Morris captures her third COPGA Women’s Championship

Morris wins over Tait and McKandless

SPONSORED CONTENT

Tara Morris, PGA Instructor at Colorado Golf Academy, won this year’s COPGA Women’s Championship with a brilliant final round.

Morris posted rounds of 71 and 68 to finish at 5-under-par (139), securing the win over Jaylee Tait of Lone Tree Golf Club and Kelli McKandless, PGA Instructor at Murphy Creek Golf Course, who matched the same two-day total of 1-over-par, six shots behind Morris.

After a steady front nine of 37, she turned on the jets on the back nine, firing an incredible 31, highlighted by birdies on 10 and 11, 16, 17 and 18. Her consistency and calm under pressure set her apart, especially on the closing stretch, to run away with the victory.

McKandless fired rounds of 74, 71 over the two days to finish at 1-over-par. A highlight of her round came at hole 11, where she carded a birdie 2, followed by another birdie on 14. McKandless won the LPGA Central Section Championship, which was a separate championship contested over the last two days.

Jaylee Tait shot 71, 74. Tait displayed consistency across both rounds, she lacked the birdie spark to keep pace with the leaders. Her round included pars on 12 of 18 holes, showcasing her steady play. A late birdie on 17 helped her finish on a high note.

Finishing in solo fourth place was Ashley Tait-Wengert, PGA Instructor at Turkey Creek Golf. Tait-Wengert fired rounds of 76-74 to finish at 6-over-par for the two days. Tait-Wengert started out her round on a good note, with a 2-under-par 34 front nine, but could not keep the momentum going on the back nine, finishing with four bogies for a 2-over-par 74.

A huge thanks to all of our partners for the Women’s Championship. Tom Bauerle, Drew Hunter, and Reed Tomlinson of Colorado Golf & Turf and Club Car, Matthew Gutowski of Adidas, Chase and Derby McGee of Links & Peaks, Kevin Neff of Sterling Cut Glass, Natalie West of Ellie Arbee, and Zach Ledvina of Maui Jim for their support of this championship and the Colorado PGA.

The tournament was held at Omni Interlocken Golf Club and run by its dedicated staff. Thank you to head golf professionals, Chris Woods and Brandon Dvorak, Food & Beverage Manger Alex Boyce and Golf Course Superintendent Jake Large, and the entire grounds staff for having the course in peak championship condition for the entire tournament.

Colorado PGA Women’s Championship Final Leaderboard

1. Tara Morris, PGA (Colorado Golf Academy) —71-68—139 (-5)

T2. Jaylee Tait (Lone Tree Golf Club) —71-74—145 (+1)

T2. Kelli McKandless, PGA (Murphy Creek Golf Course) —74-71—145 (+1)

4. Ashley Tait-Wengert, PGA (Turkey Creek Golf) —76-74—150 (+6)

T5. Regina Dillon, PGA (The Glacier Club) —80-80—160 (+16)

T5. Alicia Bakken (Omni Interlocken Golf Club) —82-78—160 (+16)

7. Sam Crawford (Colorado PGA) —84-80—164 (+20)

T8. Terra Shehee, PGA (Boulder Country Club) —84-84—168 (+24)

T8. Rylie Tanoura (Thorncreek Golf Course) —87-81—168 (+24)

10. Rachel Roter (Fort Collins Country Club) —90-82—172 (+28)

Full Leaderboard

Tournament Photos

Colorado AvidGolfer Magazine is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com.

Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram