Young gun wins annual Licshke golf tournament

MEEKER I The difference in years between the youngest and oldest golfer in the Lischke Tournament was greater than the total number of golfers entered and it was the young guns who won in the end.
Of the 35 golfers who entered the tournament more than a dozen were not old enough to legally buy alcohol in the clubhouse and the best golfer just turned 18.
Kyler Smith, a 2013 graduate of Rifle High School, shot a two-over par on the first 18 and was one-stroke ahead of Meeker club champion J.C. Watt and Hunter Emerson, a recent graduate of Fruita Monument High School, after the first day of the two-day event. The leader after the first day was Roland Gauthier, a veteran golfer from Glenwood Springs, who shot an even par 68, matching him with the other leaders; Smith, Watt and Emerson on the second day.
Smith shined, taking three shots off for a one-under par 67 to finish with the best gross score (137) in the championship flight, five shots ahead of Watt, who as always, was consistent, shooting a 71 both days.
Emerson added seven shots and tied for the third best net score with another veteran golfer from Glenwood Springs, Mark Barlau. Gauthier did have a good day Sunday, adding 22 shots and finishing out of the money.
“They were good golfers,” Watt said of Smith and Emerson. “I felt bad for Roland, I’ve had days like that.
There was also a tie for the best net score in championship flight as Meeker’s Trey Morris, Jacob Smith and Jim Houg of Rifle all finished with a net score of 129.
Roger Gauthier won the second flight with a gross score of 158, Gauthier took the lead the first day and although he added eight shots Sunday, he beat Meeker’s Larin Crase by three strokes. Third place money was split three ways between Irv Griffin, Clint Chappel and Ted Relihan.
Randy Hall finished with the best net score (126) in the second flight, one shot ahead of Billy Stewart and three shots ahead of Mike Walker.
Griffin welcomed the younger competition saying, “I was proud of the young guys, it shows we have someone to replace us in the future and I’m glad they are taking an interest in golf.