Glesne, a 21-year-old from San Antonio, made two birdies and two bogeys on Wednesday. (She’s pictured in a photo from hawkeyesports.com.)

Three Coloradans who are also in the midst of their college golf careers share second place at 73. That includes Anna Kennedy from Colorado Golf Club (Brigham Young University), Erin Sargent of Twin Peaks Golf Course (University of Wyoming) and Jaclyn Murray of Bookcliff Country Club (University of Colorado).

Sargent tied for second in this event last year, while Kennedy was fifth and Murray eighth. Murray made four birdies on Wednesday, Kennedy three and Sargent two.

Kelsey Webster of Boulder Country Club, who will play her college golf at CU beginning in the fall, holds fifth place at 75.

Jennifer Kupcho of Westminster, the 2018 women’s NCAA Division I individual champion, has won the Women’s Stroke Play by double digits each of the last three years, but isn’t defending her title this week.

The 54-hole Women’s Stroke Play will continue through Friday. The championship flight will be comprised of the players with the top 12 gross scores after Thursday’s second round.

For scores from all flights of the Women’s Stroke Play, CLICK HERE.

The squad from the Centennial State tied for sixth Thursday in the 17-team field that features representatives from the western U.S., Canada and Mexico. It’s the first time Colorado has placed in the top eight since finishing third in 2013.

With the top three scores counting toward the team total, the Coloradans posted a 7-over-par 223 total on Thursday at Reflection Bay Golf Club in Henderson, Nev., just outside Las Vegas. That left them with a three-day total of 12-over 660.

Southern California won the title at 35-under 613, with Northern California (641) second, Mexico (648) third, Arizona (652) fourth and Oregon (655) fifth.

Hailey Schalk of Erie led the way for the Colorado contingent by finishing 14th individually out of 68 players. The winner of the 3A state high school title, the AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior by Transamerica and the Colorado Junior PGA, Schalk recorded a 3-over-par 219 total after closing with a 74.

Jaclyn Murray of Grand Junction, competing in her third and final GJAC, ended up in 23rd place at 222. Charlotte Hillary, winner of the 2016 Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado Tour Championship, placed 30th at 224. Lauren Lehigh of Loveland, the 4A state high school champion, was 32nd at 225.

(The Colorado team is pictured, from left: Murray, Lehigh, Hillary and Schalk.)

The 2018 Girls Junior America’s Cup will be held in July at Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen.

T6. Colorado 225-212-223–660
14. Hailey Schalk of Erie 71-74-74–219
23. Jaclyn Murray of Grand Junction 79-68-75–222
30. Charlotte Hillary of Englewood 75-72-77–224
32. Lauren Lehigh of Loveland 79-72-74–225

For complete results, CLICK HERE.
 

With the top three scores counting toward the team total, the Colorado squad carded a 4-under-par 212 total on Wednesday, leaving it in position for its best finish since 2013.

With a 5-over 437 total, Colorado trails leader Southern California by 28 shots, but is just four strokes behind third-place Hawaii going into Thursday’s final round of the 17-team event which features squads from the western U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Colorado placed third at the GJAC in 2013 for one of its best showings ever. The state’s representatives won the event in 1993.

Murray (pictured), competing in her third Girls Junior America’s Cup, made three birdies and one bogey on Wednesday before capping her day with an eagle on the par-5 18th. She shot a 4-under-par 32 on the back nine.

Meanwhile, Charlotte Hillary of Englewood and Lauren Lehigh of Loveland each recorded an even-par 72 on Wednesday. Hillary, the 2016 Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado Tour Championship winner, carded three birdies, one bogey and a double bogey in round 2. Lehigh, the reigning 4A state high school champion, chalked up five birdies and five bogeys.

Rounding out the Colorado contingent on Wednesday was the 2-over-par 74 by Hailey Schalk of Erie. Schalk — winner of the 3A state high school title, the AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior by Transamerica and the Colorado Junior PGA — made a birdie, a bogey and a double bogey in round 2.

At 1-over 145 overall, Schalk sits in 13th place individually, 14 strokes behind leader Rose Zhang of Southern California, who has gone 66-65.

Murray and Hillary (each at 147) share 21st place in the 68-player field and Lehigh (151) is in 36th place.

Both team and individual play will conclude on Thursday.

Colorado will host the Girls Junior America’s Cup next year, with Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen doing the honors.

7. Colorado 225-212–437
13. Hailey Schalk of Erie 71-74–145
21. Jaclyn Murray of Grand Junction 79-68–147
21. Charlotte Hillary of Englewood 75-72–147
36. Lauren Lehigh of Loveland 79-72–151

For complete results, CLICK HERE.
 

With the top three scores counting toward the team total, the Coloradans posted a 9-over-par 225 total, leaving them in 10th place in the 17-team field.

If the squad representing the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado can finish in the top eight, it will be its best showing in the GJAC since 2013, when the Coloradans placed third. Colorado won the GJAC title in 1993.

Southern California grabbed a five-stroke lead on Tuesday with a round of 11-under-par 205. Hawaii (210) and Mexico (214) were the only other teams under par in the event which features squads from the western U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Hailey Schalk of Erie — winner of the 3A state high school title, the AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior by Transamerica and the Colorado Junior PGA — led the way for the Coloradans by shooting a 1-under-par 71. Her one-birdie, 17-par round left her in eighth place individually in the 68-golfer field.

Charlotte Hillary of Englewood, the 2016 JGAC Tour Championship winner, carded a 75, while three-time Girls Junior America’s Cup competitor Jaclyn Murray of Grand Junction and 4A state high school champion Lauren Lehigh of Loveland each recorded a 79. Hillary was 2 under par through 14 holes, but played the last four in 5 over.

Hillary shares 28th place, while Murray and Lehigh are among those tied for 43rd. (The Colorado team is pictured, from left: Murray, Lehigh, Hillary and Schalk.)

Rose Zhang of Southern California fired a 6-under-par 66 to hold the individual lead after round 1.

Both team and individual play will continue through Thursday.

Colorado will host the Girls Junior America’s Cup next year, with Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen doing the honors.

10. Colorado 225
8. Hailey Schalk of Erie 71
28. Charlotte Hillary of Englewood 75
43. Lauren Lehigh of Loveland 79
43. Jaclyn Murray of Grand Junction 79

For complete results, CLICK HERE.
 

This year, two Coloradans made the 156-player field, plus a Nebraskan who is a member of the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado. But taking the next step — advancing to the 64-person match-play bracket — proved too high of a hurdle this week.

Jaclyn Murray (left) of Grand Junction, competing in the event for the second time, was the top Colorado finisher, placing 89th. The 18-year-old, headed for the University of Colorado, went 77-79 for a 14-over-par 156 total. She made one birdie for the second straight day.

And Charlotte Hillary of Cherry Hills Village, who like Murray will represent Colorado next week in the Girls Junior America’s Cup, ended up in 128th place. The 15-year-old carded rounds of 81-80 for a 19-over-par 161 total. She likewise had one birdie on Tuesday.

JGAC member Shelby Poynter of Scottsbluff, Neb., recorded rounds of 92-82 for a 32-over-par 174 total that left her in 149th place.

Fourteen-year-old Lucy Li of Redwood Shores, Calif., earned medalist honors at 5-under 137 after rounds of 71-66. The golfers at 152 played off for the final spot in match play.

Here are scores for the Coloradans — and the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado members — competing in the U.S. Girls’ Junior this week:

Failed to Advance to Match Play
89. Jaclyn Murray, Grand Junction 77-79–156
128. Charlotte Hillary, Cherry Hills Village 81-80–161
149. Shelby Poynter, JGAC member from Scottsbluff, Neb. 92-82–174

For complete results, CLICK HERE.
 

With the top 64 players after Tuesday’s second round of stroke play advancing to match play, Jaclyn Murray of Grand Junction sits in 73rd place of out 156 competitors, while Charlotte Hillary of Cherry Hills Village is 121st, and Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado member Shelby Poynter of Scottsbluff, Neb., is 154th.

Murray, who will represent Colorado next week in the Girls Junior America’s Cup, made one birdie and shot a 6-over-par 77 in Monday’s opening round after being even-par for her first nine holes. Murray is competing in her second U.S. Girls’ Junior.

Hillary, who likewise will be on the state’s Girls JAC team next week, carded three birdies in a round of 81. And Poynter posted a 92 due in part to the 10 she took on the par-4 second hole.

Mika Liu of Beverly Hills, Calif., leads after round 1 following her 4-under-par 67. Only seven players broke par on Monday.

Here are scores for the Coloradans — and the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado members — competing in the U.S. Girls’ Junior this week:

73. Jaclyn Murray, Grand Junction 77
121. Charlotte Hillary, Cherry Hills Village 81
154. Shelby Poynter, JGAC member from Scottsbluff, Neb. 92

For complete results, CLICK HERE.

Jaclyn Murray of Grand Junction and Hailey Schalk of Erie, who in two weeks will be Colorado Girls Junior America’s Cup teammates for the second straight summer, both missed the 36-hole cut Wednesday at St. Albans.

The top 70 players and ties — out of 144 — after two days advanced, with those at 6-over-par 150 or better sticking around. But Murray, a 2017 U.S. Girls’ Junior qualifier, finished in 81st place at 153 (75-78). And Schalk, winner of the AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior along with the 3A state high school meet and the Colorado Junior PGA, checked in at 154 (79-75), good for 88th place.

Former Coloradan Elizabeth Wang, the 2015 winner of this event, shares 14th place after two days at 5-under-par 139 (69-70). (July 21 Update: Wang finished 11th, going 69-70-78-65–282.)

The national Boys Junior PGA Championship also will be held at St. Albans, from July 31-Aug. 3. Davis Bryant of Aurora and Dillon Stewart of Fort Collins have qualified.

— Next year’s Girls Junior America’s Cup — which features 18 teams and many of the best junior players from the western U.S., Canada and Mexico — will be contested in Colorado, at Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen.

— Colorado boys teams have been on quite a roll competitive in the Junior America’s Cup, having posted four top-six finishes — out of 18 teams — in the last six years. That includes placing third in 2015, matching the best showing ever by a Colorado boys team, and sixth last year.

With that as a backdrop, the boys and girls teams that will represent the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado have been finalized this month. The boys JAC will be held July 25-27 at The Home Course in Dupont, Wash., while the Girls Junior America’s Cup is set for Aug. 1-3 at Reflection Bay Golf Club in Henderson, Nev., just outside Las Vegas.

Starting this year, players 18 and under who have not yet started college are eligible to participate.

The Colorado boys set to compete this year are Davis Bryant of Aurora, Cal McCoy of Highlands Ranch, Jackson Solem of Longmont and Dillon Stewart of Fort Collins.

For the girls, the Colorado team will be Charlotte Hillary of Englewood, Lauren Lehigh of Loveland, Jaclyn Murray of Grand Junction and Hailey Schalk of Erie.

Out of the eight players, three — Bryant, Solem and Murray — will be competing in their third Junior America’s Cup. Bryant and Solem were teammates each of the past two years, while Murray played in 2014 and ’16. Meanwhile, Schalk is set for her second straight GJAC appearance.

Bryant has been on a roll so far this year. The 17-year-old has won the first two JGAC majors of 2017, the Colorado Junior PGA and this week’s Colorado Junior Amateur. He also qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur for the second time. And on Thursday he was the first alternate in U.S. Amateur qualifying in Fort Collins after double bogeying the final hole. Bryant has verbally committed to play his college golf at Colorado State beginning in 2018.

Solem likewise earned a spot in the U.S. Junior Amateur, as well as in next week’s CoBank Colorado Open. The University of Denver signee and former 4A state high school champion also advanced to the Sectionals of U.S. Open qualifying, and he won the Big I Junior Classic for the third time. This week, he ended up second alternate at U.S. Amateur qualifying in Fort Collins.

Stewart was the runner-up to Bryant at the Colorado Junior PGA last month and qualified for both the IMG Academy Junior World Championship and the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships. He finished 52nd in the Junior Worlds.

McCoy placed third in the Colorado Junior PGA and seventh in the AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior by Transamerica. He qualified for the IMG Junior World Championship and finished the first alternate in U.S. Junior Amateur qualifying.

Schalk, 15, has won three significant junior titles in Colorado in the last two months. She captured the first 3A state high school individual title, becoming the first freshman since 2002 to be a girls state high school champ. She followed that up by becoming the first Coloradan to win at the AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior by Transamerica, then added the title at the Colorado Junior PGA. The 2016 Colorado Junior Match Play winner also qualified for the IMG Junior Worlds.

Hillary, the 2016 JGAC Tour Championship winner, placed second to Schalk in both the 3A state high school tournament and the AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior. The 15-year-old qualified in Nebraska last month for the U.S. Girls’ Junior, earning medalist honors. She was also third in the Colorado Junior PGA and qualified for the IMG Junior Worlds, where she finished 43rd. In January, she won the FCWT Classic at Half Moon Bay in California.

Lehigh won the 4A state high school title and the Big I Junior Classic over the last two months. She took fifth at the Colorado Junior PGA and qualified for both the IMG Junior Worlds and the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships.

Murray was the first Coloradan since 2015 to qualify in the state for the U.S. Girls’ Junior, which will mark her second time competing in that national championship. The 18-year-old, who’s headed to the University of Colorado, finished second in the Colorado Junior PGA and eighth in the CWGA Stroke Play.

At both the boys and Girls Junior America’s Cup, the top three individual scores for each team count toward its team total each day.

This year will mark the 33rd appearance by a Colorado team in the boys JAC, which dates back to 1973. The Girls JAC began in 1978, with Colorado competing since the late ’70s. The 1993 Colorado team captured the team title in the GJAC, with Coloradan Jennifer Kern earning the individual championship that year. 

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
 

Among the 33 players entered are Hailey Schalk, who just completed her freshman year at Holy Family High School (3A winner); Lauren Lehigh, a junior-to-be at Loveland High School (4A); and Amy Chitkoksoong, a junior-to-be at Grandview (5A).

Since claiming the 3A state title, Schalk has won the AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior by Transamerica, and the Colorado Junior PGA Championship. And Lehigh just won the state Big I Junior Classic.

At stake on Tuesday will be three berths into the national championship, set for July 24-29 at Boone Valley Country Club in Augusta, Mo.

Also in Tuesday’s qualifying field are Jaclyn Murray, the 2017 Colorado Junior PGA runner-up and a 2014 U.S. Girls’ Junior qualifier; and Caroline Jordaan, winner of the North American Junior Amateur in January.

Starting this year, the maximum age for the U.S. Girls’ Junior has been raised from 17 to 18, and the maximum Handicap Index for competitors has been lowered from 18.4 to 9.4.

For Tuesday’s qualifying tournament pairings at Valley CC, CLICK HERE.