A handful of golfers from Aurora high schools head to Florida next week for the 2013 Optimist International Junior Golf Championships.
Regis Jesuit teammates Chris Korte and Jake Kelley along with recent Grandview graduate Randy Urso head to the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., July 31-Aug. 4 to compete against a field of qualifiers from around the world in the boys 16-18 age group, while Grandview’s Morgan Sahm and Regis Jesuit’s Mary Weinstein will play in the girls 15-18 group.
Korte and Kelley — members of the Regis Jesuit team will aim for a fourth straight Class 5A boys state golf championship in the fall — each have had strong summers and both shot even-par 70s at the Colorado-Wyoming Optimist qualifier June 20 at Boulder’s Flatirons Golf Course.
The Regis Jesuit duo secured automatic spots, while Urso — who is headed to play at the Colorado School of Mines in the fall — had to win a playoff with Glenn Workman after shooting a round of 71.
Urso also played in the Optimist in 2010 and didn’t fare well, but said he is much better prepared for the second time.
“It’s definitely a lot to take in your first time going,” Urso said, noting tight fairways, water hazards on every hole and Bermuda grass as challenges of the course at the PGA National Resort & Spa.
“Knowing what to expect now, I’m a lot more comfortable going this year and a lot more confident in my game,” he added.
Korte and Kelley made the Optimist tournament for the first time. They’ll take on a field that typically includes golfers from across the U.S. and 30 countries. Clifton’s Donny Kinnaman and Erie’s Behrod Keshtavar round out Colorado’s contingent.
Opening round tee times will be available on July 31.
Sahm and Weinstein become the latest girls from Aurora high schools to qualify for the Optimist, following Eaglecrest grad Jamie Griffin in 2012 and Overland grad Somin Lee, who finished second out of 81 golfers in the girls 16-18 class in 2010.
Sahm — a top 10 finisher in the 5A girls state golf tournament in May — won the Colorado-Wyoming girls 15-18 qualifying event on June 20 at Boulder’s Flatiron Golf Course. Sahm, who missed qualifying in the 13-14 age group at the 2011 tournament, won by three strokes with a 6-over 76.
Seven Colorado girls qualified in the 15-18 category, including Weinstein, who helped Regis Jesuit to third place as a team at the 5A state tournament.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
2013 OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS
July 31-Aug. 4 at PGA National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
BOYS 16-18 COLORADO QUALIFIERS
Jake Kelley (2014, Littleton); Behrod Keshtavar (2014, Erie); Donny Kinnaman (2015, Clifton); Chris Korte (2014, Littleton); Randy Urso (2013, Aurora)
GIRLS 15-18 COLORADO QUALIFIERS
Jenni Chun (2014, Lone Tree); Sarah Hankins (2014, Thornton); Megan McCambridge (2013, Boulder); Morgan Sahm (2016, Centennial); Jaylee Tait (2014, Littleton); Gillian Vance (2015, Lakewood); Mary Weinstein (2016, Highlands Ranch)
