Ahern, Lee Claim CJGA Tournament of Champions Titles

Colorado Avid Golfer

PARKER — It took until it was very nearly too dark to play, but John Ahern of Morrison capped off a stellar week by winning the Colorado Junior Golf Association Tournament of Champions Sunday evening at Colorado Golf Club.

Ahern, who claimed the 4A state high school title on Tuesday, defeated one of his top 4A opponents, Cameron Harrell of Colorado Springs, in a five-hole sudden-death playoff. With the sun having already set, Harrell missed a 2-foot par putt on the fifth extra hole, while Ahern two-putted from 12 feet for the victory.     Had both players tied the hole, it was agreed that they would be named co-champions in the event, which is limited to players 14-18 years old.

Meanwhile, in the girls division, Somin Lee of Denver closed out her CJGA career with a seven-stroke win.

The boys tournament featured all three of the 2010 state high school champions. While Ahern won the title Sunday, 5A champ David Oraee of Greeley couldn’t overcome a 9 on his first hole Sunday and finished tied for third. Class 3A winner Ethan Freeman of Littleton shared eighth place.  Ahern shot a 7-over-par 79 on Sunday for a two-day total of 11-over 155 on the course that played host to the 2010 Senior PGA Championship.  Harrell, who finished third in the 4A state high school tournament, birdied three of his last five holes in regulation Sunday to card a 75 and catch Ahern, the first-round leader. Ahern and Harrell tied the first and third playoff holes with bogeys and the second and fourth with pars.

In the girls competition, Lee posted the best score of the Tournament of Champions regardless of gender. Her 2-under-par 70 on Sunday left the reigning 5A girls high school state champion with a 152 total. First-round leader Shannon Lubar of Littleton (78-159) placed second.
     

CJGA Tournament of Champions (Age 14-18)
At Par-72 Colorado GC in Parker
x-Won 5-Hole Sudden-Death Playoff

BOYS
x-John Ahern, Morrison, Colo. 76-79–155
Cameron Harrell, Colorado Springs, Colo. 80-75–155
David Oraee, Greeley, Colo. 78-80–158
Steven Kupcho, Westminster, Colo. 80-78–158
Tyler Engel, Castle Rock, Colo. 82-78–160
Zach Tripp, Littleton, Colo. 81-80–161
Chris Weinstein, Highlands Ranch, Colo. 80-82–162
Eric Hallberg, Castle Rock, Colo. 80-83–163
Ethan Freeman, Littleton, Colo. 81-82–163
Andrew Romano, Littleton, Colo. 84-80–164
Nicholas Reisch, Thornton, Colo. 87-77–164
Palmer Giro, Ft. Collins, Colo. 83-81–164
Spencer Sheets, Centennial, Colo. 82-82–164
Benjamin Moore, Cherry Hills Village, Colo. 85-80–165
Connor Klein, Lone Tree, Colo. 82-83–165
Jimmy Makloski, Pueblo, Colo. 86-80–166
Josh Seiple, Castle Rock, Colo. 83-83–166
Mitchel Solomon, Dacono, Colo. 81-85–166
Jack Adolfson, Longmont, Colo. 88-81–169
Christopher Good, Aurora, Colo. 82-89–171
Michael Cole, Monument, Colo. 89-83–172
Sam Rock, Superior, Colo. 94-79–173
Ethan Yamada, Arvada, Colo. 89-86–175
Zachary Hull, Highlands Ranch, Colo. 84-91–175
Peter Hassan, Boulder, Colo. 90-87–177
Caleb Barker, Highlands Ranch, Colo. 81-WD

GIRLS
Somin Lee, Denver, Colo. 82-70–152
Shannon Lubar, Littleton, Colo. 81-78–159
Kathleen Kershisnik, Highlands Ranch, Colo. 90-73–163
Katy Dyachkova, Centennial, Colo. 87-78–165
Allie Johnston, Castle Rock, Colo. 88-81–169
Lindsay McGetrick, Highlands Ranch, Colo. 84-87–171
Shinwoo Lee, Aurora, Colo. 87-86–173
Seungha Choi, Aurora , Colo. 88-86–174
Claudia Davis, Centennial, Colo. 88-88–176
Taylor Dorans, Erie, Colo. 87-97–184
Katie Moats, Wheat Ridge, Colo. 93-96–189
Hannah Wood, Centennial, Colo. 109-92–201
Emily Woodard, Cheyenne, Wyo. 109-95–204