2022 Colorado Senior PGA Professional Championship

Day 1: Defending Champ Rudosky Among Trio at the Top

Colorado Springs, Colo. – Fantastic weather greeted the players as they arrived at The Club at Flying Horse, Club Course, for the first round of the 2022 Colorado Senior PGA Professional Championship. Calm winds and warm temperatures made for impeccable scoring conditions and many players took full advantage with 9 of the 50 breaking par on day 1.

Defending champion Micah Rudosky, PGA, Head Professional at Conquistador Golf Course, continued his strong play in this championship posting a 6-under-par 66 to give him a share of the lead heading into the final round. “I pitched it in for eagle on the Par 4 fifteenth, which certainly helped because when I did miss a green, I usually made bogey,” Rudosky said. 4 birdies and no bogeys on his front nine gave him the solo lead at the turn but a roller coaster back nine with 3 bogeys, 3 birdies, and an eagle gave him a closing nine 34, and that share of the lead. When asked about the game plan for tomorrow to defend his title, Rudosky stated, “I have to shoot under par to contend.”

Tied with Rudosky at the top are Doug Montgomery, PGA Instructor at Gott Golf, and past champion Doug Rohrbaugh, PGA Instructor at River Valley Ranch Golf Course. 7 birdies an eagle and 3 bogies were scattered across Montgomery’s card, leading to his 66. When asked about his round, Montgomery stated, “Through about the fourteenth hole I had perfect yardages on all of my approach shots and then that quit and I didn’t do so good on the last 6 holes,” as he closed with bogies on 15 and 17.

2012 and 2013 champion, Rohrbaugh, was bogey-free for his first round 66 and gave all the credit to his driver and putter, “I didn’t miss a fairway and had 11 putts on the front and 23 putts total.” Bogey free in any round of golf is stellar, and you need to have a stellar short game to make this happen. Rohrbaugh stated, “I made an 8-footer on the first hole for par and everything else was inside 3 feet for par, the ones where I got up and down.”

Right on their heels is Matt Schalk, PGA Director of Golf at Colorado National Golf Club who fired a 5-under-par 67. Schalk coming off a T57 finish at the Inspirato Colorado Open, where he was the lowest finishing Colorado PGA Professional, continued his hot play with 6 birdies an eagle, and 2 bogies on day 1. Schalk, when asked what was working today, stated, “Mostly all my irons, when I came out of the Colorado Open, my iron play was pretty darn good.” He will need his iron play to be the highlight of his game again tomorrow as play shifts to the much more difficult North Course at The Club at Flying Horse.

Rounding out the Top-6 are Grant Jackson, PGA Assistant Professional at Saddle Rock Golf Course, and Dave Arbuckle, PGA Life Member, who both shot 4-under-par 67s to only be 2 shots back heading into tomorrow’s final round.

The North Course at The Club at Flying Horse, which just opened 2 years ago, takes center stage tomorrow and is the perfect golf course to crown our 2022 Colorado Senior PGA Professional Champion. Rohrbaugh stated, “You have to play everything a full club less” than what he was today due to the firmness of the North Course, which should prove to be a tough but fair test for the 50 Senior Colorado PGA Professionals teeing it up in the final round.

Day 2: Schalk Claims First Senior Title in his First-Ever Appearance

What a difference a day makes; excellent scoring conditions during day one turned to warm and windy during round two. The Club at Flying Horse’s North Course set the backdrop for today’s second and final round of the Colorado Senior PGA Professional Championship. This brand new facility, opening in 2020, proved to be an exciting challenge for the final round as fast and firm conditions led to only five players breaking par, compared to nine on day one and only eight players finishing under-par for the two days, all of which earned qualifier spots.

Two of the three players shooting the lowest day one scores of 66 remained competitive during the second round. Those two players were Micah Rudosky, PGA, Conquistador Golf Course, and Doug Rohrbaugh, PGA, Golf at River Valley Ranch, and the third, Doug Montgomery, PGA, Gott Golf, who finished the Championship in the second alternate position. While Matt Schalk, PGA, Colorado National Golf Club, started the day one back after his day one 67 and stayed within touching distance of the lead all day.

Coming into the par five 18th hole, Rudosky needed a birdie to tie Schalk’s clubhouse lead, after Schalk birdied the final hole to post 6-under, while Rohrbaugh came to the final hole even par on the day and needing a par to stay at 6-under and join the playoff. Rohrbaugh’s tee shot went into the right rough, resulting in him choosing to hit a provisional. After locating his original ball deep in the rough and unable to take relief, Rohrbaugh needed three more shots to reach the green, leaving himself a 12 foot putt for par. Rohrbaugh missed the par putt to fall out of first place, ending his round at a 1 over par 73 and a two day total of 139 and a solo third place finish. Rudosky’s 2nd shot into the par 5 landed on the fringe of the green, leaving him with a 25-foot putt to win the championship. His eagle effort looked good the entire way before liping out and finishing four feet away. He calmly stroked home the birdie putt to force the playoff with Schalk.

The playoff began on the exciting drivable par 4 17th hole, measuring 312 yards. “I hit it right of the green in regulation and made par,” Schalk stated, “So I committed to a better line off the tee wanting to knock it on the green.” Knock it on the green he did, hitting one of his best shots of the day to 4 feet for a potential eagle. Rudosky’s tee shot landed in the right greenside bunker, which he splashed out to 5 feet and sunk the birdie putt, setting the stage for Schalk to win the championship with his eagle. The pressure didn’t affect him as he sunk his left to right eagle putt and claimed victory!

Walking off the green with a huge smile on his face Schalk shared he’s finished runner-up about five times in the Colorado PGA Professional Championship, where he lost in playoffs during several of those, so clearly relieved to finally host the trophy after a Section Major Championship.

“To play in my first Senior Section Championship and get the W, I’m super happy,” Schalk stated, “I didn’t get off to a good start but settled in after my eagle on 10 and felt much better, but 3-putted 15, fortunately was able to birdie 18 to stay in it and force a playoff”. When asked how he felt heading into the playoff, Schalk suggested that he remained calm and collected, commenting, “you know, I wasn’t too stressed for this one. I talked to my daughter before I went out there and she’s a good player and she said, ‘dad, you better win this one’”.

Thank you to the PGA Team at The Club at Flying Horse, General Manager Glenn Wallace, PGA, Director of Golf Jacob O’Dell, PGA and 1st Assistant’s Justin Vaughn and Mack Borowicz, PGA. A thank you to our national presenting partner, Cadillac, supporting partner Golf Channel and the PGA Tour for their support and continued partnership of this Championship.

The Top-8 qualifiers from this championship qualified for the 2022 Senior PGA Professional Championship, set to be played on October 13-16, 2022, at Twin Warriors & Santa Ana Golf Clubs in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico.

Final Results Photo Gallery

Congratulations to the Following Eight Qualifiers:

1. Matt Schalk, Colorado National GC - 67-71–138 *

2. Micah Rudosky, Conquistador GC - 66-72–138

3. Doug Rohrbaugh, River Valley Ranch - 66-73–139

4. Grant Jackson, Saddle Rock GC - 68-72–140

T5. Michael Zaremba, Desert Hawk at Pueblo West - 72-70–142

T5. Perry Holmes, Colorado National GC - 69-73–142

T7. Mark Avery, The Ranch CC - 74-69–143

T7. Chris Johnson, CC at Woodmoor - 72-71–143

* Won in Playoff

Alternates in Order:

9. David Arbuckle, Life Member - 68-77–145

10. Doug Montgomery, Gott Golf - 66-80–146

T11. Dan O’Shaughnessy, Springhill GC - 72-75–147

T11. Brian Gott, Gott Golf - 75-72–147

T11. Ron Vlosich, Life Member - 71-76–147

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Steve VanDyke, PGA, Elected as President of Colorado PGA’s West Chapter, Alongside Newly Appointed At-Large Directors

By Steven Bartowski • 19 Apr, 2024

Larkspur, CO - The West Chapter of the Colorado Professional Golfers' Association (COPGA) proudly announces the election of Steve VanDyke, PGA, as its newest President, alongside the appointment of esteemed At-Large Directors. PGA of America Golf Professional Steve VanDyke brings a wealth of experience and a profound dedication to the West Chapter PGA of America Golf Professionals and Associates, making him an ideal candidate to lead the West Chapter. With an almost 20-year career as a Class A PGA of America Golf Professional and a passion for the sport that shines through in every endeavor, VanDyke is poised to steer the Colorado PGA West Chapter toward a future marked by excellence. "It is an honor and a privilege to serve as President of the West Chapter PGA," said Steve VanDyke, PGA. "I am deeply committed to advancing the interests of our members, promoting the growth of golf at all levels, and fostering a vibrant and supportive community within the region. Together with my fellow directors and the entire West Chapter membership, I look forward to charting a course that ensures the continued success and vitality of the West Chapter PGA." Joining President VanDyke in this new chapter of leadership is a group of distinguished At-Large Directors whose expertise and vision will play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of the Colorado PGA West Chapter. These directors bring diverse perspectives, extensive industry knowledge, and a shared commitment to advancing the golf industry and enhancing the professional lives of PGA of America Golf Professionals. The newly appointed At-Large Directors are: Cody Hasten, PGA Head Professional at Haymaker Golf Course Jim Pratt, PGA General Manager at Aspen Glen Golf Club (beginning a new term) Continuing with their At-Large Director roles are: Loren Forney, PGA Member Trey Johnson, PGA Assistant Professional at Vail Golf Club Mark Matz, PGA Head Professional at Beaver Creek Golf Club Tim Tafoya, PGA Director of Golf at Tiarado Golf Course We would like to thank Luke Brosterhous, PGA, who served selflessly as West Chapter President before VanDyke. During his term, Luke was instrumental in raising the standards for education and the West Chapter Cup Matches. Luke will now slide into the Honorary President role on the Board. Their combined talents and dedication to the principles of the Colorado PGA will undoubtedly enrich the West Chapter's initiatives and programs, benefitting both members and the broader golfing community. "We are thrilled to welcome Steve VanDyke as our new West Chapter President and to introduce our esteemed At-Large Directors," said Cathy Matthews-Kane, PGA President of the Colorado PGA Section. "Under their leadership, we are confident that the West Chapter PGA will continue to thrive and uphold its legacy as a beacon of excellence for the members of the chapter. We are also excited to welcome Mr. VanDyke to the Section Board of Directors as West Chapter President." For media inquiries or further information, please contact: Steven Bartkowski CEO/Executive Director Colorado PGA Section PGA REACH Colorado Foundation 303.996.1593 sbartkowski@pgahq.com About the Colorado PGA West Chapter: The West Chapter of the Colorado PGA encompasses those Members and Associates that work west of the Continental Divide in the state of Colorado. The West Chapter is made up of approximately 100 Members and Associates with over 50 facilities being located in the Chapter. The West Chapter is governed by Officers elected by the Chapter Membership. The Core Purpose of the Chapter is to deliver the member programs and services of the Colorado PGA on the Western Slope. The West Chapter provides continuing education, pro-only, and pro-am tournaments.