Competing on a course that’s the longest in Colorado — one that can stretch to over 8,000 yards from the tips — it might surprise some to hear that a 67-year-old produced the low score in Tuesday’s USGA Senior Amateur Sectional Qualifying.
But those who would be surprised probably don’t know a lot about John Olive and his golf game. After all, he isn’t a member of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame for nothing.
Playing Tuesday at 7,140 yards at Antler Creek Golf Course in Falcon, Olive earned medalist honors for the second straight year in USGA Senior Amateur qualifying. This time around, the Broadmoor Golf Club member shot an even-par 72 to land a trip to nationals.
Olive (pictured above) will be joined at the Senior Amateur — Sept. 29-Oct. 4 in West Caldwell, N.J. — by fellow 60-something Kelly Crone (73) and 55-year-old Hal Marshall (74), both of Littleton.
Marshall (pictured at left), who fell into a playoff by three-putting the 18th hole for bogey, gained the final berth by making a 4-foot birdie on the second extra hole against Colorado Springs’ Bruce Hogg, who became the first alternate. Hogg had just left a 15-foot birdie putt on the lip of the cup.
The USGA Senior Amateur is limited to players 55 and older, and this year the field originally numbered 50.
“The older you get, it makes it even more special” to qualify for USGA championships, said Olive, a part-time Colorado Springs resident. “I know I don’t have many more to do.”
Ironically, though he qualified for the national event last year, Olive passed up the opportunity to actually compete. Because of obligations related to a business opportunity, he gave up his spot to alternate Robert Polk.
Given what the decision involved, Olive doesn’t regret not going.
“I knew if I went back there, I’d do a half-(baked) job on the business and a half-(baked) job on the golf,” he said. “My friend Robert Polk was the first alternate. I thought, ‘I could really make his day.’ I didn’t do it for him, but it was icing on the cake.”
Still, bypassing a USGA championship at that age wasn’t easy.
“That’s why giving up the spot last year was a bit painful,” said Olive, who noted he’s “pretty certain” he will compete this year.
Olive, who carded six birdies on Tuesday, estimates he’s qualified for about 14 USGA championships in his lifetime. That’s in addition to winning 10 CGA individual championships — nine in the senior ranks — and the inaugural Colorado Senior Open in 1999.
“And I’m actually playing very well this year,” he said. “My handicap has come down to a plus range again. I’ve shot my age about 15 times. It’s a pleasant surprise when you start shooting your age a bunch and it’s a bad day if you don’t.”
Olive qualified for his fourth USGA Senior Amateur, while Crone (pictured at left) will be going to his third and Marshall to his first.
“USGA championships are by far the best part of your career,” said Crone, winner of two CGA individual senior titles. “They’re the cream of the crop and a lot of fun. You get treated like a tour professional. It’s very cool. They run first-class championships and the courses are set up extremely difficult. It’s what golf is all about.”
Marshall was a little choked up shortly after holing his birdie putt to win the playoff and advance to his first USGA championship of any sort.
“I have shivers right now,” said the Bear Creek Golf Club member, a runner-up in the 2009 CGA Senior Stroke Play. “It’s pretty exciting. I turned 55 this year and I was really pumped to have a chance (to play). This is a dream come true.”
Marshall made it come true with a nice 5-wood off an “iffy” lie from 247 yards on the second playoff hole. Though the ball rolled just over the green, he got up and down for birdie and the playoff victory.
Going to the USGA Senior Amateur will join his list of top golf moments. But it certainly won’t erase one of his most indelible memories.
“I was a 7 handicap at Meridian (Golf Club) in 1990 and shot 64 from the back tees,” Marshall notes. “That’s the same year that (Phil) Mickelson did it (at Meridian in stroke play) for the U.S. Amateur. He shot 64 and they took my name down and put his up, which is OK with me.”
Indeed, if your name has to be replaced, let it be by the U.S. Amateur champion, who now happens to be a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
USGA Senior Amateur Sectional Qualifying
At Par-72 Antler Creek GC in Falcon
QUALIFIED
John Olive, Colorado Springs, Colo., 38-34–72
Kelly Crone, Littleton, Colo., 36-37–73
Hal Marshall, Littleton, Colo., 37-37–74
ALTERNATES (in order)
Bruce Hogg, Colorado Springs, Colo., 36-38–74
Kary Kaltenbacher, Englewood, Colo., 39-37–76
FAILED TO QUALIFY
Robin Bradbury, Superior, Colo., 40-36–76
Jim LeMar, Littleton, Colo., 38-39–77
Jake Jacobson, Castle Rock, Colo., 38-39–77
Rodney Walters, Arvada, Colo., 41-36–77
Kent Moore, Greenwood Village, Colo., 40-37–77
Reed Myer, Denver, Colo., 38-40–78
Charlie Post, Castle Riock, Colo., 42-36–78
James Fucillo, Lone Tree, Colo., 39-40–79
Sean Forey, Morrison, Colo., 39-40–79
Harry Johnson, Edwards, Colo., 37-42–79
Douglas Rouse, Evergreen, Colo., 42-38–80
Frank Wilkinson, Grand Junction, Colo., 41-39–80
Mark Franz, Aurora, Colo., 41-39–80
Tim McAdam, Edwards, Colo., 46-35–81
David Delich, Colorado Springs, Colo., 44-37–81
Randy Miller, Boulder, Colo., 43-38–81
Robert Polk, Parker, Colo., 40-42–82
Jerry Greenbaum, Atlanta, Ga., 43-39–82
Roger Gunderson, Aurora, Colo., 42-40–82
Chuck Canepa, Denver, Colo., 43-40–83
Jim Hollingsworth, Durango, Colo., 40-43–83
Laird Middleton, Centennial, Colo., 44-39–83
Robert Bulthaup, Centennial, Colo., 44-40–84
Rick George, Greenwood Village, Colo., 45-39–84
Tres Cochran, Houston, Texas, 45-39–84
Robert Cloud, Denver, Colo., 43-41–84
Doug Jones, Grand Junction, Colo., 43-41–84
Jerry Kidney, Littleton, Colo., 45-40–85
Steve Summers, Dallas, Texas, 43-42–85
Tom Keltner, Silverthorne, Colo., 44-42–86
Chuck Fisher, Westminster, Colo., 42-44–86
Matthew Foster, Lone Tree, Colo., 50-37–87
Dave Bullock, Greenwood Village, Colo., 44-43–87
David Merritt, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 42-46–88
Ronald Lundberg, Montrose, Colo., 43-47–90
Danny Wyrick, Arvada, Colo., 45-45–90
Fred Artim, Palmdale, Calif., 47-47–94
Jim Adams, Colorado Springs, Colo., 48-48–96
Mark Barkley, Highlands Ranch, Colo., WD
Daniel Birnley, Dolores, Colo., WD
Stephen D Bell, Denver, Colo., NS
Gary Borgese, Niwot, Colo., WD
Mark Runyan, Centennial, Colo., NS
