The Rocky Mountain Open is based in Colorado — specifically Grand Junction — but it had been since 2010 that the overall champion was a resident of the Centennial State.
Nick Mason (pictured) of Denver ended that streak on Sunday — with an exclamation point. And it didn’t stop with Mason claiming the title. The second- and third-place professional finishers — Jim Knous of Englewood and Nathaniel Goddard of Fort Collins, respectively — were also Coloradans.
Six years after Ben Portie of Westminster won the RMO, Mason prevailed by seven strokes in the 78th edtion of the tournament.
Mason, who has played in five PGA Tour events over the years — including the 2014 U.S. Open, shot 65-64-65 at the event held at both Tiara Rado Golf Course and the Golf Club at Redlands Mesa. That left him at 20-under-par 194 overall. He posted 20 birdies and one eagle (on the 13th hole Sunday), while making just two bogeys in 54 holes. The victory was worth $10,000.
Knous, who finished third last year in the RMO, moved up a spot this time, closing with a 68 for a 201 total.
Goddard, the 2016 CGA Match Play champion who just turned pro, checked in third at 203 after a final-round 67. Also at that figure was low-amateur Isaac Petersilie of Colorado Springs, the University of Denver-bound golfer who carded a 68 on Sunday. He prevailed by five over Taylor Montgomery in the amateur competiton.
Robin Bradbury of Superior, who just qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur, claimed the title in the senior amateur division. After he tied Scott Sullivan and Owen Ellis with a three-day total of 6-over-par 220, Bradbury prevailed in a playoff.
This year marked the first time that Redlands Mesa was part of the RMO’s championship rotation.
For scores from the RMO, CLICK HERE.
