Sometimes the greatest obstacle at the state golf tournament is not in the form of trees, a pond or a bunker.
It usually is inside the player herself. The challenge of standing on the first tee in the final group is enough to give anyone wobbly knees.
Becca Huffer felt just that last season. Leading after day one of the Class 5A state tournament at Longmont’s Fox Hill Country Club, the then-Littleton freshman went though what could only be described as a rough learning experience, shooting an 82 in the final round.
“It’s a whole different experience when you stand on the first tee and all those people are watching you,” Huffer said. “I’m hoping I’m over that now.”
The Lions’ sophomore has put that final round behind her. A successful summer that included a victory at the women’s state match play and player of the year honors from the Colorado State Women’s Golf Association, Huffer is eager to get back to state this year.
“I want to make a run at state. That’s the goal,” she said.
Said Littleton coach Kevin Burdick: “I was a little surprised she didn’t complete the deal last year, but I guess that was just freshman nerves. She still has that confidence this year, though.”
That’s the confidence from winning nine of the 11 tournaments she entered last season. The only misses were at the Columbine Invitational and the state meet.
While Huffer appears to be the early favorite as a medalist, the team picture for late May at Highlands Ranch Country Club appears a little more cloudy.
Monarch, with the strength of Chelsey and Brooke Collins, will start the season as the team to beat. The challenge for coach Mike Riley, as for most coaches, is to find a third or fourth player to go with the top two.
“If you base it solely on last year’s performance, we should be right there,” Riley said. “Brooke and Chelsey are on pace to have similar years as last year, and Caroline Miller has progressed tremendously.”
Chelsey Collins, a senior and last year’s runner-up, has already signed to play next season at the University of Oklahoma. Miller will play collegiately at Vassar.
Cherry Creek (Sara Waggoner), Heritage (Alison Cavanaugh and Kayley Kempton), and Green Mountain (Sarika Fields and Chris Duran) appear to be the most likely challengers to Monarch. If you like dark horses, look to Fort Collins, Fairview (Vera Einarsdottir) or Douglas County (Jenna Zamprelli).
The three-time defending champions from Skyline may still be in the mix but have fallen from the pedestal that had them far and away the best team the last few seasons.
The Class 4A tournament moves to Pueblo’s Elmwood Golf Course, and the lone Top 10 finisher from the state tournament last season in Gypsum is Kent Denver’s Andrea Watts.
Her fifth-place finish and the additions of freshmen Grace Duboc and Olivia Garard give the Sun Devils a strong lineup that could challenge a field with no distinct favorites.
The South Central League, with the state tournament on its home turf, could have several teams in the mix. Pueblo South lost runner-up Sarah Ruybalid, but Amanda Bregar and Megan Chapman give the Colts a salty 1-2 punch. Pueblo West (Janean Jubic and Amber Trimble), Alamosa (Megan Faucett) and Cañon City (Alicia Hayhurst) all figure to be in the mix of an excellent league.
Jon E. Yunt can be reached at 303-820-5446 or jyunt@denverpost.com.
5A
TOP FIVE
1. Monarch
2. Cherry Creek
3. Heritage
4. Green Mountain
5. Fort Collins
4A
TOP FIVE
1. Kent Denver
2. Mullen
3. Cheyenne Mountain
4. Pueblo South
5. Pueblo West
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jamie Befort, Standley Lake, Jr.
Maggie Boberg, Mullen, Jr.
Amanda Bregar, Pueblo South, Sr.
Courtney Burgan, Liberty, Sr.
Alison Cavanaugh, Heritage, Sr.
Megan Chapman, Pueblo South, Jr.
Brooke Collins, Monarch, So.
Chelsey Collins, Monarch, Sr.
Amanda Covington, Smoky Hill, Jr.
Grace Duboc, Kent Denver, Fr.
Chris Duran, Green Mountain, Sr.
Vera Einarsdottir, Fairview, So.
Sarika Fields, Green Mountain, Jr.
Olivia Garard, Kent Denver, Fr.
Katie Hardman, Fleming, Sr.
Haley Hartman, Fort Collins, Sr.
Becca Huffer, Littleton, So.
Janean Jubic, Pueblo West, Sr.
Kayley Kempton, Heritage, Jr.
Alana King, Bear Creek, Sr.
Melissa Martin, Central (G.J.), So.
Rachel Means, Florence, Jr.
Kristin Nugent, Thompson Valley, Jr.
Lexie Orr, Boulder, Sr.
Kela Powers, Wheat Ridge, Sr.
Megan Precord, Ftn.-Ft. Carson, Sr.
Hannah Santamaria, Eaglecrest, So.
Rachel Saunders, D’Evelyn, Sr.
Sara Wagonner, Cherry Creek, Sr.
Andrea Watts, Kent Denver, So.
Jenna Zamprelli, Douglas County, Sr.
