Meg & Bryson
Wedding Party
Bryson Hotchkiss
Groom
I grew up in a small town in South Dakota, playing baseball every summer, football in the fall, basketball in the winter and golf in the spring. Both of my grandpa’s got me started in golf. When we would go visit them during the summer time, I always wanted to go to the golf course so I could drive the golf cart. Also, one of my loves growing up was hunting with my dad, which we still do today. We would go deer and pheasant hunting every weekend from the middle of October through the end of the year and spring turkey hunting. My senior year of high school I decided to go to Arizona and visit San Diego Golf Academy(Phoenix campus). After that trip the decision was made to move there at the end of the summer and start my career in the golf business. I ended up living down there for 18 years, with 16 of them working at FireRock Country Club in Fountain Hills. In 2018, I was offered the head golf professional job in Castle Pines, Colorado, just south of Denver. That is where I met my bride-to-be. In May of 2022, I was offered the general manager position at The Powder Horn in Sheridan, Wyoming.
Meghan Hunter
Bride
To Bryson's party! I’m originally from Ann Arbor, MI (go blue) and have been living in Colorado for 12 years. I’ve lived/ worked in the Vail Valley, Denver, a quick stop in Miami, and landed in Fort Collins. I’ve been working at Fort Collins Country Club for 6 years as the Ladies Assistant Golf Professional. You can learn a few more fun facts about me from the wedding party stories listed below!
Tristen Fay
Man of Honor
Tristen is my other main man. We met while working at Denver Country Club in 2011 and have been connected ever since. Once he got the Head Golf Professional job at Fort Collins CC, he hired me on as an assistant. Seven years later, we’re still the dream team. I’ve watched him marry his beautiful wife Leslie, buy a home, rescue a handsome dog named Tallie, and most recently have a son (the cutest ever), Davis. They have adopted me into their family, where I’ve earned a place at Thanksgiving and the title of “Auntie Meg”. He’s been a mentor, best friend, boss, and most importantly, brother. He’s seen tears from sadness, heartbreak, stress, laughter and happiness. At least once a day, he’ll say what I’m thinking. He lives in my brain rent free and attempts to be my voice of reason. Some of my favorite memories are the top 100 golf courses we’ve played together, which is where an endless amount of inside jokes have formed. “Meg, I don’t think you’re quite grasping the format”. Lastly, he is the reason Bryson and I met! He and Bryson played in many Colorado PGA events together for years. Finally, we were all paired together in Fall of 2021 and the rest is history. I’m so glad he agreed to stand by my side and support me as I begin my journey with Bryson.
Missy Saas
Bridesmaid
Missy and I have known each other for almost a lifetime! We grew up playing junior/ high school golf against each other. Then turned into college teammates (BB’s), longtime roommates, and besties. We share a love for all things delicious and are total foodies (she is also a fabulous cook). Especially during the holidays when it comes to Christmas cookies - watch out Martha Stewart! Through the years we’ve traveled, vacationed, laughed, cried, ate all the fun food, and loved each no matter what. Cheers to my Missy!
Casey Brittain
Bridesmaid
We met at Casey’s 21st birthday celebration my first week of college at Ferris State University - go bulldogs! We played on the Women’s Golf Team together where we kicked ass in multiple National Championships. Through the years, she has been my voice of reason and sounding board for many of my big life decisions. With her support and guidance, I ended up in Colorado - the best decision I ever made. Her smile, love for life, and positive attitude is infectious. Welcome to the party Case! BB’s for life (if you know, you know)!
Kristi Hunt
Bridesmaid
Kristi and I met later in life under interesting circumstances. We spent many happy hours bonding over our latest life wins and losses. We soon became roommates and three years later, here we are. We have an affinity for creating charcuterie boards, we live for soup & cider football Sundays, and she is my best brunching partner. We share a birthday month and last name, it was obviously meant to be! Here’s to my favorite martini and margarita gal pal!
Dominique (Dom) Westenberger
Bridesmaid
Dom and I originally met while working in the Golf Shop at Fort Collins Country Club. At first we didn’t see eye to eye. After bonding over Golden Retreivers (we’re obsessed), hiking, and Lulu Lemon, we became inseparable friends. You can find us, most mornings at Orange Theory, getting our workout on. Sweat sisters for life! PS - In every picture she looks at me like this and I’m always, ALWAYS laughing.
Becky Carter
Bridesmaid
Golf was yet again, the culprit of creating another sister like, best girlfriend. We met as teens during junior golf, were collegiate teammates (another BB), and roommates. Seems to be a theme. She is the last one standing in Michigan, raised by a beautiful family of three. I can’t wait to hear her laughter and joking manner. To my dancing queen, air guitaring, classic rock singing, and Elton John loving friend. May you bring the party to the dance floor!
Anna Yancey
Bridesmaid
Anna has been my savior in countless ways. When I was living in Miami and making the move to Foco, I needed a place to live. Anna (who I only knew through a friend) invited me to live with her family after only one phone conversation! I moved in with her, her husband Drew (who is officiating the wedding), and their three young children. They welcomed me (a stranger) with open arms and warm hearts. I spent two years with them and now I call them family. She has been there for my darkest hours, and now the happiest. Life has come full circle my friend - I am forever grateful!
Andy Connell
Best Man
I met Andy when I moved to Denver. Shortly after chatting, we discovered we had a bunch of mutual friends from Arizona, as he played college golf at the University of Arizona. It didn’t take long for Andy and I to start playing golf together on a routinely basis. We have played team events together and were roommates as well for a little while. Last year we both turned 40 and decided we were going to go to Mexico to celebrate. We went once in November for my bday and then went again in February for his…and thanks to those trips, he roped me into splitting a timeshare with him down there!🤷🏻♂️ . . . Oh yeah and one other thing…Andy was there the day that I met the most beautiful woman in the world…I’ll let you guys guess who that is! 😃
Ryan Bauer
Groomsman
I have know Ryan as long as I can remember and would say he is probably the first friend I have ever had. My dad and Ryan’s dad taught and coached together in Ipswich, where we lived through first grade. Growing up, dad and I would drive up to Ipswich and stay at the Bauer’s house and go deer and pheasant hunting. Ryan ended moving to Colorado Springs prior to me moving to Denver, so it was great being able to hang out with him and his wife once in awhile being in Denver. I was honored to be part of his wedding and am honored to have him as part of mine as well.
Andy Houser
Groomsman
Andy and I met while working at Coach & Willies, which is where I bartended when I live in Phoenix. He is also a big sports fan and loves golf. We have become great friends over the years and ended up being roommates for a few years. When I visit Phoenix, I usually stay at his place. We have played a lot of golf, been to the Waste Management golf tournament together many times and have had our fair share of Bud Lights together! 😃 A few years ago, I introduced him to football at Lambeau Field and he wondered what took so long for me to convince him to go to a game there! Andy still lives in Phoenix and is part owner of the best lobster food truck in town! Lobstar Truck…you need to check it out if you are ever in Phoenix and like lobster!
J.C. Wright
Groomsman
J.C. and I met in 2000 at The Golf Academy of Arizona. We both grew up in South Dakota and love hunting as well, so we hit it off right away and obviously have a love for the game of golf. A couple of my favorite memories with J.C. is going elk hunting in Colorado with his cousin and my dad and also a summer trip to Chicago to see a night and day game at Wrigley field and a White Sox game as well. J.C. Currently lives in the Phoenix area and is the general manager at Poston Butte Golf Club.
Justin Surat
Groomsman
Justin Surat or as all of his friends know him as”Rat”, is a Midwest born guy as well. He grew up in Iowa a couple hours away from where I grew up. We met in probably 2001 or so at Longbow Golf Club where he was an assistant golf professional and I worked on the guest service staff. Throughout the years Rat and I have played countless rounds of golf together. We have been to our fair share of sporting events together as well. And every time I go to Phoenix, we always manage to have a few adult beverages together after a round of golf.
Paul Welle
Groomsman
Welle as we all call him, is the guest service manager at FireRock Country Club where I worked in the Phoenix area. He is another Midwest guy who grew up in Minnesota. As with pretty much everyone, I have played countless rounds of golf with Welle. One of our sales reps in Arizona started an event called “Las Vegas Classic”, which obviously took place in Las Vegas. I asked Welle if he wanted to go and be my partner for the event and didn’t see a reason why he wouldn’t be?! After the first event on the way home, he made me promise that we would be partners for ever if I go to that event. Needless to say, we have had a couple epic trips to Vegas for some golf and gambling!
Nick Bissonnette
Groomsman
Nick and I met in 2000 at The Golf Academy of Arizona. He is a Midwest guy as well, growing up in Omaha. We have played countless rounds of golf together as well. One of my yearly traditions in AZ, was Halloween a bunch of my friends and I would dress up and go out as November 1st is my birthday. Nick was always one of the first ones to say he’d be there. We have spent more than a few days on the slopes together as well. Nick currently lives in Omaha.