Brian Dorfman played 110 holes of golf in three days — all in the heat of high-level competition, and all while walking, not riding — but it proved very much worth the effort.
The former Georgetown University golfer, who plays out of Cherry Creek Country Club, went a full 36 holes Friday in the finals of the CGA Match Play Championship at The Club at Rolling Hills in Golden. And that was after going 38 holes in two matches on Wednesday and 36 in another two on Thursday.
But Dorfman said he wasn’t fatigued, and he showed it down the stretch in Friday’s 2-up title-clinching victory over Parker Edens of Greeley Country Club.
In one of the tightest final matches in the 112-year history of the CGA Match Play, neither player led more than 1 up until the 36th hole, when Edens conceded a 5-foot eagle putt to Dorfman to account for the final margin.
“It was an incredible match. I could not have played any better. I can say that flat out,” said Dorfman, who shot a 5-under-par 66 in the afternoon round, counting concessions. “I did my best on every shot and I made a lot of clutch putts.”
It was the third time in the last four years that the CGA Match Play final has gone the distance — a full 36 holes. In 2009, Steve Ziegler defeated Tom Gempel 1 up, and last year Michael Lee beat Jonathan Marsico by the same score.
Edens, a Colorado State University golfer who caddied for Lee as he won the title last year, led 1 up after 18 holes, having shot a 4-under-par 31 on the back nine — concessions included — in the morning round. And he also was 1 up after Dorfman bogeyed the 25th hole.
But Dorfman, who just wrapped up his Georgetown University golf career, birdied the next three holes, with the 10-footer at the 26th hole being conceded after Edens missed his par putt. Dorfman went ahead for good after getting up and down from the bunker on the 27th hole for birdie.
Dorfman saw the following hole — No. 10 at Rolling Hills — as being crucial to his win. After Edens (pictured at left) put his approach shot on the par-4 4 feet from the cup in the afternoon round, Dorfman drained a 40-foot birdie putt which forced Edens to work just to get a halve on the hole.
“After I made that bomb putt on 10, I knew it was my match to lose because I was feeling it, playing well, and I had my putter working,” said the 22-year-old Dorfman, a Greenwood Village resident. “When I have that going, I’m tough to beat.”
As it turned out, the two players matched scores for eight straight hole (Nos. 28-35), leaving Dorfman 1 up heading into the par-5 18th.
“Everybody kept telling me it’s going to be a match of runs,” said Edens, a 2010 U.S. Amateur qualifier. “(They said) he’s going to go on a run or I’m going to go on a run. Really, neither of us went on runs. If you won two holes in a row you were very lucky.”
Dorfman agreed it was a battle of attrition.
“It was very stressful all day, especially because it’s not like pars were winning (m)any holes,” he said. “You’ve got to make birdies out here. To do that you have to hit it in the fairway, you have to hit it in the right spot on the green. And that doesn’t even mean you’ll make birdie. You’ve got to hit a great putt and a lot of time it will break 4-5 feet. It was very stressful, and it wasn’t like either of us had a big lead we could ride on.”
On the 36th hole, a long drive left Dorfman just 175 yards to the pin on the 512-yard par-5. His 8-iron approach covered the flag, finishing just 5 feet past the hole. And when Edens failed to hole a pitch shot from in front of the green, he conceded to Dorfman.
All week, the 18th hole at Rolling Hills was very good to Dorfman (pictured at left with the Match Play trophy in the background). In fact, including his stroke-play round, this is how he played the par-5: birdie, eagle, birdie, birdie, birdie, eagle.
In the final hole Friday, Dorfman actually almost holed out his second shot. His ball hit a couple of inches from the cup before finishing 5 feet past.
“I knew I had a little bit of adrenaline, so I knew it wouldn’t be a problem (going with an 8-iron from 175),” he said. “I just took an easy swing and it came out perfect. After I hit that shot I knew I had it.”
Despite his 31 on the back nine of the first round — and several clutch putts down the stretch — Edens was disappointed his ball-striking didn’t match what he did earlier in the week. He was the co-medalist in stroke play, and only one of his previous matches went past the 16th hole.
“I just didn’t play as well as I had all week,” Edens said. “I didn’t hit it that well today. I was not very pleased with how I drove the ball. I just wasn’t able to give myself very many opportunities at birdie because I’m hitting from the rough, and you can’t spin it much around here hitting from the rough.
“But it was a great week. It’s a great accomplishment just to be the runner-up.”
Dorfman, a Cherry Creek High School graduate, claimed his second CGA championship title, having also won the 2008 CGA Junior Match Play. He also won two college tournaments during his 2011-12 senior season at Georgetown.
“This is probably the biggest tournament I’ve ever won,” he said of the Match Play. “It’s definitely the biggest trophy and it’s got the most history. It’s 112 years old. It’s an incredible tournament. So it means a lot.”
CGA Match Play Championship
At The Club at Rolling Hills in Golden
(Seeds in Parentheses)
36-HOLE FINAL
Brian Dorfman, Cherry Creek CC (3) def. Parker Edens, Greeley CC (1), 2 up
SEMIFINALS
Parker Edens, Greeley CC (1) def. David Schroeder II, Broadmoor GC (28), 3 and 2
Brian Dorfman, Cherry Creek CC (3) def. Brandon Bingaman, Black Canyon Golf Club @ Montrose (7), 1 up
QUARTERFINALS
Parker Edens, Greeley CC (1) def. Andrew Cornella, The Club at Flying Horse (8), 5 and 4
David Schroeder II, Broadmoor GC (28) def. Jonathan Park, Green Valley Ranch GC (4), 5 and 4
Brandon Bingaman, Black Canyon Golf Club @ Montrose (7) def. Steven Kupcho, Commonground Golf Course (47), 2 and 1
Brian Dorfman, Cherry Creek CC (3) def. Michael Harrington, Garden of the Gods Club (6), 2 up
ROUND OF 16
Parker Edens, Greeley CC (1) def. Sean Forey, Rolling Hills, The Club at (49), 4 and 3
Andrew Cornella, The Club at Flying Horse (8) def. Kory Harrell, Pine Creek GC (9), 3 and 1
Jonathan Park, Green Valley Ranch GC (4) def. Ben Krueger, Pine Creek GC (20), 4 and 3
David Schroeder II, Broadmoor GC (28) def. Cameron Harrell, Pine Creek GC (21), 5 and 4
Steven Kupcho, Commonground Golf Course (47) def. Lanny Cameron, Mariana Butte Golf Course (34), 3 and 2
Brandon Bingaman, Black Canyon Golf Club @ Montr (7) def. Brendan Connolly, Ridge at Castle Pines North (10), 3 and 1
Brian Dorfman, Cherry Creek CC (3) def. Ryan Schmitz, Colorado GC (19), 5 and 4
Michael Harrington, Garden of the Gods Club (6) def. Nick Berry, Meadows GC (22), 5 and 3
ROUND OF 32
Parker Edens, Greeley CC (1) def. Richard Bradsby, Lakewood CC (32), 1 up
Sean Forey, Rolling Hills, The Club at (49) def. Cameron Brown, Sonnenalp GC (48), 5 and 3
Andrew Cornella, The Club at Flying Horse (8) def. Nick Tarasiewicz, Patty Jewett GC (40), 3 and 2
Kory Harrell, Pine Creek GC (9) def. Ethan Freeman, Glenmoor CC (24), 4 and 2
Jonathan Park, Green Valley Ranch GC (4) def. Nick Zinanti, Elmwood GC (29), 20 holes
Ben Krueger, Pine Creek GC (20) def. Chris Shaw, Collindale GC (52), 5 and 4
David Schroeder II, Broadmoor GC (28) def. Jordan Burgess, Highland Hills Golf Course (5), 4 and 2
Cameron Harrell, Pine Creek GC (21) def. Will Fowler, Rolling Hills, the Club at (53), 4 and 3
Lanny Cameron, Mariana Butte Golf Course (34) def. David Oraee, Highland Hills Golf Course (2), 3 and 2
Steven Kupcho, Commonground Golf Course (47) def. John Ahern, Bear Creek GC (15), 3 and 1
Brandon Bingaman, Black Canyon Golf Club @ Montr (7) def. Cody Kent, Red Hawk Ridge GC (39), 3 and 1
Brendan Connolly, Ridge at Castle Pines North (10) def. David Ramsden-Wood, Denver Athletic Club (42), 2 up
Brian Dorfman, Cherry Creek CC (3) def. Drew Trujillo, Bridges G&CC (30), 24 holes
Ryan Schmitz, Colorado GC (19) def. Ben Lyons, South Suburban Golf Course (51), 19 holes
Michael Harrington, Garden of the Gods Club (6) def. Andy Yang, Highlands Ranch GC (27), 3 and 1
Nick Berry, Meadows GC (22) def. Grant Suggs, Collindale Golf Club (54), 4 and 3
ROUND OF 64
Parker Edens, Greeley CC def. Braden Baer, Ranch CC 7 and 5
Richard Bradsby, Lakewood CC def. Blair Matthews, CommonGround GC 19 holes
Sean Forey, Rolling Hills, The Club at def. Danny Hahn, CommonGround GC 20 holes
Cameron Brown, Sonnenalp GC def. Scott Radcliffe, Rolling Hills, the Club at 2 and 1
Andrew Cornella, The Club at Flying Horse def. Gus Lundquist, The Club at Pradera 1 up
Nick Tarasiewicz, Patty Jewett GC def. Charles Santaularia, CommonGround GC 1 up
Kory Harrell, Pine Creek GC def. Andy Dannewitz, Meadow Hills GC 5 and 3
Ethan Freeman, Glenmoor CC def. Alex Kephart, Eisenhower GC 3 and 1
Jonathan Park, Green Valley Ranch GC def. Steve Connell, Riverdale GC 2 and 1
Nick Zinanti, Elmwood GC def. John Luoma, Colorado GC 3 and 1
Chris Shaw, Collindale GC def. George Bollinger III, Red Rocks CC 20 holes
Ben Krueger, Pine Creek GC def. Aaron Spear, Broadlands GC 5 and 4
Jordan Burgess, Highland Hills GC def. Brett Housman, Elmwood GC 20 holes
David Schroeder II, Broadmoor GC def. Charles Castellano, CommonGround GC 4 and 3
Will Fowler, Rolling Hills, the Club at def. Spencer Sheets, Glenmoor CC 1 up
Cameron Harrell, Pine Creek GC def. Grant Javernick, Meadow Hills GC 1 up
David Oraee, Highland Hills GC def. Steve Sullivan, CC at Castle Pines 3 and 2
Lanny Cameron, Mariana Butte Golf Course def. Dean Clapp, Meadow Hills GC 1 up
John Ahern, Bear Creek GC def. Derek Fribbs, Colorado National GC 3 and 2
Steven Kupcho, CommonGround GC def. Danny Riskam, Columbine CC 6 and 5
Brandon Bingaman, Black Canyon Golf Club at Montrose def. Michael Love, The Club at Pradera 2 and 1
Cody Kent, Red Hawk Ridge GC def. Chun-Ji Kim, Highlands Ranch GC 3 and 2
Brendan Connolly, Ridge at Castle Pines North def. Tristan Sanders, CommonGround GC 1 up
David Ramsden-Wood, Denver Athletic Club def. Michael Tilghman, Castle Pines GC 4 and 2
Brian Dorfman, Cherry Creek CC def. Harry Johnson, Eagle Ranch GC 3 and 2
Drew Trujillo, Bridges G&CC def. Dallas Perrault, Heritage at Westmoor 3 and 2
Ben Lyons, South Suburban GC def. Jonathan Dresnick, Deering Bay Y&CC 4 and 2
Ryan Schmitz, Colorado GC def. Steve Irwin, Lakewood Country Club 1 up
Michael Harrington, Garden of the Gods Club def. Erik Helton, Buffalo Run GC 7 and 6
Andy Yang, Highlands Ranch GC def. Caleb Barker, Perry Park CC 1 up
Grant Suggs, Collindale Golf Club def. Wes Martin, The Courses at Hyland Hills 1 up
Nick Berry, Meadows GC def. Stephen Fernandes, Meridian GC 6 and 5
STROKE PLAY
Advanced to Match Play
David Oraee, Highland Hills GC, 35-34–69
Parker Edens, Greeley CC, 36-33–69
Jordan Burgess, Highland Hills GC, 34-36–70
Brian Dorfman, Cherry Creek CC, 37-33–70
Michael Harrington, Garden of the Gods Club, 37-33–70
Jonathan Park, Green Valley Ranch GC, 35-35–70
Brandon Bingaman, Black Canyon Golf Club @ Montr, 37-34–71
Kory Harrell, Pine Creek GC, 35-36–71
Wes Martin, The Courses at Hyland Hills, 37-34–71
Spencer Sheets, Glenmoor CC, 34-37–71
George Bollinger III, Red Rocks CC, 35-36–71
Brendan Connolly, Ridge at Castle Pines North, 35-36–71
Andrew Cornella, The Club at Flying Horse, 37-34–71
Jonathan Dresnick, Deering Bay Y&CC, 36-35–71
John Ahern, Bear Creek GC, 36-36–72
Danny Hahn, CommonGround GC, 35-37–72
Scott Radcliffe, Rolling Hills, the Club at, 37-35–72
Danny Riskam, Columbine CC, 36-36–72
Ryan Schmitz, Colorado GC, 37-35–72
Cameron Harrell, Pine Creek GC, 35-38–73
Charles Santaularia, CommonGround GC, 37-36–73
David Schroeder II, Broadmoor GC, 36-37–73
Nick Berry, Meadows GC, 37-36–73
Michael Tilghman, Castle Pines GC, 38-35–73
Andy Yang, Highlands Ranch GC, 37-36–73
Ethan Freeman, Glenmoor CC, 37-36–73
Chun-Ji Kim, Highlands Ranch GC, 36-37–73
Ben Krueger, Pine Creek GC, 36-37–73
Nick Zinanti, Elmwood GC, 35-38–73
Blair Matthews, CommonGround GC, 41-33–74
Drew Trujillo, Bridges G&CC, 36-38–74
Richard Bradsby, Lakewood CC, 37-37–74
Lanny Cameron, Mariana Butte Golf Course, 37-37–74
Dean Clapp, Meadow Hills GC, 36-38–74
Dallas Perrault, Heritage at Westmoor, 39-35–74
John Luoma, Colorado GC, 37-37–74
Cody Kent, Red Hawk Ridge GC, 38-37–75
Caleb Barker, Perry Park CC, 37-38–75
Stephen Fernandes, Meridian GC, 38-37–75
Aaron Spear, Broadlands GC, 38-37–75
Nick Tarasiewicz, Patty Jewett GC, 37-38–75
Grant Javernick, Meadow Hills GC, 42-33–75
Alex Kephart, Eisenhower GC, 41-34–75
David Ramsden-Wood, Denver Athletic Club, 37-38–75
Charles Castellano, CommonGround GC, 37-38–75
Cameron Brown, Sonnenalp GC, 38-38–76
Sean Forey, Rolling Hills, The Club at, 40-36–76
Derek Fribbs, Colorado National GC, 36-40–76
Steve Irwin, Lakewood CC, 37-39–76
Steven Kupcho, CommonGround GC, 40-36–76
Ben Lyons, South Suburban GC, 39-37–76
Will Fowler, Rolling Hills, the Club at, 34-42–76
Chris Shaw, Collindale GC, 39-37–76
Andy Dannewitz, Meadow Hills GC, 36-41–77
Michael Love, The Club at Pradera, 39-38–77
Gus Lundquist, The Club at Pradera, 40-37–77
Tristan Sanders, CommonGround GC, 39-38–77
Grant Suggs, Collindale GC, 36-41–77
Brett Housman, Elmwood GC, 40-37–77
Erik Helton, Buffalo Run GC, 41-36–77
Harry Johnson, Eagle Ranch GC, 40-38–78
Steve Connell, Riverdale GC, 41-37–78
Braden Baer, Ranch CC, 38-40–78
Steve Sullivan, CC at Castle Pines, 43-35–78
Failed to Qualify
Paul Erdman, Colorado National GC, 40-38–78
Mike Chavez, Applewood GC, 38-40–78
Ryan Boshoven, Boomerang GL, 41-37–78
Derik Brady, Black Bear GC, 39-39–78
Stu Allen, Fox Hollow GC, 39-40–79
Mark Anderson, Columbine CC, 43-36–79
Lamar Carlile, City Park GC, 39-40–79
Clint Miller, Meadow Hills GC, 38-41–79
Drew Vance, Raccoon Creek GC, 35-44–79
Tyler Winslow, Lake Valley GC, 39-40–79
Jim Fucillo, Eisenhower GC, 40-39–79
Mark Bedinger, Rolling Hills, the Club at, 39-40–79
Alex Leonida, Inverness GC, 40-40–80
James Clements, Broadlands GC, 37-43–80
David Lysaught, Pinehurst CC, 39-41–80
Phil Schneider, Lakewood CC, 38-42–80
Kyle Thurman, Broadlands GC, 38-42–80
Dillon Mcdonald, Red Sky GC, 41-39–80
Brian Thomas, Saddle Rock GC, 42-39–81
John Gorell, Patty Jewett GC, 44-37–81
David Yamamoto, CommonGround GC, 39-42–81
Preston Parsons, Colorado GC, 45-37–82
Chad Gonzalez, Pinery CC, 45-38–83
Aj Morris, Maroon CC, 41-42–83
Kevin McGuire, The Club at Cordillera, 43-41–84
Mark Brown, Highlands Ranch GC, 41-43–84
Joey Muckler, Meridian GC, 44-40–84
Bert Sartori, Green Valley Ranch GC, 41-43–84
Matt Reinick, Heritage at Todd Creek GC, 40-44–84
Michael Olson, Broadlands GC, 47-39–86
Grant D Wozencroft, Highlands Ranch GC, 44-44–88
Nash Bledsoe, Quail Dunes GC, 42-46–88
