Jeffco’s boys golf season opens at West Woods GC

Lakewood sophomore Ryan Liao, left, watches his drive during his round of 6-under-par, 66 on Monday at West Woods Golf Club in Arvada.(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics

ARVADA — Lakewood sophomore Ryan Liao opened up the boys golf season in Jeffco with a stellar 6-under-par, 66 on Monday at West Woods Golf Club in Arvada.

Liao finished four strokes ahead of Chatfield junior Max Heupel (2-under-par, 70) to claim the Class 5A Jeffco individual title for the tournament. Valor senior Jake Welch finished third with a 1-under-par, 71. Valor placed first in the 5A team race with a 5-over-par score. Lakewood (20-over-par) finished second and Ralston Valley (21-over-par) took third.

On the 4A side, Evergreen senior Nolan Miller was the only 4A golfer to finish under par, shooting a round of 71 to win the medalist title.

The Cougars are coming off finishing as runner-up at the 4A state tournament last season.