Hansen Wins in Playoff for Senior Title; Keshtevar Goes Wire-to-Wire for Assistant Championship

Colorado PGA Crowns Two New Champions

Morrison, Colo. - The players were greeted with bright blue skies, light winds, and much on the line as they arrived at Red Rocks Country Club for the final round of the Senior and Assistant’s Championship. As the day began, nine players were within six shots off of Doug Rohrbaugh’s, PGA Instructor at River Valley Ranch Golf Course, lead in the Senior Championship and 19 players within six shots of Behrod Keshtavar’s, PGA Associate Professional at Buffalo Run Golf Course, lead in the Assistants Championship.

One of those nine players within six shots of Rohrbaugh’s lead was Chad Hansen, PGA Head Golf Professional at Ironbridge Golf Club. Hansen began the day one shot outside the top eight qualifying spots, for the Senior PGA Professional Championship, “My goal beginning the day was to just get into the top eight,” Hansen stated.

A ho-hum first 13 holes left Hansen at even par for his round on the 14th tee and four shots back of Rohrbaugh’s lead. Birdies on 14, 16, and 17, meant Hansen surged into the lead heading to the last hole. “When I birdied 16 and 17, we got to 18 and I heard some people chatting, you might be on top, but I was really focused on playing 18,” Hansen said. After Hansen birdied the 18th, he led Rohrbaugh by one with Doug still needing to play the last hole. After Rohrbaugh birdied the final hole, the co-leaders were headed to a sudden-death playoff. A par on the first playoff hole, to Rohrbaugh’s bogey, meant Hansen was crowned the 2024 Colorado Senior PGA Professional Champion. “This is the biggest tournament I have ever won, the putter was 100% the club that won me this championship,” Hansen stated, who rolled in a 7-foot left to right slider on the first playoff hole to capture victory.

Hansen is one of nine Colorado PGA of America Golf Professionals who qualified for the Senior PGA Professional Championship to be held on September 25-29, 2024 at Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Oregon. The other eight PGA Professionals joining Hansen in Oregon are Doug Rohrbaugh, Bill Hancock, Barry Milstead, Matt Schalk, Micah Rudosky, Ron Vlosich, Grant Jackson, and Caine Fitzgerald.

In the Assistant’s Championship, Keshtavar began the day with a one-shot lead over second place, and after his birdie on the first hole he seemed to be cruising. However, bogies on holes 2, 7, and 8 meant he trailed Justin Carlock, PGA Associate Professional at Red Rocks Country Club, by two strokes entering the back nine. “I just needed to stay patient,” Keshtavar stated.

A 375-yard drive onto the 11th green and a two-putt birdie put Keshtavar within one of Carlock with seven to play. Pars on 12 through 15 meant Keshtavar trailed Carlock by 1 with 3 to play. After a clutch birdie on 16 to tie Carlock, Keshtavar left himself with a 5-foot birdie putt on 17 to take a 1-shot lead. “I knew that putt was to take the lead,” Keshtavar said, he stepped up and calmly rolled it home. After a stress-free par at the last, Keshtavar secured the 2024 Colorado Assistant PGA Professional Championship.

The National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship, to be held on November 14-17, 2024 at PGA Golf Club, requires PGA Associates to be past Level 1 of their education towards PGA Membership to qualify. Behrod is currently working towards this level, leaving him ineligible to advance to the National Assistants Championship. The three players who qualified for and will be representing the Colorado Section at the Assistant PGA Professional Championship are Justin Carlock, Geoff Keffer, and Ben Lanting.

A huge thanks to the presenting partner for all our Major Championships, Colorado Golf & Turf, and Tom Bauerle, Drew Hunter, and Reed Tomlinson for their continued support of all Colorado PGA events.

Photos

Colorado Senior PGA Professional Championship - Qualifiers
1. Chad Hansen, PGA (Ironbridge Golf Club)—75-67—142 (E)
2. Doug Rohrbaugh, PGA (River Valley Ranch Golf Course)—69-73—142 (E)
T3. Bill Hancock, PGA (Meadow Hills Golf Course)—74-70—144 (+2)
T3. Barry Milstead, PGA (Valley Country Club)—73-71—144 (+2)
T3. Matt Schalk, PGA (Colorado National Golf Club)—71-73—144 (+2)
T6. Micah Rudosky, PGA (Conquistador Golf Course)—79-68—147 (+5)
T6. Ron Vlosich, PGA (PGA Life Member)—74-73—147 (+5)
8. Grant Jackson, PGA (Murphy Creek Golf Course)—73-75—148 (+6)
9. Caine Fitzgerald, PGA (Meadow Hills Golf Course)—73-76—149 (+7)
1st Alternate. Patrick Reidy, PGA (PGA Life Member)—73-77—150 (+8)
2nd Alternate. Dan O’Shaughnessy, PGA (Springhill Golf Course)—76-75—151 (+9)
3rd Alternate. Mark Franz, PGA (The Pinery Country Club)—78-73—151 (+9)
4th Alternate. Michael Zaremba, PGA (Desert Hawk at Pueblo West)—80-71—151 (+9)
5th Alternate. Dale Smigelsky, PGA (PGA Life Member)—77-74—151 (+9)
Full Leaderboard

Colorado Assistant PGA Professional Championship - Qualifiers
1. Justin Carlock (Red Rocks Country Club)—72-69—141 (-1)
2. Geoff Keffer, PGA (Lakewood Country Club)—73-70—143 (+1)
3. Ben Lanting, PGA (Bear Creek Golf Club)—71-72—143 (+1)
1st Alternate. Chris Hyten, PGA (Castle Pines Golf Club)—75-71—146 (+4)
2nd Alternate. Ryan Cancino, PGA (Plum Creek Golf Club)—77-70—147 (+5)
3rd Alternate. Cam Crabtree, PGA (Wellshire Golf Course)—77-71—148 (+6)
Full Leaderboard
Eligible Player Leaderboard

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Kyle Heyen Elected as 49th President of the Colorado PGA Section

By Steven Bartowski • October 24, 2024

PGA of America Hosts PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week – Honoring Veterans at Congressional Country Club, Including 4th PGA HOPE Ambassador from the Colorado Section, Zechariah Owens

By Steven Bartowski • October 22, 2024

Zec Recently Returned Home from the PGA HOPE National Golf and Wellness October 10-14 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland

Goodwin Fires Final Round 67 To Claim 67th Colorado PGA Professional Championship Title

By Scott Minta • September 11, 2024

Centennial, Colo. - It was a beautiful day to crown a champion at Valley Country Club for the 67th Colorado PGA Professional Championship. Geoff Keffer, PGA Assistant Professional at Lakewood Country Club began the day with a two-shot lead over Tristin Goodwin, PGA Assistant Professional at Cherry Hills Country Club. Goodwin started the day red hot as he birdied four of his first six holes and added an eagle on hole 5 as he holed his wedge shot from 40 yards out. After hole 6 Goodwin had flipped a two-shot deficit into a three-shot lead. “My strategy did not change, but my mindset definitely changed a little bit, I started to feel more pressure as I was leading the golf tournament now,” Goodwin said. Bogies on holes 7 and 9, the two par threes on the front nine, and a birdie from Keffer on 7, Goodwin and Keffer made the turn to the back nine dead even at 9-under-par.

PGA REACH Colorado Foundation Announces 2024 Scholarship Recipients

By Holly Champion • September 4, 2024

Eleven local students receive funding for secondary schooling

Colorado PGA Announces 2024 Special Award Winners

By Steven Bartowski • August 19, 2024

Matthews-Kane, Sayers Highlight Winners of Colorado PGA Honors

Tait-Wengert Goes Wire-to-Wire to Defend Women’s Championship Title

By Steven Bartowski • August 14, 2024

REACH Invitational Golf Tournament Raises Over $128,000 to Support Youth, Military, and Inclusion Initiatives

By Steven Bartowski • August 2, 2024

PGA REACH Colorado Foundation Honors Wounded Hero with Mortgage-Free Home

PGA REACH Colorado Foundation Awards 2024 Pillar Grant Recipients

By Holly Champion • June 20, 2024

Eight programs provided grant dollars to help positively impact the community!

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

By Steven Bartowski • April 19, 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.