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.