The 2024 CGA Dunham Chapman Championship hosted by Keystone River Course on Monday, September 16th and Keystone Ranch Golf Course on Tuesday, September 17th in Keystone, CO, features 36 holes of Chapman stroke play by 60 teams.
Format: 36 holes of Chapman Stroke Play – Two players play as partners, each playing from the teeing ground and each playing their partner’s ball for the second shot. After the second shot, partners select the ball with which they wish to score, and play that ball alternately to complete the hole. Teams are pre-flighted according to their combined playing handicap with approximately 8 teams per flight.
JoAnn Dunham: JoAnn was a long-time volunteer for CWGA. She served on the Board of Directors and was the Tournament Chair from 2004 through 2009. It was JoAnn who first proposed the idea of the Chapman Championship to the CWGA. JoAnn was adamant that the CWGA increase the number of events available to the members, especially the popular partner events. And in recognition of all the ladies who live outside the Front Range, Jo suggested holding the Chapman in the mountains. When Jo passed in 2016, the tournament committee thought it fitting to rename the Chapman in JoAnn’s honor, since after all, without her efforts, this tournament might not exist.
Day 1: Keystone River Course
The 2024 Chapman Championship kicked off today under beautiful conditions at the stunning Keystone River Course, with 60 teams ready to test their skills in this unique team event. A 9:30 a.m. shotgun start launched the competition, with teams submitting both Gross and Net scores across flights.
While the day started with sunny skies, about halfway through the round, the teams experienced an hour of rain showers. However, the weather soon cleared, and the sun returned, casting a perfect backdrop for the remainder of play. Despite the brief showers, spirits were high, and smiles were seen all around. The social aspect of the event shone through, as the women enjoyed the camaraderie and atmosphere.
The course itself is in pristine condition, with players commenting on its impeccable upkeep. With flights ranging from Championship to Sixth, anywhere from 8 to 11 teams competed in each. And with last year’s champions, Molly and Susan, not defending their title this year, it’s anyone’s game.
Leading our Championship flight after Round 1 for both Gross and Net scores are Meg Christensen (Clubs at Cordillera) and Barb Wendell (Frost Creek WGA), who fired a 1-under-par 70 as a team for a Net score of 6-under-par 65. Meg, fresh off her recent qualification for the 62nd U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur, is set to compete in that prestigious event next week!
In a funny twist of events, Laura Wetzel nearly made a hole-in-one on the par-3 9th hole. Her ball hit the cup, causing enough damage that the grounds crew had to cut a new one! While it wasn’t quite an ace, it certainly made for a memorable moment—and a great laugh for everyone.
After Day 1, here are the leaders in the Gross score division for each flight:
- Championship Flight: Barb Wendell & Meg Christensen (70)
- First Flight: Suzanne Kanaly & Leanna Rosenow (79)
- Second Flight: Phyllis Emrich & Deb Sturm (82)
- Third Flight: Mother-daughter duo Susie Kresge & Lorrie Kresge (84)
- Fourth Flight: Annie Fox & Nicole Delier (83)
- Fifth Flight: Mari Johnson & Betty-Ann Wittenberg (88)
- Sixth Flight: Rose Abello & Debbi Falender (94)
Stay tuned for more updates as the competition progresses—and may the best team rise to the occasion!