Back-to-Back 65s Give Welch 54-Hole Colorado Amateur Lead

8/4/2018 | by Colorado Golf Association

Coby Welch (CGA photo)

Coby Welch, the 2015 Colorado Boys Junior Player of the Year, takes a 2-shot lead into the final round at Pinehurst CC

DENVER , CO (August 4, 2018) - Coby Welch came ever so close to winning the Colorado Junior Amateur several years ago, but couldn't quite close the deal. The 20-year-old from Highlands Ranch hopes to get over the hump in the CGA Amateur, the open-age version of the same tournament. Meanwhile, former University of Denver golfer Chris Korte hopes to go out on a high note in his amateur finale by winning the CGA Amateur for the second time. And 2016 CGA Player of the Year Kyler Dunkle will try to make his outstanding summer of golf that much better by capturing the CGA Am title. Related: Colorado Amateur: Dunkle has 19 Birdies Through Two Rounds Those are the main three players in the spotlight after Saturday's third round at Pinehurst Country Club in south Denver, though given the number of rounds of 65 or lower this week, there are others potentially within reach going into Sunday's final 18. Welch, the 2015 CGA Boys Junior Player of the Year from The Links Golf Course, grabbed the lead at Pinehurst on Saturday with his second straight round of 5-under-par 65, which leaves him at 13-under 197 overall. Korte, who won this event in 2015 and the CGA Match Play in 2017, trails by two after a round of 68. He shot a 4-under 31 on the front nine, but went 2 over on the back despite making a 12-foot par save after being in the trees on No. 18 Saturday. Also at 199 was 36-hole leader Dunkle, from The Pradera Golf Club, who three-putted twice in the final six holes to shoot 70. The University of Utah golfer went eagle-birdie-bogey on his final three holes. His eagle on 16 came after a drive of more than 410 yards. Both Dunkle and Welch have qualified for this month's U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach, while Dunkle was low-amateur at the CoBank Colorado Open last weekend. Korte, meanwhile, will be turning pro before the Web.com Tour Q-school starts late this month. Two other players maintained some hope at the title with 6-under-par 64s at Pinehurst on Saturday. Griffin Barela of Bear Creek Golf Club stands at 202, while Michael Tait of Raccoon Creek Golf Course went bogey-free and checked in at 203.

About the Colorado Amateur

72 holes of stroke play. A 36-hole cut will be made to the low 40 players and ties. The CGA Amateur Championship is a walking only event. Players may carry their bag, use a pull cart, or use a caddie. Non-exempt players must pre-qualify.

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