Colorado has been sending teams to the Junior America’s Cup since 1975, and two of the state’s best six performances in the event have come in the last three years, with Davis Bryant of Aurora and Jackson Solem of Longmont playing on both of those teams.
On Thursday in Dupont, Wash., Bryant and Solem led the squad from the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado to a fourth-place showing in the tournament that features 18 teams from the western U.S., Canada and Mexico. Two years ago, the Coloradans were third, which matched the 2011 team for best finish by the Coloradans. This year’s fourth-place performance was the same as the golfers from the Centennial State posted in 1984, ’85 and 2012.
With the top three individual scores each day counting toward the team total, Colorado shot a 4-over-par 220 in Thursday’s final round at The Home Course. That left the Coloradans with a three-day total of 5-over 653, behind only champion British Columbia (645), runner-up Southern California (648) and third-place Utah (650).
It marked the fifth top-six finish at the JAC in the last seven years for Colorado.
Individually, Davis (left), winner of the first two JGAC majors of 2017, tied for ninth place in the 72-player field. He was even par for the tournament through 50 holes, but the future Colorado State University golfer bogeyed two of the last four for a 2-over-par 74 and a 2-over 218 total.
Solem, a former 4A state high school champion who has signed to play for the University of Denver, tied for 11th place after shooting the low round for any of the Coloradans at the JAC, a 1-under-par 71 on Thursday. After playing the last seven holes in 2 under, he carded a 3-over 219 total.
Dillon Stewart of Fort Collins also placed in the top 15, at 13th, despite going 2 par in his last six holes. He shot a 3-over 75 on Thursday, leaving him at 220.
Cal McCoy of Highlands Ranch rounded out the Colorado team, finishing 31st at 225 after closing with a 78.
Nolan Thoroughgood of British Columbia claimed the individual title on Thursday. He carded an 8-under-par 208 total after rounds of 71-67-70.
(The Colorado representatives are pictured, from left: Ashley Barnhart, Bryant, McCoy, captain Dustin Jensen, Solem, Stewart and Holly Champion. Jensen has served as a captain for all three of the Colorado teams that have placed in the top four since 2011.)
4. Colorado 216-217-220–653
9. Davis Bryant, Aurora 72-72-74–218
11. Jackson Solem, Longmont 76-72-71–219
13. Dillon Stewart, Fort Collins 72-73-75–220
31. Cal McCoy, Highlands Ranch 72-75-78–225
For all the scores from the Junior America’s Cup, CLICK HERE.
