GRAND JUNCTION – Sometimes things just go according to plan.
Based on rankings, on-course play and just good old fashion common sense, there was little doubt that Cheyenne Mountain and Grand Junction had the top two Class 4A boys golf teams in the state. And after Day 1 of the state tournament at Tiara Rado Golf Course, that’s exactly what the scores say.
The Red-Tailed Hawks put together a solid back 9, including going 4-under as a team on the par-4 18th, to take a six-shot lead over the Tigers. Windsor is also lurking around, just five shots back of Grand Junction.
Cheyenne Mountain sophomore Brayden Destefano also sprinted into the clubhouse, going 3-under in his final three holes to shoot a 3-under-par 68. The defining moment of his day came on the No. 18 tee when he put the ball on the green pin-high and maybe 25 feet the left. He rolled in the eagle putt to jump over Mead junior Booth Hayes who was at 1-under at the time. Hayes finished his day with a 75.
But it didn’t matter where Hayes was at that time. Honestly, it didn’t even matter where Destefano was. That tee shot was always in the cards.
“It was downwind so I just had to step up and hit a good shot,” Destefano said. “I just went though my routine, took a deep breath and hit it.”
It was a perfect statement ending to the day for the Hawks. There were highs and lows for sure, but the team did everything it needed to in order to grab that Day 1 lead.
Seniors Ethan Ivany and Charlie Doyle shot 71 and 74 respectively to put the Hawks at just 1-over for the entire team. Sophomore Fenn Mullins saw his struggles in his first experience at state, but finished the day with an 80.
Grand Junction is still very much alive in the tournament and has the advantage of playing on its home course.
Ky Korte and Jack Kaul each finished their day with a 72 and Hunter Simmons shot 76. Even five shots back, they know that Tuesday will be a new day and they even like the position they’re in.
“I think it’s better to be the hunter and not the hunted,” Kaul said. “That’s the best way I can put it right there. There’s a lot of pressure going into a two-day tournament when you’re leading. It’s harder than you think.”
The second day of the 4A boys golf state tournament will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Tiara Rado Golf Course.
(Dan Mohrmann/ColoradoPreps.com)
Individual leaders
| PLACE | PLAYER | SCHOOL | SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brayden Destefano | Cheyenne Mountain | -3 |
| 2 | Tadese Keyworth | Windsor | E |
| 3 | Ethan Ivany | Cheyenne Mountain | E |
| 4 | Jack Kaul | Grand Junction | +1 |
| 4 | Ky Korte | Grand Junction | +1 |
Team leaders
| PLACE | SCHOOL | SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cheyenne Mountain | +1 |
| 2 | Grand Junction | +7 |
| 3 | Windsor | +12 |
| 4 | Durango | +22 |
| 4 | Air Academy | +22 |
**
Class 5A
Castle View’s Gavin Amella jumped out to the individual lead by shooting a 5-under-par 66 which was capped with an eagle on 18.
In all, 16 players are in red numbers at CommonGround which should setup a fun Day 2. Cherry Creek has the team lead and is even par as a unit. Valor Christian is lurking just two strokes behind with Erie and Columbine each at 3-over as a team.
Individual leaders
| PLACE | PLAYER | SCHOOL | SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gavin Amella | Castle View | -3 |
| 2 | Ian O’Fallon | Valor Christian | -4 |
| 3 | Michael Rosman | Grandview | -4 |
| 4 | Alex Lest | Columbine | -3 |
| 4 | Campbell McFadden | Valor Christian | -3 |
Team leaders
| PLACE | SCHOOL | SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cherry Creek | E |
| 2 | Valor Christian | +2 |
| 3 | Columbine | +3 |
| 3 | Erie | +3 |
| 5 | Cherokee Trail | +6 |
| 5 | Heritage | +6 |
**
Class 3A
Playing the 3A level looks good for Evergreen who has all four players under par after Round 1 at Walking Stick in Pueblo. Tyler Long leads the way, powered by a stretch of three straight birdies starting on 11. He shot a 5-under-par 67 and is two shots clear of Basalt’s Griffin Didier.
In the team race, Evergreen is in the lead, 12 shots clear of Resurrection Christian.
Individual leaders
| PLACE | PLAYER | SCHOOL | SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyler Long | Evergreen | -5 |
| 2 | Griffin Didier | Basalt | -3 |
| 3 | Lincoln | MacKay | -2 |
| 3 | Liam Houlihan | Evergreen | -2 |
| 4 | Luke Sabina | Evergreen | -1 |
| 4 | Jack Brayman | Peak To Peak | -1 |
Team leaders
| PLACE | SCHOOL | SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evergreen | -9 |
| 2 | Resurrection Christian | +3 |
| 3 | Basalt | +8 |
| 4 | Timnath | +9 |
| 5 | Peak to Peak | +10 |
**
Class 2A
The first-ever 2A tournament got underway at the Club at Rolling Hills in Golden and new players have an opportunity to shine.
Las Animas’ Damien Baca shot a 5-over-par 76 to take the individual lead. His two birdies came on 10 and 15.
Golden View Classical Academy took the team lead and is sitting at 28-over, five shots better than Monte Vista.
Individual leaders
| PLACE | PLAYER | SCHOOL | SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyler Long | Evergreen | -5 |
| 2 | Griffin Didier | Basalt | -3 |
| 3 | Lincoln | MacKay | -2 |
| 3 | Liam Houlihan | Evergreen | -2 |
| 4 | Luke Sabina | Evergreen | -1 |
| 4 | Jack Brayman | Peak To Peak | -1 |
Team leaders
| PLACE | SCHOOL | SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Golden View Classical Academy | +28 |
| 2 | Monte Vista | +33 |
| 3 | Swink | +36 |
| 4 | Sterling | +37 |
| 5 | Wray | +39 |
