AURORA | State tournament bids are up for grabs for Colorado boys prep golfers starting Monday, with the first three regional tournaments involving Aurora teams.
Grandview and Overland take part in the Class 5A Northern Regional tournament scheduled for a 11 a.m. start at Hyland Hills G.C. in Westminster along with 13 other teams. The Wolves — who were the No. 3 seed from the Centennial League (after Mullen dropped to 4A) — have entered a foursome of Alex Chitkoksoong, Josh Stone, Kenny VanWormer and Titus Miner, while the Trailblazers go with Noah Larchick and Dominic Gonzales.
Of the group, VanWormer will attempt to qualify for state for a third time in as many seasons, while Chitkoksoong made it in 2018, but missed out last season.
Cherokee Trail, the No. 4 5A team from the Centennial League, is bound for the 5A Western Regional at Raccoon Greek G.C. along with 12 other teams for a tournament with a noon start. Mason Bernard, Gavin Buttshaw, Tyler Cassaday and Michael Grube represent the Cougars.
Bernard is in search of a third straight trip to the state tournament.
Aurora Central is one of just two Aurora teams competing in 4A and is part of the Region 2 tournament beginning at 8 a.m. at Country Club of Colorado. The Trojans have entered Jahki James, Nicholas Portillo, Rofiul Mohamed Nasir and Simeon Veasley to compete against the 15 other teams in the field.
Aurora’s other 4A competitor, Vista PEAK, heads to Quail Dunes G.C. Tuesday for the Region 3 tournament, which begins at 9 a.m. Brody Severin, Connor Angelini, Dawson Thulin and Jaden Jefferson represent the Bison.
Thulin earned his way into the 4A state tournament last season for Vista PEAK.
Three of the 15 teams set for the 5A Central Regional on Wednesday at Overland G.C. in Denver hail from Aurora in Hinkley (EMAC’s No. 8 team), Regis Jesuit (third seed from the Continental League) and Smoky Hill (the No. 6 5A team from the Centennial League.
The Raiders feature the foursome of Cole Dewey, Liam Wood, Ryan Occhionero and Teddy Hummel, the Buffaloes go with the trio of Ryan Keohane, Samuel Fruitman, Talyn Haskell and Mikale Hayes represents the Thunderbirds. Hummel and Occhionero both played at state last season and helped Regis Jesuit to a fifth-place finish.
Thursday’s Southern Regional at South Suburban G.C. also includes a trio of Aurora teams in Eaglecrest (No. 5 seed of 5A teams in the Centennial League), Gateway (EMAC No. 7) and Rangeview (EMAC No. 3).
The Raptors’ regional foursome has yet to be entered, but the Raiders will go with Dallon DeLoach, DeAngelo Williams, Trevor Sexton and Nate Urban, while Harold Johnson and Cornelies Tan go for the Olys. Eaglecrest sophomore Andrew White is in search of a second straight state appearance.
Each regional tournament will send two teams and 13 individuals not on one of those teams to the state tournament, scheduled for Oct. 5-6. The 5A state tournament is set for Rolling Hills G.C. in Golden, while the 4A state tournament just shifted to the Country Club of Colorado in Colorado Springs.
Full 5A/4A regional fields and schedule, here.
Courtney Oakes is Sentinel Colorado Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@sentinelcolorado.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports