Three golfers who grew up in Colorado and who now compete for Colorado-based NCAA Division I golf programs led the way in Monday’s stroke-play qualifying round for the 118th CGA Match Play Championship at The Club at Ravenna in Littleton.
Jackson Solem of The Fox Hill Club, a University of Denver golfer, earned medalist honors with a 7-under-par 64 after an eight-birdie, one-bogey day. Solem, who made the match play round of 32 at last year’s U.S. Junior Amateur, will be the No. 2 seed in the match-play bracket, behind defending champion Chris Korte, who recently graduate from DU. Korte shot a 74 on Monday.
Colorado State University golfer AJ Ott of Ptarmigan Country Club finished second in Monday’s qualifying, shooting a 65. Another CSU Ram, 2017 CGA Player of the Year Jake Staiano of Glenmoor Country Club, carded a 67 for third place in stroke play.
Among the five players who posted a 68 was 2015 CGA Match Play champion Nick Nosewicz of Meadow Hills Golf Course. Another former champion, 2012 winner Brian Dorfman of Cherry Creek Country Club, also broke 70, with a 69.
In all, 64 players will advance to match play, which begins on Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday will each feature two rounds of matches, setting the stage for Friday’s 36-hole final.
The golfers who shot 79 on Monday played off for the final spot in the match-play bracket, with Blake Schneiter earning the final berth.
Ravenna is hosting the CGA Match Play — the CGA’s oldest championship — for the second straight year, marking the first time the championship has been held at the same site in consecutive years since 2000-01.
For all the scores from Monday, CLICK HERE.
For the round-of-64 matchups, CLICK HERE.
