As soon as Neal Koppin lost his match Thursday at the Pikes Peak Amateur, he waited at the 16th hole at Patty Jewett Golf Course.

He saw his brother, Nick, come up from the horizon and immediately went over to him and chatted.

“He’s 2-up with two (holes) left,” Neal said as he anxiously backed away from the green. “If he wins this hole, he wins the match.”

That’s how it is in the Koppin family — support no matter what.

Father, Ed, and sons, Neal and Nick, each played in the Amateur this week with differing results.

Nick, 19, won 3 and 2, advancing to today’s semifinal of the third flight consolation bracket, while Neal, 21, lost 3 and 2 and Ed lost 3 and 1.

Despite the outcomes, encouragement never wavers.

“We’re always there to support each other,” Nick said. “As soon as we’re done, me and my brother find my dad on the golf course and watch him finish up.”

Ed, who has played at the Amateur for 10 years, said having his sons along with him at the course was “great, but nerve-racking.”

“They’re in the same bracket this year so if they both win today then they’ll move to the semis,” Ed said before he teed off. “I love having them here, but if they played each other … I don’t know. I’d like them both to make birdies everywhere.”

With Neal out, there will be no all-Koppin final, but his spirits weren’t down.

After Nate Houston missed a putt to seal Nick’s win, Neal gave a quick fist pump and dashed off.

Where?

To cheer for dad.

Ed Koppin played in the Pikes Peak Amateur Golf Tournament at Patty Jewett Golf Course Thursday along with his sons, Neal and Nick. Photo by Cole W. Eberle, The Gazette