Gunlikson captures sixth place at state golf championships

The third time was a charm for senior Niwot golfer Christopher Gunlikson at the 2021 class 4A golf championships, held Oct. 4-5 at City Park golf course in Denver. Behind a sharp short game and smart shot-selection, the senior carded a two-round score of 143 to capture sixth place overall, his first top-10 finish after two disappointing state appearances as a sophomore and junior.

"I'm happy I had a big comeback, because last round was not the finish I wanted at all," Gunlikson said after winding up the two-day tournament with a 69 (-1), a five stroke improvement over Monday's score of 74. "Yesterday was all right, but today I just stayed in the moment, and really executed every single shot."

That started with the opening hole, a 430-yard par-4 with a stunning view of the downtown Denver skyline from the tee box. Gunlikson hit the green in two, and then birdied with a long putt, setting the tone for what would end up being a very special round. He would go on to birdie four more holes, including the par-5 nine, which has a water hazard that claimed six Niwot shots the day before. But he also had four bogies on the day, including on the final hole, a slight smudge on an otherwise picture perfect performance.

"I'm so proud of Christopher," Niwot head coach Ed Weaver said of the senior. "He played probably the best round of his career today. He was steady and deliberate, especially at this level, and it was great, great execution."

For Gunlikson, the 18th hole was a bittersweet ending to the two-day tournament, but not because of the putt he left short. It was also the final hole of a high school career that spanned four seasons and had finally ended on a fairytale note.

"I was trying to hold in the emotions, and just trying to think of every shot, but it was hard," he said. "But I am happy with how I finished, and happy with the team that I played with for four years."

As for the rest of the team, the ending to their 2021 seasons also had fairytale quality, and has Weaver anticipating a happily ever after. Between Monday and Tuesday's rounds, the team collectively improved by 26 strokes, a good omen for the three who will be returning to the lineup next season.

"I just told them now you know what the course is like, and what the pressure of the field is like, so go play your game," he said of his advice after day one. "I guess they listened."

Most improved in round two was junior Carlos Kipkorir, who carded an 89 (+12) on Monday, but came back on day two to shoot a 77, a 12-stroke improvement, and another round Weaver characterized as a career best.

"Carlos was in a much better state of mind today," he said of the junior's surprising performance. He ended with a final score of 166, and took 60th overall in the standings, up 12 spots from 72nd place on Monday. "He was much more deliberate in his shot selection."

Sophomore Emmett Shell took four strokes off of his score between the rounds, going from 78(+8) on Monday, to 74(+4) the next day, for a two-day total of 152, which was good for 26th place in the 84-player field, the best finish for a Niwot sophomore at state in at least five years.

"Emmett was much better at course management today," he said of the second-year varsity golfer, who was third overall at Niwot's regional tournament, on Sept. 21. "With him, it's all mental."

Also competing for Niwot was freshman Drew Stapp, who impressed Weaver with his resilience, though the course seemed to take its toll by the 36th hole. Nonetheless, the newcomer boosted his score by five strokes on day two, despite a double-digit end to the tournament on the dreaded ninth hole.

The Cougars finished seventh out of 15 in the team standings, a result that doesn't entirely reflect his team's performance, in Weaver's estimation. But it does validate his players' strong performance at the regional qualifier, where Niwot finished just two strokes behind eventual Class 4A champion Riverdale Ridge.

"We had a great regional, and that turned into a great state tournament," Weaver said. "We're excited. I've always wanted to come here and build a program, not just a team. I think having a senior, junior, sophomore, and freshman compete here bodes well for the future."

(See more photos from the Class 4A state golf championships here.)