Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Eighty-four of the state's best Amateur golfers teed off at the Haymaker Golf Course Friday as part of the Colorado Golf Association's Mid-Amateur Golf Championships.
The statewide tournament will continue this weekend at the Steamboat golf course.
"This is a really big deal," Haymaker Professional Hank Franks said. "This is a marquee event in Colorado, and it is a real privilege to get chosen to host the event."
Play started on Friday with a field of 84 golfers, including four local residents taking aim at a title. The tournament will continue on Saturday and Sunday. Sunday's round will be cut to the top-40 golfers.
Steamboat will be represented by David Klein and Butch Boucher, who both qualified as exemptions at the Steamboat City Championships earlier this year. Scott Berry and John Vanderbloemen were also invited to play after making the cut at a qualifying tournament at the Cotton Ranch in Rifle.
The players in the tournament are all over the age of 25 and have made the cut at one of five qualifying tournaments held across the state this summer.
"The golfers had to be in the top 84 golfers to get to play her," Franks said. "We got two spots since we were hosting the tournament."
Boucher made most of his shot by shooting a 71 at the course and tying a course record. The record he matched, however, did not stand for long. Rick Dewitt of Denver topped the mark by shooting the lowest score on Friday a new course record of 67.
"It was a great day for golf," Franks said. "I'm expecting some more solid rounds before this one is done."
This is the first time the Haymaker, or any golf course in Steamboat, has hosted this caliber of tournament.

To reach John F. Russell call 81-4209 or e-mail jrussell@amigo.net