Cohen didn’t quite match that success in college, but she came close and certainly finished her college career on a high note.

Cohen’s Rhodes College in Memphis rallied in the final round to win the Women’s NCAA Division III team championship Friday in Houston. That gives Cohen (pictured above trophy) — and Rhodes — team titles each of the last two years.

Rhodes fended off George Fox University of Oregon by a mere two strokes after four rounds to claim its latest national title. Individually, a year after placing third at the NCAA Finals, Cohen finished 25th on Friday. She posted rounds of 76-80-80-76 for a 24-over-par 312 total. She made three birdies in the final round.

The other Coloradan competing in the DIII Finals, Fairview High School graduate Madison McCambridge, placed 58th at 332 to conclude her freshman season at Wisconsin-Stout, which ended up 14th as a team.

WOMEN’S NCAA DIV. III FINALS
May 9-12, 2017 (final) in Houston
25. Coloradan Mackenzie Cohen, Rhodes College 76-80-80-76–312
58. Coloradan Madison McCambridge, Wisconsin-Stout 83-81-83-85–332
    

On Friday, she almost duplicated that accomplishment at the college level as the junior’s Memphis-based Rhodes College team claimed the women’s NCAA Division III championship and Cohen finished third individually at Bay Oaks Country Club in Houston. (Cohen, at right in photo, pictured with her teammates.)

Friday’s fourth round of the scheduled 72-hole event was eventually canceled due to the weather. Though most players were at least halfway into the round, all scores reverted to where they were through 54 holes.

Cohen, a third-place finisher in last year’s CWGA Stroke Play, followed up rounds of 75 and 78 with a tournament-record-tying, personal-season-low 3-under-par 69 in Thursday’s third round to end up at 6-over 222, four strokes behind champion Caroline Ordian of the University of Redlands.

Meanwhile, Rhodes won the women’s DIII national title for the second time in three years, but for the first time with Cohen as a competitor. The Lynx, who came in as the top-ranked women’s DIII team in the nation, lived up to their billing in winning by 15 strokes over runner-up Texas-Tyler. Rhodes carded the lowest single-round team score in tournament history on Thursday (294) and the best 54-hole total ever (904).
 

Apparently, Glenn herself is nowhere near satisfied with that.

The Valor Christian senior and University of Colorado women’s golf recruit not only advanced to state and is on the leaderboard, but she’s the outright leader after Monday’s first round of the meet at Broken Tee Golf Course.

Glenn shot a 2-over-par 74 in the rain and wind on Monday and grabbed a one-stroke advantage heading into Tuesday’s final round. She hit 17 greens in regulation and closed with a 1-under-par 35 on the back nine.

A former high-level gymnast, Glenn is one shot ahead of Taylor Dorans of Broomfield (pictured) and Jennifer Kupcho of Jefferson Academy heading into the final 18.

Glenn started playing golf as a sophomore, but just a year later she placed ninth at state. And now this year’s tournament is the future CU golfer’s to lose.

“You just keep on cutting strokes back and improving,” she said of her rapid progress in golf. “That’s all you can ask for in this game.”

It wasn’t long ago that Glenn had her sights set on a gymnastics scholarship at the University of Denver. But that was before she broke her right leg during her sophomore year at Valor Christian.

Just a few months after suffering the injury, she competed in golf at the junior varisty level — while wearing a cast on her leg.

“I was on one leg, hobbling around and hitting away,” she said. “When you love something it doesn’t matter what obstacle is in front of you. You’ll go for success no matter what.”

Glenn said she won “about” five high school tournaments this season and averaged 75. But after her 74 Monday, she thinks she’s capable of going even lower in Tuesday’s final round.

“I’m hoping I can go under tomorrow,” Glenn said. “I had three three-putts today; my distance control was off a lot. Tomorrow will be better. I’m excited.”

Likewise for the other contenders.

Dorans, a University of Wyoming golf signee, has finished fourth once and sixth twice in her previous trips to state. Kupcho, who placed third last year at state, had the lowest state-qualifying round this season — in either Class 4A or 5A — in firing a 67 at Fox Hollow in the 4A Metro-West Regional.

Dorans missed two putts inside of 4 feet in her first 10 holes, but finished strong, going 1 under in her last seven despite closing with a bogey.

“I feel really good,” she said. “I’m coming out here just playing for myself — having fun, enjoying it, because it’s my last high school tournament. I’m kind of just embracing it and doing what I can. I can’t control what the other girls are going to do, but as long as I play for myself, I’ll be happy.”

Meanwhile, Kupcho thinks if she gets her putting homed in, she’ll be in good shape on the final day.

“I hit everything good (on Monday), but I just couldn’t putt,” she said. “The first four holes I had 5-footers on every one and only made one.”

Cheyenne Mountain leads the 4A team competition by five strokes after Valor Christian’s Laura Cohan forgot a penalty stroke and signed for an incorrect score. Therefore, the team couldn’t use her total of 86 among its three best individual scores. Instead, it counted a 95. That dropped Valor from first to second place as it has a 253 total, compared to Cheyenne Mountain’s 248.

Cohan will be able to compete in Tuesday’s final round and her score can be used for VC’s second-day team total.

For 4A scores, CLICK HERE.

Cherry Creek’s Ringsby Leads 5A By Two in Grand Junction: Cherry Creek junior Calli Ringsby took a two-stroke lead at the halfway point of the 5A girls state tournament at Tiara Rado Golf Course in Grand Junction.

Ringsby, who swept the CWGA Junior Stroke Play and Junior Match Play championships last year, fired a 1-over-par 73 on Monday. The junior, who made three birdies and four bogeys in the opening round, is seeking her first state high school title after placing second in 2011 and fourth last year.

Three players share second place at 75 heading into Tuesday’s final round. University of Colorado signee Claudia Davis of Arapahoe is tied for that spot with Jenni Chun of Highlands Ranch and Michelle Romero of Rock Canyon.

Defending champion Mackenzie Cohen of Cherry Creek opened with an 82 and shares 20th place.

Two-time defending 5A state champion Cherry Creek shot a 236 and leads the team competition by three over Arapahoe.

For 5A scores, CLICK HERE.

The Bruins have also captured seven individual state championships over that period, including the first (by Jill McGill, who went on to win two USGA championships) and the last (Mackenzie Cohen).

Arapahoe, meanwhile, has claimed one state team title in girls golf (2010) and has never won the individual crown.

Considering how the Bruins and Warriors have dominated girls golf in the state recently, one or both schools figure to add to their trophy cases this year.

Cherry Creek and Arapahoe have monopolized the top two spots in the girls 5A state golf championships each of the last three years, with Creek winning the last two titles. And no one would be surprised if this year produced more of the same when the 5A meet is held Monday and Tuesday (May 20-21) at Tiara Rado Golf Course in Grand Junction.

Meanwhile, the 4A state tournament will be played those same days at Broken Tee Golf Course in Englewood.

Appropriately, the teams were separated by just one stroke at their state qualifying tournament, the Metro-East Regional at South Suburban Golf Course last week. And arguably the two favorites to win the 5A individual title, juniors Calli Ringsby of Cherry Creek and Hannah Wood of Arapahoe, placed 1-2 at that regional, with scores of 72 and 73, respectively. (Ringsby is pictured swinging above, while Wood is at left.)

Both golfers are in the Hale Irwin Elite Player Program at CommonGround Golf Course, which is owned and operated by the CGA and CWGA.

Ringsby won both the CWGA Junior Stroke and Junior Match Play Championships last year, and she was one of four girls who represented the U.S. in the USA-China Youth Golf Match last August. She’s finished second and fourth in her previous two 5A state tournaments.

Wood made an impression on the national stage in March when she won the prestigious Kathy Whitworth Invitational in Texas. In Colorado, she captured the CJGA Tournament of Champions last fall. At the 5A state meet, she’s placed 10th as a freshman and third last year.

Also a good bet to be in contention this year is University of Colorado signee Claudia Davis of Arapahoe, who’s had three top-11 finishes at state. Meanwhile, Cherry Creek’s Cohen, who pulled off a big surprise in winning the 5A individual championship last year, will defend her title.

At the 4A state meet at Broken Tee, Jennifer Kupcho of Jefferson Academy and Taylor Dorans of Broomfield figure to be the favorites for the individual title.

Kupcho, the 2012 CWGA Junior Player of the Year, won the CJGA 14-18 Junior Series Championship as a 15-year-old last year. She shot the lowest score at any regional — 4A or 5A — when she carded a 5-under-par 67 at Fox Hollow in the 4A Metro-West.

Dorans, who has signed to play college golf at the University of Wyoming, won the 4A Northern Regional title for the third time. She’s finished in the top six in each of her previous three trips to state.

Regis Jesuit, the 4A team champion a year ago, is now competing on the 5A level.

Here is a rundown of all the 2013 regional champions, and of the known college golf signees in the 5A and 4A fields.

2013 Regional Individual Champions — Calli Ringsby, Cherry Creek, 5A Metro-East Regional, 72; Jaylee Tait, Columbine, 5A Metro-West Regional, 74; Jennie Chun, Highlands Ranch, 5A Northern Regional, 74; Mary Kate Nelson, Pine Creek, 5A Colorado Springs Regional, 82; Jennifer Kupcho, Jefferson Academy, 4A Metro-West Regional, 67; Taylor Dorans, Broomfield, 4A Northern Regional, 76; Taylor Walters, Rifle, 4A Western Regional, 74; Gia Zupancic, Pueblo East, 4A Southern Regional, 80; Megan McCutcheon, Lewis Palmer, 4A Colorado Springs Regional, 84.

2013 Regional Team Champions — Arapahoe (5A Metro-East Regional); Dakota Ridge (5A Metro-West Regional); Fairview (5A Northern Regional); Central of Grand Junction (5A Colorado Springs Regional); Valor Christian (4A Metro-West Regional); Estes Park (4A Northern Regional); Pueblo West (4A Southern Regional); Montrose (4A Western Regional); Cheyenne Mountain (4A Colorado Springs Regional).

College Golf Signees in State Tournament Fields — Laura Cohan, Valor Christian (4A), Colorado Christian; Claudia Davis, Arapahoe (5A), University of Colorado; Taylor Dorans, Broomfield (4A), Wyoming; Maggie Geolat, Palmer Ridge (4A), CSU-Pueblo; Tori Glenn, Valor Christian (4A), CU; Megan McCambridge, Fairview (5A), Butler; Kelly Moran, Fairview (5A), William & Mary; Jordan Sunset, Fairview (5A), Northern Colorado; Rachel Sweeney, Mountain Vista (5A), Lewis, Ill.
 

Nine golfers who finished in the top 10 at last year’s girls 5A state high school tournament had to take a back seat Tuesday to a player who didn’t crack the top 30 in 2011.

Cherry Creek junior Mackenzie Cohen, who shot 93 in the first round of the 5A state tourney last spring, posted a score 26 strokes better in the final round of this year’s meet en route to an improbable victory Tuesday at Aurora Hills Golf Course.

Cohen (pictured at left), who’s been the No. 3 or 4 player for the Bruins most of the season, fired a 5-under-par 67 Tuesday to earn by far the biggest victory of her career. Her final round included seven birdies in a span of nine holes as she shot the best score of her life — by seven strokes.

‘”It was fun,” the 17-year-old said. “I love playing like that. I just like being out there.”

Cohen’s 3-under-par 141 total gave her a one-shot victory over Rock Canyon senior Allie Johnston, the CWGA Junior Player of the Year in 2011. Johnston also closed with a 67. Arapahoe sophomore Hannah Wood placed third at 143.

The top 10 was filled with many of the same players as last year. In fact, seven golfers who made the top 10 in 2011 did so again on Tuesday. But they couldn’t keep up with Cohen, who finished 33rd at state a year ago.

Asked if she came into the tournament with any expectations of winning, Cohen said, “No, no. I have not played very well at state before so that’s by far the best I’ve ever done.”

Talk about a meteoric rise.

The middle of Cohen’s round set her apart from the pack. In the nine-hole stretch starting on No. 5, she made seven birdies and two pars, sinking many a long putt in the process. Then to keep her momentum going, she drained a 15-foot par save on No. 15.

“I felt good,” said Cohen, who also led Cherry Creek to the team title. “I usually play pretty relaxed. I was just making a lot of putts I guess. … I was just playing how I usually play and it seemed to be working.

“It didn’t really hit me until the 15th or 16th hole. I tried to stay calm and keep playing my game.”

Cohen said she didn’t come close to winning any invitational tournaments this season, but she certainly picked the right time to have her career round.

“I’ve been working pretty hard” on my game, she said. “I’ve worked on my short game a lot. That was my biggest weakness, and (the work) paid off today.”

Johnston (pictured at left), competing in her final high school tournament before moving on to play college golf at Texas-San Antonio, made quite a surge of her own. She posted seven birdies Tuesday, but a missed 3-foot par putt on No. 15 proved costly.

“I was trying to birdie every hole,” she said matter-of-factly. “I figured eventually that would probably get me to a good number.

“I did my best and I was happy I was beat and didn’t just give it away or anything. It feels good still. That was my best score ever (67). I can’t be upset with it.”

This is the second runner-up finish for Johnston in the state high school tournament. She also placed second in 2010, in Class 4A.

Cohen and Johnston led a torrid scoring day for several of the leaders. Four scores in the 60s were posted on Friday, with Cherry Creek’s Calli Ringsby (68 for a share of fourth place) and Highlands Ranch’s Patricia Lee (69 for fourth place) joining in the fun.

One player who may look back on Tuesday with some “what ifs” in her mind is first-round co-leader Shannon Lubar of Chatfield. She finished tied for fourth place, three out of the top spot, but she four-putted twice in the final round. Especially painful was a four-putt from 4 feet that resulted in a triple bogey on No. 6.

With an impressive 9-under-par total of 207 for its top three players on Tuesday, Cherry Creek won its second consecutive state team title — and record ninth overall in girls golf. Creek’s 3-under 429 total was 14 strokes better than 2010 champion Arapahoe. Fairview (461) was third.

Schroeder Rallies to Earn 4A Title in a Playoff: Senior Bryce Schroeder of Pueblo South, the runner-up in the 4A state tournament last year, moved up to the top spot in 2012 on Tuesday with her come-from-behind victory at Boomerang Golf Links in Greeley.

After tying Regis Jesuit’s Kathleen Kershisnik in regulation with a 65-foot birdie putt on No. 18 that left her at 3-under-par 143, Schroeder claimed the title with a birdie on the second playoff hole. Schroeder will play college golf at Wichita State.

The University of Wyoming-bound Kershisnik — who has finished second twice at state and third and fourth once each — bogeyed three of the last five holes in regulation to end up in the playoff. She shot a 73 on Tuesday, while Schroeder carded a 71. Jennifer Kupcho of Jefferson Academy (71-144) took third place.

In the team race, Regis won its second 4A state title in the last three years. Its 454 total was 13 strokes better than defending champion Pueblo South.

For scores, CLICK HERE FOR 5A and CLICK HERE FOR 4A.
 

For some high school seniors, the end of the school year brings days jammed full of important events.

Take the case of Rock Canyon senior Allie Johnston. On Monday morning, here were the two things on the agenda for the 2011 CWGA Junior Player of the Year: high school graduation ceremonies and the first day of the state tournament.

Most student-athletes wouldn’t want to miss either event, and despite a tight time frame, Johnston didn’t. After “walking” at commencement at Shea Stadium in Highlands Ranch, she shot a 3-over-par 75 at the 5A state high school tournament and trails co-leaders Shannon Lubar of Chatfield (pictured above) and Hannah Wood of Arapahoe (pictured below) by four strokes.

Johnston, the 2011 CWGA Junior Stroke Play champion, received some cooperation from Rock Canyon school administrators — who moved the start time of graduation from 11 a.m. to 8:30 — and from the CWGA, which accommodated roughly 10 graduation-related requests on Monday.

“I got to school at 7, I walked, exited out the side and came here,” Johnston said. “Graduation started at 8:30 and they had me walk first which was pretty funny because it went ‘Johnston,’ then started with the A’s. They just had me walk, then just keep walking straight out.

“I wanted to be there, and it was cool to be there.”

Though Johnston admits her “mind was not in golf mode,” the future Texas-San Antonio golfer is still in contention for the 5A title — as are quite a few players.

Wood and Lubar were the only two golfers to break par on Monday, firing 1-under-par 71s. Legacy sophomore Sarah Hankins carded an even-par 72. In all, there are 14 players packed from 4 over par to 1 under, including defending champion SeungHa Choi of Overland.

Wood picked a very good time to tie the best round of her young golf career, which left her atop the leaderboard at the halfway point of the 36-hole event.

“This is pretty good,” she said despite a couple of three-putts. “I’m trying to go low but it’s kind of hard.”

Wood has been on a nice roll the last few days. On Sunday, she won a CJGA Spring Series tournament at CommonGround and Kennedy golf courses by three strokes. And she carried that strong play over to Aurora Hills, where she posted four birdies and three bogeys. And she capped off Monday’s round with a 20-foot birdie chip-in on No. 18.

So Wood will be in the final group Tuesday (10:27 a.m.) along with Lubar and Hankins. Coincidentally, she was in the lead group for the final round at state last year, but she doesn’t want a repeat of that performance as she shot a final-day 87 to tie for 10th place.

“I’m kind of nervous,” she said. “It’s kind of nerve-wracking, but I know my game is pretty good. I’ve just got to work on my putting. I might have trouble sleeping tonight.”

Lubar is certainly no stranger to pressure situations on the golf course. A year ago, the University of Denver golf signee qualified and competed in the U.S. Women’s Amateur.

On Monday, the Chatfield golfer moved a step closer to her longtime goal of winning a state high school title by recording three birdies and two bogeys in her round of 71.

“It would mean everything (to win this),” said Lubar, who placed seventh at state last year. “I’ve wanted to win state since I was in seventh grade. I’ve always been working toward it. If I don’t, it’s not the end of the world but it’s something I’d really like to do.

“If I beat the course I beat the girls so I’m going to keep focusing on myself and beat the course.”

In the team competition, 2010 champion Arapahoe holds a two-stroke lead over defending champ Cherry Creek. Arapahoe posted a 4-over-par 220 total for its top three players.

Regis’ Kershisnik Fires 70 to Lead 4A Tourney: Regis Jesuit senior Kathleen Kershisnik, who has finished second, third and fourth in her three previous trips to the state tournament, shot a 3-under-par 70 Monday at Boomerang Golf Links in Greeley to grab a two-stroke lead in the 4A state meet.

Kershisnik made seven birdies in her round on Thursday.

Pueblo South’s Bryce Schroeder, the 2011 runner-up, shares second place at 72 with Broomfield’s Taylor Dorans, who placed sixth at state each of the last two seasons. Jennifer Kupcho of Jefferson Academy is in fourth place at 73.

Regis, which finished third at state last year, holds a 14-stroke lead over Valor Christian at the halfway point of the team competition. Regis posted a 6-over-par 225 total.

Both the 4A and 5A tournament will conclude on Tuesday.

For scores and pairings, CLICK HERE FOR 5A and CLICK HERE FOR 4A.