SNOWMASS VILLAGE, CO., SEP. 20, 2004 - For Bakersfield, CA golf pro Ric Moore, his third trip to the U.X. Open Championship was a charm. After finishing third in 2002 and as the runner-up last year to his former high school and college golf teammate Ed Galvan, Moore reached the top of the mountain in 2004. He defeated Galvan in a sudden death chip-off, at the 2004 U.X. Open Championship on Sept. 19 at Snowmass Mountain in Aspen to earn the right to wear the U.X. Open red velvet jacket as the 2004 U.X. Open Champion.

Moore earned his trip to the finals by shooting an even par 38 to win the West Qualifier on Saturday on longest course in U.X. Open history, with an average length of 550 yards per hole, and a 1,220 yard finishing hole. The U.X. Open Championship was played the following day with a unique survivor-style format with the player making the highest score eliminated after each hole.

As the field dwindled and Mike Allen of Fort Collins, CO. was eliminated, the U.X. Open would come down to another Moore-Galvan showdown. This year, the drama was even more extreme as the two players tied on the final hole to set-up the third chip off in U.X. Open history. Moore went first, and from 155 yards away put the ball within 8-feet of the stick. Galvan, known more for his booming drives than his short game came within 11-feet of the flag.



Although the Snowmass Mountain may have been one of the more extreme locations for a Moore-Galvan showdown, it was by no means the first time they have shared a round of golf. Galvan and Moore were teammates at Alhambra High School (1978) and on the (1981) East Los Angeles Junior College State Championship team. Since then, they have played against each other in hundreds of professional tourneys. Last year, Galvan defeated Moore on the final hole to earn the 2003 U.X. Open title.

"This win was a long time coming," said Moore. "Ed and I have had some great battles in the past and losing to him on the final hole last year was the final motivation I needed to give the U.X. Open one more try. "Now that I am defending champion I look forward to coming back for a record fourth time and defending my title."

Here are the top four finishers in the 2004 U.X. Open. 1. Ric Moore (Bakersfield, CA); 2. Ed Galvan (Burbank, CA); 3. Mike Allen (Ft. Collins, CO.); 4. Jeff Nackel (Wells, VT).

U.X. Open golf leaves the manicured fairways, dress codes, rules and costs at the country club and offers an extreme challenge … up, down, and across a 10-hole mountain course, with 10 rules catering to the rocky terrain. Instead of putting, participants pitch the ball onto a painted 20-30 foot circle; a four-club limit; less severe penalties for lost balls and unplayable lies; and no dress code … although hiking boots are strongly recommended and ski lifts are the preferred mode of transport.

This year, the U.X. Open included qualifying events on: Aug. 7 at Bromley Mountain (Manchester, VT); and Sep. 18 - Snowmass Mountain (Aspen, CO). Past champions include: 1999 Kevin Cahill of Berwyn, PA; 2000; Jim Ryan of Rochester, NY; 2001 & 2002; Peter "Mongo" Schory of Chewelah, WA; 2003 Ed Galvan of Burbank, CA.

The U.X. Open is owned and operated by UXGA Tour Properties, LLC. Fairfield, CT and sponsored by; Nike golf, Bolle, Bushnell, Hot Shots Golf Fore! For Playstation® 2 and The SilverTree Hotel in Aspen. For more information, visit www.UXOpen.com.