his first Colorado PGA Professional Championship title. “This one means the most to me out of anything I play in,” Lanting said, “I had a stretch of three seconds in a row [2021, 2022, 2023], and fifth last year, this is why I practice, this is why I work hard, to win the Section Championship would mean so much.” Then, as the afternoon wave had begun play, the storms rolled in and play was suspended at 2:45 pm. The delay would last two hours and eight minutes before play would ultimately resume at 4:53 pm. After the delay, temperatures had dropped a few degrees, and the sun began to poke its way through the clouds from time to time, but a soft golf course meant birdies were there for the taking. Players took advantage of the soft conditions with Dustin Miller, PGA Director of Instruction at The Swing Bays, Bill Hancock, PGA Assistant Professional at Meadow Hills Golf Course, Micah Rudosky, PGA Head Professional at Conquistador Golf Course, and Chris Hyten, PGA Assistant Professional at Castle Pines Golf Club all firing rounds under par to jump up multipe spots and into the Top 5 heading into the final round. Miller and Hyten finished at three and five under par, respectively, for the second round, putting them in a tie for second place at six-under-par and one shot behind Keffer. Miller’s round consisted of five birdies and two bogies. “I stayed patient throughout the round and didn’t try to force anything,” Miller said. “I knew when I could be aggressive and when I needed to stay with planned shots.”

Carlton (Legacy Ridge GC) & Keffer (Lakewood CC) Tied for the Lead After Day One

By Scott Minta • September 16, 2025

Colorado Springs, CO, September 15, 2025 - The 2025 Colorado PGA Professional Championship, hosted by Flying Horse North, kicked off on Monday, September 15th. This 54-hole tournament is the most prestigious championship for the PGA of America Golf Professionals of the Colorado PGA Section, dating back to 1958, with J.D. Taylor hoisting the trophy. This year’s championship includes 110 Professionals in the field representing golf facilities from across Colorado and Wyoming. Up for grabs this week is the Ralph “Rip” Arnold Memorial Trophy, eight qualifying spots into the National PGA Professional Championship at Bandon Dunes in 2026, and an over $75,000 purse, which is the largest purse in the history of the championship. The co-leaders after the opening 18 holes were Joe Carlton, PGA Head Professional at Legacy Ridge Golf Course, and two-time section champion, Geoff Keffer, PGA Assistant Professional at Lakewood Country Club, after two brilliant rounds of four-under-par 68.

Maggie Hartman, PGA - We Are Golf

By Steven Bartowski • September 3, 2025

Q&A with Maggie Hartman, PGA

Colorado PGA of America Golf Professionals Mark Matz & Dustin Miller Headline 2025 Section Awards Class

By Steven Bartowski • August 12, 2025

29th Annual Colorado Section Awards Gala to be Held at Cherry Hills Country Club on October 24th

Carlock Captures His First Colorado PGA Major Championship

By Scott Minta • August 5, 2025

Keffer and Hardman to Join Carlock in the National PGA Assistant Professional Championship

Fitzgerald Goes Wire-to-Wire to Capture Senior Crown

By Scott Minta • July 30, 2025

Longmont, Colo . - What a difference a day makes as cloudy skies and cool temperatures greeted the players on day two of the Colorado Senior PGA Professional Championship, compared to hot and sunny temperatures during the opening round. Caine Fitzgerald, PGA Head Professional at Meadow Hills Golf Course, took a 3-shot lead into the final round after a 3-under-par 67 on day one. “The 3-under on day one was fortunate, the golf course is very difficult and is tough to make putts, Fitzgerald said.” Three back of Fitzgerald to start the day was the 2012 and 2013 senior champion, Doug Rohrbaugh, PGA Instructor at River Valley Ranch Golf Course, and four back was the 2022 and 2023 champion Matt Schalk, PGA General Manager at Colorado National Golf Club.

PGA REACH Colorado Foundation Honors Wounded Hero with its 12th Sponsored Mortgage-Free Home

By Steven Bartowski • July 30, 2025

Golf with a purpose: $110K Raised for Local Programming, One Hero Honored

2021 Colorado PGA Professional Champion: Micah Rudosky, PGA

Rudosky wins two Championships in one season; first time in Colorado since 2013!

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