LARAMIE – Torrington’s Caleigh Essert was the top pick for the Wyoming team for the Girls Junior America’s Cup after posting solid scores in Sheridan and Laramie last week.
To open the week, Essert competed in the Wyoming Junior Golf Tour – Powderhorn in Sheridan. On Monday, she shot a 79 and followed that up with an 80 on Tuesday, finishing with a two-day score of 159. She captured the crown for the second-straight year. Sheridan’s Victoria Owings took second with a two-day score of 161.
“I thought I played all-around great,” Essert said. “My puts were falling and my drives were great. I had no complaints.”
After two days off, Essert returned to competitive action in Laramie for the Wyoming State Golf Association Amateur Championship. She finished first in her flight with scores of 79, 84 and 82.

“My driving was the best part of my game,” Essert said. “My putting wasn’t as pure as it normally is, but I still played pretty well.”
The top four scores combined from both Sheridan and Laramie were selected to represent Wyoming in the Girls Junior America’s Cup. Essert was the top pick for the state, carding the lowest combined scores.
Owings, Kynsie Valdez (Casper) and Jocelyn Olson (Casper) join Essert on Wyoming’s team for this year’s competition. Olson and Essert were both on the team last year.
The Girls Junior America’s Cup is slated for Aug. 1-3. The three-day event is set to be played at the Reflection Bay Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nev.
Leading up to last week’s action, Essert competed in the Panhandle Junior Golf Tour in Morrill, Neb. on June 16. She took first in the girls’ division with a score of 72, posting the second-best score overall.
Essert returns to the links for a tournament in Laramie today (Wednesday) and tomorrow. She competes in Torrington on July 11 for the Panhandle Junior Golf Tour. In her final tune-up before she heads to Las Vegas, Essert will play in Casper for a one-day tournament July 17.