BROOMFIELD — Rock Canyon’s Ashleigh Wilson hit twice out of a sand trap on her final hole Monday afternoon, sending her to a double bogey finish on No. 18 at Broadlands Golf Course.
Nothing to fret about, she explained. One wayward hole couldn’t damper what the junior felt was a strong start on the first day of the Class 5A golf state tournament, where she finished with the lead at 1-under-par 71.
“It’s one shot at a time, and then there’s a brand-new shot in front of you,” said last year’s state bronze medalist, who is a stroke ahead of defending champ Brenna Higgins of Valor Christian going into Tuesday’s final round. “I feel like I’ve prepared the best I could and I’m feeling confident in my swing. It felt really good out there.”
Wilson took charge of the individual race early on, sinking four consecutive birdies on her front nine.
Higgins closed the gap on the back side with four birdies of her own. The junior narrowly missed a putt on No. 18, which would’ve given her a share of the lead.
“I feel more relaxed than last year,” Higgins said.
After shooting even-par 72, she can become 5A’s second straight back-to-back champion following Loveland grad Katelyn Lehigh’s wins in 2021 and ‘22.
Last spring, Higgins won the 5A crown on a 19th-hole playoff at Black Bear Club in Parker, edging Smoky Hill’s Sophia Stiwich.
“Obviously, I want to do it again,” she said. “But I think I’m in a really good spot. And I’m comfortable.”
Higgins’ round also put Valor Christian in strong contention to three-peat — her 72 helping give the Eagles an 11-stroke lead over second-place Rock Canyon going into Day 2.
Her teammate, Ella Scott, a freshman, finished the first day in third and just two shots back of the lead at 73. Junior Bella Eide is 12th (78) and sophomore Aja Blankenship 20th (81).
The last 5A girls golf team to win three consecutive titles was Cherry Creek from 2011-13.
“Our team is really, really good this year,” said Higgins, who was quick to congratulate Scott after the newbie finished her round on a roll, tallying a birdie and eagle over her final four holes. “We have a solid four.”
Behind Wilson and Valor Christian’s Higgins and Scott, Cherry Creek junior Caitlyn Chin, Ralston Valley sophomore Addison Hines and Legend freshman Maddie Makino are three strokes back of the lead (74). Chin finished fourth a year ago, while Hines was ninth.
In the team race, scoring the top three, Valor Christian finished the first day 7-over-par 223. Rock Canyon is second (234), followed by Cherry Creek (235), Fossil Ridge (237) and Mountain Vista (245).
The forecast in Broomfield for Tuesday includes early afternoon thunderstorms, which could force delays.
(Brent New)
