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Steamboat Springs — There were at least two good reasons for 10-year-old Jake Lauinger to be playing golf Wednesday at the 13th annual Steamboat Golf Club Cowboy Shootout.

Jake, in town for July and half of August with his family from Houston, was playing golf on a pristine Colorado day much different than the heat of the chaotic Texas city. Jake also was back to defend his title after winning the 9-year-old, five-hole event last year.

"I'm pretty happy," said Jake, who won the 10- to 12-year-old division by shooting a 42, two shots better than local player Brandon Martin. "I didn't really putt well, but I hit a lot of good iron shots."

Jesse Pugh took third in the division, shooting a 63.

Jake said the setting of the Steamboat Golf Club - which he has played four times - is much different than the courses he plays in Houston. He said the greens were softer and faster and the trees that shadow the fairways and rolling streams make it one of his favorite courses.

While his putter was cold, Jake said his iron play kept him in contention.

"It's pretty important here," said Jake, who hit six greens in regulation. "With the water, you have to lay up on a lot of shots."

In other Cowboy Shootout action Wednesday, Kaelen Gunderson won the 16- to 18-year-old division, shooting a 75. Lauren Quirch finished second with a 79, while Ben VonThaden shot 81 to finish in third.

In the 14- to 15-year-old division, rising sophomore Alan Capistron carded a 78 to take the top spot. Skyler Martin shot 81, and Patrick Weston shot 89.

Peter Shearer shot 47 in the 12- and 13-year-old division to finish first.

Peter, whose home course is Cobble Creek in Montrose, said he had an up-and-down type of day, but was happy with his round.

"I thought it was a nice golf course," said Peter, who plays a lot during the summer on the Colorado Junior Golf Association circuit. "I really liked the speed of the greens."

Sam Samlowski finished second, and Erik Sobeck finished third. Samlowski took second after he won a scorecard playoff. Both players shot 55.

In the 9-and-under division, which played only five holes, Jacob Taulman finished first with a score of 27. Fischer Matthews shot a 31, and Channing Conner shot 35.

The tournament had more than 40 players and awarded prizes to the top three players in each division.

- To reach Luke Graham, call 871-4229

or e-mail lgraham@steamboatpilot.com