When Steve Ivan played golf at the University of Colorado in the early 1980s, several of his teammates won major CGA championships. The list includes Steve Jones — who went on to win the 1996 U.S. Open — along with Rick Cramer, Terry Kahl, Tim Smith and Matt Potter.
Ivan didn’t quite reach that level, but more than three decades later, he’s in position to add a nice CGA title of his own.
The golfer from Patty Jewett Golf Course in Colorado Springs, who led the CGA Senior Amateur after round 1, expanded his lead to five strokes Wednesday at Meridian Golf Club in Englewood.
Coincidentally, another one of Ivan’s CU teammates, Paul Lobato, is the PGA head professional at Meridian.
Ivan shot a 1-over-par 73 on Wednesday, giving him a 1-over 145 total going into Thursday’s final round. He made one birdies and two bogeys in round 2.
John Hornbeck of Saratoga, Wyo., who competed in the 2016 U.S. Senior Open after qualifying in Colorado, stands in second place at 150 after a second-round 76.
Three-time champion Robert Polk of Colorado Golf Club shares third place at 151 with James Pullin of Collindale Golf Club. Pullin carded a 75 on Wednesday and Polk had a 76.
Seven back of Ivan and tied for fifth are Brian Harris of Denver Country Club, Shane Unfred of Highlands Meadows Golf Course and Victor Minovich of Foothills Golf Course. Harris matched Ivan’s 73, while Minovich posted a 75 and Unfred a 78.
The field was cut to the low 40 players and ties after Wednesday’s second round, with the 42 golfers at 161 or better advancing to Thursday. Among those who missed the cut by one was defending champion Kevin Ott of The Club at Rolling Hills.
The final threesome — Ivan, Hornbeck and Pullin — will tee off for Thursday’s final round at 9:57 a.m.
The CGA Senior Amateur is limited to player 51 and older. In an effort to eventually match the age criteria for the U.S. Senior Amateur, which is limited to players 55 and older, each year beginning in 2017 the eligibility for CGA senior events will rise one year. So next year, for instance, the minimum age will be 52. From 2021 and beyond, competitors must be at least 55.
For all the scores from the CGA Senior Amateur, CLICK HERE.
