Steamboat Pilot & Today

The opportunity to play on two of the more beautiful golf courses in Colorado and the chance to benefit the Rotary Club, Yampa Valley Medical Center and area students drew 200 golfers to the Ski Town USA Golf Classic this weekend.

The two-day tournament began under blue skies at the Sheraton and Catamount golf courses Friday with 18 holes in a four-person, best-ball format.

The tournament wraps up today when the golfers swap courses to complete 36 holes. The top individual will be determined at the conclusion of the final round.

Coming out of the first day, the team of Rulon Stacey, Rick Muller, Colette Thompson and Greg Martin were in the lead after firing a 117 at Catamount Ranch and Club.

Karl Gills, Rod Hanna, Noel Sankey and Richard Hoerl shot the best score at Sheraton with a 118.

Cam Boyd, Bill Bensler, Charlie Kurtz and Zach McGuire finished with the same 118 at Catamount.

Several other teams are between the 120 and 125 marks heading into the second day.

In addition to the golf tournament, an auction is also part of the two-day classic.

Last year, the golf tournament and auction generated $200,000 in donations given to Yampa Valley Medical Center, the Rotary Club and area high school students through the Doak Walker Memorial Endowment Fund.

The tournament has generated support from title sponsors including such well-known names as Pepsi, Coors and Invesco.

Invesco donated many of the items in Friday's auction.

-- To reach Melinda Mawdsley call 871-4208 or e-mail mmawdsley@steamboatpilot.com.