AURORA | Seung Ha Choi doesn’t like Aurora Hills Golf Course, but she sure can play it.
Navigating the course where she’ll try to defend her Class 5A state championship in two weeks — one she admittedly isn’t fond of — the Overland senior finished with a 1-under-par 71 during Tuesday’s 5A Metro East Regional, good enough for medalist honors in a loaded field that included all the Centennial League teams and a sprinkling of others.
Despite a late bogey with one hole to play, Choi finished a shot ahead of Arapahoe’s Claudia Davis and two in front of the Cherry Creek duo of Callie Ringsby and Shinwoo Lee, who helped lead the Bruins to a four-shot victory over the Warriors.
The Trailblazers didn’t register a team score as only two of their four players finished their rounds, but both made the May 21-22 5A state tournament field, as sophomore Soleil Worthy was the last golfer in with an 85 to join Choi.
Eaglecrest junior Jamie Griffin struggled with the putter, but still was comfortably above the cut with an 83. Griffin — who shot a 78 at the Centennial League tournament at Aurora Hills a few weeks earlier — qualified for her third straight trip to state.
Cherokee Trail had the top finish among Aurora teams in fourth — six shots ahead of Grandview — and has a potential state player in Alissa Rhee, who won a one-hole playoff to earn first alternate honors. Rhee, who qualified for state last season, would join the field if one of the regional qualifiers is unable to play for whatever reason.
Aurora’s other teams were washed out of play on Monday and will play rescheduled rounds in the coming days.
On Thursday, Aurora Central, Gateway, Hinkley and Rangeview try again in the 5A Metro West Regional, which will tee off at Raccoon Creek instead of Fox Hollow Golf Course, where the tournament began Monday before being halted by weather. Regis Jesuit and the 4A Metro West return to West Woods Golf Club on May 14 to start over their round that was canceled after just two holes.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
CLASS 5A METRO EAST GIRLS GOLF REGIONAL
At Aurora Hills Golf Course, May 7
Team scores: Cherry Creek 220, Arapahoe 224, Heritage 249, Denver East 260, Cherokee Trail 296, Grandview 302, Eaglecrest 309, Smoky Hill 344, Littleton 347, George Washington, Overland no score
Individual State Qualifiers (par 71): Seung Ha Choi (Overland) 71; Claudia Davis (Arapahoe) 72; Callie Ringsby (Cherry Creek) 73; Shinwoo Lee (Cherry Creek) 73; Mackenzie Cohen (Cherry Creek) 74; Dani Urman (Cherry Creek) 75; Hannah Wood (Arapahoe) 75; Katy Dyachkova (Arapahoe) 77; Alexandra Truong (Heritage) 79; Jennifer Kempton (Heritage) 82; Jamie Griffin (Eaglecrest) 83; Maggie Hartman (Denver East) 84; Holly Schaefer (Arapahoe) 84; Claire Sturdivant (Denver East) 85; Soleil Worthy (Overland) 85; 1st alternate: Alissa Rhee (Cherokee Trail) 88 (won playoff hole); 2nd alternate: Erica Truong (Heritage) 88
