Bill Loeffler took a seat at the podium in the interview room at Colorado Golf Club, looked around at the assembled media and smiled.

“How cool is this?” he said, after firing a 3-under-par 69 in the first round of the Senior PGA Championship. “I always wanted to be in here.”

Loeffler, a PGA professional from Castle Rock who is the co-owner of Highlands Ranch Golf Club, didn’t expect to be in the press room or in contention at the tournament. He last played in a four-round event in October, when he finished 20th at the Senior Club Professionals Championship to qualify for this week’s event, and plays only three or four four-round events each year.

His expectations were — if he played well — to shoot “around par a couple of times, make the cut, maybe be the low club guy, and that’s great.” After today, though, who knows? Asked if a club pro could win the event, Loeffler said, “I would say highly unlikely. But possible, sure. Why not?”

Shot(s) of the Day

Bernhard Langer’s second shot on the 326-yard par-4 14th, which he played fifth. From 92 yards, Langer hit a sand wedge, and it spun back into the hole.

A close second was Tom Lehman’s second shot on the par-5 15th. From 228 yards he hit a 5-iron that settled 3 inches from the cup, just missing a double eagle.

Etc.

The tournament lost three of its biggest names before play even started Thursday. Peter Jacobsen, Hal Sutton and Paul Azinger all withdrew. Jacobsen cited illness and was replaced by David Arbuckle of Colorado Springs, who shot a 3-over 75. Sutton (hip) and Azinger (flu) were not replaced. … Colorado Springs native R.W. Eaks shot a 2-over 74, Gary Hallberg (Castle Rock) shot 71 and Michael Zaremba (Pueblo West) shot 75.

Gary Hallberg of Castle Rock shot a 71 Friday on the opening round of the Senior PGA championship in Parker. Photo by AP PHOTO