Craig Daily Press

Photo by Hans Hallgren

Vic Rose tees off on the seventh hole Sunday during the Craig Centennial golf tournament at Yampa Valley Golf Course. Rose and his three teammates carded a 70 during the four-person scramble event.

Brett “Spiderman” Sperl clutched the microphone outside Yampa Valley Golf Course while drawing names from a hat, as golfer after golfer strolled up to receive one of the numerous door prizes being given away during Craig’s Centennial golf tournament.

He cracked jokes about those receiving gifts, the rounds played on Craig’s links and even made fun of himself.

Sperl wasn’t alone in his quest for a good time Sunday — many of the more than 120 golfers present rode shotgun to his humor, enjoying Craig’s 100th birthday on their favorite playground.

Some in attendance were there for golf, but many said it was being part of the celebration that brought them to the links.

“It’s cool when you realize that we (Craig residents) are still here after 100 years,” said Rick Holford, who shares his birthday with the town. “I’ve been here since ’72. A lot of other towns that were in the area then aren’t here now. It (the centennial) really makes you proud to be part of it.”

The tourney wasn’t your typical golf event.

Sure, the first-place finishers won cash prizes, but so did the four-person team that finished last in the scramble format event.

As well as just about every golfer in between.

Craig Mayor Don Jones was in the four-person group that was in the running for the last-place prize.

“We are doing well,” he said. “We are in last.”

But, Jones wasn’t worried about his team’s round; he was there for the celebration.

“This tournament signals the winding down of the 100 years” celebration, Jones said. “We had a great turnout. Everyone involved had a great time, and you couldn’t have asked for a better day.”

Nick Bomba, whose team won first in low gross after a three-team playoff, said the history of the town took precedence over golf, even if it was just for a day.

“I grew up here,” the Craig resident said. “It’s pretty cool that we’ve made it 100 years. It’s not too often that you get to be a part of something like this, and no one here will ever experience it again.”

Lifetime resident Jim Loughran, who graduated from Moffat County High School in 1968, relaxed with his three buddies on the YVGC deck.

“I’m out here because of my friends and the centennial,” he said. “To be able to witness the growth of a community and how we’ve withstood the boom’s and busts, makes you proud of where we are now.”

As the event dwindled down and “Spiderman” had left the microphone, Sean Smith stood leaning over the balcony, peering out across the course.

The 18-year-old Smith only has been in Craig six years, but he has come to appreciate the event more than many residents of his age and experience.

“You can only be part of a centennial celebration once in your life,” he said, “and it’s something you’ll always remember.”

John Vandelinder can be reached at 875-1793 or jvandelinder@craigdailypress.com.