Not only did a junior golfer from the Centennial State — Billy Howenstein (left in an AJGA photo) of Boulder — win the AJGA’s evian International & Senior Showcase in Vegas on Sunday, but the player he defeated in a playoff also was a Coloradan.
Howenstein and Connor Jones of Westminster, both high school seniors, tied at even-par 142 for two rounds at Angel Park Golf Club. Then Howenstein, competing in his ninth AJGA event, prevailed in the playoff by draining a 10-foot birdie putt for his first AJGA title.
“Thank you to everyone who has gotten me to this point,” Howenstein told the AJGA. “It has been a long road but I’m very lucky and thankful for my family. It feels great to finally grind out a win.”
For Jones, the runner-up showing was his best showing in three AJGA events.
Howenstein posted rounds of 72-70 in Vegas, while Jones went 69-73. Howenstein (Dawson School) finished sixth two months ago in the 3A state high school tournament, while Jones (Mountain Range) was the runner-up in 5A.
The 78-player field was for boys high school seniors who have not yet committed to a specific college golf program.
Other Coloradans competing in the event included TJ Shehee of Mead (32nd place at 151) and Christopher Kennedy of Aurora (39th at 153), both past U.S. Junior Amateur qualifiers.
In a field of 56 players — 35 on the boys side and 21 on the girls — 16-year-old Jacob Mason of Westminster shot a 2-under-par 69 for the boys lead and 3A state high school champion Jackson Klutznick of Denver posted a 1-under 70 to also finish in red numbers.
Meanwhile Caroline Jordaan of Lakewood, who has committed to play her college golf at the University of Denver, carded an even-par 71 to take a three-stroke lead in the girls competition at the fourth and final JGAC Tour major of 2018.
Mason, the winner of a JGAC Tour event at Legacy Ridge in July, placed sixth individually on Tuesday at the 3A state high school meet while competing for Holy Family. He made four birdies and two bogeys on a cool Saturday at DCC.
Klutznick also carried over his strong play from the 3A state tournament, carding three birdies and two bogeys in round 1.
Billy Howenstein of Boulder, who tied Mason for sixth play at the 3A meet, holds third place at even-par 71 after a one-birdie, one-bogey day.
In the girls tournament, Caroline Jordaan and her younger sister, Marie, are 1-2 on the scoreboard, with 2016 JGAC Tour Championship winner Charlotte Hillary of Englewood sharing second place with the younger Jordaan.
Caroline Jordaan, runner-up in the 3A state tournament in the spring, recorded five birdies and five bogeys in round 1. She had three “2s” on her card.
Marie Jordaan and Hillary finished with one birdie and four bogeys each on Saturday.
Defending champion Hailey Schalk of Erie and 2018 JGAC Girls Junior Tour points leader Lauren Lehigh of Loveland each opened with a 77.
The 36-hole tournaments for both the boys and girls will conclude on Sunday.
For scores from the JGAC Tour Championship, click on the following: BOYS, GIRLS