Doug Rohrbaugh was content going about his business of golf with ties along the Roaring Fork Valley, stretching from Aspen to Glenwood Springs.
He spent nearly 25 years as teaching pro and director of junior golf in Aspen and director of golf at Ironbridge Golf Club in Glenwood Springs.
But things changed when he was successful as a 52-year-old rookie playing in a Champions Tour event. He finished tied for 15th place, good for $28,800, in the April 17-19 Greater Gwinnett Championship in Duluth, Ga., a regular stop on the senior tour.
“I’m happy and excited about my first official event on the tour,” Rohrbaugh said last week. He qualified to play at the Gwinnett by finishing first in the Monday qualifying round that week. He is awaiting word on his future playing schedule but thinks he will be in the Senior PGA Championship, to be played May 21-24 in French Lick, Ind.
In the meantime, Rohr baugh is savoring his moment.
“You find out that there are more people out there supporting you than you thought,” Rohrbaugh said. “It’s gratifying to find out how many people in this state are pulling for you. It has been overwhelming.”
Rohrbaugh found the Champions Tour regulars were supportive too, knowing he was a rookie.
Rohrbaugh has a long history in golf, dating to his junior year in high school in Portland, Ore.
“My passion in high school was football,” Rohr- baugh said. “I played golf only the one year. I was going to a junior college, but the school dropped football. I wasn’t that serious about golf until I got to Idaho State.
“I became a decent player and knew golf would be in my future.”
After college, Rohrbaugh became an assistant at the PGA West headquarters. He twice tried to qualify for the PGA Tour but didn’t get past the first stage either time.
After turning down an initial invitation to come west and move to Colorado’s Western Slope, Rohr baugh accepted a position in Aspen in 1991.
Over the years, he became well known in Colorado golf circles, winning 15 PGA of America events, including the Colorado PGA championship the last two years.
“When I was 48 years old, I made it a goal to make the Champions Tour,” Rohrbaugh said. “I played in my first official event when I was 52 years old. I’m enjoying it.”
Regardless of where his golf might lead, Rohrbaugh is at home in the Roaring Fork Valley. He and his wife, Karla, call it home. Their sons are both in college — Brandon at Colorado and Tristen at Boise State.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296, imoss@denverpost.com or twitter.com/irvmoss
