FORT COLLINS — Tee ’em high and let ’em fly today and Tuesday in the Class 5A girls state golf tournament at Collindale Golf Course in Fort Collins and the Class 4A event at Patty Jewett G.C. in Colorado Springs.
Both are traditional older courses that are relatively flat and should provide ample opportunity for good scoring. Add the predicted warm weather, and they should be two great days.
The Class 5A field is wide open with as many as 20 players who could win the tournament.
“There are some very good players here, no doubt about it,” Cherry Creek coach Bob Kubiak said. “You just never know. It’s just a matter of whoever gets hot for a couple of days.”
Kubiak points to Centennial League champion Somin Lee of Overland, who heads up Colorado’s recent influx of Korean golfers.
“I’m surprised that girl’s hands don’t bleed, she practices so much,” said Kubiak, whose No. 1 player, Shinwoo Lee, will be in the first pairing with Somin Lee, Douglas County’s Dana Zamprelli and Highlands Ranch’s Libby Avery.
The second pairing is Highlands Ranch’s Patricia Lee, Overland’s Seung Ha Choi, Douglas County’s Da Kim and Cherry Creek’s Kasha Scott.
Among the players to keep an eye on: Heritage’s Kristin Kempton, Loveland’s Bethany Buchner, Arapahoe’s Katy Dyachkova, Central (G.J.)’s Loren Forney — who had great success at 4A Rifle in past seasons — Mountain Vista’s Madison Robb, Doherty’s Paige Crawford and Pomona’s Nicole Hulbert.
If you think the race for medalist honors is long, check out the team race. Defending champion Highlands Ranch gets the nod as favorite, but Douglas County, Cherry Creek, Overland, Skyline, Central (G.J.), Fort Collins and Arapahoe should make it interesting.
“There is no predominant favorite,” Kubiak said.
In Class 4A, Colorado Academy’s Elizabeth Kresock is the defending champion.
Glenwood Springs’ Michelle Stripp carded a 69 in a recent regional tournament and hopes to continue her hot play. Kent Denver’s Olivia Garard was the first-day leader last year at Golden’s Rolling Hills Country Club before finishing second to Kresock.
Look for Glenwood Springs, Kent Denver, Rock Canyon, Mullen and Salida — with potential winner Emily Wood — to be in team contention.
Jon E. Yunt: 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com
