Is a third classification of boys golf necessary?
On the eve of the first of 21 sanctioned championships in 2008-09, Colorado hasn’t officially answered that question as it enters its 88th school year, but there’s a sneaking suspicion what the answer is.
At first glance, the response is: no. The structure dates to 1990, when previously conservative state groupings were expanded to accommodate a growing population. The perceived watering down of competition in a still-thin talent base, which people believed turned the Colorado High School Activities Association into Trophies ‘R’ Us, sparked dismay.
But a long look into arguably the most competitive and difficult schoolboy championship demands the following reply: yes. The Tiger Woods effect on the newest generation of golfers took longer than expected and a lopsided, two-class system was several strokes behind an expanding pool.
“So I opened my big mouth that we needed another classification,” Rick Kolm said. The Kiowa athletic director makes no apologies. Kolm and others considered 3A golf “a no-brainer” as they tried to land a third class as well as find a place for it, at Spring Valley Golf Course in nearby Elizabeth.
Jim Hynes, a three-year golf committee member and Ralston Valley AD, is convinced “you’ll see good golf” at championships Monday and Tuesday that he doesn’t consider flighted. 5A will be at USAFA’s Eisenhower Golf Club in Colorado Springs, and 4A is at Yampa Valley Golf Course in Craig.
While 3A won’t resemble the loud, showoff golf in the style of the Ryder Cup, its addition in 2008 shouldn’t come close to burning the edges of 5A, but definitely changes 4A conditions. Colorado had one class from 1947-1999, and two classes the past eight years. That resulted in about 60 schools for larger schools, more than double that in 4A, which became a landing area for all other comers.
“It was so much more difficult to get players into the 4A tournament than 5A — that was ridiculous,” D’Evelyn coach Troy Pachner said.
Tom Robinson, assistant CHSAA commissioner, said: “It got to be a battle with twice as many teams in 4A. You would think the argument about 3A wanting a new class would come from them, but it was coming from 4A. They were losing qualifiers.”
Plus, Robinson said, the 2007 4A team champion was Kent Denver, in 3A’s field.
The season breakdown that leads to Monday’s opening round: 243 players from 62 teams in 5A; 266 and 68 in 4A and 248 and 64 in 3A.
Better numbers are the scores from recent regionals, including 3A. St. Mary’s (Colorado Springs) sophomore Andrew Cornella fired a 69 and can’t wait to rip his first tee shot.
“It’s still a tough state championship,” he said. “I’m great friends with guys in 4A; it’s a tough group of kids to go up against. But I think it’s still very prestigious and looks good. It would be nice to have it the old way or one single state title, but (now) the championship opportunities for everybody increase.”
There will be individual state fields of 84, a figure officials refused to change for a two-day format. The 3A addition happens to occur in a season in which medalist honors are open for suggestion.
“Yeah, there’s a ton of great guys, and I can name 20 people who can win,” Cornella said.
Front Range Christian junior Min Kyu Jeon has experienced both sides. He played his freshman year at 5A Columbine, sat out as a sophomore and shot 73 for second place at regionals.
“There is a difference between the team scores and individual scores,” Jeon said. “The 5A is a little better with the scores and 3A is developing. At regionals, the group I played with was very good.”
Kolm insists “it should be about the kids,” and Colorado kids with an altitude, particularly at smaller schools, have their own handicaps.
“A kid against the course? We have kids in Springfield who practice in the pasture and on sand greens,” he said.
When smaller schools got more involved in golf earlier this decade, he said, “they, in turn, were going against Tom Glissmeyer (two-time 4A titlist at Cheyenne Mountain and U.S. Open qualifier).”
Bottom line, Hynes said, is that schoolboy golf will be the winner in an expansion. It won’t be giving early week hackers two more rounds on the state.
“Maybe some kids who qualify will have a skill level that isn’t quite what it should be, but it’s not too far off,” he said. “I think it will be a good thing.”
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
At a glance
CLASS 5A
At Eisenhower G.C. (Blue Course), AFA
7,020 yards, par 72
Teams to watch: Cherry Creek, Douglas County, Fairview, Highlands Ranch, Regis.
Players to watch: Caleb Barker, Highlands Ranch; Zach Cuseo, Heritage; Brennan Dolan, Fairview; Derek Fribbs, Douglas County; Mike Guerra, Air Academy; Alex Gutesha, Cherry Creek; David Holtgrewe, Arapahoe; Eric Kinney, Poudre.
CLASS 4A
At Yampa Valley G.C. Craig
6,505 yards, par 70
Teams to watch: Cheyenne Mountain, D’Evelyn, Greeley Central, Lewis-Palmer, Palmer Ridge, Pueblo Centennial, Rock Canyon.
Players to watch: John Ahern, D’Evelyn; Brenden Beeg, D’Evelyn; Ryan Choi, Cheyenne Mountain; Brenden Connolly, Rock Canyon; Parker Edens, Greeley Central; Ryan Kellerhouse, Lewis-Palmer; Andrew McCain, Pueblo Centennial; David Oraee, Greeley West; Nick Umholtz, Greeley Central.
CLASS 3A
At Spring Valley G.C. Elizabeth
6,973 yards, par 72
Teams to watch: Classical Academy, C.S. Christian, Estes Park, Kent Denver, Holy Family, Manitou Springs, St. Mary’s.
Players to watch: Andrew Cornella, St. Mary’s; Steven Kupcho, Jefferson Academy; Min Kyu Jeon, Front Range Christian; Austin Logan, Estes Park; Joshua Mathis, The Classical Academy; Connor Morgan, Kent Denver; Clark Reidberger, Pagosa Springs.
