Morrises win couples tourney

MEEKER — “Some call it the ‘divorce format,’” Meeker Golf Course manager Darrin Rohn said of the Chapman format used for the annual couples tournament held last weekend. The two-day event drew 24 couples, most from out of town, split into two flights, 13 in the first and 11 in the second.
“It’s a tough format but everyone seemed to have fun,” Rohn said. Each golfer tees-off and the couples then hit their partner’s ball for the second shot, after which, one ball is chosen to be played, alternating shots until out.
“Our marriage survived,” Tonya Morris said. Morris and her husband Todd added to a two-stroke lead after the first day of play to win the second flight. The Morrises finished with an 83 after Saturday’s 18-holes, then dropped a stroke Sunday, shooting an 82 to win with a gross score of 165. Former Meekerites Larry and Sherrad Shults, who now live in Grand Junction, also played better Sunday by shooting an 83, four shots better than Saturday, yet five strokes behind the winners.
Meeker’s George Back and Dixie Massey tied with Vinny DeBerrdictis and Sandy Council tied for the best net score. DeBerrdictis and Council were part of an eight-couple group from the Denver area, along with one couple from Rock Springs, Wyo. After taking out their handicaps, both teams finished with a net score of 121.
Meeker graduate Jason Back and his wife Amanda blew away the competition in the first flight. The Backs, who live in Craig, shot an even par 68 Saturday and finished the tournament three-over-par Sunday to win with a gross score of 139.
Dan and Linda Fritz finished second, 16 shots behind the champions.
Jim Roy and Dorleen Byers of Glenwood Springs finished first with a net score of 122. Meeker’s Deb and Kirk Henderson finished second with a net score of 127.