Observations from the 54th Navajo Trail Open, which concluded Sunday at Hillcrest Golf Club:
Gavin Lyons would be among the favorites in the professional division if he ever left the amateur ranks. For the fifth consecutive year, the former Fort Lewis College standout topped the 36-player championship flight and was crowned the NTO’s top amateur player. His 36-hole 4-under 209 total was three shots better than runner-up Jakob Rudosky of Cortez, a member of the Missouri Western State golf team. That would have placed Lyons third in the pro division, which would have been worth $2,500. Gross and net titles in each amateur flight paid $750.
There’s got to be a way to speed up play in the NTO. During Sunday’s final round, the last group of the day finished in exactly six hours, and that was pretty much the normal pace for the weekend. Yes, the field is huge (more than 200 players), which definitely impacts pace of play, and you don’t want to cut the field and keep players who want to play from participating in a Durango tradition and the biggest golf to-do in southwestern Colorado. It truly is a major golf experience for golf-starved Durango and the area. I don’t necessarily have an answer, but I’ve got to believe that some players, especially those playing the NTO for the first time, may have been turned off by a six-hour round. But again, it’s such a huge deal here that maybe players are willing to put up with long rounds just to be a part of it.
Despite all those long rounds and all those players crowding the course for four days, Hillcrest held up exceptionally well over the weekend. Players, out-of-town pros in particular, lauded the conditions. And wait until next year. With renovation of tee areas and bunkers scheduled for later this summer and through the fall, the course should be better than ever come the 2016 NTO.
Durango’s Wilson top ‘slacker’
Durango native Mickey Wilson recently won the first Red Bull Baylines slacklining competition in San Francisco.
Each competitor was allowed three minutes to perform for the judges, with scoring based on difficulty of tricks, style variety and creativity.
Modern-day slacklining supposedly originated with rock climbers in the 1980s “and is a fast-growing sport that involves balancing on climber’s webbing, anchored between two points,” according to a press release from Red Bull Baylines.
Durango’s Wells adds partnership
Durango star mountain bike racer Todd Wells recently partnered with 360fly, Inc., and its 360fly single-lens camera, the company said.
Wells joins a growing 360fly roster that includes motocross star Chad Reed, freestyle BMX rider Terry Adams and pro surf champion Carissa Moore.
Durango Sports Club runs Saturday
The Durango Sports Club’s third annual 5K and 10K races are scheduled Saturday beginning at 8 a.m.
As the early registration period has passed, cost is $25 (5K) or $35 (10K) for DSC members, $30 or $40 for non-members and $10 or $15 for children younger than 12. For more, contact Katarina Marks at 903-5582 or katarinamarks14@gmail.com.
bpeterson@durangoherald.com
