Jaclyn Murray of Grand Junction qualified for the U.S. Girls’ Junior as a 15-year-old in 2014, but hadn’t been able to book a return trip the last couple of years. However, she rectified that matter on Tuesday by earning her second berth to the national championship.
Murray, a recent Regis Jesuit High School graduate who plans to play college golf at the University of Colorado beginning this fall, shot a 1-over-par 73 on Tuesday at Valley Country Club in Centennial to land one of the three national spots that were at stake.
“I think it’s a great way to end up my junior career,” said the 18-year-old. “I really wanted this. It’ll be fun to have one last go at it. It means a lot to me.”
Joining her at the U.S. Girls’ Junior — scheduled for July 24-29 at Boone Valley Country Club in Augusta, Mo. — were medalist Jennifer Cai, a 14-year-old from Irvine, Calif., and Shelby Poynter of Scottsbluff, Neb., who’s a member of the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado. Cai carded a 1-under-par 71 and Poynter a 74. (The qualifiers are pictured, from left, Cai, Murray and Poynter.)
Murray, who became the first Colorado resident in two years to qualify in the Centennial State for a spot in the U.S. Girls’ Junior, hit 15 greens in regulation on Tuesday but managed just one birdie to go with two bogeys. She parred her final 10 holes of the day.
“I couldn’t make a putt,” said the two-time Colorado Girls Junior America’s Cup representative. “I had so many opportunities — so many putts within 10 feet, 5 feet. I just couldn’t make them. I had a lot of two-putts, but should have had more one-putts. But I’m definitely happy (with a 73). I hit the ball super, super well so I can’t complain.”
Murray, runner-up in this month’s Colorado Junior PGA Championship, was among the beneficiaries this year of a change in age restrictions for the U.S. Girls’ Junior that allows 18-year-olds to compete, after 17 had been the maximum.
It will mark the third USGA championship overall for Murray, who also competed in the 2015 USGA Women’s State Team. Cai will be going to her second USGA championship, having played — alone — in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball last month. It’ll be the first USGA tournament for Poynter.
“This is probably the biggest thing I’ve done (in golf),” said the 17-year-old Poynter, a high school senior-to-be. “I placed second at state my sophomore year of high school, but this is a much bigger deal to me.
“It’s really special. It’s really an honor. I haven’t been playing golf for very long. (Qualifying for a USGA championship) has been one of my biggest goals since I started playing, so it’s awesome. It’s a good feeling.”
Cai, who made four birdies on Tuesday, was 4 under par through 15, but carded a double bogey on 16 and a bogey on 17 and still managed to post the only sub-par round out of a field that originally numbered 33. That despite this trip marking her first time playing golf in Colorado.
Poynter also chalked up four birdies — including a 60-footer on No. 12 — in addition to four bogeys and a double bogey.
“I actually played really well,” Poynter said. “I didn’t get a practice round in this year. I was actually late getting here this afternoon. I didn’t get here as early as I would have liked, so I didn’t really know what to expect. I didn’t think I would really make it (qualify). I was hoping for it, but …
“I was putting really well. I hadn’t been putting well for a long time. My coach just said, ‘You’re close. It’ll come. Just be patient.’ And I was today and they started falling.”
As for Cai, she said she came to Colorado to qualify because the odds were better than if she tried it in her home state of California.
“It’s more competitive at other places,” she said. “There’s too many good players in California.”
Whatever the case, getting a recent taste of what USGA championships are like at the Women’s Four-Ball, Cai was happy to earn another berth in a national tournament.
“It means a lot. I love USGA events,” she said. “They’re really well-planned. To play in another one is really great. When I played in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball, I was amazed by how good it was. It was a great experience. It was really fun, but I also learned a lot.”
U.S. Girls’ Junior Qualifying
At Par-72 Valley CC in Centennial
ADVANCE TO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Jennifer Cai, Irvine, Calif. 34-37–71
Jaclyn Murray, Grand Junction, Colo. 37-36–73
Shelby Poynter, Scottsbluff, Neb. 36-38–74
ALTERNATES (In Order)
Caroline Jordaan, Denver, Colo. 40-35–75
Jenna Chun, Englewood, Colo. 39-37–76
FAILED TO QUALIFY
Sadie Englemann, Austin, Texas 40-36–76
Julia Baroth, Denver, Colo. 39-38–77
Libby Singleton, Kingwood, Texas 39-38–77
Amy Chitkoksoong, Aurora, Colo. 39-38–77
Tabitha Diehl, Highlands Ranch, Colo. 41-36–77
Anju Ogi, Arvada, Colo. 39-39–78
Lauren Murphy, Carbondale, Colo. 39-39–78
Hailey Schalk, Erie, Colo. 41-37–78
Alexis Chan, Highlands Ranch, Colo. 39-39–78
Sofia Choi, Littleton, Colo. 40-39–79
Lexi Mueldener, Arvada, Colo. 43-37–80
Sarah Hwang, Monument, Colo. 40-40–80
Lauren Lehigh, Loveland, Colo. 41-39–80
Dylin Myers, Huntington Beach, Calif. 43-38–81
Kellsey Sample, Monument, Colo. 43-38–81
Gracie Olkowski, Grand Junction, Colo. 43-38–81
Sydney Eye, Golden, Colo. 41-41–82
Marie Jordaan, Denver, Colo. 44-39–83
Amelia Lee, Castle Rock, Colo. 42-41–83
Natasha McClain, Denver, Colo. 42-42–84
Eva Pett, Denver, Colo. 40-45–85
Olivia Roper, Denver, Colo. 42-43–85
Kelsey Fuess, Austin, Texas 43-43–86
Caitlin O’Donnell, Centennial, Colo. 44-42–86
Olivia Patrick, Tustin, Calif. 42-47–89
Amisha Singh, Greenwood Village, Colo. 48-45–93
