Valor Christian girls golf shines at Showcase Invitational with postseason approaching

Valor Christian’s Brenna Higgins has seen her teammates consistently excel this season, and the Eagles subsequently appear to be the frontrunners for the team state championship in Class 5A in just a few weeks. While Aja Blankenship was the star of the show earlier in the week at Cherry Creek Country Club, Higgins turned on the jets later in the week at Indian Tree to show the state just how much she wants to prove she can defend her individual state title from a year ago.

Higgins simply could not be stopped Thursday, as the senior overcame a somewhat slow start (plus-1 through seven holes) to string together a 30 on the back nine of the near-5,700 yard par 74 course. She made birdie on two of the par-3s on the back nine, in addition to making eagle on the shorter, 372-yard par-5 15th, to help her to one of the season’s most jaw-dropping stretches of play.

The Eagles’ depth has been on display the entire spring, but Higgins clearly has intentions of being at the top when things are said and done. They are one of a few teams who will now turn their attention to regional competition, which begins May 12.

The Big Kahuna

As previously reported on Colorado Preps, the Showcase Invitational at Cherry Creek Country Club was the tournament to be at this past week. Valor swung some hot clubs on its way to victory by 15 strokes over Holy Family and Rock Canyon, while Fossil Ridge was also in the mix at fourth place. Aja Blankenship had the low round (70), but an impressive group of girls finished at even, including Ralston Valley’s Addison Hines, Regis Jesuit’s Audrey Whitmore and the Eagles’ Ella Scott. Nineteen players shot in the 70s in what was an amazing display on the links.

Adjacent fairways

Pueblo West, with 271 strokes, won the Cheyenne Mountain Invitational on Monday at the Country Club of Colorado, an event that featured more than 20 teams. Resurrection Christian was just one stroke back, with Rye in third place by seven strokes. Doherty’s Joylanae Barnhill won the event with an 8-over 79. The Cyclones then won the Lady Spartan Invite on Thursday at King’s Deer, with 257 strokes. Pine Creek’s Annette Parker, however, won the individual crown with her 78.

A 7-over 78 for Timnath’s Cheyanne Schrick kept her tremendous season going at the Longs Peak League Championships at Collindale, while her Cubs team finished second right behind Northridge.

Sterling’s Macie Doherty fired a 74 at Twin Peaks on Monday, winning the Frederick Golden Eagle Open that also featured Columbine, Niwot, Fossil Ridge and Windsor among others.

Kyndra Johnson and Sofia Contreras once again duked it out this week, this time at Hollydot for the Madeline A. Mellers Memorial Tournament. Contreras (Pueblo Central) managed to respond quickly to errors, following bogeys with birdies on her way to par 71. Salida’s Johnson overcame a rough start (plus-3 over the first three holes) by going 6-under the rest of the way for a 68 to win.

Hunting the Mega Bonus

Blankenship won the prestigious Showcase at Cherry Creek Country Club with a 2-under 70, her stretch of four birdies between the sixth and 11th holes ultimately paving the way to the win.

Prospect Ridge senior Hope Torres followed a great round at the Showcase on Monday with a stellar, 6-under par 66 Tuesday during a Metro League match at Thorncreek. Her low round of the season included seven birdies and just one bogey, closing out the back nine with a 32.

Ashleigh Wilson had another consistent round Tuesday during a Continental League match at Meadow Hills, her 1-under 70 good for medalist distinction.

Salida’s Johnson had a stretch of four birdies in five holes to help her swing Tuesday’s Mellers Memorial in her direction.

Landry Frost (Air Academy) and Tess Morris (Lutheran) were engaged at Flying Horse on Wednesday, with both going under par during the Discovery Canyon Thunder Invitational. Frost started hot and was 5-under through 12 holes, ultimately finishing right there and turning in a 67. Morris had four birdies and finished at 1-under 71.

Hines also closed out Indian Tree with a flurry Thursday, making birdie on three of the final five holes to finish at 2-under 72.

Brighton’s Raleigh Puzio had one of her top season performances Thursday at Flatirons, carding 1-under 69 with five birdies part of the mix.