Perhaps it’s time to wonder, “What will Jennifer do next?”
Especially regarding how Jennifer Kupcho of Westminster fares at the CWGA Stroke Play, that’s a particularly relevant question to ponder at this point.
When the 70th Stroke Play is held Monday through Wednesday (June 19-21) at Lone Tree Golf Club, the 20-year-old will be attempting to accomplish a couple of things not done for many a moon.
If Kupcho (pictured) wins next week, she’ll become the first player to three-peat “” win the title three consecutive years “” since Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Janet Moore won four in a row from 1994 to ’97. And a victory would make Kupcho the first golfer since Wendy Werley in 1988 and ’89 to claim the title in fourth straight CWGA majors (the Stroke Play and the Match Play).
Beyond that, it’ll be interesting to see if Kupcho can surpass the very high standard she’s set for herself in her last two CWGA Stroke Play victories. It may be difficult to fathom, but her average winning margin in those events was 20 shots, as she prevailed by 21 in 2015 and by 19 last year.
And, by the way, Kupcho won the first of her four CWGA majors at Lone Tree, the 2014 Match Play.
The Stroke Play will serve as a bit of a warm-up leading up to the U.S. Women’s Open for Kupcho, who’s currently No. 11 in the women’s World Amateur Golf Rankings. Just two days after the disappointment of finishing second at the Women’s NCAA Division I Championships after leading by two going into her penultimate hole, Kupcho earned medalist honors for the second straight year in Colorado-based Women’s Open qualifying. Arguably the most prestigious tournament in women’s golf will be contested July 13-16 at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J.
In all, 59 players will compete in the CWGA Stroke Play, with flighting taking place after the completion of 36 holes in the 54-hole event.
Among the other entrants are University of Colorado golfer Gillian Vance, a former 5A state high school champion who finished second to Kupcho in the 2016 Stroke Play; Jaylee Tait, runner-up to Kupcho in the 2016 CWGA Match Play; and Mary Weinstein, the 2016 Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado girls Player of the Year who placed second to Kupcho in the 2015 Stroke Play.
For Monday’s pairings from the Stroke Play, CLICK HERE.
