Chris Johnson, a PGA Life Member from Castle Rock, shot a 3-under-par 69 and shares ninth place out of 264 competitors after Thursday’s opening round of the 29th national Senior PGA Professional Championship at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Johnson, one of 10 Colorado PGA professionals who started the event, made five birdies and two bogeys in round 1. The 50-year-old former Colorado PGA Professional Champion trails leader Mike Small, the men’s golf coach at the University of Illinois, by four strokes.
The next-best score among the Colorado contingent on Thursday was shot by three-time Colorado PGA Professional Champ Doug Rohrbaugh of Carbondale, who posted a 72 and is tied for 37th place. He made three birdies and three bogeys on the day.
The tournament will continue through Sunday. The field will be cut to the low 90 players and ties after Friday’s second round, and 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:
9. Chris Johnson of Castle Rock, Life Member 69
37. Doug Rohrbaugh of Carbondale, Ironbridge GC 72
56. Rick Cole of Eaton, Eaton CC 73
56. Barry Milstead of Castle Rock, Valley CC 73
76. Ron Vlosich of Lakewood, Life Member 74
104. Bill Hancock of Highlands Ranch, Littleton GC 75
104. Bill Loeffler of Castle Rock, The Links GC 75
146. Mike Northern of Colorado Springs, Life Member 77
204. Mike Zaremba of Pueblo West, Desert Hawk at Pueblo West 80
Don Hurter of Sedalia, Castle Pines GC DQ
