A dozen players, including 11 from Colorado, qualified for the prestigious IMG Academy Junior World Championships on Wednesday as three Colorado courses hosted qualifying tournaments.
The Junior World Championships will be held in and around San Diego from July 11-14.
In the two-day tournament to determine the 15-18-year-old qualifiers for boys, Dillon Stewart of Fort Collins and Calvin McCoy of Highlands Ranch earned the two available spots out a field that originally numbered 95. Stewart, 16, shot rounds of 69-73 at Coal Creek Golf Course and The Broadlands Golf Course, respectively, for a 2-under-par 142 total. Also at that figure was McCoy, 17, who went 73-69. For complete results, CLICK HERE.
In girls 15-18 qualifying at The Broadlands and Coal Creek, two girls state high school champions are headed to Junior Worlds after an odd outcome. Tania Nunez of Mexico shot the lowest score out of 23 players over two days (5-over-par 149). But when 3A state champ Hailey Schalk of Erie and 4A winner Lauren Lehigh tied for second at 150 and apparently were bound for a playoff, Nunez notified tournament officials that she already had a spot in the Junior Worlds, so both Schalk and Lehigh will advance. Schalk is 15 years old and Lehigh 16. For complete results, CLICK HERE.
Meanwhile, four other qualifying divisions were held at Homestead Golf Couse in Lakewood.
Advancing in the 13-14 boys division — which included 36 players — were James Clark of Lamar (2-over-par 67) and Jordan Jennings of Montrose (68).
In the 17-player 13-14 girls division, Gracie Olkowski of Grand Junction used an eagle on the par-4 ninth hole to shoot a 2-over-par 67. Joining her in advancing to Junior Worlds was Sofia Choi of Littleton (70).
Sixteen players competed in the 11-12 boys division, and earning Junior World berths were Parker Paxton of Riverton, Wyo. (4-over-par 69) and Matai Naqica of Centennial (72 after a 1-under 31 on the front nine).
And finally, in the 11-golfer 11-12 girls division, Bead Boonta of Centennial was the top qualifier, coming in at 13-over-par 78. A playoff determined the final qualifier in the division, with Abigail Aeschleman of Highlands Ranch prevailing over Jasmine Kahler of Carlsbad, Calif.. They both shot 82. For complete results from Homestead, CLICK HERE.
Qualifying for players age 7-10 will be held June 7 at Family Sports in Centennial.
Here are this week’s qualifiers for IMG Academy Junior World Championships:
15-18 BOYS
At Par-72 Coal Creek GC and Par-72 Broadlands GC
Dillon Stewart, Fort Collins 69-73–142
Calvin McCoy, Highlands Ranch 73-69–142
15-18 GIRLS
At Par-72 Broadlands GC and Par-72 Coal Creek GC
Lauren Lehigh, Loveland 78-72–150
Hailey Schalk, Erie 75-75–150
13-14 BOYS
At Par-65 Homestead GC
James Clark, Lamar 67
Jordan Jennings, Montrose 68
13-14 GIRLS
At Par-65 Homestead GC
Gracie Olkowski, Grand Junction 67
Sofia Choi, Littleton 70
11-12 BOYS
At Par-65 Homestead GC
Parker Paxton, Riverton, Wyo. 69
Matai Naqica, Centennial 72
11-12 GIRLS
At Par-65 Homestead GC
Bead Boonta, Centennial 78
Abigail Aeschleman of Highlands Ranch 82
