Qualifying for the Colorado high school boys golf state championships looked different this season.
Gone is the regional format that previously determined state qualifiers, replaced by season-long scoring averages.
What didn’t change? The success of Fort Collins-area players, with three full teams and 19 total individuals (plus one alternate) making next week’s state tournaments (Oct. 6-7) across four classifications.
There are some serious contenders, too.
Three local players are among the top 10 and two teams are among the top three in their class (by season scoring rankings) and should have a good shot at some hardware.
Here are the local players and three teams who will compete for the 2025 Colorado boys high school golf state titles.
Fossil Ridge leads local 5A qualifiers
The SaberCats are the No. 2 Class 5A team entering the state tournament all the way out west at Grand Junction’s Bookcliff Golf Club.
Fossil is led by a mix of young and old.
Senior Landon Houska is the second-rated 5A individual player this season, winning three times and posting a scoring average of nearly five strokes under par.
Fossil freshman Judd Nikkel has been strong, qualifying for state in his debut varsity season. Junior standout Jonah Kent rounds out the SaberCat squad at state.
Fort Collins and Poudre will also each bring a pair of individual state qualifiers:
- Fort Collins: Jesse Miller, Michael Woodley
- Poudre: Max Riley, Gavin Dorssom
Timnath is among top 3A golf contenders
The Cubs continued their marked year-over-year improvement on the links, finishing third among 3A squads to qualify as a team for 3A state at Eagle Ranch Golf Course in Eagle.
Greysen Kilburn leads the way as the No. 7-ranked golfer in the classification with an under-par scoring average on the season.
He’s joined by Liam Holt, Ethan Eisenmenger and Mason Hollingsworth — all among the top 25 individuals in the 3A standings.
Wellington’s Tyler Lamere also qualified as an individual.
Windsor qualifies as team in Class 4A
The Wizards are back at state, qualifying as a team with four players reaching the 4A tournament at Longmont’s Fox Hill Club.
Here are Windsor’s qualifiers:
- Grayson Mischo
- Austyn Bell
- Bryce Homann
- Camden Smith
Windsor Charter Academy has 2A’s top seed
The Firebirds are competing in golf for the first season, with previous WCA golfers playing for Windsor.
It’s been a good first impression, as freshman Braylon Ball is the top Colorado 2A seed entering the state tournament at Pueblo’s Elmwood Golf Course.
Ball (younger brother of former 4A state runner-up and WCA basketball standout Kellen) averaged more than a stroke under par this season.
Liberty Common also qualified two players and one alternate in Class 2A:
- Gage Poulsen
- Calvin McNeil
- Rowan Flaitz (alternate)
Chris Abshire covers high school and community sports for the Coloradoan.
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