Rhett “The Threat” Colby, left, and Nick Planty hold the winning trophy after grabbing the annual Barfly Open Golf Tournament on Sept. 9 at the Lake Placid Club Mountain Course. (Provided photo — JFM Sports)

LAKE PLACID — On another beautiful, warm fall day in the Lake Placid Adirondack region, the two-man scramble team of Rhett “The Threat” Colby and Nick Planty shot 7 under par 63 on Tuesday, Sept. 9 to win the 47th renewal of the Barfly Open Golf Tournament on the Lake Placid Club’s Mountain Course.

A total of 128 men and women teed it up — the largest field in history — generating a record $12,200 for the Tri-Lakes Humane Society in Saranac Lake.

Colby and Planty captured a closely contested men’s division. The winners’ margin of victory was just one stroke over Chris Markwica and James VanValkenberg. Third place went to the duo of Dennis Gallagher and Tim Wolford at 5 under par 65.

The Colby-Planty team added more to their victory by taking the only skin of the day, worth $1,200 on the par five, 11th hole.

“I smoked a three-wood about 225 yards and dropped about an 18-foot eagle putt,” replayed Colby.

Women’s division champions were Susan Szuba and Liz Clark, who posted 80, with Cathy Wigger and Rachel Klits in second place.

Family teams headed the mixed competition, led by Kelly and Forrest Morgan, who shot 72 to win it. Lynn and Chip Brubaker were second at 73, followed by Tom and Lynn Meldrin at 74.

But the real winners on the day were the myriad of pets who live at the Tri-Lakes Humane Society, beneficiaries of the event. One of their residents, a 5-year-old husky named Loki, was on hand to cheer on the players while keeping an eye open for a potential new family.

“The level of support we get from the hospitality industry here never ceases to amaze us at the humane society,” said Lea Bedore, society board president. “The money raised goes directly to caring for our pets. We can’t really express the importance of what this tournament gives us, and the support we get from our sponsors, High Peaks Distributing, Rock Bottom Golf and the Devlin Inn and Suites brings us to another level.”

The Devlin provided all 128 players with 47th anniversary hats; raffle prizes were donated by High Peaks Distributing and Rock Bottom Golf.

One of those proud of this golf event was the late Dr. John Cogar, a longtime veterinarian who was a pioneer in pet care in the Tri-Lakes region. There was a testimonial in his memory and other Barfly participants who have passed. In addition, of note were the five players on Tuesday who also participated in the inaugural Barfly Open in 1978. Ed Yanchitis, Gary Ottavenia, Walter McClure, Bryan Morgan and David Nicola were in the field then and now. The first Barfly Open was a stroke play event.

Prizes were issued out and among them were Jerry Boettcher and Jamie Gunther, who grabbed the men’s and women’s long drive contests, respectively, on the seventh hole. Terry Aubin took closest to the pin honors with a shot five feet from the cup on the par-3, fourth hole.