Todd Vernon (pictured) of Meridian Golf Club defeated Bret Guetz of Columbine Country Club 3 and 2 in the 36-hole final match to win the 99th CGA State Match Play Championship at the renowned Bear Creek Golf Club. After beating the defending champion Kevin Stadler on his home course in the semifinals, Vernon was confident going into the finals. It was Guetz, however, who took the early lead by winning the first hole of the match. Vernon squared the match on 4, and took a 1 up lead on 7. He won 10, and was 2 up through 11 when he lost 12, 14 and 16 to finish the first 18 down one to Guetz. Vernon squared the match again by winning the 22nd hole (#4), and took the lead for good on the 27th hole (592-yard #9). On the par-3 number 13, Guetz’ birdie putt just slid by the hole, and Vernon’s found the bottom of the hole to give him a 2 up lead. Vernon then won 14 (32nd hole of the match) with his second consecutive birdie to go 3 up. The match ended at 3 and 2 when both players halved the 34th hole.
Vernon, who finished high school at Cherry Creek High School, just graduated this May from Notre Dame. Vernon played on the golf team for all four years there, and served as the golf team captain for the last two. As a sophomore in 1997, Vernon won the Big East Conference Championship. Guetz, a graduate of Mullen High School, will be starting his third year at Texas Christian University where he plays for the golf team.
Bear Creek Golf Club announced after the match that next year they will host the 100th CGA State Match Play Championship, the oldest running championship in Colorado.
Round of 64
Kevin Stadler, Bear Creek GC def. Brian Baillies, Lake Arbor Golf Club, 4 and 3
John Dosher, Meadow Hills GC def. Sean McAllister, Columbine CC, 6 and 5
Matt McCoy, Legacy Ridge GC def. Chris O’Connor, Salida GC, 3 and 2
John Hulwick, Pinehurst CC def. Grant Porter, Mountain View GC, 1 up
Dean Clapp, Meadow Hills GC def. Robert Polk, Pinery CC, 1 up
Erik Billinger, Sunset GC def. Frank Fager, Pinery CC, 19 holes
Geoff Keffer, Lakewood CC def. Nate Stevenson, Sheraton Steamboat GC
John Olive, Broadmoor GC def. Brandt Nelson, South Suburban GC, 2 and 1
Brett Tobyne, Bear Creek GC def. Allen McDougall, CC of Colorado, 7 and 6
Todd Vernon, Meridian GC def. Douglas Rouse, Hiwan GC, 5 and 4
Brent Vail, Ptarmigan CC def. Jack Ruhs, Bear Creek GC, 2 and 1
Robin Bradbury, Coal Creek GC def. Ian Ross, Patty Jewett GC, 1 up
Marty Jertson, Gleneagle GC def. Scotty Lamothe, Inverness GC, 3 and 1
Jay Osmon, Cattails GC def. Josh Koschke, Hyland Hills GC, 4 and 3
Andy Connell, Denver CC def. Kenneth Murray, GC of Colorado, 5 and 4
Brandon Tompkins, Ft. Collins CC def. T. James Reynolds, Bear Creek GC, 1 up
Bret Guetz, Columbine CC def. Steve Lechner, Hyland Hills GC, 4 and 3
Jared Jewett, Meridian GC def. Steven Brooks, Inverness GC, 3 and 2
Jerry Ledzinski, Eisenhower GC def. Nick Babl, Twin Peaks GC, 1 up
Thomas Livingston, CC of Colorado def. Kenny Coakley, Bear Creek GC, 5 and 3
Jayson Villagrana, Gleneagle GC def. David Delich, Broadmoor GC, 2 and 1
Bill Fowler, Rolling Hills CC def. Brett Buller, Woodmoor CC, 7 and 5
John Hayes, Columbine CC def. Brian Richmeier, Meadow Hills GC, 5 and 4
Mike Glaesel, Indian Tree GC def. David Sturgeon Jr., GC of Colorado, 6 and 5
Richard George, Castle Pines GC def. Robert Cloud, Park Hill GC, 5 and 3
Blake Mastalir, Denver CC def. Lloyd Price, Legacy Ridge GC, 2 and 1
Tommy Hart, Los Verdes GC def. Shawn Wills, The Ranch CC, 6 and 5
Kelly Crone, Mira Vista GC def. Kary Kaltenbacher, Glenmoor CC, 1 up
Leif Olson, Lakewood CC def. Steve Bullock, Cherry Hills CC, 7 and 6
Matt Genovese, Boulder CC def. Patrick Bowe, Hyland Hills GC, 2 and 1
Matt Tani, Riverdale GC def. Ken Sady, Cotton Ranch GC, 1 up
Brandon White, Greeley CC def. Tyson Shinaut, Pinery CC, 4 and 3
Round Of 32
Kevin Stadler, Bear Creek GC def. John Dosher, Meadow Hills GC, 4 and 3
John Hulwick, Pinehurst CC def. Matt McCoy, Legacy Ridge GC, 4 and 3
Erik Billinger, Sunset GC def. Dean Clapp, Meadow Hills GC, 4 and 2
John Olive, Broadmoor GC def. Geoff Keffer, Lakewood CC, 2 and 1
Todd Vernon, Meridian GC def. Brett Tobyne, Bear Creek GC, 19 holes
Brent Vail, Ptarmigan CC def. Robin Bradbury, Coal Creek GC, 7 and 6
Marty Jertson, Gleneagle GC def. Jay Osmon, Cattails GC, 5 and 4
Brandon Tompkins, Ft. Collins CC def. Andy Connell, Denver CC, 3 and 1
Bret Guetz, Columbine CC def. Jared Jewett, Meridian GC, 5 and 4
Thomas Livingston, CC of Colorado def. Jerry Ledzinski, Eisenhower GC, 6 and 4
Bill Fowler, Rolling Hills CC def. Jayson Villagrana, Gleneagle GC, 2 and 1
Mike Glaesel, Indian Tree GC def. John Hayes, Columbine CC, 1 up
Richard George, Castle Pines GC def. Blake Mastalir, Denver CC, 5 and 4
Tommy Hart, Los Verdes GC def. Kelly Crone, Mira Vista GC, 3 and 2
Leif Olson, Lakewood CC def. Matt Genovese, Boulder CC, 2 and 1
Matt Tani, Riverdale GC def. Brandon White, Greeley CC, 3 and 2
Round Of 16
Kevin Stadler, Bear Creek GC def. John Hulwick, Pinehurst CC, 4 and 3
John Olive, Broadmoor GC def. Erik Billinger, Sunset GC, 2 and 1
Todd Vernon, Meridian GC def. Brent Vail, Ptarmigan CC, 2 and 1
Marty Jertson, Gleneagle GC def. Brandon Tompkins, Ft. Collins CC, 3 and 2
Bret Guetz, Columbine CC def. Thomas Livingston, CC of Colorado, 2 and 1
Mike Glaesel, Indian Tree GC def. Bill Fowler, Rolling Hills CC, 6 and 4
Tommy Hart, Los Verdes GC def. Richard George, Castle Pines GC, 3 and 2
Leif Olson, Lakewood CC def. Matt Tani, Riverdale GC, 7 and 5
Quarterfinal Round
Kevin Stadler, Bear Creek GC def. John Olive, Broadmoor GC, 5 and 4
Todd Vernon, Meridian GC def. Marty Jertson, Gleneagle GC, 3 and 2
Bret Guetz, Columbine CC def. Mike Glaesel, Indian Tree GC, 2 and 1
Tommy Hart, Los Verdes GC def. Leif Olson, Lakewood CC, 28 holes
Semifinal Round
Todd Vernon, Meridian GC, def. Kevin Stadler, Bear Creek GC 1 up
Bret Guetz, Columbine CC def. Tommy Hart, Los Verdes GC 2 up
Final Round
Todd Vernon, Meridian GC def. Bret Guetz, Columbine CC, 3 and 2
