Columbine, Dakota Ridge and Evergreen capture Jeffco League boys golf titles
LAKEWOOD — It was a long but fruitful day for Columbine, Dakota Ridge and Evergreen boys golf squads Monday at Fox Hollow Golf Course.
While it took nearly six hours of golf in the final Jeffco League tournament of the Fall 2025 season, the Rebels, Eagles and Cougars all came away with conference titles before the Colorado High School Activities Association state tournaments next Monday and Tuesday (Oct. 6 and 7).
“These dudes put in the time for this,” Columbine coach Cory Olsen said. “It’s good to see the golf Gods come through with some karma for them.”
Columbine was in a tight race with Arvada West and Ralston Valley for the 5A Jeffco team title. The three teams were only separated by eight strokes after the first five league tournament. The Rebels fired an impressive 287 to win the final Jeffco League tournament and clinch the overall 5A conference title.
“We don’t have the talent to come out here and out-talent people,” Olsen admitted after the Rebels won their first boys golf league title since 2021. “It has to be a work-ethic thing. We have to out work people and they bought into that this year.”
Columbine senior Drew Dawson led the way with a tournament-best 5-under-par, 66.
“You can’t ask for anything more when your senior captain comes out with a 5-under, 66. They all put it together on the same day,” Olsen said. “This is the hardest working group we’ve ever had. I’m super proud of these guys.”
A-West sophomore Collin Portie edged senior teammate Jack Sawarynski to win the 5A individual medalist title. Dawson, Valor senior Campbell McFadden and Columbine sophomore Connor Young closed out the 5A Jeffco first-team all-conference selections.
“We are peaking at the right time,” Olsen said at the Rebels head to Grand Junction next week for the 5A state tournament at Bookcliff Country Club. “We are excited to go over there. It seems like everyone’s game is coming together at the right time.”
There was no drama when it came to the 4A Jeffco team and medalist titles. Dakota Ridge senior Landen Stubblefield finished off his impressive regular season with an even-par round of 71 to secure the medalist title and the Eagles soared to back-to-back 4A Jeffco League team titles.
“I don’t think there was much pressure,” Stubblefield said about entering the final league tournament as the favorite to win the medalist title. “I’ve been just sticking to my game recently and playing really well.”
Stubblefield wasn’t intimidated with being paired with 5A players from Columbine, A-West and Ralston Valley.
“It all comes down to 150 yards and in,” Stubblefield said. “If you can always hit the green around 15 feet from the pin from 150 yards, you’ll make some putts here and there. You’ll succeed.”
Dakota Ridge heads to the 4A state tournament next Monday and Tuesday at Fox Hill Club in Longmont.
“It feels so good. I’m so proud of these boys,” Stubblefield said of the Eagles repeating as 4A Jeffco champs. “We put a lot of work in over the summer. Just continue this into state. That’s the goal.”
Seniors Collin Tampa and Edward Fitzgerald, along with junior Jax Orr joined Stubblefield as first-team all-conference selections from Dakota Ridge. Golden junior Nick Goodspeed and senior August Ferndelli rounded out the 4A first-team positions.
It was old hat for Evergreen as the Cougars won their sixth straight league title. After a 4-peat of winning 4A Jeffco from 2020-2023, Evergreen now has back-to-back 3A Jeffco team titles.
It was entirely a new crew of Cougars with every member of last year’s 3A state championship team having graduated.
Green Mountain senior Hunter Ellsworth finished atop the 3A Jeffco individual standings despite just picking up the game of golf a few years ago.
“I just started golfing last year,” Ellsworth said. “I didn’t even make state last year. This year I just put in a lot of work every day. Four hours every day. I haven’t missed a day since I missed state last year.”
The hard work for the former soccer player paid off. Ellsworth finished with a 74 average over the league tournaments. He shot a 3-over-par 74 on Wednesday to finish ahead of D’Evelyn senior Max Wine and Conifer senior Hunter Harnisch in the final 3A standings.
Top-10 finish at the 3A state is Ellsworth’s goal. The two-day 3A state tournament will be at Eagle Ranch Golf Course in Eagle on Monday and Tuesday.
“It’s not any secret to success,” Ellsworth said. “If you put in at lot of work every day you’ll be able to do it.”
Evergreen senior Roby Mitchem and junior Paul Howe both also earned first-team all-conference spots.
