GOLDEN — Only one player in the Class 4A state tournament broke 79 at Rolling Hills Country Club.

Kent Denver’s Olivia Garard shot a 74 Monday to open up a five-shot lead. Her closest pursuers are Colorado Academy’s Elizabeth Kresock and Evergreen’s Chance Forbes.

TOP 10 4A SCORES — 1. Olivia Garard, Kent Denver, 74; 2. (tie) Elizabeth Kresock, Colorado Academy, 79; Chance Forbes, Evergreen, 79; 4. Michelle Stripp, Glenwood Springs, 81; 5. Loren Forney, Rifle, 82; 6. Molly Dorans, Broomfield, 83; 7. (tie) Brittany Johnson, Golden, 85; Michaela, Greeley Central, 85; 9. Hillary Hoffer, Colorado Academy, 87; 10. (tie) Ashlee Samuels, Pueblo South, 88; Christina Spinzig, Evergreen, 88.

     LITTLETON — Tuesday marks the final day of Becca Huffer’s high school golf career, and she’d like nothing better than a repeat of her state tournament performance as a not-so-lowly sophomore.

     The Littleton High School senior, who went wire-to-wire to win the 2006 Class 5A state title by three shots, made significant inroads toward state title No. 2 Monday. She shot an even-par 72 at Raccoon Creek Golf Course to grab a five-shot lead heading into Tuesday’s final round.

    If Huffer prevails, she’ll become just the fifth girl to win at least two Colorado state high school golf titles.

    “That would be fun for sure,” said Huffer, who finished fifth at state last year. “Of course, you try to win them all. But that’s what I’m hoping to do this week.”

     Four players trail Huffer by five strokes: Monarch senior Brooke Collins, the defending state champion; Grand Junction Central senior Melissa Martin, Loveland junior Bethany Buchner and Highlands Ranch’s Robin Lee. Martin and Buchner tied for second behind Collins at state last year.

Huffer Leads by Five in Bid for Second 5A Girls Title

Littleton senior won high school championship in 2006

By Gary Baines

Colorado Golf Journal, Monday, May 19, 2008

Kent Denver’s Garard Leads 4A Golf by Five

     Huffer posted four birdies and four bogeys Monday, and saved herself Monday with several putts, including a 10-footer and a 7-footer for bogeys.

    “I scrambled a little,”  said Huffer, who has signed a letter-of-intent to play collegiately at Notre Dame. “I’d rather do that (successfully) than hit it great tee to green and struggle with the putter.”

     Collins had an up-and-down round which included four birdies, five bogeys and two double bogeys. She missed a couple of putts within 2 feet and took penalties after hitting one shot against a tree trunk and another into a water hazard.

      “I missed two putts from about 1 foot,”  said the defending champion, who will play college golf at Oklahoma.  “How do you do that? It was kind of funny, really. Let’s just say that my putting wasn’t the best.

      “I’m disappointed. This is not the tournament I wanted to play bad in. I could have played a lot better today. ... It was one of those days.”

     Buchner, who won the 5A Northern Regional heading up to state, likely speaks for all of Huffer’s closest pursuers when she says she needs to kick it into high gear on Tuesday.

    “I have to go for it,” she said. “I know I’ll have to bring it tomorrow.”

     Highlands Ranch (237) leads the team competition by 17 strokes over Cherry Creek.

TOP 10 5A SCORES — 1. Becca Huffer, Littleton 72; 2. (tie) Bethany Buchner, Loveland, 77; Brooke Collins, Monarch, 77; Robin Lee, Highlands Ranch, 77; Melissa Martin, Grand Junction Central, 77; 6. (tie) Jamie Engelkemier, Highlands Ranch, 78; Kristen Kempton, Heritage, 78; 8. Andi Hibbert, Lakewood, 79; 9. (tie) Brittany Berguin, Grand Junction, 80; Lara Pocs, Northglenn, 80; Dana Zamprelli, Douglas County 80.

Becca Huffer

Brooke Collins