Steamboat Pilot & Today

Rain, snow and unseasonably cold weather cut short the 2004 PGA Western Chapter Championships at the Catamount Ranch & Club's golf course Tuesday.

The championships brought 30 professional golfers to Steamboat Springs for a tournament, which was scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at Catamount. Golfers played through rain Monday but arrived Tuesday to find snow-covered fairways and greens.

Catamount spokesman Jim Miller said he had no choice but to cancel the final round of the 36-hole event.

Eric Bradley, of Red Sky Ranch in Wolcott, led the field with a 68 on the opening day.

Tad Holloway of the Rifle Creek Golf Club finished in second with 70. Tom Carricato of Dos Rios in Gunnison, Jim Miller of Catamount and Dave Alvarez of Maroon Creek in Aspen tied for third with rounds of 75 in the PGA Member Championship.

Alvarez's 75 also was good enough to earn the top spot in the senior championships division, Clem Cleveland of the City of Aspen Golf Club placed second with a 79 and Jim Cook of the Meeker took third with an 82.

Keith Humerick of the River Valley Ranch in Carbondale led the apprentice championship with a 71. Catamount's Luke Brosterhous and Tiara Rado's Robert O'Hara tied for second with rounds of 72.

Other local professionals in the tournament included Catamount's Shannon Hanley (81), and Tom Taylor (83). Haymakers Dave Keesee finished with an 85, and Tim Fuhrer shot an 89.

The golfers in the tournament were the top PGA professionals from Western Colorado. They are different from PGA touring professionals.

-- To reach John F. Russell call 871-4209

or e-mail jrussell@steamboatpilot.com