The 2018 boys team representing Colorado in the Junior America’s Cup will be nothing if not seasoned in the event.
The four Coloradans competing July 24-26 in Anaconda, Mont., will come into the event having played in a combined five JACs.
Records aren’t complete, but Davis Bryant of Aurora might go down as having played in more boys Junior America’s Cups for Colorado than anyone. This will mark his fourth and final appearance, having placed ninth individually last year, 21st in 2016 and 49th in 2015.
More importantly, Bryant helped Colorado finish fourth out of 18 teams in 2017, sixth in 2016 and third in 2015, when the Centennial State matched its best showing ever in the event, also accomplished in 2011 at Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen.
Bryant will be joined on the 2018 Colorado team by Dillon Stewart of Fort Collins, Cal McCoy of Highlands Ranch and Walker Franklin of Broomfield. Stewart and McCoy likewise played on the 2017, while the 16-year-old Franklin is a first-timer in the event. (Bryant and Stewart are pictured at a recent tournament, with Bryant at left.)
All three of the Colorado returnees have set their college plans. Bryant is headed for Colorado State University and McCoy to the University of Denver, both in the fall, while Stewart has verbally committed to Oklahoma State when he heads for college in 2019.
Here’s a brief rundown on the Colorado JAC representatives this year:
— Davis Bryant of Aurora: Will be playing in his fourth Junior America’c Cup. He finished ninth individually last year. … Will play his college golf at CSU beginning in the fall. … Named the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado’s Boys Player of the Year in 2017. … Has won all four JGAC majors in which he’s competed in 2017 and 18 — three last year and the Colorado Junior PGA this year. He’s also qualified for the national Junior PGA Championship. … Finished 40th out of 212 players in the boys 15-18 division at the IMG Academy Junior World Championships. … Played in the U.S. Junior Amateur in 2015 and ’17, going to match play in the latter. … Finished second to Stewart at last month’s AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior. … Advanced to U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying late in the spring. … Won the 5A boys state high school title as a senior at Eaglecrest. … Younger sister Emma is on this year’s Colorado team for the Girls Junior Americas Cup.
— Dillon Stewart of Fort Collins: Will be playing in his second Junior America’c Cup. He finished 13th individually last year. … Has verbally committed to play his college golf at Oklahoma State beginning next year. … Competed this week at the U.S. Junior Amateur. … Won the AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior last month, becoming the first local player to claim the title in the boys division. … Finished second last week at the Colorado Junior Amateur. … Also was runner-up at the 5A boys state high school tournament in the fall, behind only Bryant.
— Cal McCoy of Highlands Ranch: Will be playing in his second Junior America’c Cup. He finished 31st individually last year. … Will begin his college golf career at the University of Denver beginning in the fall. … Finished 103rd out of 212 players at the recent IMG Academy Junior World Championships. … Has qualified for the CoBank Colorado Open, but will instead compete in the JAC, which has conflicting dates. … Is the first alternate for the U.S. Amateur from the Fort Collins Country Club qualifying site. … Finished second to Bryant at the Colorado Junior PGA and qualifed for the national Junior PGA Championship.
— Walker Franklin of Broomfield: Will be playing in his first Junior America’s Cup. … Finished fourth in the Colorado Junior PGA and fifth at recent Colorado Junior Amateur. … Placed fifth last month in the AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior. … Was the medalist in Colorado qualifying for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship. … Won a JGAC Spring Tour event at Country Club of the Rockies in April. … Tied for second in last fall’s 3A state high school tournament.
At the Junior America’s Cup, which features 18 teams from the western U.S., Canada and Mexico, the best three scores for each team each day count toward the team total.
For a story on the girls who will represent Colorado at the Girls Junior Americas Cup at Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen, CLICK HERE.
