FORT COLLINS — Overland junior Somin Lee’s experience at the state tournament last year left a sour taste in her mouth.
Lee, already a two-time Centennial League champion, signed an incorrect scorecard after the first day and promptly turned herself in and was disqualified.
She didn’t get herself in any trouble Monday at Collindale Golf Course and shot an opening round 1-under-par 71 to take a two-shot lead into today’s final round of the Class 5A state golf tournament over first-round playing partner Libby Avery of Highlands Ranch and Amy Hodgkinson of Skyline.
“I really liked how I played, especially on the front nine,” said Lee, who picked up the game five years ago when her family moved to Colorado from Seoul, South Korea. “On the back nine, there were a lot of things going on, so I lost my concentration a little bit.”
Lee’s 71 helped the Trailblazers to fifth place, 17 shots behind defending champion Highlands Ranch (236). Skyline (238), Cherry Creek (245) and Fort Collins (247) rounded out the top five.
Admittedly nervous starting the day, Lee opened with five consecutive pars before taking advantage of her length off the tee and a short par-5 sixth hole.
“Every time I would make a birdie, though, I would follow with a bogey,” said Lee, whose father, Jin, is a teaching professional. Lee’s brother, Charlie, played three seasons at Overland.
After a bogey on No. 7, Lee finished the outward nine in style with back-to-back birdies on the par-3 eighth and short par-5 ninth.
Avery, who finished tied for 11th last season at Raccoon Creek, opened with a birdie on the first hole, rolling in a 12-foot putt, but she left other opportunities slip away.
“I missed some birdie putts and made some mistakes on the back nine, but I’m happy with that (score of 73),” said Avery, a senior. “Driving and short game are the two aspects that will help me the most, especially here.”
Lingering three shots back are Lee’s teammate, Seung Ha Choi, and Lakewood’s Andi Hibbert, who shot 40 on the front nine before coming home in 1-under 34.
“I was pleasantly surprised, the greens are really really true, but not as quick as I was anticipating,” Hibbert said. “I played pretty strong today, but there are some definite areas to tune up.”
Jon E. Yunt: 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com
