Tees, divots and sweet drives to wrap up Monday’s and Tuesday’s boys golf state tournament, the first state championship of the 2015-16 school year:
— Aurora’s Regis Jesuit won its fifth Class 5A title in six season on Tuesday at Fort Collins Country Club.
The Raiders needed solid, clutch play from four players to do it as they totaled (219-222–441) to outdistance defending 5A champion Coronado and Lakewood, which tied the Raiders for second a year ago, at 442.
“You know, I thought so,” Raiders coach Craig Rogers said when asked if he thought his team could win another title. “But holy cow! There were so many good team.”
Plus, Rogers pointed out, Continental league teams were good and showed well at the final — Arapahoe, Heritage, Highlands Ranch, Mountain Vista and Rock Canyon all paced in the top 10.
Andrew McCormick (1-over-par 143) finished tied for third for Regis Jesuit and Tyler Zhang (2-over) was ties for fifth. They also canned late birdies. Cal McCoy (tied for 38th) and Bennett Rogers, tied for 42nd and the coach’s son, each contributed.
“I’m glad we were good enough,” coach Rogers said.
— Fort Collins’ A.J. Ott (70), who finished second to teammate and winner Hunter Paugh, and Grand Junction’s Grant Olkowski (69), who tied for third, were the only 5A players to break par-71 on the second day.
— Forty-seven of the 84 5A players broke 80 on the second day.
— In 4A, Jackson Solem of Silver Creek and Coby Welch of Valor Christian each shot 69s on the second day at Fox Hollow C.C. in Longmont.
— There were many comments from players and coaches concerning holding a state tournament at a country club. It cuts down access to plenty of players for practice rounds.
— Plus, when asked if a player at a country club has an advantage when the state tournament is held at his home course, 5A winner Paugh said “I think so.”
— Since there was a tie for second place in the 5A team race between Coronado and Lakewood, only one group got to take home the trophy. Another had to be ordered.
— There were only 14 teams entered in the 3A field, which was contested at Eagle Ranch C.C. It was won by Peak to Peak, which also produced the individual winner, Sam Taylor. He finished 3-under 141, some nine shots better than Aspen’s Will Hazen.
