CHEYENNE — Patrick Stolpe closed with a 6-under-par 64 on Sunday to capture the Wyoming Open at Airport Golf Course, finishing the 54-hole event at 14-under 196 and taking home the $10,000 winner’s check.
Steady play pays off
The Scottsdale, Arizona, resident has been a regular contender at the Wyoming State Open in recent years but until Sunday had not claimed the title. Stolpe came into the final round in the last group and produced a low round that separated him from the field by two strokes.
“It means a lot to win this tournament,” Stolpe said. “I haven’t won a real state open or anything in quite a few years, so this is really special to me. I don’t play most of the winter, so I try to get my game ready in the summer. I really enjoy coming here. There are a lot of good people, I like this course, and I feel comfortable here. It’s a lot of fun.”
Stolpe, who works as a caddy when not competing, described his approach as patient and selective, especially with gusty winds affecting play. “I was solid and stayed patient all day,” he said, noting the importance of picking spots on the greens where he could be aggressive and avoiding difficult up-and-downs.
How the round unfolded
Stolpe opened his back nine with consecutive birdies on Nos. 10 and 11, added birdies on 15 and 18, and carried momentum into the front nine with a birdie on No. 1. His only blemish came with a bogey on No. 5, which he immediately answered by birdieing the next two holes.
- Final round: 6-under 64
- Tournament total: 14-under 196
- Winner’s check: $10,000
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Final round score | 64 (-6) |
| 54-hole total | 196 (-14) |
| Margin of victory | 2 strokes |
Local context and significance
The Wyoming Open is one of the state's marquee regional golf events, drawing amateurs and professionals from around the region. Stolpe’s victory is notable both for his persistence in returning to the tournament year after year and for the result itself: a commanding final round that overcame a crowded leaderboard. For Cheyenne and Airport Golf Course, the event brings regional attention and reinforces the city’s role as a host for competitive golf in Wyoming.
Stolpe said familiarity with the course — he’s been playing the event for seven or eight years — helped him navigate the course’s challenges. “This isn’t the hardest course, but you can get in trouble, for sure,” he said. His strategy of picking moments to be aggressive on the greens and staying patient with conditions proved decisive.
The championship offers local players a chance to test their games against out-of-state competitors, and Stolpe’s win underscores how steady play and course knowledge can determine outcomes in a 54-hole format.
