Exciting Start
The 2024 CGA State Junior Championship kicked off with an exhilarating first day of competition at the beautiful CommonGround Golf Course under the blazing sun. The field comprised 42 talented girls and 110 skilled boys who teed off in two waves: one in the morning and the other in the afternoon for the last two days. With temperatures soaring to a high of 95 degrees and a week-long forecast of similarly scorching conditions, the players had to summon both their skill and stamina to navigate the challenging course. The saying, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute,” came true on day 2 when high gusts of wind, light showers and clouds came out of nowhere for a chaotic cooldown that lasted 3 minutes.
The championship format features 36 holes of stroke play over the first two days, followed by match play for the remainder of the week. The first round saw some outstanding performances that set the stage for a thrilling tournament.
Day 2
On day two, the waves were flipped. With that being said all of the players who got to play in the morning on day one played in the afternoon on day two and vice versa. At the end of the day, the field is cut to 32 Boys and 32 Girls. Match Play will be begin on Day 3.
Boys Division
Tyler Long, taking the firs seed in match play, shot a 6-under-par 64 on the day to be our 2024 CGA Junior Stroke Play leader with a 65-64, 129 two day total. Long had 8 birdies, lots of long made putts on the day. Only six strokes behind Long, taking the 2nd seed in match play, is Johnathon Smith sitting at 5-under-par with a two day finish of 64-71 , 135.
Sitting in the 3 & 4 seed spots for match play, but tied for 3rd place in match play are Landon Houska (Fort Collins, CO) and Jesse Hand both finishing with a two day stroke play total of four-under-par 136.
The top 32 players after two days of stroke play and a 5-person playoff for the last 3 spots, all shooting a two day total of 3-over-par, will face head to head in match play on Tuesday, June 25th. Ryland Doolittle (Aurora, CO), Andre Dumonteil (Centennial, CO), and Campbell McFadden (Greenwood Village, CO) came out on top winning the playoff over Same Brennan (Colorado Springs, CO) and Joey Garofalo (Aurora, CO).
Girls Division
Ashleigh Wilson has taken the lead in the stroke play portion of the championship, finishing the two-day event with an impressive total of one-under-par, 73-68, 141. Her consistent performance over the two days has not only secured her the top spot but also the number 1 seed for the upcoming match play. Wilson’s steady hand and strategic play have set her apart from the competition, putting her in a strong position as the tournament moves into the next phase.
Logan Hale and Sophia Lee both showcased their skill and determination, tying for 2nd place with a two-day stroke play total of one-over-par, 143. Their identical scores have earned them the 2 and 3 seeds, respectively, for match play. Brenna Higgins rounds out the top contenders, finishing 4th in stroke play with a total of 3-over-par, 145, and securing the 4th seed for the match play. As the championship progresses, these top-seeded players will be the ones to watch, each bringing their own strengths and competitive edge to the matches ahead.
Day 1
Girls Division
In the girls’ division, Sophia Lee (Columbine Valley, CO), emerged as the overall low scorer of the day. She carded an impressive one-over-par 72, showcasing her consistent play and determination. Lee faced tough competition from Maddie Makino (Parker, CO), who was in the same group and finished tied for second with a solid two-over-par 73. Joining Makino in the T2 position were Ashleigh Wilson (Highlands Ranch, CO), and the defending 2023 State Junior Champion, Brenna Higgins (Centennial, CO). The close scores promise an exciting battle in the coming days.
Boys Division
On the boys’ side, Jesse Hand (Littleton, CO) delivered a truly remarkable performance, shooting a phenomenal seven-under-par 63. Hand’s round was highlighted by eight birdies and only one bogey, showcasing his incredible skill and precision. His amazing round puts him in the lead after day one, setting a high bar for the rest of the competition.
Johnathon Smith (Pagosa Springs, CO), who initially led with his six-under-par 64, now stands in second place. Smith’s round included an eagle, five birdies, and only one bogey, demonstrating his exceptional talent and resilience, especially as he played through food poisoning.
In third place, Tyler Long (Evergreen, CO) was on fire! He shot a five-under-par round of 65, coming off of his high of winning the AJGA event in Colorado Springs last week.
In fourth place, Brayden Forte from Aurora, CO shot an excellent round of three-under-par 67. His stellar performance further highlighted the competitive spirit and skill present in the tournament.
As the first day of the 2024 CGA State Junior Championship comes to a close, the stage is set for an intense and exciting week of golf. The players have demonstrated exceptional talent and resilience, and with the weather expected to remain hot and sunny, the competition is sure to heat up even further. Stay tuned for more thrilling action as the young golfers continue their quest for glory in this prestigious event.