Denver Country Club yielded just two under-par scores on Saturday as many of the best junior golfers from Colorado opened play at the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado Tour Championship.
In a field of 56 players — 35 on the boys side and 21 on the girls — 16-year-old Jacob Mason of Westminster shot a 2-under-par 69 for the boys lead and 3A state high school champion Jackson Klutznick of Denver posted a 1-under 70 to also finish in red numbers.
Meanwhile Caroline Jordaan of Lakewood, who has committed to play her college golf at the University of Denver, carded an even-par 71 to take a three-stroke lead in the girls competition at the fourth and final JGAC Tour major of 2018.
Mason, the winner of a JGAC Tour event at Legacy Ridge in July, placed sixth individually on Tuesday at the 3A state high school meet while competing for Holy Family. He made four birdies and two bogeys on a cool Saturday at DCC.
Klutznick also carried over his strong play from the 3A state tournament, carding three birdies and two bogeys in round 1.
Billy Howenstein of Boulder, who tied Mason for sixth play at the 3A meet, holds third place at even-par 71 after a one-birdie, one-bogey day.
In the girls tournament, Caroline Jordaan and her younger sister, Marie, are 1-2 on the scoreboard, with 2016 JGAC Tour Championship winner Charlotte Hillary of Englewood sharing second place with the younger Jordaan.
Caroline Jordaan, runner-up in the 3A state tournament in the spring, recorded five birdies and five bogeys in round 1. She had three “2s” on her card.
Marie Jordaan and Hillary finished with one birdie and four bogeys each on Saturday.
Defending champion Hailey Schalk of Erie and 2018 JGAC Girls Junior Tour points leader Lauren Lehigh of Loveland each opened with a 77.
The 36-hole tournaments for both the boys and girls will conclude on Sunday.
For scores from the JGAC Tour Championship, click on the following: BOYS, GIRLS
