Now that’s what you call a hat trick.
And how appropriate for a former hockey standout at Colorado College.
David Delich of the Broadmoor Golf Club ended defending champion Tom Musselman’s 11-match win streak in the CGA Senior Match Play, and in the process captured his third title in the event and put himself into very elite company.
With his victories in 2007, ’11 and ’15, Delich became the sixth player to win at least three Senior Match titles, joining Colorado Golf Hall of Famers John Olive (four), Larry Eaton (four), Ed Nosewicz Sr. (four) and Les Fowler (three), along with Bert Welz (four).
“I don’t know if I deserve to be in that company,” Delich said. “I’m just a hockey player that masquerades as a part-time golfer. I know most of the names on that list, and most are Colorado Golf Hall of Famers and have done a lot for the (CGA) over the years. Les Fowler and Eaton really contributed a lot to Colorado golf.
“To be part of any group like that is kind of humbling because hockey is kind of where I got my lists made, so it’s a special thing to have happen. I’ve been on the short end of this thing too (in the finals), so it feels special when you can get it done. They’re so hard to win.”
On Saturday, Delich (above and left) scratched his every-four-year itch in the event by defeating Musselman, from Telluride Ski & Golf Club, 2 and 1 in the championship match at the Club at Ravenna.
Delich battled back from being 2 down for several holes on the front nine. In fact, Musselman missed a 3 1/2-foot birdie putt on No. 4 that would have put him 3 up.
Delich didn’t take his first lead until No. 13, where Musselman missed a 5-foot par putt. Musselman likewise bogeyed the next hole after hitting it into the water, with Delich’s conceded birdie putting him 2 up.
Musselman, who was playing in the Senior Match Play finals for the third consecutive year, cut the deficit to 1 down as he sank an 8-foot par putt on No. 16 while Delich three-putted for bogey.
But the 58-year-old Delich closed things out on No. 17 when he drained an 18-foot downhill birdie putt and Musselman left his 5-footer for birdie short of the cup.
“I wasn’t going to take the chance that he was going to miss,” Delich said, “My putt was 5 feet by the hole if it doesn’t hit the hole. I was not going to leave it short. I had the line and it held the line because of the speed and it went into the center. I was due.”
Musselman (left), meanwhile, felt like the putter let him down as he missed five putts inside of 10 feet in the title match.
“This one I didn’t deserve,” he said. “I putted very poorly all week. If you can’t putt well, if you can’t read the greens, then you shouldn’t win.
“In this match, I was totally in control of my game, then I let the putting woes get the best of me. Mentally, it was almost like it didn’t matter how well I hit the ball. I wasn’t going to get it in the hole so … It just irritated me all day.”
Musselman was 3 under par through seven holes, with 6-inch birdies on Nos. 6 and 7. But a poorly struck approach shot on 8 seemed to get him out of rhythm. That shot left him with a long bunker shot, which he thinned over the green and immediately conceded the hole. Musselman would manage just one other birdie the rest of the match.
“I had it dialed in the first six or seven holes. I mean, I felt it,” said Musselman, who will turn 55 next week. “Then I hit that errant shot — that was odd — then the putting woes.
“I hit two good chip shots and 10 and 13. When I missed those little putts I knew that it wasn’t going to happen.”
Meanwhile, Delich finished the final 4 under par through 17 holes.
For Delich (left), it was his fifth individual CGA championship as he’s claimed a Mid-Amateur and a Senior Stroke Play to go along with his three Senior Match Plays. He’s been a finalist in the Senior Match Play four times in his nine years competing in the event.
“It’s emotional,” said Delich, who also has captured two Southern California senior titles. “You don’t know how many chances you’re going to get. You just don’t know when the last one is; you really don’t.”
So far, it’s been a good golf season for Delich, the 2012 runner-up in the HealthOne Colorado Senior Open. Besides Saturday’s victory, he and partner Ben Hargis won the senior title at the Charlie Coe Invitational, and Delich is an alternate for the U.S. Senior Open later this month.
Earlier in the day on Saturday, Delich was pushed to the 18th hole in the semifinals by Robin Bradbury of Heritage at Westmoor. Delich hit a stellar flop shot for a gimme birdie with little green to work with for a halve on 18 to post a 1-up win. Musselman beat Brian Woody of the Ridge at Castle Pines North in the other semi, 3 and 2.
Delich’s victory gave the Broadmoor a sweep of the titles at Ravenna. On Thursday, John Olive of the Broadmoor captured the CGA Super-Senior Match Play championship when he defeated Roger Gunderson of CommonGround Golf Course in the final, 1 up. For that story, CLICK HERE.
“I was very happy for John,” said Delich, who defeated Olive in the Senior Match Play final in 2007, denying Olive a record fifth title. “For him to get another notch and keep playing at a high level for as many decades as he has done (is special). Yeah, he and I will celebrate. I’m really happy we can share this. We’ll have a good laugh when we get down to the Springs.”
CGA Senior Match Play
At Par-71 Club at Ravenna in Littleton
SENIOR DIVISION
Round of 64
Tom Musselman, Telluride Ski & Golf Club (1) def. David Draper, Green Valley Ranch Golf Club (64), 2 and 1
Kary Kaltenbacher, Glenmoor Country Club (32) def. Todd Vaughn, Willis Case Golf Course (33), 1 up
Rob McLelland, Clubcorp Colorado (16) def. Jim LeMar, Meadows Golf Club (49), 19 holes
Paul Karsen, Meridian Golf Club (17) def. Louie Jardon, Springs Ranch Golf Club (48), 4 and 2
Thomas Roos, Spring Valley Golf Club (8) def. Pat Bucci, West Woods Golf Club (57), 1 up
Kelly Crone, Highlands Ranch Golf Club (40) def. Terry Lorenz, Pinehurst Country Club (25), 4 and 3
Bob Chandler, Heritage at Westmoor (9) def. James Pullin, Olde Course at Loveland (56), 1 up
Mark Brown, Highlands Ranch Golf Club (24) def. Randall Dolan, Commonground Golf Course (41), 4 and 2
Gary Driber, Golfweek Amateur Tour Denver (4) def. Doug Jones, Tiara Rado Golf Course (61), 6 and 5
Dave Brown, Rmgcsa Golf League (29) def. Brian Kittleson, Eagle Ranch Golf Course (36), 3 and 1
Rod Walters, Heritage at Westmoor (13) def. Jim Dawson, Hyland Hills (52), 5 and 3
Dan Reedy, Boulder Country Club (45) def. Steve Bell, Denver Country Club (20), 2 and 1
Dan Falagrady, Heritage at Westmoor (5) def. Mark Bedinger, Rolling Hills, the Club at (60), 4 and 3
Brian Woody, Ridge at Castle Pines North (28) def. Stan Woodworth, Cherokee Ridge GC (37), 19 holes
Cliff Damato, Meridian Golf Club (53) def. Rick George, Castle Pines Golf Club (12), 1 up
Greg Thiesen, Columbine Country Club (21) def. Chuck Delich, Eisenhower Golf Club (44), 5 and 4
Robert Polk, Colorado Golf Club (2) def. Jeff Wyatt, Meadow Hills Golf Course (63), 6 and 5
Kent Moore, Cherry Hills Country Club (31) def. Art Cudworth, Raccoon Creek Men’s Club (34), 1 up
Steve Sullivan, Bear Dance Golf Club (50) def. Pat Bowe, Commonground Golf Course (15), 5 and 4
Harry Johnson, Eagle Ranch Golf Course (18) def. Frank Wilson, Lakewood Country Club (47), 6 and 4
Bradley Becker, Plum Creek Golf Club (7) def. Andy Schroeder, Raccoon Creek Men’s Club (58), 2 up
Sean Forey, Bear Creek Golf Club (39) def. Bob Kubiak, South Suburban Golf Course (26), 6 and 5
Robert West, Cherry Creek Country Club (10) def. Peter O’Connell, Commonground Golf Course (55), 3 and 1
Robin Bradbury, Heritage at Westmoor (42) def. Brian O’Hara, Lakewood Country Club (23), 4 and 3
Owen Ellis, Flatirons Golf Course (3) def. Bart Barnett, The Club at Cordillera (62), 4 and 3
Bruce Hogg, Patty Jewett Golf Course (30) def. Richard Griggs, Desert Hawk Golf Course Men’s (35), 1 up
Paul Edwards, Meridian Golf Club (14) def. Charlie Post, Colorado Golf Club (51), 3 and 2
Jerry Beren, Lone Tree Golf Club (46) def. Dennis Fields, Heritage at Westmoor (19), 2 and 1
Lance Balthaser, Englewood Men’s Golf Club (6) def. Carl Merkel, Riverdale Golf Club (59), 4 and 3
Gary Fox, Country Club at Castle Pines (27) def. Randy Kippes, Saddle Rock Golf Course (38), 3 and 1
Richard Kelly, Foothills Golf Course (54) def. Bob Filer, Club at Flying Horse (11), 3 and 2
David Delich, Broadmoor Golf Club (43) def. John Sostman, Meadows Golf Club (22), 8 and 6
Round of 32
Tom Musselman, Telluride Ski & Golf Club (1) def. Kary Kaltenbacher, Glenmoor Country Club (32), 1 up
Paul Karsen, Meridian Golf Club (17) def. Rob McLelland, Clubcorp Colorado (16), 1 up
Kelly Crone, Highlands Ranch Golf Club (40) def. Thomas Roos, Spring Valley Golf Club (8), 4 and 3
Mark Brown, Highlands Ranch Golf Club (24) def. Bob Chandler, Heritage at Westmoor (9), 2 and 1
Gary Driber, Golfweek Amateur Tour Denver (4) def. Dave Brown, Rmgcsa Golf League (29), 20 holes
Rod Walters, Heritage at Westmoor (13) def. Dan Reedy, Boulder Country Club (45), 5 and 4
Brian Woody, Ridge at Castle Pines North (28) def. Dan Falagrady, Heritage at Westmoor (5), 1 up
Cliff Damato, Meridian Golf Club (53) def. Greg Thiesen, Columbine Country Club (21), 2 and 1
Robert Polk, Colorado Golf Club (2) def. Kent Moore, Cherry Hills Country Club (31), 3 and 2
Harry Johnson, Eagle Ranch Golf Course (18) def. Steve Sullivan, Bear Dance Golf Club (50), 6 and 4
Sean Forey, Bear Creek Golf Club (39) def. Bradley Becker, Plum Creek Golf Club (7), 2 and 1
Robin Bradbury, Heritage at Westmoor (42) def. Robert West, Cherry Creek Country Club (10), 3 and 1
Owen Ellis, Flatirons Golf Course (3) def. Bruce Hogg, Patty Jewett Golf Course (30), 2 and 1
Paul Edwards, Meridian Golf Club (14) def. Jerry Beren, Lone Tree Golf Club (46), 4 and 3
Gary Fox, Country Club at Castle Pines (27) def. Lance Balthaser, Englewood Men’s Golf Club (6), 1 up
David Delich, Broadmoor Golf Club (43) def. Richard Kelly, Foothills Golf Course (54), 2 and 1
Round of 16
Tom Musselman, Telluride Ski & Golf Club (1) def. Paul Karsen, Meridian Golf Club (17), 3 and 2
Mark Brown, Highlands Ranch Golf Club (24) def. Kelly Crone, Highlands Ranch Golf Club (40), 1 up
Gary Driber, Golfweek Amateur Tour Denver (4) def. Rod Walters, Heritage at Westmoor (13), 1 up
Brian Woody, Ridge at Castle Pines North (28) def. Cliff Damato, Meridian Golf Club (53), 6 and 4
Robert Polk, Colorado Golf Club (2) def. Mr. Harry Johnson, Eagle Ranch Golf Course (18), 5 and 4
Robin Bradbury, Heritage at Westmoor (42) def. Sean Forey, Bear Creek Golf Club (39), 3 and 2
Paul Edwards, Meridian Golf Club (14) def. Owen Ellis, Flatirons Golf Course (3), 3 and 2
David Delich, Broadmoor Golf Club (43) def. Gary Fox, Country Club at Castle Pines (27), Withdrew
Quarterfinals
Tom Musselman, Telluride Ski & Golf Club (1) def. Mark Brown, Highlands Ranch Golf Club (24), 6 and 5
Brian Woody, Ridge at Castle Pines North (28) def. Gary Driber, Golfweek Amateur Tour Denver (4), 2 and 1
Robin Bradbury, Heritage at Westmoor (42) def. Robert Polk, Colorado Golf Club (2), 2 up
David Delich, Broadmoor Golf Club (43) def. Paul Edwards, Meridian Golf Club (14), 4 and 3
Semifinals
Tom Musselman, Telluride Ski & Golf Club (1) def. Brian Woody, Ridge at Castle Pines North (28), 3 and 2
David Delich, Broadmoor Golf Club (43) def. Robin Bradbury, Heritage at Westmoor (42), 1 up
Final
David Delich, Broadmoor Golf Club (43) def. Tom Musselman, Telluride Ski & Golf Club (1), 2 and 1.
Stroke Play Qualifying
Owen Ellis, Flatirons Golf Course 32-37–69
Robert Polk, Colorado Golf Club 34-35–69
Gary Driber, Golfweek Amateur Tour Denver 34-36–70
Dan Falagrady, Heritage at Westmoor 37-35–72
Bradley Becker, Plum Creek Golf Club 33-40–73
Lance Balthaser, Englewood Men’s Golf Club 35-38–73
Bob Chandler, Heritage at Westmoor 36-38–74
Bob Filer, Club at Flying Horse 38-36–74
Robert West, Cherry Creek Country Club 37-37–74
Thomas Roos, Spring Valley Golf Club 36-38–74
Rick George, Castle Pines Golf Club 34-41–75
Pat Bowe, Commonground Golf Course 36-40–76
Paul Edwards, Meridian Golf Club 38-38–76
Paul Karsen, Meridian Golf Club 36-40–76
Rob McLelland, Clubcorp Colorado 36-40–76
Rod Walters, Heritage at Westmoor 40-36–76
Brian O’Hara, Lakewood Country Club 35-42–77
Dennis Fields, Heritage at Westmoor 37-40–77
Greg Thiesen, Columbine Country Club 38-39–77
John Sostman, Meadows Golf Club 34-43–77
Mark Brown, Highlands Ranch Golf Club 39-38–77
Harry Johnson, Eagle Ranch Golf Course 36-41–77
Steve Bell, Denver Country Club 35-42–77
Bob Kubiak, South Suburban Golf Course 35-43–78
Brian Woody, Ridge at Castle Pines North 38-40–78
Gary Fox, Country Club at Castle Pines 37-41–78
Terry Lorenz, Pinehurst Country Club 41-37–78
Art Cudworth, Raccoon Creek Men’s Club 38-41–79
Brian Kittleson, Eagle Ranch Golf Course 38-41–79
Bruce Hogg, Patty Jewett Golf Course 41-38–79
Dave Brown, Rmgcsa Golf League 39-40–79
Kary Kaltenbacher, Glenmoor Country Club 38-41–79
Kent Moore, Cherry Hills Country Club 38-41–79
Richard Griggs, Desert Hawk Golf Course Men’s 38-41–79
Stan Woodworth, Cherokee Ridge GC 39-40–79
Todd Vaughn, Willis Case Golf Course 37-42–79
Kelly Crone, Highlands Ranch Golf Club 41-39–80
Randy Kippes, Saddle Rock Golf Course 37-43–80
Sean Forey, Bear Creek Golf Club 35-45–80
Chuck Delich, Eisenhower Golf Club 40-41–81
Dan Reedy, Boulder Country Club 37-44–81
David Delich, Broadmoor Golf Club 38-43–81
Randall Dolan, Commonground Golf Course 42-39–81
Robin Bradbury, Heritage at Westmoor 39-42–81
Frank Wilson, Lakewood Country Club 40-42–82
Jerry Beren, Lone Tree Golf Club 37-45–82
Jim LeMar, Meadows Golf Club 41-41–82
Louie Jardon, Springs Ranch Golf Club 39-43–82
Charlie Post, Colorado Golf Club 40-43–83
Jim Dawson, Hyland Hills 39-44–83
Steve Sullivan, Bear Dance Golf Club 42-41–83
Andy Schroeder, Raccoon Creek Men’s Club 40-44–84
Carl Merkel, Riverdale Golf Club 45-39–84
Cliff Damato, Meridian Golf Club 41-43–84
James Pullin, Olde Course at Loveland 41-43–84
Pat Bucci, West Woods Golf Club 40-44–84
Peter O’Connell, Commonground Golf Course 43-41–84
Richard Kelly, Foothills Golf Course 41-43–84
Doug Jones, Tiara Rado Golf Course 42-43–85
Mark Bedinger, Rolling Hills, the Club at 40-45–85
Bart Barnett, The Club at Cordillera 43-43–86
Jeff Wyatt, Meadow Hills Golf Course 38-48–86
David Draper, Green Valley Ranch Golf Club 45-42–87
