LAKEWOOD -- Derek Tolan sees himself as a public-course player through and through, so he took great pride in winning the Colorado Golf Association State Public Links Championship on Sunday.

But, truth be told, he just wanted to win a CGA tournament -- any CGA tournament.

The University of Colorado golfer ended a lifelong jinx of sorts by claiming his first victory in a non-team CGA event.

Considering Tolan's stature as a player, and how many CGA tournaments he's played over the years, the fact that he hadn't won one at age 22 was an inexplicable oddity. But it's an oddity he's now put in his past.

"This was a long time coming," Tolan said after posting a two-stroke victory. "I've had a lot of runner-ups (nine, including two at the Publinks). Those damn silver medals. It's been an ongoing joke."

Tolan shot a 4-under-par 66 Sunday at Fox Hollow Golf Course, overtaking fellow CU senior and defending champion Pat Grady.

Tolan finished at 11-under-par 199, two better than Grady, who closed with a 68, and seven better than Longmont's Tyler Bishop, a CU-Colorado Springs golfer who ended up third after a final-round 69.

Riley Andrews, who is transferring from CU to CU-Colorado Springs, came in fourth (70-207).Tolan's career includes some junior victories, a state high school title, and qualifying for an impressive nine U.S. Golf Association championships. And though he was the CGA's amateur player of the year in 2005 -- the year he lost in the finals of the State Match Play to Grady -- he hadn't won any individual CGA events.

"He told me he wasn't going to turn pro until he won a gold (CGA) medal," said Grady, who was paired with Tolan each round at Fox Hollow. "So I let him win one," Grady added with a smile.

"I appreciate the gift," Tolan said.

Tolan has the distinction of being the only player in history to play in the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, U.S. Publinks and U.S. Junior Amateur the same year (2002).

Asked how winning the State Publinks ranks among his accomplishments, he said, "Higher than you might think. I haven't won too many titles. To win a full-field amateur event is special. And I take pride in being a public (course) golfer. I'm about as 'muni' as you can get."

And overcoming Grady was particularly satisfying seeing that the Broomfield golfer has four CGA individual titles to his credit -- the 2004 Junior Match Play, 2005 State Match Play, 2006 State Stroke Play and 2007 State Publinks.

"No matter what, he's going to fight all the way," Tolan said.

One of the things going through Tolan's mind Sunday was the 2003 CGA Publinks, also played at Fox Hollow, where he lost in a playoff to then-CU golfer Kane Webber.

"It felt really good the way this happened," said Tolan, who made just four bogeys in 54 holes at Fox Hollow. "I went shot for shot with Pat over three days, and it felt so good to win like that."

Caddying for Tolan Sunday was former CU teammate Michael Baird, who teamed with Grady last month to win the CGA Four-ball event. Baird, who recently turned pro, lost to Grady in a playoff a year ago at the State Publinks, with Tolan carrying Baird's clubs.

"We have to gang up on (Grady)," Tolan said with a smile.

CGA

PUBLIC LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP

At Par-70 Fox Hollow GC

Lakewood

Derek Tolan, South Suburban Family Sports Center, 65-68-66--199; Patrick Grady, Omni Interlocken, 65-68-68--201; Tyler Bishop, Twin Peaks GC, 68-69-69--206; Riley Andrews, The Links GC, 65-72-70--207; Zen Brown, Indian Tree GC, 74-65-69--208;

Matthew Brunk, Collindale GC, 69-70-69--208; Jim Grady, Omni Interlocken, 65-72-71--208; Zachary Zaremba, Desert Hawk at Pueblo West, 70-69-69--208; Riley Arp, Collindale GC, 67-71-71--209; Jason Rudquist, Antler Creek GC, 76-68-65--209;

James Kurtenbach, South Suburban GC, 68-72-70--210; James Heath, Valley Hi GC, 70-71-71--212; Jacob Lestishen, Lone Tree GC & Hotel, 70-74-69--213; Brian Larson, Omni Interlocken, 72-70-71--213; Bryan Hackenberg, Riverdale GC, 70-74-70--214;

Branden Barron, South Suburban Family SC, 70-70-75--215; Sean Hedden, Heritage Todd Creek, 74-71-70--215; Henry Bissell, The Meadows GC, 72-72-71--215; Dean Clapp, Meadow Hills GC, 70-75-71--216; Jonathan Lopez, Saddle Rock GC, 77-66-73--216;

Stuart Allen, Fox Hollow GC, 72-74-70--216; Anthony Depalma, Tiara Rado GC, 71-74-73--218; Rick Kelly, Fox Hollow GC, 73-75-71--219; Clifton Sebra, Saddle Rock GC, 71-79-69--219; Riche Moore, Springhill GC, 73-75-72--220; Jeremy Deems, Flatirons GC, 71-74-75--220;

Deon Drefke, Indian Tree GC, 73-75-73--221; Zach Johnson, West Woods GC, 71-76-74--221; Grant Porter, The Ridge at Castle Pines, 75-69-77--221; Matt Strong, Wellshire GC, 74-71-76--221; Chris Carlson, Highlands Ranch GC, 70-79-73--222;

Clint Miller, Meadow Hills GC, 73-68-81--222; Barry Cornella, Shadow Hills GC, 72-74-78--224; Bob Chandler, Fossil Trace GC, 78-73-74--225; Robert Quick, The Meadows GC, 78-71-77--226; Colin Hendrickson, Mariana Butte GC, 73-77-78--228;