Five Coloradans — out of 10 in the original 264-person field — made the first cut at the 29th national Senior PGA Professional Championship at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Ariz., including 64-year-old Rick Cole, the PGA head professional at Eaton Country Club.
Cole (pictured), who lost in a playoff and finished second earlier this month at the Colorado PGA Professional Championship, shot a 2-under-par 70 on Friday, giving him a 1-under 143 total at the tournament’s halfway point. He made three birdies and a bogey in round 2 and played his final 15 holes in 3 under par.
Tied with Cole in 17th place is Chris Johnson of Castle Rock, who carded a 74 on Friday. Johnson made three birdies on the day, offset by three bogeys and a double bogey.
Also among those making the 36-hole cut to the low 90 players and ties was former PGA Tour Champions player Doug Rohrbaugh of Carbondale, a three-time Colorado PGA Professional Champion who shot 73 on Friday and stands at 145, good for a tie for 34th place.
Likewise advancing to Saturday’s play were Barry Milstead of Castle Rock (147, 55th place) and Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Bill Loeffler of Castle Rock, a past winner of this national championship (148, 69th place).
Defending champion Steve Schneiter of Utah leads the way at the halfway point with a 9-under 135 total.
The tournament will continue through Sunday. The field will be cut to the low 70 players and ties after 54 holes.
The top 35 finishers will earn spots in the 2018 Senior PGA Championship, set for May 24-27 in Benton Harbor, Mich.
Here are the scores for all the Coloradans competing:
17. Rick Cole of Eaton, Eaton CC 73-70–143
17. Chris Johnson of Castle Rock, Life Member 69-74–143
34. Doug Rohrbaugh of Carbondale, Ironbridge GC 72-73–145
55. Barry Milstead of Castle Rock, Valley CC 73-74–147
69. Bill Loeffler of Castle Rock, The Links GC 75-73–148
MISSED 36-HOLE CUT
Bill Hancock of Highlands Ranch, Littleton GC 75-76–151
Ron Vlosich of Lakewood, Life Member 74-78–152
Mike Zaremba of Pueblo West, Desert Hawk at Pueblo West 80-74–154
Mike Northern of Colorado Springs, Life Member 77-79–156
Don Hurter of Sedalia, Castle Pines GC DQ
