Sunday’s field for the 14-18 age division of the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado’s Parent/Child Championship featured some impressive players.

The 2018 Boys JGAC Player of the Year (Dillon Stewart of Fort Collins) was on hand, as was the winner of this month’s titles in both the 3A boys state high school tournament and the JGAC Tour Championship (Jackson Klutznick of Denver). In all, three reigning state high school champs were competing — Emma Bryant of Aurora (5A girls, pictured below with dad Matt) in addition to Stewart (5A boys) and Klutznick.

But despite the stiff competition, it was a 14-year-old eighth-grader and his dad that came out on top on Sunday at Indian Tree Golf Club in Arvada. Jackson Lowe and dad Mike from Castle Rock shot the only subpar round of the day — a 1-under 69 — to walk away with the top prize by one stroke over five teams that finished runners-up.

“We wanted to do well, but Jackson’s an eighth-grader,” Mike Lowe said. “To be honest with you, we didn’t think we had a chance (to win). There’s some good players here.”

Added Jackson: “That was really cool (to claim the top spot out of a field of 61 teams). It’s cool to look at the tournament and see you beat those people too.”

The Lowes (pictured above) finished in style as Mike drained a 40-plus-foot birdie putt on their final hole to give them a one-shot victory in the final JGAC tournament of the year.

In an event that used three formats — alternate shot for holes 1-6, scramble on holes 7-12 and best ball for 13-18 — the Lowes finished on No. 7, a par-4 that’s a sharp dogleg left. Mike Lowe smacked a big drive that left just 62 yards into the green. But he and Jackson didn’t take advantage with their approaches as neither hit it closer than 40 feet.

“We were both bummed,” Mike said.

But after Jackson missed his attempt from there, Mike hit the mark in what proved to provide the slim victory margin. But at the time, the two certainly didn’t think that was going to win them the tournament.

“We thought we might get in the top three,” said Jackson Lowe, who earlier this year won a U.S. Kids Golf tournament at Antler Creek Golf Coruse northeast of Colorado Springs.

“We were pumped” at finishing with a birdie, Mike Lowe added. “We’re like, ‘Maybe we’ll get in the top five and we’ll be under par.”

As it turned out, no one else finished in red figures. Stewart and his dad Scott were among those who tied for second place at 70. Also sharing second were Mark and Leigha Devine of Windsor, Kevin and Brynn Ellis of Windsor, Kevin and Sydney Eye of Golden, and Billy and Sloane Post of Centennial, whose only major blemish on their scorecard with a triple bogey on No. 2.

“It feels good” to prevail. “It’s a fun event,” Jackson Lowe said.

“We’re pretty competitive, but we thought, ‘Let’s go have fun today,'” said Mike Lowe, who carries a 2.2 Handicap Index at The Club at Pradera, while Jackson is a 7.8. “We weren’t grinding. If we made a bogey we were laughing. It’s a beautiful day — no wind — and we were very aggressive. We hit driver everywhere we could.”

The Lowes finished with six birdies — including four in a row starting on No. 11 — and five bogeys on Sunday.

— Heitzes Champs in 11-13: Uli and Rudiger Heitz (left) of Longmont prevailed in the 11-13 age division competition, which was held Saturday at Indian Tree. The Heitzes shot a 1-under-par 69 — making an eagle, two birdies and three bogeys along the way — then defeated Ben and Braiden Portie of Westminster in an alternate-shot playoff that lasted one hole. Ben Portie, the women’s golf coach at the University of Northern Colorado, won the CoBank Colorado Open in 2011.

Finishing third on Saturday was Calum and Andrew White of Centennial, who carded a 70.

The teams on Saturday played holes 1-6 via alternate shot, 7-12 in a scramble and 13-18 best ball.

— McFaddens Winners in 10 & Under After Long Playoff: Michael and Campbell McFadden (left) of Denver needed four extra holes to claim the title in the 10 & Under competition, also held on Saturday at Indian Tree. The McFaddens shot a 1-over-par 71 and tied for the top spot in regulation with Chris and Collen Todd of Golden before claiming the title on the fourth playoff hole in an alternate-shot format.

Jason and Alex Doyle of Colorado Springs fired a 72 to take third place.

For scores from the JGAC Parent/Child, click on the following: 14-18, 11-13, 10&Under.

Maxwell Lange of Golden shot an even-par 72 at Indian Tree Golf Club in Arvada, while Matthew Wilkinson of Centennial posted a 73 to gain the two available berths in the boys 13-14 competition.

And advancing at the same site in the boys 11-12 division were Californian Timothy Kelley (1-under-par 71) and Austin Barry of Fort Collins (76).

The Junior Worlds are scheduled for July 10-13 in the San Diego area.

For a story earlier this week about nine other Coloradans who have qualified for the IMG Academy Junior Worlds, CLICK HERE.

On Wednesday at Family Sports in Centennial, boys and girls 7-8 and 9-10 will tee it up, with one national spot at stake in each division except boys 9-10, where there will be two.

Here are the qualifiers from Friday’s tournaments:

Boys 13-14
June 1 at Indian Tree GC in Arvada
Maxwell Lange, Golden 72
Matthew Wilkinson, Centennial 73

Boys 11-12
June 1 at Indian Tree GC in Arvada
Timothy Kelley, Moorpark, Calif. 71
Austin Barry, Fort Collins 76
 

On display are showing of support, some laughs, and even occasional tenderness that can warm the heart.

It reinforces that golf can be, and often is, a family affair.

That’s part of the attractiveness of a new Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado event that will make its debut this weekend.

The JGAC Parent/Child Tournaments will be held Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 28-29) at Indian Tree Golf Club in Arvada. Kids 13 and under will play with their parents, step-parents or grandparents on Saturday, while Sunday will be the day for 14-18 year-olds and their parents/grandparents.

There has been a CGA Parent/Child Championship (earlier known as the Father/Son) since 1983, but most of the “children” in that event are college age or older. The JGAC Parent/Child will focus on a younger demographic.

“We had JGAC members express interest in the CGA Parent/Child, but the location was not as convenient and the format was not as kid- and family-friendly as this will be,” Ashley Barnhart, the CGA’s manager of junior competitions, said via email on Monday. “We also know there are a few other parent-child events in the region (US Kids, City of Aurora, etc.) that are well-received. We did some informal research and determined that we would have good turnout, so decided to create something for young players to play with their parents. Hopefully it will encourage the importance of golf as a family experience!”

Indeed, the sign-up for the event was impressive, with 164 golfers registered (70 for Saturday and 94 for Sunday). There will be separate divisions for JGAC members age 10 and under, 11-13 and 14-18.

Several families will take it a step beyond a single team entry by signing up two parent/child teams. That includes JGAC male player of the year Davis Bryant and mom Julie, who works for The First Tee of Green Valley Ranch and for the CoBank Colorado Open Championships at GVR. And 2017 Colorado Junior Match Play girls winner Emma Bryant will team up with dad Matt, the PGA general manager at GVR.

In the case of other PGA professionals competing with their kids, Timbre Shehee will pair up with dad Tray, an instructor at Ute Creek, on Saturday. And 2017 U.S. Junior Amateur qualifier TJ Shehee will compete with mom Terra, head professional at Boulder Country Club, on Sunday.

Among the JGAC major winners participating, besides Davis and Emma Bryant, is 2016 JGAC Tour Championship victor Charlotte Hillary (with dad Jim).

Tournaments each day will feature six holes each of best ball, alternate shot and scramble).
  

After nearly a decade of playing junior golf tournaments in Colorado, Mary Weinstein of Highlands Ranch in all likelihood came to the end of the line on Friday.

But while there may be some mixed feelings about leaving the junior ranks, she certainly went out on a high note.

Weinstein, who almost always has found her way to the top of the leaderboard in major Colorado girls tournaments over the last 13 months, did it again at Indian Tree Golf Club.

The 18-year-old Regis Jesuit High School graduate clawed her way back from an opening-round 77 to win the girls title Friday in the Colorado Junior PGA Championship, the second major in the inaugural season of the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado.

“I think this is my last Colorado junior tournament,” Weinstein said. “That’s really crazy because I’ve been playing in them for nine years — NINE YEARS. So it’s really special to end up champion, to go out with a bang. That’s super cool.”

Friday’s result means that Weinstein’s victories since June of last year have included the 2015 CWGA Junior Stroke Play and CJGA Junior Series Championship, and the 2016 5A state high school tournament, the Colorado Junior Amateur and now the Colorado Junior PGA Championship. She also placed 15th in the prestigious IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championships last year, marking the best finish ever by a Coloradan in the girls 15-17 age group there. 

Weinstein (left and above) has won both of the girls JGAC major titles in 2016, though it’s unlikely the Regis University signee will play in the last two junior majors of the year. 

“I’m just glad that all my hard work has finally paid off because I had a really rough time before (the state high school tournament) last year,” she said. “I worked really hard and got through it. Now I’m here. To have that year of success makes me really happy and really proud of how I worked hard.”

On Friday, Weinstein rallied from a two-stroke deficit by shooting a 4-under-par 31 on the front nine. And despite a double bogey on the final hole, she posted a 1-under-par 69 for the day, giving her an 8-over-par 218 total.

“My putting was on point today,” said Weinstein, who noted she put in several hours on the practice green during tournament week. “I didn’t miss a putt except for the last hole (a three-putt). Everything was just working for me.”

The victory Friday earned Weinstein an automatic berth in the national PGA Junior Championship, scheduled for Aug. 9-12 in Rumford, R.I.

Delaney Elliott (left) of Superior, a Montana State signee, played her final six holes in 1 under par on Friday to make a run at the title. The Monarch High School graduate closed with a 71 to check in at 219, one back of Weinstein. 

“I’d rather be first,” Elliott said of her performance, one of the last of her junior career. “I played pretty well today, but I missed a few putts (including two 4-footers), which kind of hurts, knowing I had a couple of short ones I could have made.

“But I thought I gave it a good run. I played well down the stretch (getting up and down for pars on 15 and 18 and making a 4-foot birdie on 16). And (Mary and I) have been friends for a long time. We’ve been playing together since we were about 10.”

Fourteen-year-old Charlotte Hillary of Englewood finished third at 224 after carding a 75 on Friday.

For the interactive scores from the girls tournament, CLICK HERE.

To read about the boys tournament, CLICK HERE.

Colorado Junior PGA Championship
At Par-70 Indian Tree GC in Arvada

GIRLS
1. Mary Weinstein, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2016, 77-72-69-218 +8
2. Delaney Elliott, Superior, CO, 2016, 73-75-71-219 +9
3. Charlotte Hillary, Englewood, CO, 2020, 78-71-75-224 +14
4. Jaclyn Murray, Grand Junction, CO, 2017, 73-74-78-225 +15
5. Amy Chitkoksoong, Aurora, CO, 2019, 73-79-74-226 +16
5. Sarah Hwang, Monument, CO, 2017, 79-72-75-226 +16
7. Erin Sargent, Longmont, CO, 2016, 77-78-72-227 +17
8. Julia Baroth, Denver, CO, 2017, 79-79-71-229 +19
9. Tabitha Diehl, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2017, 79-79-74-232 +22
10. Amelia Lee, Castle Rock, CO, 2017, 77-77-79-233 +23
11. Payton Canon, Englewood, CO, 2018, 79-76-79-234 +24
12. Hannah More, Littleton, CO, 2016, 79-73-83-235 +25
13. Amisha Singh, Greenwood Village, CO, 2019, 81-77-78-236 +26
14. Reagan Robinson, Golden, CO, 2018, 80-77-82-239 +29
15. Sarah Hunt, Parker, CO, 2017, 77-79-84-240 +30
Missed Cut
Kacey Godwin, Denver, CO, 2016, +19
Kelsey Webster, Boulder, CO, 2018, +19
Shelby Poynter, Scottsbluff, NE, 2018, +20
Sydney Eye, Golden, CO, 2019, +22
Arielle Keating, Colorado Springs, CO, 2018, +24
Anju Ogi, Arvada, CO, 2021, +24
Riley McKibbon, Arvada, CO, 2017, +26
Katie Berrian, Castle Rock, CO, 2020, +26
Lauren Murphy, Carbondale, CO, 2018, +26
Carly Gallant, Louisville, CO, 2017, +29
Jenna Chun, Englewood, CO, 2018, +32
Eva Pett, Denver, CO, 2022, +37
Jihyun Roh, Broomfield, CO, 2018, +40
Isabell Deak, Colorado Springs, CO, 2018, +41
Andrea Hoos, Thornton, CO, 2016, +18 WD
 

Just like a fellow lefty who’s doing quite well playing tournament golf this week, AJ Ott of Fort Collins rode rounds of 63-69 on Thursday and Friday to the top of the leaderboard.

For Phil Mickelson, that was good for the halfway lead in the British Open. For Ott, it meant the boys title in the Colorado Junior PGA Championship, the second major in the inaugural season of the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado.

“Lefties are making a comeback, I’ll tell you what,” Ott said with a smile.

A day after he tied the course record at Indian Tree Golf Club by holing out from 138 yards for eagle on 18 en route to the 7-under-par 63, Ott maintained a big advantage all day on Friday and posted a seven-stroke victory.

It was a welcome win for the Colorado State University-bound golfer, who has finished runner-up in the 2015 CGA Junior Stroke Play, the 2015 5A state high school meet and this year’s AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior and PGA Junior Series event at the Air Force Academy. During that stretch, Ott claimed the title in the CJGA Tournament of Champions.

“It felt good,” Ott (left and above) said of the breakthrough. “I was trying not to really think about it. I was trying to keep it one shot at a time. My coach at CSU helped me a lot with my pre-shot routine. I texted him last night and he had some good words that helped me out today. But it’s anyone’s game at the start of the week, so I was trying to keep it in play and hopefully get some putts to drop. Thankfully they dropped.”

At Indian Tree, the 18-year-old left nothing to chance with his three-day total of 12-under-par 198. For the week, he finished with one eagle, 13 birdies and three bogeys.

The victory Friday gave Ott an automatic berth in the national PGA Junior Championship, set for Aug. 9-12 in Rumford, R.I.

Jackson Solem (left) of Longmont, the reigning 4A state high school champion, finished a distant second on Friday at 5-under-par 205. Solem, who has committed to play his college golf at the University of Denver beginning next year, closed with a 67.

“I shot 67-71-67 and played well for three days,” Solem said. “Obviously I didn’t accomplish what I wanted to, but it’s hard to beat how AJ is playing right now so I’m pretty satisfied with how I did.

“I played with him yesterday (during Ott’s 63) and it was fun to watch. He’s a good friend of mine so it was really cool to see him succeed.”

Coby Welch of Highlands Ranch, the 2015 CGA Junior Player of the Year, placed third at 207 after a 69 on Friday. Welch will begin his University of Northern Colorado golf career this fall.

Ott, who tied his best score ever with Thursday’s 63, took a nine-stroke lead into Friday’s final round. But he was careful not to become complacent.

“I wanted to stay aggressive,” said Ott, whose three birdies Friday included a chip-in on No. 13. “That was my mindset the whole day. I knew I couldn’t go out there and shoot a couple over on the front because (Solem and Welch) were both going to shoot a couple under. I needed to stay aggressive and make some putts too. The putts hadn’t really dropped the last couple of tournaments, but they did this week, which was really nice.”

For the interactive scores from the boys tournament, CLICK HERE.

To read about the girls tournament, CLICK HERE.

Colorado Junior PGA Championship
At Par-70 Indian Tree GC in Arvada

BOYS
1. AJ Ott, Fort Collins, CO, 2016, 66-63-69-198 -12
2. Jackson Solem, Longmont, CO, 2017, 67-71-67-205 -5
3. Coby Welch, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2016, 71-67-69-207 -3
4. Andrew McCormick, Denver, CO, 2016, 73-66-73-212 +2
5. Hunter Tuite, Englewood, CO, 2017, 72-71-71-214 +4
5. Tyler Zhang, Lone Tree, CO, 2017, 69-70-75-214 +4
7. David Leede, Greenwood Village, CO, 2016, 69-70-76-215 +5
8. Dallas Millin, Wright, WY, 2017, 77-69-71-217 +7
8. Freddie Gluck, Boulder, CO, 2018, 72-70-75-217 +7
8. Reese Leiker, Littleton, CO, 2016, 69-73-75-217 +7
11. Kyle Pearson, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2017, 73-74-71-218 +8
11. Alec Poorman, Boulder, CO, 2016, 75-70-73-218 +8
11. Davis Bryant, Aurora, CO, 2018, 72-71-75-218 +8
11. Coleson Krantz, Windsor, CO, 2017, 76-68-74-218 +8
15. Darren Edwards, Loveland, CO, 2018, 75-71-73-219 +9
15. Brittain Walton, Steamboat Springs, CO, 2016, 74-71-74-219 +9
15. Timothy Amundson, Littleton, CO, 2016, 76-70-73-219 +9
18. Ian Thorpe, Superior, CO, 2018, 75-74-71-220 +10
18. Ethan Alexander, Louisville, CO, 2017, 71-75-74-220 +10
18. Peter Grossenbacher, Eaton, CO, 2019, 72-71-77-220 +10
21. Luke Travins, Colorado Springs, CO, 2017, 75-75-72-222 +12
21. Marcus Tait, Littleton, CO, 2017, 75-74-73-222 +12
21. Arik Roberts, Colorado Springs, CO, 2017, 74-73-75-222 +12
24. Tj Shehee, Longmont, CO, 2019, 76-73-74-223 +13
24. Jake Welch, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2019, 71-73-79-223 +13
26. Calvin McCoy, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2018, 72-72-80-224 +14
27. Tyler Severin, Johnstown, CO, 2018, 74-76-75-225 +15
27. Sam Taylor, Nederland, CO, 2017, 73-75-77-225 +15
27. Dillon Baker, Castle Rock, CO, 2018, 72-74-79-225 +15
30. Sam Blackwood, Littleton, CO, 2018, 78-72-77-227 +17
31. Jaxon Franklin, Broomfield, CO, 2018, 73-77-81-231 +21
Missed 36-Hole Cut
Ji Jang, Aurora, CO, 2016, 78-73-151 +11
Ethan Tartaglia, Lafayette, CO, 2018, 77-74-151 +11
Jackson Crist, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2018, 76-75-151 +11
Jack Tickle, Centennial, CO, 2019, 75-76-151 +11
Austin Hardman, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2016, 75-76-151 +11
Ryan Pearson, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2017, 74-77-151 +11
Gabe Goodman, Lakewood, CO, 2018, 73-78-151 +11
Matthew Heesemann, Johnstown, CO, 2016, 80-72-152 +12
John McGinley, Casper, WY, 2018, 79-73-152 +12
Roger Nakagawa, Denver, CO, 2018, 81-72-153 +13
Evan Kalac, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2019, 80-74-154 +14
Nishant Datta, Broomfield, CO, 2018, 81-73-154 +14
Walker Franklin, Broomfield, CO, 2020, 79-75-154 +14
Brayden Lambrecht, Sterling, CO, 2018, 79-75-154 +14
Bridger Tenney, Evergreen, CO, 2018, 77-77-154 +14
Garret Phillips, Rock Springs, WY, 2017, 74-80-154 +14
Nolan Miller, Evergreen, CO, 2019, 77-78-155 +15
Cameron Kirke, Greenwood Village, CO, 2018, 78-78-156 +16
Christian Agelopoulos, Denver, CO, 2020, 84-75-159 +19
Cameron Nagel, Fort Collins, CO, 2017, 80-80-160 +20
Christopher Kennedy, Aurora, CO, 2019, 76-84-160 +20
Drew Anderson, Aurora, CO, 2018, 82-79-161 +21
Riley Rottschafer, Centennial, CO, 2019, 90-73-163 +23
Matthew LeFebre, Centennial, CO, 2017, 84-80-164 +24
Jackson Zinn, Westminster, CO, 2018, 83-84-167 +27
Chris Jonell, Centennial, CO, 2019, 84-90-174 +34
 

The Colorado State University signee holed out from 138 yards for eagle on his final shot of the day and tied a course record at Indian Tree Golf Club with a 7-under-par 63 Thursday during the second round of the Colorado Junior PGA Championship.

That stellar performance gave Ott (pictured) a nine-stroke lead heading into the final round of the second major in the inaugural season of the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado.

Meanwhile, in a tightly packed girls tournament, Jaclyn Murray of Grand Junction, a member of the CWGA’s 2016 Junior Americas Cup team, grabbed a one-stroke lead heading into the final round. The 17-year-old from Regis Jesuit High School, who finished second in last year’s CWGA Junior Match Play, made two birdies Thursday and shot a 4-over-par 74, leaving her at 7-over 147 overall.

Ott, who recently finished second in both the AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior and the national PGA Junior Series event at the Air Force Academy, closed his bogey-free round with a 138-yard eagle on the 452-yard par-4 18th hole. That gave him five birdies and an eagle on the day.

Overall, Ott will go into Friday’s final round with an 11-under-par 129 total. That’s nine shots better than 2015 CGA Junior Player of the Year Coby Welch of Highlands Ranch (67 Thursday) and 2015 4A state high school champion Jackson Solem of Longmont (71). Three players share fourth place at 139: Andrew McCormick of Denver (66 Thursday), David Leede of Greenwood Village (70) and Tyler Zhang of Lone Tree (70).

The girls tournament is a far different affair, with six players trailing Murray by five strokes or fewer. Delaney Elliott of Superior, who has signed to play college golf at Montana State, is one out of the lead after a second-round 75. Mary Weinstein of Highlands Ranch, winner of both the 5A state high school tournament and the Colorado Junior Amateur this year, shares third place at 149 with Charlotte Hillary of Englewood. Weinstein carded a 72, while Hillary’s 71 was the best girls score on Friday.

Also within a handful of the lead are Sarah Hwang of Monument (151), Hannah More of Littleton (152) and 2015 CWGA Junior Match Play winner Amy Chitkoksoong of Aurora (152).

After 36 holes, the girls’ field was cut down to 15 players and the boys’ to 31.

For interactive scores, click on the following: BOYS, GIRLS

Colorado Junior PGA Championship
At Par-70 Indian Tree GC in Arvada

BOYS
1. AJ Ott, Fort Collins, CO, 2016, 66-63-129 -11
2. Coby Welch, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2016, 71-67-138 -2
2. Jackson Solem, Longmont, CO, 2017, 67-71-138 -2
4. Andrew McCormick, Denver, CO, 2016, 73-66-139 -1
4. David Leede, Greenwood Village, CO, 2016, 69-70-139 -1
4. Tyler Zhang, Lone Tree, CO, 2017, 69-70-139 -1
7. Freddie Gluck, Boulder, CO, 2018, 72-70-142 +2
7. Reese Leiker, Littleton, CO, 2016, 69-73-142 +2
9. Peter Grossenbacher, Eaton, CO, 2019, 72-71-143 +3
9. Hunter Tuite, Englewood, CO, 2017, 72-71-143 +3
9. Davis Bryant, Aurora, CO, 2018, 72-71-143 +3
12. Coleson Krantz, Windsor, CO, 2017, 76-68-144 +4
12. Calvin McCoy, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2018, 72-72-144 +4
12. Jake Welch, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2019, 71-73-144 +4
15. Alec Poorman, Boulder, CO, 2016, 75-70-145 +5
15. Brittain Walton, Steamboat Springs, CO, 2016, 74-71-145 +5
17. Dallas Millin, Wright, WY, 2017, 77-69-146 +6
17. Timothy Amundson, Littleton, CO, 2016, 76-70-146 +6
17. Darren Edwards, Loveland, CO, 2018, 75-71-146 +6
17. Dillon Baker, Castle Rock, CO, 2018, 72-74-146 +6
17. Ethan Alexander, Louisville, CO, 2017, 71-75-146 +6
22. Arik Roberts, Colorado Springs, CO, 2017, 74-73-147 +7
22. Kyle Pearson, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2017, 73-74-147 +7
24. Sam Taylor, Nederland, CO, 2017, 73-75-148 +8
25. Tj Shehee, Longmont, CO, 2019, 76-73-149 +9
25. Marcus Tait, Littleton, CO, 2017, 75-74-149 +9
25. Ian Thorpe, Superior, CO, 2018, 75-74-149 +9
28. Sam Blackwood, Littleton, CO, 2018, 78-72-150 +10
28. Luke Travins, Colorado Springs, CO, 2017, 75-75-150 +10
28. Tyler Severin, Johnstown, CO, 2018, 74-76-150 +10
28. Jaxon Franklin, Broomfield, CO, 2018, 73-77-150 +10
Missed Cut
Ji Jang, Aurora, CO, 2016, 78-73-151 +11
Ethan Tartaglia, Lafayette, CO, 2018, 77-74-151 +11
Jackson Crist, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2018, 76-75-151 +11
Jack Tickle, Centennial, CO, 2019, 75-76-151 +11
Austin Hardman, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2016, 75-76-151 +11
Ryan Pearson, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2017, 74-77-151 +11
Gabe Goodman, Lakewood, CO, 2018, 73-78-151 +11
Matthew Heesemann, Johnstown, CO, 2016, 80-72-152 +12
John McGinley, Casper, WY, 2018, 79-73-152 +12
Roger Nakagawa, Denver, CO, 2018, 81-72-153 +13
Evan Kalac, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2019, 80-74-154 +14
Nishant Datta, Broomfield, CO, 2018, 81-73-154 +14
Walker Franklin, Broomfield, CO, 2020, 79-75-154 +14
Brayden Lambrecht, Sterling, CO, 2018, 79-75-154 +14
Bridger Tenney, Evergreen, CO, 2018, 77-77-154 +14
Garret Phillips, Rock Springs, WY, 2017, 74-80-154 +14
Nolan Miller, Evergreen, CO, 2019, 77-78-155 +15
Cameron Kirke, Greenwood Village, CO, 2018, 78-78-156 +16
Christian Agelopoulos, Denver, CO, 2020, 84-75-159 +19
Cameron Nagel, Fort Collins, CO, 2017, 80-80-160 +20
Christopher Kennedy, Aurora, CO, 2019, 76-84-160 +20
Drew Anderson, Aurora, CO, 2018, 82-79-161 +21
Riley Rottschafer, Centennial, CO, 2019, 90-73-163 +23
Matthew LeFebre, Centennial, CO, 2017, 84-80-164 +24
Jackson Zinn, Westminster, CO, 2018, 83-84-167 +27
Chris Jonell, Centennial, CO, 2019, 84-90-174 +34
 
 
GIRLS
1. Jaclyn Murray, Grand Junction, CO, 2017, 73-74-147 +7
2. Delaney Elliott, Superior, CO, 2016, 73-75-148 +8
3. Charlotte Hillary, Englewood, CO, 2020, 78-71-149 +9
3. Mary Weinstein, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2016, 77-72-149 +9
5. Sarah Hwang, Monument, CO, 2017, 79-72-151 +11
6. Hannah More, Littleton, CO, 2016, 79-73-152 +12
6. Amy Chitkoksoong, Aurora, CO, 2019, 73-79-152 +12
8. Amelia Lee, Castle Rock, CO, 2017, 77-77-154 +14
9. Payton Canon, Englewood, CO, 2018, 79-76-155 +15
9. Erin Sargent, Longmont, CO, 2016, 77-78-155 +15
11. Sarah Hunt, Parker, CO, 2017, 77-79-156 +16
12. Reagan Robinson, Golden, CO, 2018, 80-77-157 +17
13. Amisha Singh, Greenwood Village, CO, 2019, 81-77-158 +18
13. Tabitha Diehl, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2017, 79-79-158 +18
13. Julia Baroth, Denver, CO, 2017, 79-79-158 +18
Missed Cut
Kacey Godwin, Denver, CO, 2016, +19
Kelsey Webster, Boulder, CO, 2018, +19
Shelby Poynter, Scottsbluff, NE, 2018, +20
Sydney Eye, Golden, CO, 2019, +22
Arielle Keating, Colorado Springs, CO, 2018, +24
Anju Ogi, Arvada, CO, 2021, +24
Riley McKibbon, Arvada, CO, 2017, +26
Katie Berrian, Castle Rock, CO, 2020, +26
Lauren Murphy, Carbondale, CO, 2018, +26
Carly Gallant, Louisville, CO, 2017, +29
Jenna Chun, Englewood, CO, 2018, +32
Eva Pett, Denver, CO, 2022, +37
Jihyun Roh, Broomfield, CO, 2018, +40
Isabell Deak, Colorado Springs, CO, 2018, +41
Andrea Hoos, Thornton, CO, 2016, +18 WD
 

The 18-year-old, who will play college golf for Colorado State beginning this fall, shot a 4-under-par 66 Wednesday at Indian Tree Golf Club in Arvada to grab a one-stroke lead in the boys division of the Colorado Junior PGA Championship, the second major of the inaugural season of the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado.

In the girls tournament, which is being held simultaneously at the same site, three players share the first-round lead: 2015 CWGA Junior Match Play winner Amy Chitkoksoong of Aurora and runner-up Jaclyn Murray of Grand Junction, and Delaney Elliott of Superior, who will play college golf at Montana State starting this fall. Chitkoksoong and Murray will be Colorado teammates later this month at the Girls Junior Americas Cup in Modesto, Calif. The three co-leaders shot 3-over-par 73s on Wednesday.

Both the boys and girls championships will be 54-hole affairs.

Ott, runner-up earlier this season in both the AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior and the national PGA Junior Series event at the Air Force Academy, made five birdies and one bogey in Wednesday’s opening round.

Jackson Solem of Longmont, the reigning 4A state high school champion, sits in second place at 67 after a five-birdie day. The other three players who posted sub-par rounds on Wednesday were Tyler Zhang of Lone Tree, David Leede of Greenwood Village and Reese Leiker of Littleton, all of whom carded 69s.

In the girls event, a group four back of the co-leaders includes Mary Weinstein of Highlands Ranch, winner of the Colorado Junior Amateur and the 5A state high school meet earlier this year; 4A state champion Erin Sargent of Longmont; Sarah Hunt of Parker; and Amelia Lee of Castle Rock.

The action will continue through Friday for both the boys and girls.

For interactive scores, click on the following: BOYS, GIRLS 

Colorado Junior PGA Championship
At Par-70 Indian Tree GC in Arvada

BOYS
1. AJ Ott, Fort Collins, CO, 34-32-66 -4
2. Jackson Solem, Longmont, CO, 33-34-67 -3
3. Tyler Zhang, Lone Tree, CO, 34-35-69 -1
3. David Leede, Greenwood Village, CO, 34-35-69 -1
3. Reese Leiker, Littleton, CO, 34-35-69 -1
6. Coby Welch, Highlands Ranch, CO, 36-35-71 +1
6. Jake Welch, Highlands Ranch, CO, 34-37-71 +1
6. Ethan Alexander, Louisville, CO, 36-35-71 +1
9. Davis Bryant, Aurora, CO, 36-36-72 +2
9. Calvin McCoy, Highlands Ranch, CO, 35-37-72 +2
9. Dillon Baker, Castle Rock, CO, 34-38-72 +2
9. Hunter Tuite, Englewood, CO, 37-35-72 +2
9. Peter Grossenbacher, Eaton, CO, 37-35-72 +2
9. Freddie Gluck, Boulder, CO, 37-35-72 +2
15. Andrew McCormick, Denver, CO, 36-37-73 +3
15. Kyle Pearson, Highlands Ranch, CO, 36-37-73 +3
15. Sam Taylor, Nederland, CO, 35-38-73 +3
15. Gabe Goodman, Lakewood, CO, 34-39-73 +3
15. Jaxon Franklin, Broomfield, CO, 39-34-73 +3
20. Brittain Walton, Steamboat Springs, CO, 35-39-74 +4
20. Arik Roberts, Colorado Springs, CO, 37-37-74 +4
20. Tyler Severin, Johnstown, CO, 39-35-74 +4
20. Garret Phillips, Rock Springs, WY, 38-36-74 +4
20. Ryan Pearson, Highlands Ranch, CO, 38-36-74 +4
25. Austin Hardman, Highlands Ranch, CO, 36-39-75 +5
25. Alec Poorman, Boulder, CO, 41-34-75 +5
25. Luke Travins, Colorado Springs, CO, 37-38-75 +5
25. Marcus Tait, Littleton, CO, 34-41-75 +5
25. Darren Edwards, Loveland, CO, 38-37-75 +5
25. Ian Thorpe, Superior, CO, 38-37-75 +5
25. Jack Tickle, Centennial, CO, 37-38-75 +5
32. Coleson Krantz, Windsor, CO, 39-37-76 +6
32. Timothy Amundson, Littleton, CO, 39-37-76 +6
32. Jackson Crist, Highlands Ranch, CO, 39-37-76 +6
32. Tj Shehee, Longmont, CO, 39-37-76 +6
32. Christopher Kennedy, Aurora, CO, 38-38-76 +6
37. Dallas Millin, Wright, WY, 38-39-77 +7
37. Ethan Tartaglia, Lafayette, CO, 41-36-77 +7
37. Bridger Tenney, Evergreen, CO, 39-38-77 +7
37. Nolan Miller, Evergreen, CO, 39-38-77 +7
41. Ji Jang, Aurora, CO, 37-41-78 +8
41. Sam Blackwood, Littleton, CO, 36-42-78 +8
41. Cameron Kirke, Greenwood Village, CO, 40-38-78 +8
44. John McGinley, Casper, WY, 42-37-79 +9
44. Brayden Lambrecht, Sterling, CO, 40-39-79 +9
44. Walker Franklin, Broomfield, CO, 37-42-79 +9
47. Matthew Heesemann, Johnstown, CO, 40-40-80 +10
47. Cameron Nagel, Fort Collins, CO, 40-40-80 +10
47. Evan Kalac, Highlands Ranch, CO, 39-41-80 +10
50. Nishant Datta, Broomfield, CO, 40-41-81 +11
50. Roger Nakagawa, Denver, CO, 40-41-81 +11
52. Drew Anderson, Aurora, CO, 38-44-82 +12
53. Jackson Zinn, Westminster, CO, 47-36-83 +13
54. Matthew LeFebre, Centennial, CO, 45-39-84 +14
54. Christian Agelopoulos, Denver, CO, 44-40-84 +14
54. Chris Jonell, Centennial, CO, 40-44-84 +14
57. Drew Mettler, Loveland, CO, 39-47-86 +16
58. Riley Rottschafer, Centennial, CO, 47-43-90 +20
 
GIRLS
1. Delaney Elliott, Superior, CO, 36-37-73 +3
1. Jaclyn Murray, Grand Junction, CO, 36-37-73 +3
1. Amy Chitkoksoong, Aurora, CO, 38-35-73 +3
4. Mary Weinstein, Highlands Ranch, CO, 39-38-77 +7
4. Erin Sargent, Longmont, CO, 38-39-77 +7
4. Sarah Hunt, Parker, CO, 38-39-77 +7
4. Amelia Lee, Castle Rock, CO, 39-38-77 +7
8. Charlotte Hillary, Englewood, CO, 40-38-78 +8
9. Julia Baroth, Denver, CO, 40-39-79 +9
9. Tabitha Diehl, Highlands Ranch, CO, 41-38-79 +9
9. Sydney Eye, Golden, CO, 40-39-79 +9
9. Hannah More, Littleton, CO, 37-42-79 +9
9. Payton Canon, Englewood, CO, 39-40-79 +9
9. Sarah Hwang, Monument, CO, 40-39-79 +9
15. Reagan Robinson, Golden, CO, 39-41-80 +10
15. Kelsey Webster, Boulder, CO, 38-42-80 +10
17. Lauren Murphy, Carbondale, CO, 42-39-81 +11
17. Amisha Singh, Greenwood Village, CO, 39-42-81 +11
19. Kacey Godwin, Denver, CO, 41-41-82 +12
19. Katie Berrian, Castle Rock, CO, 40-42-82 +12
19. Andrea Hoos, Thornton, CO, 41-41-82 +12
19. Riley McKibbon, Arvada, CO, 41-41-82 +12
19. Anju Ogi, Arvada, CO, 42-40-82 +12
19. Jenna Chun, Englewood, CO, 43-39-82 +12
25. Arielle Keating, Colorado Springs, CO, 44-40-84 +14
25. Shelby Poynter, Scottsbluff, NE, 42-42-84 +14
27. Eva Pett, Denver, CO, 44-43-87 +17
28. Isabell Deak, Colorado Springs, CO, 42-47-89 +19
28. Carly Gallant, Louisville, CO, 44-45-89 +19
30. Jihyun Roh, Broomfield, CO, 46-45-91 +21
 

The 54-hole championship will run Wednesday through Friday (July 13-15).

As with last month’s Colorado Junior Amateur, a boys and girls championship will be held simultaneously at the same site.

Mary Weinstein of Highlands Ranch will attempt to win her second JGAC major of the year, while Cole Krantz of Windsor will be defending his boys title in the Junior PGA Championship.

Among the other 58 boys competing are AJ Ott of Fort Collins, runner-up in both the AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior and the national PGA Junior Series event at the Air Force Academy; 2015 CGA Junior Player of the Year Coby Welch of Highlands Ranch; 4A state high school champion Jackson Solem of Longmont; and Davis Bryant of Aurora and Daniel Pearson of Longmont, like Solem and Krantz members of the 2016 CGA Junior America’s Cup team.

Weinstein, the 2015 CWGA Junior Player of the Year and winner of the 5A state high school title and the Colorado Junior Amateur this year, will be joined in the 29-player girls field by 4A state high school champion and 2015 U.S. Women’s Amateur qualifier Erin Sargent of Longmont; 2015 CWGA Junior Match Play champ Amy Chitkoksoong of Aurora; and Jaclyn Murray of Grand Junction, like Chitkoksoong a member of the CWGA Girls Junior America’s Cup team.

For Junior PGA Championship tee times, click on the following: BOYS, GIRLS

Ross Macdonald apparently has taken quite a shine to the CGA Junior Stroke Play trophy.

The golfer from the Country Club at Castle Pines on Friday became the first player since the 1980s to win consecutive Junior Stroke Play Championships. And just for good measure, he also finished second in the event, in 2012 to Jimmy Makloski.

And the scary thing is, if he so chooses he’ll probably be eligible to compete in the event one more time before he begins his college golf career at the University of Colorado in the fall of 2015.

If he would by chance win again next year, with three victories and a second he’d probably be the top performer ever in the CGA Junior Stroke Play. That title currently belongs to Scott Petersen, who won three straight championships from 1987 through ’89.

As it is, only two other players in the 38-year history of the Junior Stroke Play have repeated as champion: Petersen and Luke Maten, who won the event in 1980 and ’81.

“I’ve worked hard this whole year to give myself a chance to win this tournament again,” said Macdonald (pictured above). “To join the few players who have accomplished that, it means a lot to me.

“It’s probably one of the biggest days of my life. Last year winning the tournament was definitely my biggest win, but defending it was even tougher with all the pressure. Doing it two years in a row means a whole lot to me.”

Macdonald rallied on the back nine Friday to catch his Valor Christian High School teammate, Coby Welch (left) of The Links Golf Course, then beat him on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff at Indian Tree Golf Club in Arvada.

After both players parred the first extra hole, Welch gave Macdonald an opening when he missed the green on the second hole and couldn’t sink his 6-foot par putt. Macdonald two-putted from 40 feet for his par, draining a 5-footer for the victory.

Macdonald, part of the Hale Irwin Elite Player Program at CommonGround Golf Course, matched the lowest round on Friday — a 3-under-par 67 — to finish at even-par 210 for three days. The 15-year-old Welch closed with a 72 to force the playoff.

Grant Rogers (left) of the Omni Interlocken Resort Golf Club (212 after a 71 Friday) placed third, while second-round leader Isaac Petersilie of Colorado Springs Country Club (76 Friday) shared fourth place at 213 with Glenn Workman of Desert Hawk at Pueblo West (73).

Welch (left) was in control for much of the final day, standing at 5 under par for the tournament through 11 holes. But he played the next four holes in 5 over par, going bogey, par, triple bogey, bogey. After bogeying the par-5 12th, the par-5 14th proved even more costly as his tee shot went out of bounds right and he needed to sink a 15-foot putt for an 8. Then he missed a short par putt on the next hole to drop back further.

“It was a bad swing (off the tee on 14),” said Welch, a junior-to-be at Valor Christian. “I hadn’t done it all day. I was hitting the ball good, then that one shot killed me.

“I knew I was (still in it). I just couldn’t get it started again. I started off the day well, but couldn’t finish.”

Macdonald (left), in the fourth-to-last group, played his back nine in 3-under-par 32 to make up a lot of ground in a hurry on Welch, who carded a 39 on that side. Macdonald drove the green on the 328-yard 10th hole and two-putted for birdie, and added birdies on the two par-5s on the back nine, making up six strokes on Welch on those two holes alone.

Macdonald liked being out of the main fray of contenders in the final round, teeing off almost a half-hour before the second-day leaders. He stayed under the radar most of the day.

“I looked at it as a positive so I wouldn’t have as much pressure on me,” the 17-year-old said. “I could just go out, put a good number up there and see what happens. I ended up making some birdies on the back nine. It all ended up going my way.

“I thought I was a little out of (contention for the title), but then I got to 17 and some of the kids walking with us told us things were kind of going downhill in the groups behind us and everything was really close,” Macdonald said. “I knew I was still in it if I made the smart decisions and finished strong.”

Playing against a high school teammate and a friend in the playoff had its pluses and minuses.

“It was kind of tough because we’re such good friends,” Macdonald said. “Beating one of your best friends is always hard. But I knew it was all positive. Both of us get along so well that this wouldn’t really affect it. It was probably a little easier because we know each other so well. It’s not too stressful playing someone like that.”

Welch (left) thought it was a mixed bag: “I wanted to beat him, but I also wanted him to win because he’s a teammate.”

Macdonald and Welch helped Valor Christian win the 4A state high school team title last fall. Over the last two years, the four players on that team have won three CGA junior championships (two for Macdonald and one for Jake Staiano, who captured the 2013 Junior Match Play) and have qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur twice (both Josh Seiple).

CGA Junior Stroke Play Championship

At Par-70 Indian Tree GC in Arvada
x-won sudden-death playoff

x-Ross Macdonald, CC at Castle Pines 73-70-67–210
Coby Welch, The Links GC 70-68-72–210
Grant Rogers, Omni Interlocken GC 67-74-71–212
Glenn Workman, Desert Hawk GC 70-70-73–213
Isaac Petersilie, Colorado Springs CC 68-69-76–213
Todd Millard, Twin Peaks GC 71-72-71–214
Spencer Painton, Green Valley Ranch GC 67-73-75–215
Jake Kelley, Pinehurst CC 77-69-69–215
Trevor Olkowski, Bookcliff CC 72-72-72–216
Evan Buchalski, Olde Course at Loveland 71-71-75–217
Alex Gorman, Broadlands GC 69-73-75–217
Alan Berry, Meadows GC 73-73-71–217
Garrett Jones, West Woods GC 75-71-71–217
Aj Ott, Ptarmigan CC 73-73-72–218
Gregory Shelton, Raccoon Creek GC 71-70-77–218
Kyler Dunkle, Club at Pradera 80-72-67–219
Tristan Rohrbaugh, Ironbridge GC 77-71-71–219
Erik Young, CommonGround GC 71-74-74–219
Andrew Cooper, Glenmoor CC 75-75-69–219
Troy Dangler, Tiara Rado GC 72-73-74–219
Tyler Zhang, Lone Tree GC 71-73-75–219
Bretton Krantz, Ptarmigan CC 71-73-76–220
Jackson Solem, Fox Hill CC 75-74-71–220
Keegan Sheard, Applewood GC 75-76-70–221
Li Chen, Legacy Ridge GC 75-76-70–221
Behrod Keshtavar, Indian Peaks GC 71-74-76–221
Neil Tillman, Heritage at Westmoor 73-74-75–222
Roy Carlsen, Heritage at Westmoor 72-76-75–223
Andrew Howe, Fox Hill CC 78-72-74–224
Cole Folwell, Boulder CC 70-75-79–224
Justin Allenback, Elmwood GC 73-76-75–224
Jackson Vacek, Harmony Club 78-69-78–225
Andrew McCormick, Denver CC 73-77-75–225
Reese Leiker, South Suburban GC 76-74-75–225
Donny Kinnaman, Lincoln Park GC 72-77-77–226
Bridger Ryan, Broadlands GC 75-73-78–226
Clayton Crawford, Maroon CC 72-78-78–228
Grant Dinkel, Flatirons GC 81-71-76–228
Zach Gomez, Indian Tree GC 74-75-80–229
Samuel Taylor, Indian Peaks GC 73-79-77–229
Kyle Pearson, Meridian GC 77-74-78–229
Taylor Rodriguez, Walking Stick GC 76-75-79–230
Ryan James Zetwick, CC at Castle Pines 74-78-81–233
Charlie Schneider, The Links GC 77-75-82–234

FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR ROUND 3
Oliver Jack, Glenmoor CC 77-76–153
Alec Poorman, Flatirons GC 77-76–153
Nick Leibold, Columbine CC 80-73–153
Bradley Scalia, Green Valley Ranch GC 79-74–153
Justin Markel, CC at Castle Pines 74-79–153
Davis Bryant, Green Valley Ranch GC 79-74–153
Coleson Krantz, Ptarmigan CC 81-73–154
Alex Liss, Olde Course at Loveland 77-77–154
Kyle Peterson, Hiwan GC 76-79–155
Jack Lazzeri, Columbine CC 75-80–155
Daniel Mastrobuono, Canongate Colorado 80-75–155
Griffin Barela, Fox Hollow GC 73-82–155
Chase Federico, Elmwood GC 73-83–156
Ji Woo Jang, Family Sports GC 80-76–156
Grant McGinty, South Suburban GC 73-83–156
Kevin Shafer, Meridian GC 79-78–157
Braden Bentley, Pueblo CC 78-79–157
Matthew Atkins, Harmony Club 71-86–157
Cole Edwards, Cherry Creek CC 80-78–158
Jackson Crist, Lone Tree GC 79-79–158
Ryan Pearson, Meridian GC 81-77–158
Cameron Berndt, Spring Valley GC 81-77–158
Hunter Lee, Highlands Ranch GC 79-80–159
Jack Cavanagh, Broadlands GC 81-78–159
Mitchell Nevin, Eagle Ranch GC 82-78–160
Josh Pusar, Inverness GC 78-82–160
Anthony Pedersen, Red Rocks CC 78-84–162
Tony Clark, Eagle Ranch GC 84-79–163
Ryan Boitz, Desert Hawk GC 77-87–164
Mark Hillary, Cherry Hills CC 84-82–166
Derek Leydecker, Roaring Fork Club 83-83–166
Roger Nakagawa, CommonGround GC 83-84–167
Cody Steigerwald, Club at Flying Horse 84-84–168
Harrison Wagnaar, Legacy Ridge GC 88-81–169
Timothy Scherman, Colorado GC 86-84–170
Hunter Tuite, Glenmoor CC 78-93–171
Luke Toillion, Ute Creek GC 88-84–172
Jimmy Ringsby, Castle Pines GC 90-84–174
David Roney, Red Hawk Ridge GC 93-87–180