FORT COLLINS – If it were match play, Pomona’s Zakhai Brown would be 1-up on his big brother Zenon.
The Panthers senior grabbed sole possesion of the lead of the Class 5A state golf tournament midway though Tuesday’s final round at Collindale and never let it go.
Brown, who became the first medalist from Pomona since Jakob Green in 1985 at Fort Collins Country Club, bogeyed the final two holes and watched as Fairview’s Brennan Dolan had a chance to force a playoff on the final hole. Brown’s 2-over 144 was two better than Dolan and Chatfield’s Robert Quick.
“That how I came into this tournament, constantly hearing how I have to fill my brothers shoes,” Brown said of his older brother, a junior on the Colorado State golf team. “I wanted to come in here and do something that he hadn’t done. I came in determined and came out with a victory.”
Brown’s lead grew to three strokes after 14 holes when he birdied the short par-4 and moments later Dolan bogeyed. With his coach, Nate Olsen, with him every step of the way, basically doubling as his caddie, Brown made a great save on 16 to maintain the lead.
“We molded pretty well together, it was pretty much like caddie and player, and he took everything I had to say to heart,” Olsen said.
Playing alongside first-day leader Brian Dorfman of Cherry Creek who shot an 85 Tuesday, Dolan had a two-shot swing. Moments after Brown bogeyed No. 17, Dolan knocked a wedge stiff and then sank the 8-footer to get within one.
But Dolan, who had been constantly updating himself with where he stood, didn’t get an update before he went to the 18th tee and thought he had to make birdie instead of par.
“I like to know where I stand and what I need to do,” Dolan said. “Going to 18, the one time I don’t check, look what happens.”
Dolan had to pitch out from the trees, and with an awkward stance near the front bunker thought he had to make his chip shot to force a playoff. The chip rolled 20 feet.
There was a little bit of solace for Dolan as his Knights won the team title for the first time since 1973. Fairview (454) bested Douglas County by two shots. Arapahoe, which was tied with Cherry Creek after Day One, was dealt a blow when top-player Steven Moore (who was supposed to play in the final group after a first round 71) broke his wrist Monday night.
“It always feels good to win,” Fairview coach Murl Hendrickson said. “The kids worked really hard at it, and they hung in there for two days.”
Jon E. Yunt: 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com
