Rudosky Secures Three-Peat of the Colorado PGA Professional Championship

2023 Colorado PGA Sends Nine to Frisco, Texas

Carbondale, Colo. - Mother nature saved its best for the last day, with abundant sunshine filling the Roaring Fork Valley throughout the day. It was a three-horse race as the final round began on Wednesday with Micah Rudosky, PGA Head Professional at Conquistador Golf Course at -8, Matt Schalk, PGA General Manager at Colorado National Golf Club at -6, and Ben Lanting, PGA Assistant Professional at Bear Creek Golf Club at -5. “I knew I had to play a good round of golf today. With those two chasing me, they weren’t going anywhere,” Rudosky stated.

Rudosky only managed one birdie and one bogey on his front nine, where he found himself one shot back of Schalk after his front nine of 3-under-par 33. Lanting was right on their heels after posting a 2-under-par front nine to find himself two off of Schalk’s lead. After pars on ten from Rudosky and Schalk, they birdied the par-five 11th to stay one shot apart. Schalk hit his drive on 12 into the native area, where he made a bogey, and after Rudosky’s par, he found himself back in the lead, dead even with Schalk with six to play.

After both players made pars on 13 and 14, the most challenging hole on the golf course came calling, the 475-yard par 4, 15th. Rudosky laid back off the tee, having 211 yards in for his second shot. A 6-iron safely to the middle of the green and two putts later, Rudosky had his par and retook the solo lead after Schalk made a bogey.

There was no break after the most challenging hole, as the 231-yard par 3, 16th was next. Rudosky stepped up and striped a 4-iron, “my best shot of the week,” Rudosky stated. Hitting the 4-iron to 15 feet and putting the pressure back on Schalk to have to answer. Schalk hit his tee shot to 25 feet and two-putted for a par. Rudoksy stepped up and rolled his birdie in to give him a two-shot lead with two holes to play.

On the 610-yard par 5, 17th, “I just wanted to put something in play,” Rudosky said. “It is a three-shot hole for me, and I hit an okay drive, good layup, and had 118 yards for my third.” Rudosky calmly finessed his wedge to 10 feet, where he holed the birdie putt to take a 3-shot lead into the 18th.

The par 4, 18th at River Valley Ranch is no cakewalk. Water left and out of bounds right makes the tee shot imperative, and finding the fairway very important. Rudosky pulled 3-wood and calmly striped it down the middle, leaving him 189 yards into the green. His 8-iron found the putting surface, and he could finally relax and realize he was about to win his 4th Colorado PGA Professional Championship and 3rd in a row. Two putts later and a par on the last, it was official: Rudosky was the 2023 Colorado PGA Professional Champion.

When asked what it means to join the likes of Doug Rohrbaugh, PGA, Ken Krieger, PGA, and Ron Vlosich, PGA, as the only players to win this championship three years in a row, Rudosky stated, “To be there with those three guys that have done it, great players, great people, that’s what I like.”

Rudosky was one of nine players who qualified for the 2024 PGA Professional Championship, to be played April 28 through May 1, 2024, at Fields Ranch at PGA Frisco in Frisco, Texas. The other eight who will join Rudosky in Texas are Ben Lanting, PGA (-9), Matt Schalk, PGA (-7), Geoff Keffer, PGA Assistant Professional at Lakewood Country Club (E), Tyler Parsloe, PGA Instructor at Jake’s Academy (+1), Bill Hancock, PGA Assistant Professional at Meadow Hills Golf Course (+2), Joe Carlton, PGA Head Professional at Legacy Ridge Golf Course (+2), Dan Sniffin, PGA Instructor at Omni Interlocken Golf Club (+3), and Caine Fitzgerald, PGA Head Professional at Meadow Hills Golf Course (+3).

The Colorado Section of the PGA would like to thank the national presenting partners Club Car/Colorado Golf & Turf, Corebridge Financial, and Rolex. We would also like to thank our supporting partners Titleist/FootJoy, Callaway, Nike Golf, TaylorMade, Golf Channel, the PGA Tour, True Temper, Strackaline, Sterling Cut Glass, 1st and 10th Tee Bars, and BioSteel for their support of this event.

River Valley Ranch's golf course was in phenomenal shape for all three days and received rave reviews from Colorado PGA Professionals. Head Golf Course Superintendent Chad Weber and his team did a fantastic job, and we could not be more appreciative of their efforts. Thank you to the Director of Golf, Steve VanDyke, PGA, and Head Golf Professional Remington Post, PGA, and their extraordinary professional team for their hard work and dedication to our championship.

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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.