Mar 23, 2021
Rocky Mountain Chapter plants APT Flag in Utah at Red Rock Championship
The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Amateur Players Tour planted the stake this past weekend, on a new ERA of competitive amateur golf in the State of Utah. 79 players teed it up at the Red Rock Championship, a 36-hole stroke-play tournament played at two premier golf courses; Copper Rock GC – Home of the LPGA Symetra Tour and Sand Hollow Resort (Championship Course) – ranked as the Number 1 Public Golf Course in Utah.
Friday’s round featured sunny skies and 68 degrees as players began their quest for the coveted Red Rock trophy, awarded to each of our Division Champions. In Saturday’s final round, players braved dry but WINDY conditions as gusts easily hit 30mph and challenged everyone who made the trek from around the U.S. to compete in this championship event.
In Division V, Sean Tavel (181) & Matt Pace (143) would take home gross and net Champion honors respectively. Sean’s win would be the only visiting tour member to take home a chunk of the Red Rock, with Rocky Mountain members claiming the other five trophies, including rookie Matt Pace playing in his first APT event. Aaron Johnson (190) finished in second place in the gross division and guest, Doug Snell (193) finished in 3rd.
Division IV action came down to the 18th green on Saturday, as Cory Hester (180) barely slid his par putt just past the cup, giving Mark Torbett (179) the victory by a single stroke, in an impressive come from behind fashion. Mani Kottaichamy (181) and Joe Smolira (181) finished just two strokes back, after holding the lead on a few occasions during the final round. Tour rookie Daniel Jensen (182) was the overnight leader after round 1, but would settle for a 5th place finish.
Raul Delatorre (160) won his second event of 2021 (Wolf Creek), pacing the Division III field by a full four shots over his nearest competitor, guest Rich Fong (164). Dustin Criddle (170) broke ninety both days en-route to a 3rd place finish in a field of 24 players. Tom Eveland (171) and newcomer Matias Tello (171) finished in a tie for 4th place, rounding out the money line.
Jeff Clifford (159) continues to dominate no matter where he plays on the Amateur Players Tour, collecting his 4th win of the young season and extending his points lead atop the National Division II Player of the Year standings. Matt Fegley (161) and Clifford trailed Jason Gregory (161) at the final hole of the Championship by a stroke, but Gregory’s tee shot found the rubbish and would lead to a triple bogey, while Clifford was able to get up and down for par from the greenside bunker and secure the win. Fegley and Gregory tied for runner-up honors. John Gordon (163) shot the round of the day amongst all competitors, firing an 80 and vaulting up the leaderboard to claim 4th place.
In Division I, Danny Meaders (156) collected his second Red Rock trophy with a three-shot victory over Jose Valle. Meaders entered Saturday’s final round with a six shot lead, but Valle would chip away over the back 9, trimming Meaders lead to just two with a birdie on #17. A solid bogey into the wind on the long par-4 #18 would seal the victory for Meaders on the final hole.
In the March Madness DRIVE or LAYUP contest, Casey Bice (Driver) and Brian Zullo (Wedges) won the side game. Runner-up finalists were Robert Hill and Jose Valle.
Jason Gregory dominated the NET Housing Game both days, played between those competitors who stayed on property at Sand Hollow Rentals. Gregory fired a NET 65-70-135, besting Mark Torbett and Jose Valle.
Overall CTP winners on the weekend were Jose Valle (CR4), Sean Tavel (CR7), Shawn Johnson (CR15), Matt Stevenson (CR17 and SH15), Rich Fong (SH11), David North (SH8), and James Goodfellow (SH3).
Super Skins winners were Tom Eveland, Kent Kao, Jose Valle, Matt Minder, Casey Bice, Raul Delatorre, Brian Zullo, Garrett Danielson, Scott Poniewaz, Michael Hollan, Matt Stevenson, Parker Olsen, John Gordon, and Shannon Lester.
With the APT flag firmly planted on Utah soil, the next tournament hosted by the APT Rocky Mountains will be a single day, 18-hole stroke play affair at Glen Eagle GC in Syracuse. Featuring a links style course with water aplenty, members will enjoy a great golf course and another #ByThePLAYERSForThePLAYERS experience on Saturday, April 10th.
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