First Champion

John Souza, a junior on the University of Colorado golf team, won the inaugural Gobbler Amateur by one stroke on Wednesday in Tucson, Ariz.

The Phoenix resident shot a 1-over-par 72 in the final round to post a 1-over 214 total at Sewailo Golf Club. That was one better than runner-up Travis McInroe, a freshman at Baylor who closed with a 68.

Souza, the 2015 winner of the national junior college Division II Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award, carded rounds of 75-67-72. He made four birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey in the final round.

“I am just happy because I haven’t been in contention in a little while and to be able to pull it out, even though I stumbled (coming) in, is huge for me going forward,” Souza said. “Knowing I had the lead coming in and coming out victorious is a big confidence booster.”

A total of 42 players, including numerous Coloradans, competed in the first Gobbler Amateur. CU men’s head coach Roy Edwards is the chairman of the tournament.

For the Gobbler Amateur scores, CLICK HERE.