College golfers challenge course

College golfers challenge course

Sept. 28, 2000

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

It isn’t often when collegiate teams compete in Cortez. In fact, it is a very rare occurrance. And it is even more of a rare time when college teams compete for a championship. But that’s exactly what happened at Conquistador Golf Course Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 26-27.

The Fall Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Golf Championships were played at the local municipal golf course. RMAC officials asked if they could have a change in venue and play here. It was a nice compliment to head pro Micah Rudosky and his clubhouse staff and the City of Cortez for maintenance of the course. Most of the players were very complimentary about the course.

RMAC golfers compete at Conquistador

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE held its Fall Golf Championships at Conquistador Golf Course Monday and Tuesday. It’s not often college athletes come to Cortez to compete in a championship tournament. The golf course was in beautiful shape and the golfers were pleased with the chance to play here.

Competing for the men were Air Force Academy JVs, University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, University of Northern Colorado, Regis University, Fort Hays State, Adams State, Colorado Christian, Colorado School of Mines, University of Nebraska-Kearney, Mesa State College, University of Southern Colorado, and host Fort Lewis College.

UNC took home the team title with a 54-hole total of 870. Adams State finished second at 882, Colorado-Colorado Springs 888, Nebraska-Kearney 910, Fort Lewis College 913, Fort Hays State 914, Southern Colorado 923, Mines 924, Colorado Christian 934, Air Force 945, and Regis 953.

Competing for the women were University of Northern Colorado, Mesa State College, and Chadron State. UNC won with a 36-hole total of 653, Mesa State 661, and Chadron State 686.

The men played 36 holes on Monday and 18 on Tuesday. The women played 18 holes both days. The men played the blue tees (3,453 yards) and the women played the red tees (2,899).

For the men, the best round of the tourney was turned in by Kai Koponen of UNC who shot a blistering 6-under-par 66 the second round. He had a 1-over the first round. But he ballooned to a 77 for the final round for a 219 total. Eric Hogan of UNC was the medalist with rounds of 71-74-70-213. Nolan Martin of Colorado-Colorado Springs shot 73-74-66-213 but Hogan was declared the winner. Jared Jewett of Adams State shot consistently the first two rounds with scores of 71-72 but he shot a 79 his final round for a 222. Marty Jertson of Mines fired 75-74 the first two rounds but he came back with a 2-under 70 the final day for a 219 total.

The women were paced by medalist Cecicia Rubeling of UNC who shot 81-76-157. Rubeling’s second-day score of 76 was the low of the tourney. Stephanie Silva of Mesa State College fired 81-80-161. Jaclyn Chalfant of UNC and Kelly Thiele of Mesa State shot respective scores of 81-82-163 and 83-80-163.

The weather also cooperated. It is cool but sunny on Monday and warm on Tuesday. All in all, it was a good tournament.