High school girls golf: Park City clings to narrow Day 1 lead in pursuit of first-ever state title

Park City’s girls golf team is 18 holes away from its first-ever state championship, while Crimson Cliffs’ Kate Walker is 18 holes away from a third individual state title as well. Both will face stiff competition during Day 2 of the 4A state tournament at Glendale Golf Course on Thursday. Park City shot a 329 team score during Wednesday’s opening round, but three other teams are all within 10 strokes of the leaders.

Juan Diego shot a 332, followed by Crimson Cliffs with a 337 and Orem with a 339. Crimson Cliffs and Juan Diego are both defending state champs, as Crimson Cliffs finished first in 4A last year and Park City in 3A. Walker shot a 4-under 68 on Wednesday, one of only two golfers to finish under par as the senior looks to finish her career as a three-time state champ.

She claimed medalist honors as a freshman and sophomore, and then last year finished runner-up to Orem’s Kaylee Westfall. The two seniors will battle it out again for the state title on Thursday, as Westfall was the other golfer in red numbers with a 1-under 71 on Wednesday. Westfall birdied three of the final five holes in her opening round to stay within striking distance of Walker Crimson Cliffs sophomore Brynlee Welch is the only other golfer within 10 strokes of leader as she sits within striking distance in third place after carding a 1-over 73 in round one.

Class 4A state tournament ( Full Leaderboard ) At Glendale Park Golf Course Team scores (Day 1) 329 — Park City 332 — Juan Diego 337 — Crimson Cliffs 339 — Orem 355 — Pine View 358 — Green Canyon 360 — Highland 365 — Timpanogos Individual leaders (Top 20) 68 — Kate Walker, Crimson Cliffs, Sr. 71 — Kaylee Westfall, Orem, Sr. 73 — Brynlee Welch, Crimson Cliffs, So.