The third annual Rob Yates Memorial Cowboy Golf Tournament went off without a hitch on Friday at Conquistador Golf Course.
A.J. Keesee, Keiran Keesee, Bo Wagoner and John Gross were the big winners, finishing in first place with a 55.
And then the team of Geno Thompson, Boss Wright, Steve McGill and Randy Wright tied with Steve Broetsky, Garry Miller, Adam Schrum and Dean Cunningham for second with a 59.
The first tournament in 2014 was held on a Thursday, but for the past two years, it’s been moved to Friday, which organizer Marti Spitzer said has helped the event grow.
This year, the tournament had 48 sponsors, a silent auction and donated prizes to dole out.
“It’s just such a big community effort,” said Spitzer. “It’s really amazing how many people embrace it and do what they can even if they’re not really golfers.”
Spitzer also noted that the memorial event serves as a way to remember the positive impact that Yates had on the community.
“He was instrumental in the Ute Mountain Oil Classic, he was a cowboy and he was our chairman of the rodeo,” she said.
And with increasing community support, Spitzer hopes the event will continue to flourish.
“The rodeo committee is just made up of all these people that are just so selfless,” said Spitzer. “We just want it to grow and be a good event and for it to get better every year.”