“Good weather, a good time, good people and a good result,” J.C. Watt said after the annual Rio Blanco County Cup was played on the Meeker Golf Course this year. For Meeker, it means the bragging rights for the next year, and the “Cup” will return to Meeker’s clubhouse.
The “Cup” had been displayed in the Cedar Ridges Golf Course clubhouse for the past year, and, this year, more than 50 Rio Blanco County golfers competed in the two-day event, which uses a match-style format to determine a champion.
Three years ago, Meeker won the “Cup” on Rangely’s course and after the most recent match play, Meeker has displayed the “Cup” in its clubhouse seven times and Rangely has had bragging rights five times.
On Saturday, players were paired and matched up, using a scramble format on the first nine holes and the back nine were played in a best-ball format.
Meeker took an early three-point lead after the first nine and kept the same margin after the second nine as the two clubs each won seven matches during the best ball play.
“It’s always fun and good camaraderie, but it’s tough to beat them here on their course,” Rangely team captain Robby Elam said.
Part of the fun and camaraderie included Rangely golfers camping at the course and Meeker golfers providing the food.
“We would like to thank Pat Walsh for cooking a pig and the Meeker Ladies’ Club for making the sides,” Elam said of the barbecue following the first day of play.
Meeker served as good hosts but they were all about winning and bringing the “Cup” back to Meeker, which is exactly what they did after 28 matches were played Sunday.
Meeker won 18 of those matches and tied one, to win the “Cup” back by 12 points.
“We had a year to think about the thumping they gave us last year,” Meeker Men’s Club President Larin Crase said while holding the “Cup.” “So we had to give out a thumping of our own this year.”
