Final 64 Elusive

The two Coloradans who qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur and the one who advanced to the U.S. Girls’ Junior fell short of making match play at their respective national championships.

At the Junior Amateur in Ooltewah, Tenn., Griffin Barela of Lakewood fell five strokes shy of the playoff to determine the last of the 64 competitors to advance to match play, while Trevor Olkowski missed the mark by nine.

Barela posted rounds of 76-80 for a 12-over-par 156 total. Olkowski checked in at 160 after going 81-79.

Easton Paxton of Riverton, Wyo., a member of the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado, missed the playoff by one as he went 77-75–152.

At the Girls’ Junior in Paramus, N.J., Kiselya Plewe of Cortez missed the playoff for the 64th and final match play spot by three strokes. The Weber State signee carded scores of 84-75 for a 13-over-par 159 total.

One player with local ties who did make match play was Elizabeth Wang of San Marino, Calif., who once lived in Colorado. Wang, winner of last year’s national Junior PGA Championship, followed up a 79 with a 1-under-par 72 on Tuesday to post a 5-over 151 total. She finished 28th in stroke play.

(July 20 Update: Wang lost in her round-of-64 match 3 and 2 to Yu Chiang Hou of Chinese Taipei.)

For scores from the U.S. Junior Amateur, CLICK HERE.

For scores from the U.S. Girls’ Junior, CLICK HERE.

U.S. Junior Amateur
The Honors Course, Ooltewah, Tenn.

MC. Easton Paxton of Riverton, Wyo (JGAC member) 77-75–152
MC. Griffin Barela of Lakewood 76-80–156
MC. Trevor Olkowski of Grand Junction 81-79–160

U.S. Girls’ Junior
The Ridgewood CC in Paramus, N.J.

28. Former Coloradan Elizabeth Wang of San Marino, Calif. 79-72–151
MC. Kiselya Plewe of Cortez 84-75–159