Humerickhouse’s Strong Finish Nails 2nd Straight CGA Mid-Am Title…

Colorado Avid Golfer

WOLCOTT — Keith Humerickhouse of Gypsum Creek Golf Course birdied the final hole Sunday to win his second consecutive Colorado Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship.

The left-hander hit a 422-yard drive on the 18th hole at the Norman Course at Red Sky Golf Club — aided some by a run down the cart path — then put his 9-iron second shot 20 feet from the cup on the 590-yard par-5. A two-putt birdie from there gave him a one-stroke victory over Harry Johnson of Eagle Ranch Golf Course, who was trying to win the event just shy of his 62nd birthday.

Humerickhouse, 35, became the fourth player to capture the CGA Mid-Amateur title more than once, joining seven-time champion Rick DeWitt and two-time winners Steve Irwin and Rick Garber. The Mid-Amateur is limited to golfers 25 and older.

Humerickhouse, a former playing professional, led after each of the three rounds — two at the Norman Course and one at the Fazio — and his even-par 72 Sunday left him at 2-over-par 218. It was his second CGA championship of 2011 — he also won the Western Chapter title — and third overall.

Johnson, a resident of nearby Vail, held a one-stroke advantage in the middle of the back nine Sunday, but a 5-foot putt horseshoed out of the cup on No. 17, leaving him with a bogey. He rebounded with a 25-foot birdie on No. 18 to shoot a 3-under-par 69 and keep the pressure on Humerickhouse. But the left-hander finished strong, making two birdies on the final four holes and getting up and down for par on No. 17.

Including Humerickhouse, four former CGA Mid-Amateur champions finished in the top five on Sunday.  Bill Fowler (the 1989 winner) placed third at 221, while Michael Harrington (2009) and Jon Lindstrom (2008) shared fourth at 222.

CGA Mid-Amateur Championship
At Red Sky GC-Norman and Fazio Courses in Wolcott (Par-72)

Keith Humerickhouse, Gypsum Creek GC, 70-76-72–218
Harry Johnson, Eagle Ranch GC, 73-77-69–219
Bill Fowler, Bear Creek GC, 77-73-71–221
Michael Harrington, Garden of the Gods , 81-72-69–222
Jon Lindstrom, Heritage at Westmoor, 74-73-75–222
Michael Love, The Club at Pradera, 77-70-76–223
Danny Hahn, CommonGround GC, 82-72-70–224
Alex Buecking, Columbine CC, 72-76-77–225
Steve Irwin, Lakewood CC, 74-73-78–225
Richard Kelly, Fox Hollow GC, 74-78-75–227
Danny Riskam, Columbine CC, 76-74-78–228
Andy Moore, The Olde Course at Loveland, 78-75-76–229
Robin Bradbury, Legacy Ridge GC, 76-79-74–229
Butch Boucher, Haymaker GC, 74-75-81–230
Dean Clapp, Meadow Hills GC, 78-74-79–231
Charles Santaularia, Willis Case GC, 81-72-79–232
Andy Dannewitz, Meadow Hills GC, 76-80-76–232
Richard Bradsby, Lakewood CC, 85-73-75–233
Pete Mangold, Cherry Creek CC, 78-82-74–234
Lamar Carlile, City Park GC, 79-74-82–235
David Harris, Eagle-Vail GC, 76-80-79–235
Steven Coyer, Eagle Springs GC, 79-77-80–236
Louie Lee, The CC at Castle Pines, 82-79-75–236
David Delich, Broadmoor GC, 80-78-79–237
Martin Prazak, CommonGround GC, 78-77-82–237
Ken Cosper, Ptarmigan CC, 77-80-81–238
Mitch Perry, CC of the Rockies, 79-78-81–238
Tom Sweetman, Omni Interlocken Resort, 82-72-84–238
Mark Zbrzeznj, Eagle-Vail GC, 84-76-79–239
Gary Albrecht, CommonGround GC, 80-74-85–239
Tim Kratz, Murphy Creek GC, 77-80-85–242
Shane Unfred, Mariana Butte GC, 82-76-84–242
James Kurtenbach, South Suburban GC, 85-75-83–243
Neil Metz, Flatirons GC, 79-80-84–243
Barry Erwin, CommonGround GC, 83-74-86–243
Jeff Slupe, Pelican Lakes G&CC, 79-82-82–243
Tony Giarratano, CommonGround GC, 82-79-85–246
Chad Bell, Riverdale GC, 77-84-86–247
Rod Walters, Indian Tree GC, 78-81-95–254
Fred Emich, Castle Pines GC, 83-76-WD
Ryne Scholl, Breckenridge GC, 78-77-WD