His start Monday notwithstanding, Spencer Painton must be taking quite a liking to Murphy Creek Golf Course.
The Regis Jesuit senior won a Class 5A regional tournament at the Aurora course almost two weeks ago, shooting a 4-under-par 68 in the process. Then on Monday during the first day of the 5A state tournament, Painton rallied after being 2 over par through three holes to fire a 6-under-par 66 and grab a one-stroke lead at Murphy Creek.
But that was just part of the story. What was especially spectacular was the way Painton finished his round — with six consecutive birdies, which gave him a 7-under-par 29 on the back nine.
“I was very pleased, especially after how I started,” said Painton (pictured above), who has committed to play college golf at the University of Kansas. “I heated up toward the end. It was very nice.
“I got off to a slow start but after that everything just began getting better and better.”
The performance pushed the 2013 U.S. Junior Amateur match play qualifier past his fellow 2012 5A state runner-up, Legacy junior Li Chen. Chen matched his best score ever, a 5-under-par 67, earlier in the day to set the pace.
Chen (pictured at left) made seven birdies on the day — including four in a row on the back nine (his front) — one fewer for the round than Painton.
“It was a great round; I felt comfortable with almost every single club,” said Chen, who has yet to win an individual high school tournament title this season. “I liked the way I started.
“I was aiming for a low score coming in . I’d say my goal on this course is 3 under because there’s reachable par-5s and short par-4s, so I was not that surprised by my score. But it’s definitely a great round.”
The only other players to shoot under par Monday were Keegan Sheard of Ralston Valley (70) and Jake Kelley of Regis (71), who like Painton played in this year’s U.S. Junior Amateur.
Regis, aiming for its fourth consecutive 5A state title, carded a 4-under-par 212 total. Ralston Valley stands in second place, nine shots back.
Silver Creek’s Rademacher-Howe Takes Narrow Lead in 4A: Silver Creek’s Andrew Rademacher-Howe fired a 1-under-par 69 and took a one-stroke lead after Monday’s first round of the 4A state tournament at Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen.
Rademacher Howe played the last six holes in 3 under par to post the only sub-par round of the day.
Glenn Workman of Pueblo West and Isaac Petersilie of Coronado share second place at even-par 70. Wilson Belk of Cheyenne Mountain is another stroke back. No one else in the field broke 75.
Silver Creek carded a 13-over-par 223 total to take a five-stroke lead in the team competition. Valor Christian is next-best at 228.
Alexander Dawson in Control at 3A State Meet: Alexander Dawson teammates Cameron Connor and Cole Folwell matched 2-under-par 69s to set the pace in the 3A state tournament at Pueblo Country Club.
Tristan Rohrbaugh of Basalt, the son of HealthOne Colorado Senior Open champion Doug Rohrbaugh, started with a 71 and holds third place.
Alexander Dawson opened up a commanding 22-stroke lead after day 1. Dawson shot an even-par 213 total. Kent Denver, winner of a record seven straight 3A state titles, sits in second place at 245.
For scores, click on: 5A, 4A, 3A.
