Grand Junction High School's golf team finished the first day of the Class 5A State Golf Tournament in 10th place overall, with two of its golfers, senior Will Simpson and sophomore Levi Rollins, tied for 12th individually. The tournament is being held at the par 72 Columbine Country Club.
Simpson and Rollins each shot a 2-over par 74 on Monday, placing them among the top contenders heading into the final day. As a team, the Tigers posted a score of 19-over par, 239. Lutheran High School currently leads the Class 5A team competition with a score of 220, followed by Cherry Creek, Cherokee Trail, and Rock Canyon, all tied at 223. Individually, Connor Young of Columbine, Aiden Lynn of Rock Canyon, and Pierce Johnson of Boulder are at the top of the leaderboard, each having shot 70.
Both Simpson and Rollins demonstrated strong play with six birdies each during their rounds. Rollins recorded two of his birdies on par five holes. Simpson also birdied all three of the par-five holes on the course. Despite their strong performances, both golfers encountered challenges, each recording a triple bogey during their rounds. Simpson, for instance, had a triple bogey-bogey sequence on holes 4 and 5, which he followed with two consecutive birdies on holes 6 and 7. He also recorded a bogey-triple bogey on holes 4 and 5, and responded with birdies on holes 6 and 8.
This year marks Grand Junction High School's first competing in the Class 5A classification. The school moved up due to new enrollment numbers, following a successful season last year where Hunter Simmons won the 4A individual state title. The Tigers were a dominant force on the Western Slope this year, securing victories in multiple tournaments before advancing to state.
Other Western Slope golfers are also competing in their respective state tournaments. In the Class 4A state tournament at Lone Tree Golf Club & Hotel, Drew Jepson of Durango finished the first day tied for 20th after shooting a 3-over 75. Central High School’s Jaren Wickahm is in a tie for 25th after carding a 5-over 77, which included two birdies.
The Class 3A state tournament, played at Alamosa’s Cattails Golf Club course, saw Basalt High School's team four shots back from the lead, having shot 231. Forge leads that tournament with a score of 227. Individually, Resurrection Christian junior Levi McDowell and Windsor Charter Academy sophomore Braylon Ball are tied for the lead, both shooting 3-under 68.
In the Class 2A state tournament at Pueblo Country Club, several Western Slope golfers are positioned well. Telluride sophomore Banks Obrien and Cedaredge junior Ashton Park are both tied for second place after shooting 4-over 75 on Monday. Bryson Elam, a junior from Rangely, is close behind, tied for fourth after a round of 76. Connor Mellot, a senior from Monte Vista, holds the individual lead after a first-day 74. In the team competition for Class 2A, Vail Christian is in the lead at 235, followed by Monte Vista at 247, and Rangely in third at 249.
All state golf tournaments are scheduled to conclude on Tuesday afternoon.
