Frazier takes Pinto Bean Golf Classic for fifth time

Frazier takes Pinto Bean Golf Classic for fifth time

Aug. 21, 2001

BOBBY FRAZIER (right) receives an Indian painting clock late Sunday night, Aug. 18, after winning the 22nd annual Pinto Bean Golf Classic at Conquistador Golf Course. Frazier has now won the event five times. In this year’s final he came from way behind to end up in a four-way tie. He won on the second hole of sudden death. Jack Tanner, tourney director, makes the presentation.

By Jim Thomas
Journal Sports Editor

When he came to this year’s annual Pinto Bean Golf Classic, Bobby Frazier of course wanted to win it again but he really didn’t think he would actually accomplish that feat for a fifth time. And especially after he shot a 6-over-par 78 the opening round on Saturday, Aug. 17. But Frazier played much better, especially when he started sinking putts on Sunday, Aug. 18, for a 2-under 70. He couldn’t believe he heard his name being called over the public address system at Conquistador Golf Course because he was to become involved in a sudden-death playoff with three others.

Late Sunday evening Frazier now of Albuquerque, N.M.; Shreve Tso of Page, Ariz.; Merle Hendricks and Jefferson John, both of Farmington, all carded a two-day total of 6-over 148 for 36 holes. Frazier, Hendricks, John and Tso all tied off on hole no. 18 for the first hole of sudden death. Frazier, Tso and Hendicks all made par but Hendricks three-putted for a bogey and was eliminated from the title picture. The three remaining golfers went back to the tee of no. 18 again. All of them knocked the ball off the tee long and were in good shape. On a chip shot, Tso hit his ball over the green to the right side. John also hit his second shot to the short right of the green. Frazier made a nice chip shot to within 18 inches of the cup. John and Tso both made nice chips. John sank his next putt for par but Tso missed for a bogey. Frazier stepped up and drilled it home.

"After three tries, I finally drilled a putt. I putted poorly on Saturday. I missed a lot of knee-knockers but I putted much better today (Sunday)," Frazier said immediately following the tournament. "The greens were nice and firm. The course was in great shape.

"This win was something special. You just should never give up. I was out there and I couldn’t believe how I had worked myself back into contention. At first, I thought that I would just go out and have fun today. But I kept at it and started playing well, although I could have shot a little lower. And then I couldn’t believe they called me for a playoff. But I came through. I love this tournament and this was a good win."

John, who had won the tourney last year, shot a 3-under 69 the first day. But he ballooned to a 79 Sunday. Hendricks was steady with rounds of 74 and 74. Tso shot a 1-over 73 Saturday and had a 75 Sunday.

A.J. Keesee, a former Montezuma-Cortez High School standout golfer, was among the leaders the first day but he finished with a 152 gross total. However, he was the low net winner of the U.S. No. 1 (Championship Flight) with 66-72-138. Joe Riordon carded 73-66-139, Chuck Hagen 66-73-141, with Rodney Cunningham (73-70), Dean Cunningham (70-73), Robert O’Dell (69-74), Stuart Stroud (72-71), and Boss Wright (71-72) all tieing at net 143.

In the U.S. No. 2 (First Flight), Dave Mitchell took low net with a 65-67-132. Kelly McCabe was next at 73-64-137, and Joe Keesee 72-66-138. Jim Buffington fired 69-70-139 as did Paul Glaviano 71-68-139, Don Higman 72-67-139, and Pete Loyd 68-71-139.

The U.S. No. 3 (Second Flight) saw Keenan Ertel shoot 62-69-131 to win low net honors. Ralph Hey fired 69-64-133. Tom Rowell carded 71-65-136. Ken Torres checked in with 69-71-140 and John Billison also had 70-70-141. T.J. Blake was next at 74-68-142 while Dustin Ernst shot 75-68-143 and Mark Sword 70-73-143.

Newt Donaldson was the low net winner of the Off-Grades (Third Flight) at 69-63-132, Scott Twilley 68-66-134, Kyle High 64-73-136, Ken Wilson 68-72-140, Richard Borcherdt 74-67-141, Dale Flynn 71-70-141, Bert Cabanas 73-69-142, and Harry Sloan 71-71-142.

In the Samples (Fourth Flight), Andy Orris shot 64-65-129 while Lonnie Huff carded 69-67-136, Ed Bonds 70-68-138, Skip Corley 65-73-138, Bob Burdridge 71-68-139, Chuck Wilcox 68-72-140, and Ray Burgi 66-75-141.

Although Frazier took home a nice Indian painting clock for his effort, the really big winner was Starr Proffitt of Cortez who won a new pickup truck from Keesee Motor Co. Proffitt made a hole-in-one on no. 7 (the prize hole) using a 5-wood. He was playing with Dan Connors, Kyle High, and Joe Burns. But another ace also was recorded but on no. 16 and not 7. Francis "Spanky" Mike of Fort DeFiance, Utah, won $500 from Keesee.

A total of 248 golfers from all over Western United States (10 states were represented) competed in the annual event hosted by Jack and Rod Tanner and family of Midland Bean Co.

The date for the annual Dean Hanson Memorial Golf Tournament will be Sept. 8 at Conquistador. The format will be a five-person scramble with two shotgun starts: 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Each team must have at least one lady member and can only have one "A" player (0-13 handicap) or two "B" players (14-17) with no "A" player.

Entry fee is $45 plus green fees and cart. A dinner for all contestants will be held following the tournament. Additional meal tickets are available for $12 per person. Local Realtors, affiliate members of the Cortez Area Association of Realtors and businesses are sponsoring holes which will be used to the fund the scholarship. In addition, local businesses are providing door prizes and a vehicle from Southwest Auto Center will be up for grabs for a hole-in-one on no. 7.

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 the Pro Shop or from most real estate offices.

In other news, the annual Totah Festival Four-Man Scramble Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 17 at Pinon Hills Golf Course in Farmington. There will be a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Awards and door prizes will be handed out. The cost is $65 per play or $260 per team. The fee includes green fee, half-cart, continental breakfast, lunch and some range balls to hit. Registration has been extended to 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13. For details, phone (505) 327-9673 or 599-1174.

The dates for the 2001 36-hole Colorado Golf Association’s Medal Play Tournament will be Sept. 29-30 at Dalton Ranch Golf Club located in the Animas River Valley north of Durango.

Players respresenting Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona will play for some of the highest paying tournament stakes in the area. All players must have a current GHIN number and a USGA handicap. The tournament, sponsored by Touchstone Energy and the Durango Rotary Club, benefits the local chapter of the American Cancer Society and combines a Colorado Golf Association sanctioned event with social events and other fund-raising endeavors.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for several levels: tee box sponsor $200; birdie sponsor $500, eagle sponsor $1,000, and hole-in-one sponsore $1,500. For sponsorship packages and other information regarding the tournament, phone Fal Wood at 247-8774.