46th Cottonwood Classic celebrates another successful tournament

Noelle Leavitt Riley
Gross score (Reflects gross score available at time of press)
Championship Flight:
Keith Humerickhouse, 204
Joe Elliott, 223
Doug Chote, 229
Flight 1
Lowell Pearson, 231
Andy Meach, 236
Willy Barclay, 243
Flight 2
Rodney Branstetter, 240
Eric Pocius, 242
Scott Woog, 248
Flight 3
Earl Cherry, 245
Rick Nelson, 253
Deems Utzinger, 255
Flight 4
Matthew Wilkinson, 255
Mitchell Marosi, 259
Gary Anderson
Flight 5
Dan Moore, 259
Moe Ortega, 263
James Wilkinson, 263
Flight 6
Sammy Marquez, 263
Bill Stewart, 270
Hector Flores, 272
Flight 7
Phil Gallagher, 285
The 46th Cottonwood Classic rolled through the weekend with frustration, relaxation and determination from 130 golfers that participated in the tournament that boasted seven flights, a senior flight and a championship flight.
It’s the largest annual competition at Yampa Valley Golf Course, bringing together friends and competitors who often only see one another once a year at the event.
“I love it. I look forward to it every year,” said Rick Nelson, who played his seventh Cottonwood Classic this year.
The plush green course has cottonwood trees, lush wetlands and sage sprawling throughout. Temperatures were in the low 90s, making it sweltering, but cloud coverage and a light breeze kept things somewhat cooler.
Keith Humerickhouse took first gross in the championship flight with 204, Joe Elliot followed in second at 223 and Doug Choate was third with 229.
Competition and camaraderie were present throughout the weekend.
“It was great weather and I had a good time,” said Dwayne Powell, noting that his game was completely off Friday. “Made a pretty good comeback the second day though. It’s pressure, and then you relax, you get into your grove and you play your game.”
Powell scored 247, taking fourth in Flight 6, and he took second gross in the senior finish.
Each flight winner received $500 in pro-shop credit.
Noelle Leavitt Riley can be reached at 970-875-1790 or nriley@CraigDailyPress.com.

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