GEORGE STARKS / SPECIAL TO THE PVT The leading golfers in the 12th annual Inferno Open Golf Tournament on the Fourth of July at the Lakeview Executive course were (from the left) Don Lutrell, Bob Hopkins, John Francis, Ane Gunder, Robert Kilpatrick, Desiree Fortin and Ed Kane. GEORGE STARKS / SPECIAL TO THE PVT Francis, Hopkins and Kilpatrick are at the first tee for the playoff in the Open Men's Division. Advertisement

Ane Gunder, Robert Kilpatrick and John Francis survived 110-degree heat, as well as 85 rivals to emerge as victors in the 12th Annual Inferno Open Golf Tournament to benefit the Pahrump Junior Golf Founders Club.

Gunder shot a round of 62 in the Womens Division, beating out 2006 champion Desiree Fortin by three strokes on the par 60, 3,600-yard Lakeview Executive course on the Fourth of July.

Gunder finished second a year ago behind Fortin, who helped lead the Pahrump Valley High School girls golf team to back-to-back Nevada Class 3-A state championships and is headed to the University of Nevada at Reno in the fall.

Now, for Gunder, the tables were turned.

"It's great to be able to beat out Desiree," said Gunder. "I could have shot a better score but this is about normal for me. I have been playing golf for only about 10 years and this is just the fifth time I have played in this tournament. I am very proud of the way I played today."

When it comes right down to it, Gunder admits the reason she is out there isn't about her, but the kids it goes to help during the year,

"It's a pleasure to be able to play in the tournament," said Gunder. "The kids in this area mean so much to all of us and if we can go out and do something like this to help them out, then I'm all for it.."

In the Senior Division, Kilpatrick had the top score of the day, shooting a 60; that is 11 strokes under his age (71). In the Open Men's Division, Kilpatrick's score tied him with PVHS girls basketball coach Bob Hopkins and Ed Kane.

In a playoff, Francis won on the first extra hole, relegating Hopkins to a runnerup finish for the second straight Inferno. Kilpatrick would wind up third.

"I love playing in this kind of a tournament," Kilpatrick said. "All this money goes to the kids and I enjoy donating to them. At my age, this is my way of giving back to the kids.

"I can still play the game and as long as I can continue to play, I will be out here doing this. Nothing like this ever existed when I was a kid and if it would have it would have helped me out."

Francis, the fourth two-time winner of the Inferno, Kilpatrick and Hopkins all had 18-hole scores of 60, forcing the extra hole.

"It was a tough bunch out there today and the heat was unbearable but we all survived it," said Francis. "This is my second time winning this tournament and it feels great. As a member of the area, you do anything to help the kids. That's what it's all about. I was a teacher for 37 years so I try to help the kids when I can."

"It's special to play in this tournament, because I get to come out here and beat all my friends," said Francis. "Anytime I can beat him (Killpatrick), it's always special. Winning is sweet, especially when you can beat out your buddies. To beat out Bob Hopkins and Bob Kilpatrick in a one hole playoff makes it even more special."

Among the top golfers, Don Lutrell had 61 (Open), Desiree Fortin 65 (Women), and Ed Kane 67 (Senior).

Six-time women's champion Maggie Thomas had 66, as did PVHS girls golf coach Julie Floyd.

Mike Thurlow, a former standout golfer on the Trojans' boys team in the early 2000s, had 63, while former Times owner-publisher Rich Thurlow had 64. Brian Moore had 62, Marc Kessler 63, Bill Carle 63, Dick Sager 64, Stu Bogart 64 and at 65 were Jeff Koenig, Derrick Lindemann and Deron Jones.

At 66 were Ray Kelmis and Larry Goins, and at 67 were Joe Roderick and Mike Scott. Former champion Randy Luke had 69, as did Gary Boyer.