Jefferson John, playing in only his second Pinto Bean Golf Classic, bliztered Conquistador Golf Course on Saturday, Aug. 19, to a 5-under-par 67 but "survived" on Sunday, Aug. 20, to win the annual 36-hole, stroke-play tournament.

"I never did hit my driver well the whole tournament," John said after the tournament. "I was always out in the rough, both days. Even on Saturday, I never really got a driver in play. Every time I found my ball, I had a direct shot to the green. But I really didn’t play well today (Sunday). I was spraying my driver everywhere."

John may have been problems with his driver, he certainly wasn’t having any problems getting up and down and putting.

"I have always been a good chipper. When I took up this game eight years ago I started hitting my wedge and 9-iron on the driving range and then worked my way up to longer and longer irons. I finally started hitting woods and lastly my driver. I have always been a good putter and I have a good feel around the green. I can read a green well," he remarked.

He gets plenty of opportunity to work on his game. John is employed by the City of Farmington and works at Pinon Hills Golf Course. He plays practically every day.

John, 30, from Farmington continues the streak of American Indians winning the tournament in consecutive years. Bobby Frazier of Crownpoint, N.M., practically owned the event a few years back by winning four straight times. Shreve Tso of Page, Ariz., won last year.

He did not score as well on Sunday. He shot 1-over-par 73. John finished with a two-day total of 140 gross, finishing four strokes ahead of Tso and five shots ahead of Merl Hendricks of Flagstaff, Ariz. Tso shot 2-under 70 Saturday but and came back with a 74 Sunday to finish at 144. Hendricks shot 71 Saturday and 74 Sunday for 145.

Frazier, who had recently qualified for the U.S. Amateur, was hoping to use the Pinto Bean as a good send off to that event. However, he never really did get his game together and shot 76-81-158.

Taking low net in the U.S. No. 1 (Championship Flight) was Rick Day who had rounds of 69-68-137. Joe Keesee came in second, two shots back at 70-69-139. John Gross and Randy Hisey tied with 69-71-140 and 71-69-140, respectively. Bob Harrah fired 69-72-141, Scott Pierce 70-71-141, Terry Steward 73-68-141, and Paul Schlafly 68-73-141.

Rick Keck captured low net honors in the U.S. No. 2 (First Flight) with 73-63-138. Jim Guest came in second, one stroke back at 66-73-139. Jim Bowers fired 72-68-140, Leroy Flynn 73-67-140, and Lewis Thomas 69-71-140. Robert Yarbrough shot 72-69-141 and Doug Steele 72-69-141.

In the U.S. No. 3 (Second Flight), Gary Unrein was the winner with rounds of 68-71-139, Doug Vandeventer and Matt Dunham tied for second, both shooting 68-72-140. Ken Gilbreth and Gordon Gorman both shot 72-70-142 and Ralph Hey carded 68-74-142. Three men were next at 143. Lee Crutcher finishing up at 68-75, Gary Garner 69-74, and Bill Stroud 72-71.

Kirby Sanchez easily captured the Off Grades (Third Flight) with 69-60-129. Mark Sword and Howard Kettle tied for second at 67-67-134 and 64-70-134, respectively. Sterling Proffitt shot 68-69-137. Jim Goode had 71-67-138 and Bob Stall carded 69-69-138. Alan Davenport, Bob McDaniel and James Ward all shot identical scores of 67-73-140. Sanchez, incidentally, made a hole-in-one on no. 16. As luck would have it, that wasn’t the hole for the car.

Arlo Robb won in the Samples (Fourth Flight) with a 63-65-128. Vernon Knuckles checked in at 67-62-129. Paul Trujillo shot 63-68-131 and Skip Curley 66-65-131. Burt Cabanas and Bill Bedker both finished with identical scores of 67-65-132. Larry Crawford carded 64-69-133.

The weather cooperated for the tournament. The heat relented some on Sunday and was played under nearly perfect conditions.

Jack Tanner, tournament director, reported 252 golfers played this year.

September, which used to not be a busy month, will be this year. The Dean Hanson Memorial 2000 is set the 9th. The format is a 5-person scramble with two shotgun starts (8 a.m. and 1 p.m.). Each team must have one lady member. Each team can have one "A" player (0-13 handicap) or two "B" players (14-17) with no "A" player. The entry fee is $45 plus green fees and cart. A dinner will be held for all contestants following the tournament. Additional meal tickets are $12. Local realtors and affiliates are sponsoring the annual event which is used to fund a scholarship. For more information, phone head pro Micah Rudosky at 565-9208, Carol Click at 565-2000 or Bob Whitcomb at 564-5146. Entry forms are available at most real estate offices or at Conquistador Golf Course Pro Shop.

Nielsen’s Invitational is slated 16th. Cortez Elks will play 23-24th and Jobs Daughters 30th. The Cortez ladies will be heading to Fairfield-Pagosa for the Ladies Pro-Am there the 11th.