Perhaps it was the ideal scoring conditions. Maybe it was being driven to new heights by nationally-ranked competition. Or it simply could have been one of those days every golfer dreams about.
But whatever the reason, John Ahern recorded one of the best rounds in the history of Colorado boys high school golf on Monday. The senior from D’Evelyn (pictured) set the competitive course record at The Club at Flying Horse in Colorado Springs, shooting an 8-under-par 64 to grab a healthy lead in the Class 4A state tournament.
The left-hander made an eagle and eight birdies, while giving back two shots on bogeys. It was so good that defending champion Wyndham Clark of Valor Christian posted a very impressive 67, yet still will face a three-shot deficit going into Tuesday’s final round.
“I definitely knew you could go low,” said Clark, the No. 10-ranked junior golfer in the nation, according to Junior Golf Scoreboard. “I was a little surprised how low it was.”
Ahern is certainly a formidable player — just this year he’s finished second in the CGA Junior Match Play and a national PGA Junior Series tournament — but he didn’t hesitate at all at calling Monday’s round the best of his life.
“Everything just felt pretty good, and I was patient and it paid off today,” Ahern said. “It’s a confidence-builder, but I need to make sure I don’t mess around with anything and just keep swinging.”
Indeed, though Ahern holds a nice cushion, Clark overcame a three-shot deficit after the first round last year to win his first state high school title. And Cam Harrell of Air Academy, also a nationally-ranked junior player, is likewise within striking distance at 68. The only other players to break par Monday were 2010 U.S. Junior Amateur qualifiers Jimmy Makloski of Pueblo South (70) and Spencer Sheets of Valor Christian (71).
For his part, Ahern cited the chance to compete against a top player like Clark as a big motivational factor in bringing out Ahern’s A-game.
“You want to play against the best,” he said. “When Wyndham is in the field, even if you put up a round like this he can still clip you if you get sloppy. I think it’s good because it keeps you focused. It keeps you on right track.”
Harrell seconds that notion.
“I really like the challenge,” said Harrell, who has finished in the top five of two AJGA events this year. “Who doesn’t want to play Wyndham, who’s in the top 10 in the nation? Who doesn’t want to play the kid and try to beat him? It’s a lot of fun.”
Even playing from behind, Clark figures to be formidable. Just in the last couple of months, he’s become the youngest winner of the CGA Stroke Play Championship since 1971, and qualified for the U.S. Amateur as a 16-year-old.
On Monday, Clark had the chance to go real low like Ahern. But after shooting a 5-under-par 31 on the front nine, he was even on the back, where he had trouble hitting fairways.
“I’m in a similar place that I was last year,” Clark said. “My game feels good and I know I can make some putts.”
Even though Clark competes in more national than in-state tournaments these days — he finished third in the international Junior PGA Championship this past summer — he says it’s a high priority to win the state high school title again.
“It’s definitely a big tournament,” said Clark, who has won every high school event he’s played in this year. “It’s a big deal to win your state title. I wanted to win it all four years. Unfortunately, I got second my freshman year, but I’d love to win it three in a row now. It’s definitely big for me.”
Ahern, Clark and Harrell will tee off for Tuesday’s final round at 10:27 a.m.
Meanwhile, Clark’s Valor Christian team, the defending 4A state champion, posted an impressive 1-under-par total and holds a three-stroke advantage over D’Evelyn in the team competition.
CLASS 5A at Valley Country Club in Aurora — Greeley West’s David Oraee, ranked among the top 200 junior players in the country, was the only golfer to break par Monday at Valley, shooting a 2-under 70.
Oraee, coming off a win in last week’s CJGA Collegiate High School Invitational, birdied his last two holes to finish with five for the round.
Marcel Quitoriano of Prairie View, Gus Lundquist of Regis Jesuit and Keegan Sheard of Ralston Valley share second place at even-par 72. Defending champion Caleb Barker of Highlands Ranch carded a 73.
With a 219 total, Regis leads the team competition by three over Mountain Range.
CLASS 3A at Eaton Country Club — Ethan Freeman of Kent Denver fired a bogey-free 2-under-par 69 to take a two-stroke lead after Monday’s opening round. Last year’s runner-up, Andrew Cornella of St. Mary’s in Colorado Springs, stands in second place at 71.
Six golfers are tied for third at 73, including Colorado Junior PGA Championship winner Steven Kupcho of Jefferson Academy. Defending champion Peter Hassan of Alexander Dawson started with a 75.
Kent Denver, seeking its fifth consecutive state team title, leads by two at the halfway point with a 220 total. Alexander Dawson (222) is second, while host Eaton (225) is third.
