David Oraee went to Greeley West High School, and he plays out of Highland Hills Golf Course and competes for the University of Colorado.
Parker Edens went to Greeley Central High School, and he plays out of Greeley Country Club and competes for Colorado State University.
In other words, they’re rivals, albeit on friendly terms.
They’ve played plenty of golf against one another, but Friday’s matchup was for higher stakes than normal — the title in the 113th CGA Match Play Championship.
And in the end, Oraee’s strong, largely mistake-free play at Bear Creek Golf Club in west Denver landed him a spot on the historic Match Play trophy. Oraee made only one bogey in 31 holes in Friday’s final en route to a 6 and 5 title-clinching victory over Edens.
“We love playing against each other,” said Oraee (pictured above and at left), a junior-to-be at CU. “Obviously we’ve always gone to rival schools in high school and college. It was fun. It’s fun to play against someone you’ve known for a while. And it’s awesome that we’re both from Greeley. We bring the city name some ‘rep’. It feels good to do this.”
Indeed, something about the CGA Match Play seems to bring out the best in players from Greeley.
Oraee became the second golfer from the town to win the Match Play title in the last three years, joining 2011 champ Michael Lee. And Edens has been runner-up in the Match Play each of the last two years.
But on Friday, Oraee never gave Edens much hope, going 6 under par for the 31 holes. Since 1990, only one CGA Match Play final has produced a bigger margin of victory: Zen Brown’s 10 and 9 win over Tom Glissmeyer in 2007 at Bear Creek.
“It’s disappointing, but David played unbelievable golf,” said Edens (pictured at left), a senior-to-be at CSU. “I think he made one bogey today. That’s what you’ve got to do out here to win. I didn’t play great but he played just wonderful golf. He putted lights out. That’s some of the best putting I’ve ever seen. It was just wonderful.”
Oraee capped off the match in style by chipping in for birdie from 30 feet on the menacing 173-yard 13th hole at Bear Creek. It was Oraee’s fourth birdie in his final six holes.
Oraee’s pre-match strategy — to divide the final into four nine-hole matches — worked out for him as he “won” three of those nines and tied the other.
“A common problem with match play is getting ahead of yourself,” the 20-year-old said. “You think ahead, then you lose a few holes and you’re in a tight match. I didn’t want that to happen, so I kept my head down and plugged away and tried to get them where I could and it just worked out.”
The winner of the 2010 5A state high school title, Oraee trailed only once on Friday, after the first hole, where Edens made a birdie. Oraee won the next three holes — two with pars and one with a birdie — to go 2 up. That would be Oraee’s smallest lead for the remainder of the day, and that’s how the match stood through 24 holes before Oraee’s strong finish.
Oraee didn’t show any ill effects from playing his third consecutive two-round day as he made seven birdies Friday, offset by his lone bogey, on the 22nd hole. Edens, meanwhile, struggled on the greens in the title match, three-putting three times in the first seven holes of the afternoon round.
“The big difference today was the putting,” Edens said. “He putted great, I didn’t putt very well. We both hit it pretty well. He just putted lights out and I didn’t make anything.”
Oraee called winning the championship the top accomplishment to date in his golf career.
“I haven’t won a very prestigious event (before Friday),” he said. “I’ve finished well in a lot of them, especially college events, but I really haven’t gotten it done. It feels good to do it here. It took a lot to do it. I’m pretty proud of myself the way I hung in there. It’s a pretty big tournament and there are a lot of good players here.”
CGA Match Play Championship
At Bear Creek GC in Denver
ROUND OF 64
Palmer Giro, Ptarmigan CC (64) def. Brian Dorfman, Cherry Creek CC (1), By Default
Blake Basham, Highlands Ranch GC (33) def. Jordan Burgess, Highland Hills Golf Course (32), 1 up
Kyle Gertner, Riverview GC (16) def. Nicolas Karavites, Glenmoor CC (49), 21 holes
Chris Weinstein, Green Valley Ranch GC (48) def. Steve Connell, Riverdale Golf Club (17), 2 and 1
Spencer Sheets, Glenmoor CC (8) def. Austin Raap, Highlands Ranch GC (57), 4 and 3
David Lindquist, Ridge at Castle Pines North (25) def. Jeffrey Ryan Gravina, Pinehurst CC (40), 4 and 3
Harry Johnson, Eagle Ranch GC (56) def. Justin Mortensen, Cattails GC (9), 4 and 3
Minkyu Jeon, Meadows GC (41) def. Bill Fowler, Bear Creek GC (24), 3 and 2
Dylan Mitchell, Lakewood Country Club (4) def. Quade Mitchell, Highlands Ranch Golf Club (61), 3 and 2
Christopher Wilson, Eisenhower Golf Club (36) def. Drew Trujillo, Bridges G & CC (29), 6 and 4
Andrew Romano, Colorado GC (13) def. David Delich, Broadmoor GC (52), 7 and 5
Jack Pedersen, Omni Interlocken GC (45) def. Matt Bell, Harmony Club (20), 5 and 4
David Lysaught, Pinehurst Country Club (60) def. John Ahern, Bear Creek Golf Club (5), 20 holes
Nathaniel Goddard, Ptarmigan CC (28) def. Wes Martin, GC at Hyland Hills (37), 4 and 2
Cody Kent, Red Hawk Ridge GC (53) def. Gus Lundquist, The Club at Pradera (12), 2 and 1
Parker Edens, Greeley Country Club (21) def. Nick Tarasiewicz, Patty Jewett GC (44), 5 and 3
Ethan Freeman, Glenmoor CC (2) def. Josh McLaughlin, Olde Course at Loveland (63), 4 and 3
Jack Adolfson, Fox Hill CC (34) def. Brendan Connolly, Ridge at Castle Pines North (31), 1 up
David Oraee, Highland Hills Golf Course (15) def. Matthew Goddard, Ptarmigan CC (50), 8 and 6
Nicholas Nosewicz, Meadow Hills Golf Course (18) def. Pierce Aichinger, Bear Creek GC (47), 4 and 3
Jon Lindstrom, Heritage at Westmoor (7) def. Matthew Weiss, Highlands Ranch GC (58), 1 up
Mike Schoolcraft, Cherry Hills CC (26) def. Lamar Carlile, City Park GC (39), 4 and 3
Ben Krueger, Patty Jewett Golf Course (10) def. Cody Vance, Raccoon Creek GC (55), 19 holes
Blair Matthews, Commonground Golf Course (23) def. Will Fowler, Bear Creek Golf Club (42), 1 up
Brandon Bingaman, Black Canyon GC (3) def. Nick Zinanti, Elmwood GC (62), 3 and 1
Steven Irwin, Lakewood CC (30) def. Stu Allen, Fox Hollow at Lakewood (35), 3 and 1
Cameron Brown, Sonnenalp GC (14) def. Bryan Rusin, Commonground Golf Course (51), 5 and 3
Steven Kupcho, Commonground Golf Course (19) def. Steve Sullivan, Bear Dance GC (46), 3 and 2
Braden Baer, Ranch CC (6) def. Ethan Yamada, Omni Interlocken GC (59), 7 and 6
Charles Santaularia, CommonGround GC (38) def. Cole Cunningham, Valley CC (27), 4 and 3
Derek Fribbs, Colorado National GC (11) def. Clint Miller, Meadow Hills GC (54), 1 up
Sean Thomas, Indian Tree GC (22) def. Paul Erdman, Colorado National GC (43), 2 up
ROUND OF 32
Blake Basham, Highlands Ranch GC (33) def. Palmer Giro, Ptarmigan CC (64), 3 and 2
Kyle Gertner, Riverview GC (16) def. Chris Weinstein, Green Valley Ranch GC (48), 7 and 5
David Lindquist, Ridge at Castle Pines North (25) def. Spencer Sheets, Glenmoor CC (8), 6 and 4
Minkyu Jeon, Meadows GC (41) def. Mr. Harry Johnson, Eagle Ranch GC (56), 5 and 4
Dylan Mitchell, Lakewood Country Club (4) def. Christopher Wilson, Eisenhower Golf Club (36), 5 and 3
Andrew Romano, Colorado GC (13) def. Jack Pedersen, Omni Interlocken GC (45), 3 and 1
Nathaniel Goddard, Ptarmigan CC (28) def. David Lysaught, Pinehurst Country Club (60), 1 up
Parker Edens, Greeley Country Club (21) def. Cody Kent, Red Hawk Ridge GC (53), 7 and 5
Jack Adolfson, Fox Hill CC (34) def. Ethan Freeman, Glenmoor CC (2), 20 holes
David Oraee, Highland Hills Golf Course (15) def. Nicholas Nosewicz, Meadow Hills Golf Course (18), 3 and 2
Mike Schoolcraft, Cherry Hills CC (26) def. Jon Lindstrom, Heritage at Westmoor (7), By Default
Ben Krueger, Patty Jewett Golf Course (10) def. Blair Matthews, Commonground Golf Course (23), 5 and 4
Brandon Bingaman, Black Canyon GC (3) def. Steven Irwin, Lakewood CC (30), 2 and 1
Steven Kupcho, Commonground Golf Course (19) def. Cameron Brown, Sonnenalp GC (14), 2 up
Braden Baer, Ranch CC (6) def. Charles Santaularia, CommonGround GC (38), 1 up
Derek Fribbs, Colorado National GC (11) def. Sean Thomas, Indian Tree GC (22), 5 and 4
ROUND OF 16
Kyle Gertner, Riverview GC (16) def. Blake Basham, Highlands Ranch GC (33), 5 and 3
Minkyu Jeon, Meadows GC (41) def. David Lindquist, Ridge at Castle Pines North (25), 3 and 2
Andrew Romano, Colorado GC (13) def. Dylan Mitchell, Lakewood Country Club (4), 4 and 2
Parker Edens, Greeley Country Club (21) def. Nathaniel Goddard, Ptarmigan CC (28), 2 and 1
David Oraee, Highland Hills Golf Course (15) def. Jack Adolfson, Fox Hill CC (34), 4 and 3
Mike Schoolcraft, Cherry Hills CC (26) def. Ben Krueger, Patty Jewett Golf Course (10), 1 up
Steven Kupcho, Commonground Golf Course (19) def. Brandon Bingaman, Black Canyon GC (3), 4 and 3
Derek Fribbs, Colorado National GC (11) def. Braden Baer, Ranch CC (6), 19 holes
QUARTERFINALS
Minkyu Jeon, Meadows GC (41) def. Kyle Gertner, Riverview GC (16), 21 holes
Parker Edens, Greeley Country Club (21) def. Andrew Romano, Colorado GC (13), 5 and 4
David Oraee, Highland Hills Golf Course (15) def. Mike Schoolcraft, Cherry Hills CC (26), 1 up
Derek Fribbs, Colorado National GC (11) def. Steven Kupcho, Commonground Golf Course (19), 4 and 3
SEMIFINALS
Parker Edens, Greeley Country Club (21) def. Minkyu Jeon, Meadows GC (41), 1 up
David Oraee, Highland Hills Golf Course (15) def. Derek Fribbs, Colorado National GC (11), 21 holes
FINALS
David Oraee, Highland Hills Golf Course (15) def. Parker Edens, Greeley Country Club (21), 6 and 5
STROKE PLAY
Qualified for Match Play
Brian Dorfman, Cherry Creek CC, Defending Champion
Ethan Freeman, Glenmoor CC, 34-35–69
Brandon Bingaman, Black Canyon Golf Club, 33-36–69
John Ahern, Bear Creek Golf Club, 37-35–72
Braden Baer, Ranch CC, 35-37–72
Dylan Mitchell, Lakewood Country Club, 38-34–72
Jon Lindstrom, Heritage at Westmoor, 38-35–73
Ben Krueger, Patty Jewett Golf Course, 36-37–73
Spencer Sheets, Glenmoor CC, 37-36–73
Derek Fribbs, Colorado National GC, 36-37–73
Gus Lundquist, The Club at Pradera, 36-37–73
Steve Connell, Riverdale Golf Club, 35-38–73
Cameron Brown, Sonnenalp GC, 36-37–73
Andrew Romano, Colorado GC, 36-37–73
Justin Mortensen, Cattails GC, 37-36–73
David Oraee, Highland Hills Golf Course, 35-38–73
Kyle Gertner, Riverview GC, 35-38–73
Steven Kupcho, Commonground Golf Course, 34-40–74
Matt Bell, Harmony Club, 34-40–74
Nicholas Nosewicz, Meadow Hills Golf Course, 36-38–74
Mike Schoolcraft, Cherry Hills CC, 36-39–75
Bill Fowler, Bear Creek GC, 37-38–75
Cole Cunningham, Valley CC, 36-39–75
David Lindquist, Ridge at Castle Pines North, 37-38–75
Sean Thomas, Indian Tree GC, 39-36–75
Parker Edens, Greeley Country Club, 39-36–75
Blair Matthews, Commonground Golf Course, 38-37–75
Nathaniel Goddard, Ptarmigan CC, 34-41–75
Jack Adolfson, Fox Hill CC, 38-38–76
Steven Irwin, Lakewood CC, 39-37–76
Stu Allen, Fox Hollow at Lakewood, 38-38–76
Drew Trujillo, Bridges G & CC, 39-37–76
Jordan Burgess, Highland Hills Golf Course, 38-38–76
Brendan Connolly, Ridge at Castle Pines North, 39-37–76
Blake Basham, Highlands Ranch GC, 38-38–76
Lamar Carlile, City Park GC, 39-38–77
Wes Martin, GC at Hyland Hills, 39-38–77
Will Fowler, Bear Creek Golf Club, 37-40–77
Nick Tarasiewicz, Patty Jewett GC, 34-43–77
Paul Erdman, Colorado National GC, 35-42–77
Christopher Wilson, Eisenhower Golf Club, 40-37–77
Charles Santaularia, CommonGround GC, 39-38–77
Minkyu Jeon, Meadows GC, 39-38–77
Jeffrey Ryan Gravina, Pinehurst CC, 39-38–77
Steve Sullivan, Bear Dance GC, 40-38–78
Jack Pedersen, Omni Interlocken GC, 41-37–78
Chris Weinstein, Green Valley Ranch GC, 39-39–78
Nicolas Karavites, Glenmoor CC, 38-40–78
Matthew Goddard, Ptarmigan CC, 38-40–78
Pierce Aichinger, Bear Creek GC, 39-39–78
Austin Raap, Highlands Ranch GC, 37-42–79
Mr. Harry Johnson, Eagle Ranch Golf Course, 37-42–79
David Delich, Broadmoor GC, 40-39–79
Clint Miller, Meadow Hills GC, 39-40–79
Cody Vance, Raccoon Creek GC, 38-41–79
Matthew Weiss, Highlands Ranch GC, 36-43–79
Cody Kent, Red Hawk Ridge GC, 39-40–79
Bryan Rusin, Commonground Golf Course, 40-39–79
Ethan Yamada, Omni Interlocken GC, 42-38–80
Josh McLaughlin, Olde Course at Loveland, 38-42–80
Palmer Giro, Ptarmigan CC, 37-43–80
David Lysaught, Pinehurst Country Club, 41-39–80
Nick Zinanti, Elmwood GC, 39-41–80
Quade Mitchell, Highlands Ranch Golf Club, 39-41–80
Failed to Qualify for Match Play
Randy Urso, CommonGround GC, 43-38–81
Chris Korte, Lone Tree GC, 40-41–81
Grant Suggs, Green Valley Ranch GC, 41-40–81
Ryan Vandamme, Pinehurst Country Club, 43-38–81
Andrew Cornella, Club at Flying Horse, 42-40–82
Sean Forey, Bear Creek Golf Club, 37-45–82
Matt Porter, Commonground Golf Course, 40-42–82
David Ramsden-Wood, Meridian Golf Club, 40-42–82
Stephen Fernandes, Meridian GC, 41-41–82
Zach Tripp, Foothills GC, 42-40–82
Preston Parsons, Colorado GC, 39-44–83
Michael Harrington, Garden of the Gods Club, 39-44–83
Joey Muckler, Meridian GC, 41-42–83
Andrew Howe, Fox Hill CC, 40-43–83
Nick Berry, Meadows Golf Club, 42-41–83
John Richard Gorell, Patty Jewett GC, 42-41–83
Michael Chavez, Applewood Golf Club, 42-41–83
Ryan Schmitz, Colorado GC, 42-42–84
Adam Douglas Griffith, Thorncreek GC, 42-42–84
Taylor Foust, CommonGround GC, 45-39–84
Zack Neiditz, Aspen GC, 43-41–84
Kyle Thurman, Broadlands GC, 44-41–85
Lanny Cameron, Mariana Butte GC, 41-44–85
Chuck Scheinost, Boomerang GL, 44-41–85
Gregory Pattison, The Heritage at Westmoor, 41-44–85
Matt Reinick, Todd Creek GC, 41-46–87
Corey M Stanton, Breckenridge GC, 44-43–87
Kris Cox, Bear Creek GC, 47-41–88
Aaron Spear, Broadlands Golf Club, 42-46–88
Davis Kigin, Legacy Ridge Golf Course, 45-46–91
Peter Hassan, Lake Valley GC, WD
Samuel Toillion, Ute Creek GC, NC
View Final Match Hole-by-Hole
Final Match Play Tree
