Two for the Show

Nelson defeats McLelland to earn second Super-Senior Match Play title in 3 years

David Nelson (Littleton) captured his second CGA Super-Senior Match Play title defeating Rob McLelland (Denver) 5 & 3 in a dominating bogey-free final-round performance. Nelson's victory capped off a demanding week on Eisenhower’s Silver Course highlighted by a dramatic semifinal victory over Dave Runberg (Centennial). The victory came in his fifth appearance in the event and marked his second win after previously claiming the championship in 2024.

Afterward, Nelson said both of his tournament victories were special, but each followed a different path. In his earlier title run, he defeated Kent Moore in the semifinals and David Delich in the finals. This year, he narrowly advanced past Rundberg in the semifinals before defeating Rob in the championship match. “They’re both incredible,” he said of the two wins. 

Nelson stayed one step ahead of McLelland all day.

The semifinal proved to be one of the defining moments of the tournament. Nelson described the match against Rundberg as difficult and tightly contested throughout the day before it was decided on the 18th hole. The match was even through 17 holes with both players having held a 1 up lead at some point. On 18, “I made a 40-footer for birdie to win 1 up,” he said, recalling the dramatic putt that sent him into the final. "That was exciting."

Nelson noted Eisenhower’s Silver Course demanded precision, especially on approach shots into fast, punishing greens. "The course rewards strong second-shot golf and leaves little margin for error above the hole." Even with windy conditions during the afternoon final, he completed the match bogey-free, a performance he called "especially meaningful."

Nelson's putter was workingall week, especialy in the bogry-free final match.

When asked what part of his game stood out most over the course of the week, Nelson pointed to consistency. "I made very few bogeys during all week, and I played three matches without a bogey at all." 

“To now have won it twice, that means a lot,” he said, adding that doing so at a venue like Eisenhower made the achievement even more memorable.

McLelland was in total control of his semifinal match

McLelland earned his spot in the afternoon finals by defeating 2019 CGA Senior Match Play champion Scott Sullivan of Grand Junction 6 & 4 in match he dominated early. McLelland went 5 up through 8 before Sullivan won his first hole on 9. That was as close as he would get and McLelland stayed steady, then won 13 and 14 to seal his place in the finals.

Nelson has been named the CGA Super-Senior Player of the Year three times already, all in even years (2020, 2022, and 2024). 2026 is off to a promising start to continue that trend.

CGA Senior Match Play Championship (65 and older)
Eisenhower Golf Club - Silver Course

POD PLAY RESULTS

CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET

QUARTERFINALS (Wednesday PM)

Dave Runberg, Centennial, def. Robert Polk, Parker, 1 up

David Nelson, Littleton, def. Mark Donahue, Greenwood Village, 3 & 2

Robert McLelland, Denver, def. Louie lee, Castle Rock, 21 holes

Scott Sullivan, Grand Junction, def. Robert West, Denver, 2 & 1

SEMIFINALS (Thursday AM)

David Nelson, Littleton, def. Dave Runberg, Centennial, 1 up

Robert McLelland, Denver, def. Scott Sullivan, Grand Junction, 6 & 4

FINAL MATCH (Thursday PM)

David Nelson, Littleton, def. Robert McLelland, Denver, 5 & 3

PHOTO LINKS

Pod Play Day 3

Quarterfinals

Semi Finals

Final Match