One of Hayden Dorsey’s goals this season is to capture a state championship. His offseason workload shows he’s serious.

The Manitou Springs senior boys golfer has played in 10 Colorado PGA Junior Golf Tour tournaments since April and placed top 20 or better in all but one.

In his recent competition, the Mizuno COPGA Jr. Match Play tournament at Bella Ridge Golf Club in Johnstown, Dorsey won and called the victory “important.”

“I wanted to win really bad because I hadn’t won in a long time,” Dorsey said. “I proved to myself that I could do it because I’ve had a lot of top finishes this summer but hadn’t quite gotten it done. We played 18 holes on the first day and then 36 the next two days. … This doesn’t do a lot for rankings since it isn’t stroke play. But going in and winning this meant something to me to get back in the winner’s circle.”

During the match play tournament, which ran July 20-22, Dorsey entered as the fifth seed in the 32-player event. But Johnstown’s course and his opposition weren’t Dorsey’s only obstacles.

“I had about 10 blisters on both of my feet,” Dorsey said. “I had to walk with all of those and that was rough. I’d get to the 11^th hole and had to change my shoes. I’m fine now, but that’s the nature of what the summer has been. A lot of physical endurance.”

Dorsey’s coach Ken Vecchio said he’s enjoyed the hustle from the incoming senior. Vecchio watched Dorsey’s summer endeavors from afar and the longtime Mustangs coach noted the importance of remaining vigilant throughout the offseason.

“You have to play the golf course and not the kids in the tournament,” Vecchio said. “During the summer tournaments you have top-of-the-line players so it’s easy to get into a competitive mode.”

Dorsey will require that flare for his final year with the Mustangs. Manitou Springs will open its season with the Cheyenne Mountain Tournament of Champions at Country Club of Colorado on Monday where Dorsey will begin the march to the 3A state tournament, which runs Oct. 5-6 at Cattails Golf Course in Alamosa.  

The Mustangs senior placed sixth at state last season at Eagle Ranch Golf Course in Eagle and, as four of the top six finishers from the 2025 tournament graduated, Dorsey is focused on 3A’s throne. However, Vecchio said he’ll take another approach.

“I just want him to play as well as he can play,” Vecchio said. “I don’t want to put any extra pressure on him. Go out there, play each hole as hard as you can and we’ll go from there. I know it would be cool for them, but I want him to go out there and play and have fun.”

“Them” refers to Dorsey and his twin sister, Addison, who golfs on Manitou Springs’ girls team in the spring, capturing titles. Last May, Addison won the 2A individual championship during the state tournament at Lone Tree Golf Club in Lone Tree.

Addison’s victory was the first-ever girls golf championship in school history for the Mustangs.

“I was really proud of her, and I know that’s something she’s wanted to get on her resume,” Dorsey said. “It was great watching her, and she played well all throughout the season. I’m proud of her and what she’s accomplished so far.”

Now, Dorsey hopes to join his sister and looks to give the Dorsey family twin titles.

“That would make me and my sister even,” Dorsey said as he laughed. “I would love to win state. That would mean the world to me. But going into the season, I want to focus on one event at a time and putting good scores together and enjoying the ride.”