Thus far, the weather has been ideal for fall golf in Colorado, but with this being the second week of October, we’re pushing the envelope. So it’s no surprise that this weekend marks the end of the line for major statewide tournaments in 2010, with a few exceptions.
Here are some of the bigger events on the schedule:
Renowned course architect Tom Doak will hold his 11th annual Renaissance Cup tournament Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 9-10) at CommonGround Golf Course, the Aurora layout that Doak’s Renaissance Golf team designed for the CGA and CWGA. Over the years, the two-person team event has drawn some heavyweights in the golf industry, including Doak clients, officials from governing associations in the world of golf, and even prominent professionals. The Renaissance Cup has been played at Doak-designed courses all over the globe, including in New Zealand and Scotland. The 64-player event at CommonGround will benefit the Eisenhower-Evans caddie scholarship.
Meanwhile, the University of Colorado is hosting a 54-hole women’s event Friday and Saturday at Colorado National Golf Club in Erie, culminating a run of six Division I college tournaments that have been held in Colorado in the last month.
But, in a week that has prominently featured junior golf, two of the season-wrap-up events involve the 18-and under set: the CJGA Tournament of Champions for players 14-18, and the CJGA Junior Ryder Cup for the 11-13 age division.
Earlier this week, the boys state high school season concluded with three state tournaments — for Class 5A, 4A and 3A. The notable thing about the Tournament of Champions is that all three 2010 high school winners are scheduled to compete Saturday and Sunday at Colorado Golf Club in Parker.
State champs David Oraee of Greeley West (pictured, 5A), John Ahern of D’Evelyn (4A) and Ethan Freeman of Kent Denver (3A) are all entered, as are 2009 5A champion Caleb Barker of Highlands Ranch and 3A champ Peter Hassan of Alexander Dawson. Last year’s 4A winner, Wyndham Clark of Valor Christian, won’t play as he’s competing in the AJGA Ping Invitational in Stillwater, Okla., this weekend.
There’s also a girls division of the Tournament of Champions, where reigning 5A girls winner Somin Lee of Overland will be the favorite. Lee won the Tournament of Champions the last time it was played, in 2008. Last year, the event was canceled for the first time, due to fall storms. Also in the girls field this year is Lindsay McGetrick, who defeated Lee in the finals of the CWGA Junior Match Play this year.
The Tournament of Champions, which dates back to 1999, has crowned some prominent winners over the years, including Tom Glissmeyer, Mark Hubbard, Becca Huffer, Kelly Jacques, Dawn Shockley and Ashley Tait.
Meanwhile, many of the top 11-13 year-old golfers in the state will compete in the second annual Junior Ryder Cup at CommonGround Saturday and Sunday.
The event features two 12-player teams (Team USA and Team Europe), each consisting of eight boys and four girls. Nine-hole four-ball and foursomes matches will be contested on Saturday, with singles matches scheduled for Sunday.
