Breakthrough

About two months before Colorado hosts its own AJGA tournament, Griffin Barela of Lakewood chalked up his first victory on the prestigious junior circuit.

The 2016 Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado’s Junior Match Play champion chalked up a win Sunday in the AJGA Junior at Greenhorn Creek in Angels Camp, Calif.

Barela, a 2016 U.S. Junior Amateur qualifier, posted rounds of 70-67 for a 7-under-par 137 and won by three over Daulet Tuleubayev of Kazakhstan. Barela carded an eagle, nine birdies and four bogeys over the two rounds.

Barela, a Lakewood High School senior, has signed a letter of intent to play his college golf at the University of Wisconsin.

Colorado’s AJGA event, the Hale Irwin Colorado Junior by Transamerica, will be held June 6-8 at Walnut Creek Golf Preserve in Westminster.