As has been the theme all spring, a four-letter word dominated play of the first round of the CGA State Junior Amateur Championship at CommonGround Golf Course – WIND!
Despite the windy conditions, Lily Nelson of Commerce City and Abigail Aeschleman of Highlands Ranch both shot one-over par 72s to lead the girls’ division. A strong contingency of players including two-time 5A state champion Katelyn Lehigh and 2021 Junior Golf Alliance Player-of-the-Year Kaylee Chen trail by one with opening round 73s. Joining Lehigh and Chen at that number is Ashleigh Wilson of Highlands Ranch.
Noah Richmond of Montrose and Matai Naqica of Centennial opened with one-over par 70s to lead the boys division.
Colorado’s best junior players converged on CommonGround Golf Course—the home of the Colorado Golf Association for the first of two rounds of stroke play qualifying to attempt to earn one of the coveted 32 match play spots in both the boys and girls divisions. Steady 15 to 20 mile per hour winds with gusts up to 25 mph added to the challenge of the Tom Doak-designed CommonGround Golf Course.
Single elimination match play will begin on Tuesday with the championship final for both boys and girls set for Thursday afternoon.