Colorado’s Matt Schalk Wins 2022 Senior PGA Professional Championship

SANTA ANA PUEBLO, New Mexico (Oct. 16, 2022) - Matt Schalk—PGA Director of Golf at Colorado National Golf Club—knew nasty weather would play a factor in Sunday’s final round at the 2022 Senior PGA Professional Championship. After his Saturday round, he said he’d assess the conditions Sunday morning and come up with a number to aim for.

Two Texans Among Top 35 qualifiers for first major contested at PGA Frisco 

“I thought 76 would be my number,” Schalk said. “I thought if I could shoot a couple over on each side, maybe battle to that, that would be the number.” 


Schalk, representing the Colorado Section, did one stroke better. His three-over-par 75 put him at 10-over par 278, good enough to claim his first 2022 Senior PGA Championship title and the Leo Fraser Trophy. 


Steve Schneiter, an Assistant PGA Professional at Schneiter’s Pebblebrook in Sandy, Utah, placed second at 8-under par 280 after firing a 5-over par 77 in the final round. A four-way tie for third place at 7-under par led to a playoff to determine the top five.


The playoff featured Alan Morin, an Assistant Professional at The Club at Ibis in West Palm Beach, Florida, who had a final round 2-over-par 72; Cameron Doan, the Director of Golf at Preston Trail Golf Club in Dallas, Texas, also with a 2-over-par 72; Alan Sorensen, the General Manager at Buena Vista Golf Course in Taft, California (7-over-par 79); and Todd Bailey, the Head Professional at Lake Forest Yacht & Country Club in Daphne, Alabama (even par 72). Bailey was the first eliminated from the playoff.


After calm conditions and scores in the 60s during the first three rounds of the championship, Sunday’s final round featured gusty winds and rain at Twin Warriors Golf Club. 


“It definitely felt like it was a good 25-30 mph steady with gusts going,” Schalk said. “I had my ball blowing around on a green when I was walking up to it. You never could quite get comfortable out there, but everybody had it. I went into it trying to not make doubles. Pars were like birdies. I just tried to make bogeys and understand that it wasn’t the end of the world if you made one, because you knew everyone was going to be making them, too.”


Schalk opened slowly, bogeying four of his first six holes. He picked up a birdie on No. 7 then settled in on the back nine, adding a birdie on No.12 and saving par six times. 


“It was definitely the most difficult conditions I’ve ever played in,” he said. “No. 1 was our downward hole right off the bat. Then you have two back-to-back holes which are really tough. Those were a challenge to get through. I had a couple good birdie opportunities on the front nine, 4 especially, and just didn’t capitalize on those. That’s the way it goes. Then on the back nine, I had some great birdie chances coming in. Had great birdie chances on 15, 16, 17 even 14. I definitely settled in.”


Schalk will lead a contingent of 35 Senior PGA Club Professionals into the 2023 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, May 25-28, at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco in Frisco, Texas—the first major championship to be contested at the new home of the PGA of America. Along with Schneiter, Bailey, Morin, Doan, and Sorensen, he will be joined by Kelly Mitchum (Southern Pines, North Carolina, Pinehurst CC No. 1-5, Carolinas Section), Brian Gaffney (Essex Fells, New Jersey, Essex Fells Country Club, New Jersey Section), Jeff Gove (Sandpoint, Idaho, Life Member Pacific Northwest PGA, Pacific Northwest Section), Chad Proehl (Urbandale, Iowa, Sugar Creek Golf Course, Iowa Section), Craig Bowden (Bloomington, Indiana, Life Member Indiana PGA, Indiana Section), Mark Brown (Hobe Sound, Florida, Tam O'Shanter Golf Club, Metropolitan Section), Brad Lardon (Santa Fe, New Mexico, Club at Las Campanas, The, Sun Country Section), David Hronek (Port Charlotte, Florida, GOLFTEC - Sarasota, North Florida Section), Jeffrey Schmid (Iowa City, Iowa, Brown Deer Golf Club, Iowa Section), Todd Sapere (Cobbtown, Georgia, Ohoopee Match Club, Georgia Section), Craig Thomas (Port Chester, New York, Metropolis Country Club, Metropolitan Section), Jeff Brehaut (Park City, Utah, Life Member Utah PGA, Utah Section), Tim Fleming (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club, South Central Section), Eric Bogar (Houston, Texas, Golfcrest Country Club, Southern Texas Section), Kevin Shields (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, The Club at Nevillewood, Tri-State Section), Doug Rohrbaugh (Carbondale, Colorado, Golf At River Valley Ranch, Colorado Section), Bob Sowards (Dublin, Ohio, Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club, Southern Ohio Section), Neil Thompson (Hoover, Alabama, Thompson Golf Academy, Alabama - NW Florida Section), Rich Steinmetz (Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania, Spring Ford Country Club, Philadelphia Section), Mark Mielke (Atlantis, Florida, High Ridge Country Club, South Florida Section), Jason Schmuhl (Windsor, California, Windsor Golf Club, Northern California Section), Micah Rudosky (Cortez, Colorado, Conquistador Golf Course, Colorado Section), Dave McNabb (Malvern, Pennsylvania, Applebrook Golf Club, Philadelphia Section), Derek Stendahl (Maple Grove, Minnesota, Rush Creek Golf Club, Minnesota Section), Tracy Phillips (Tulsa, Oklahoma, Cedar Ridge Country Club, South Central Section), Roy Biancalana (St. Charles, Illinois, Blackberry Oaks Golf Course, Illinois Section), Jeff Roth (Farmington, New Mexico, BOYNE Golf Academy, Michigan Section), Paul Claxton (Claxton, Georgia, Richmond Hill Golf Club, Georgia Section) and David Arbuckle (Colorado Springs, Colorado, Life Member Colorado PGA, Colorado Section).


Doan and Bogar, an Assistant Professional at Golfcrest Country Club, are the two Texans to clinch spots in the 2023 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. As a member of the Northern Texas PGA Section, Doan is slated to hit the first tee shot of the tournament next May.


The top eight finishers ー Schalk, Schneiter, Bailey, Morin, Doan, Sorensen, Mitchum, Gaffney ー also automatically qualified for next year’s Senior PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida, October 24-29, 2023.


“I’m ecstatic,” Schalk said of what lies ahead. “Coming into the week, getting into the Senior PGA Championship in Frisco was my goal. Even going into today, even though I was in a good spot (tied for second), I wanted to try to make sure I could get into the Senior PGA. I didn’t think about winning the tournament until I got to the 17 tee and was able to see the scoreboard. I knew I had some shots to play with coming in. Just needed to be smart. Now I’m so excited to be the Senior PGA Professional champion and everything that comes with it.”


For more information about the 2023 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, visit srpgachampionship.com. 

For more information about the 2022 Senior PGA Professional Championship, visit PGA.com.

Media Contacts:


Kerwin Lonzo, PGA of America, 561-568-3504, klonzo@pgahq.com
Greg Dillard, PGA of America, 561-308-8013, gdillard@pgahq.com

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

By Scott Minta • September 16, 2025
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By Scott Minta • July 30, 2025
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