Top-seeded Dillon Stewart of Fort Collins cruised to an easy victory, but the boys’ second and third seeds were pushed to extra holes to advance on Monday in the round-of-32 matches at the Colorado Junior Match Play at Plum Creek Golf Club in Castle Rock.
Meanwhile, the top seven seeds are through to the round of 16 in the girls tournament — the top three via byes and the other four through victories on Monday.
Stewart, fresh off his individual and Colorado team victories in the Junior America’s Cup, scored a 5-and-4 victory over reigning 3A state high school champion Davis Long of Lafayette.
Second-seeded Jake Welch of Highlands Ranch, winner of the Colorado Junior Amateur boys title earlier this month, defeated James Clark of Lamar in 19 holes, winning with a par. And No. 3-seeded Jack Castiglia of Lakewood needed 20 holes to overcome Caleb Busta of Centennial.
On the girls side, the top three sides — Lauren Lehigh of Loveland, Hailey Schalk of Erie and Marie Jordaan of Lakewood — had byes in the round of 32. But fourth-seeded Charlotte Hillary of Englewood, who advanced to the match play round of 32 at last week’s California Women’s Amateur Championship, posted a 5-and-3 win over Kate Griffin of Colorado Springs.
Also among those advancing were girls Colorado Junior Amateur champion Katie Berrian of Castle Rock, who defeated Allie Nocera of Arvada, 4 and 3.
Two rounds of matches — the Sweet 16 and the quarterfinals — will be contested on Tuesday, with the semifinals and finals set for Wednesday.
For the Colorado Junior Match Play brackets, click on the following: BOYS, GIRLS.
