A total of 110 male and female junior golfers from Durango, Montrose, Delta, Grand Junction, Ouray, and Pagosa Springs joined young golfers from Cortez, Dolores, Dove Creek and Mancos at the annual Cortez Junior Invitational Golf Tournament on Thursday, June 22, at Conquistador Golf Course.

This was one of several stops on a summer junior golf tour of courses throughout the Western Slope. The tourney also was the culmination of three weeks of golf lessons by head pro Micah Rudosky and his staff.

The young golfers played nine or 18 holes, depending on age.

In the Girls 10-and-Under division, Jackie Ramsey fired a 58 for nine holes to take first place. Marci Knisley finished a stroke back. Dominique Johnson won the Boys 10-U bracket by shooting a 42. Kyle Allmon fired a 44, and Andrew Layton shot 48.

Kelsey Keck and Ronnica Stanley tied for first place by shooting 74s in the Girls 11-12 division for nine holes. Mallory Kneller fired a 106 for 18 holes to win the Girls 13-14 bracket. Courtney Gunn was her nearest competitor way back with a 122.

Andrew Riddell took the Boys 11-12 by shooting a 49 for nine holes. Tino Blackmore was next, 1 shot back. Michael Gunn fired a 51, Bryson McCabe 52, B. Hackett 56, Josh Toft 58, and Randy Wright 63.

Karen Kneller showed why she is a top golfer for the Girls 15-Up age group. She shot an 85 to easily win her division. Erin Parkinson was next with a 93, followed Kristin Harrison 96 and Tessa Canzona 100. Jake Hermes shot even-par 72 to win the Boys 15-Up division. Jon VanSant came in second, 2 strokes back. Casey Stone carded a 75, Andrew Crowell 78, Tommy Parkinson 79, Michael Mericle 82, Ryan Mass 89, Brandon Hackett 92, and Kevin Murphy 94.

Looking ahead, the Southwest Auto-A.L. Coors Light Firecracker Golf Tournament will be held a week later than usual, July 8-9. It is usually held the first weekend of July to coincide with the Fourth of July. Two-man teams are needed for this $2000-added event.

The Senior Championship will be held July 15-16. The National Long Drive Championship is set July 17 at Conquistador. Elsewhere, the Pinon Hills Classic (Farmington) is set for July 29-30.

August is a busy month at the local golf course. Oilmen from throughout the area will be participating in the Ute Mountain Oil Classic Aug. 5. The Cortez Ladies Pro-Am will be held Aug. 7. The Mesa Verde Tee Cup and Pinto Bean close the month. In Farmington, the Totah Festival Tournament is slated Aug. 11 at Pinon Hills.