U.S. Senior Open Day 1 – Schalks lead the way

First day of U.S. Senior Open sees range of scores and a proud father/daughter team

By Jim Bebbington

Matt Schalk, the director of golf and GM for Colorado National Golf Club in Erie, is one of the competitors in the U.S. Senior Open this year having advanced through the grueling local qualifier route.

After teeing off at 7 a.m. twice for practice rounds then again Thursday for round one, he and his caddy – daughter Hailey Schalk – felt all of the work was worth it.

“It’s pretty special to be here, obviously with your daughter. … It’s really special,” he said during post-round interviews. “You’re playing a game that’s so male dominant, and you come out here with your daughter, and — here she is. Now she’ll make me happier. It’s amazing to share it with her. She keeps me grounded. She’s a big part of my success. I think the reason I’m having so much success late in my career is because of just watching her and learning to play from her.”

Hailey Schalk had an outstanding junior golf career winning three state individual titles and then played on the women’s golf team at CU.

“She reads greens better than I read greens,” he said.

But more than just with tactics, Schalk said that his daughter has learned to guide him through his rounds, giving him playing advice and encouragement when he needs it.

“I can get fiery out there and stuff, and she’s always, ‘Hey, it’s okay. Next shot.’ “, he said. “She’s always onto the next shot. I think that’s a great dynamic because that’s how she played golf her whole life is not getting too excited if she made a double. Me, on the other hand, sometimes I make a double and I’m ready to go home. It’s nice having her there to calm me down.”

After the round Hailey said she and her father have already been through a lot of golf together and as his caddy she feels responsible when he misses a putt.

“Every time I’m like, please, please,” she said. “I couldn’t even watch him hit some of the putts today, some of the short putts because I’ll read them. He’s like, you like that? You think that’s the read? I’m like, yep. Then he’ll set up and I’m like, please be correct, because if it’s not correct, then I feel guilty the rest of the round.”

The two caddy for each other in other events. “It’s definitely a different dynamic having him on the bag for me versus me on the bag for him,” she said. “Like he was saying, he’s super fiery, I’m very calm. It’s awesome, but I think we balance each other out really well, so it’s cool to watch that dynamic and watch us work together out there.”

Matt Schalk was first off the tee for the field of 156 players Thursday at The Broadmoor. After shooting an even par front nine he shot a 6-over back nine to finish at 76, tied for 122nd place. He will get another chance Friday before bottom half of the field is cut before the weekend competition.