Windsor, Colo. – The National Car Rental Colorado Assistant PGA Professional Championship concluded this afternoon [August 17, 2021] with an exciting final round at Highland Meadows Golf Course. Ben Lanting, PGA Assistant Golf Professional at Bear Creek Golf Club, claimed his third Colorado Assistant PGA Professional Championship title! Lanting started the final round trailing leader Andrew Connell, PGA Assistant Golf Professional at The Ridge at Castle Pines North, by four strokes and two behind Mike Weingartner, PGA Assistant Golf Professional at Walnut Creek Golf Preserve, which led to a strong battle to claim victory.

Knowing he had to play well with strokes to gain, Lanting was able to keep a level head and a “keep doing what I’ve been doing” attitude. He shared, “I’m playing well enough to shoot a low number today. The putts weren’t going in yesterday so I needed to stay patient and read the greens well and in-depth.” Lanting played a “zoned in, free-flowing” final round en route to hoisting his third trophy. Despite the overall performance, Lanting carded a bogey on hole one. “I chunked the second shot into the water and had to make a 15 footer for bogey which felt like a birdie.” Ironically, when Lanting won his second Championship at Walnut Creek Golf Preserve in 2019, he double-bogeyed the first hole, stating, “It refocuses me.” This setback lit a fire in him for the final 17 holes; he bounced right back with a birdie on hole two and didn’t drop a shot the rest of the round. Birdies on 5, 7, and 9 closed out his front nine in style, turning at 6-under-par for the tournament. Four more birdies followed on the back nine leading to a 10-under-par total of 132.

Now three-time Champion, Lanting credits his caddie, Kirk Rider, PGA Head Professional at Bear Creek Golf Club, for helping him keep perspective on his game: “We have a special dynamic. He’s my mentor and one of my best friends.” Lanting caddied for Rider a few weeks ago in the Colorado Senior PGA Professional Championship, helping him qualify for the Senior PGA Professional Championship in Florida, commenting “I got you, now you gotta get me.” Lanting and Rider both expressed how excited they are to caddie for each other again in Florida! Along with Rider, Lanting thanked his new wife, Aimee, for her endless support. Lanting also shared, “Faith plays a really big role… God, family, friends put me into a mindset to play at my best.”

Day 1 Leader, Connell, never could get on a run throughout the day. One bogey and one birdie on the front nine lead to an even-par 36. He continued his up and down round on his final nine holes posting three birdies and two bogeys for a 36-hole total of 8-under-par 134.

Weingartner had a great run on Day 2, ultimately falling just short, finishing in a tie for second with Connell. Weingartner had the lead after a front nine 33 put him at 8-under for the championship, leading Lanting by 2. Weingartner birdied 11 and 12 to get to 10-under and keep his 2 shot lead, but bogeys on 13, 14, and 4 straight pars to finish landed him at 8-under-par for the 36-hole tournament.

With the conclusion of the tournament this afternoon, congratulations are in order to the following players who qualified for the 45th National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship, scheduled for November 11-14, 2021, at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

1. Ben Lanting, PGA | Bear Creek Golf Club | 68-64–132
T2. Andrew Connell | Ridge at Castle Pines North | 64-70–134
T2. Mike Weingartner, PGA | Walnut Creek Golf Preserve | 66-68–134
4. Ryan Wroblewski, PGA | Colorado Golf Club | 68-68–136

Filling the three alternate spots, in order of selection, are:

5. Brian Belz | Maroon Creek Club | 69-68–137
6. Geoff Keffer, PGA | Lakewood Country Club | 68-70–138
7. Jack Allen, PGA | Cherry Hills Country Club | 71-68–139

The Colorado Section and the 40 participants of the Colorado Assistant PGA Professional Championship would like to thank Mr. Chad Poirot, PGA Facilities Manager, and Mr. Griff Rainford, Golf Course Superintendent, at Highland Meadows Golf Course and their staff for providing excellent course conditions and welcoming us this week! The Section would also like to thank the presenting sponsor, National Car Rental, for their help in making this event successful.To see the full results of the 2021 Colorado Assistant PGA Professional Championship, click here.