Alexandria's Sladek sets new Geneva course record hours after competing at state meet

Alexandria’s Braeden Sladek was going to take the day off after the Class AAA two-day state golf tournament on June 15-16. But he’s glad he didn’t.

On the afternoon of June 17, Sladek broke the Geneva Golf Club’s course record with an 11-under par day. Sladek was playing the blue tees at the 27-hole course in Alexandria. The previous course record was an 8-under par shot by Sladek's head coach for the Alexandria Area High School team, Brady Swedberg. Swedberg shot that score at a little further distance from the black tees during a pro-am at Geneva.

"We count the course record from either blue or black and in relation to par since there’s three rotations," Geneva's Director of Golf Grant Hanson said.

Sladek, 16 and a soon-to-be junior in high school, birdied nine holes and recorded an eagle for his 60 on the par-71 course in Alexandria between the Ponds and Island nines.

“It started off like any average round,” Sladek said. “I made three pars in a row. Then I birdied the next five. I was five-under at the turn, which, I guess, wasn’t terrible. Then I made that eagle on No. 3 Islands. I was already like eight under at that point. After I eagled, the way I was striking the ball, I knew (the total score) was going to be good.”

Sladek’s five consecutive birdies on the front nine was a new high for him, but his par-five eagle on the third hole of the back nine was when his round turned from incredible into unforgettable. While in a friendly game with three of his high school teammates, his attempt to one-up Bennett Olsen was the record-breaking turning point.

“I was right next to Bennett in the fairway, and he was about 245 yards out,” Sladek said. “We had a little game going. Me and my brother, Ashton, were playing Bennett and Carver (Larson). Bennett put his on the green about 15 (feet) out. So then I’m like, ‘He’s in there for birdie. I’ve got to be aggressive to do this.’ I took out my five-wood from about 235 yards away. Then I stick it five feet (away from the pin).”

Going into the last hole, Sladek knew he was on the verge of doing something special.

“I had it in the back of my mind,” Sladek said. “I knew birdie would shoot 60 and break the record. I was trying to get to 59. That would’ve been pretty sick to shoot in the 50s.”

When Sladek’s group went back to the clubhouse, they were met with dropped jaws.

“Hunter (Rebrovich) was working the pro shop that night,” Sladek said. “We walked through the round, and I told him about it. He was just in disbelief. Carver, Bennett and Ashton were all excited for me. They talked for me and hyped me up. They could attest to everything.”

Less than 24 hours after returning home from Bunker Hills in Coon Rapids, four of Alexandria’s top golfers were back on the course. The plan was nothing more than four friends having fun.

“We thought about taking a day off for a bit,” Sladek said. “Then we decided just to go out and play. I mean, it’s what we do all summer long.”

“It was honestly just the four of us having a good time making birdies,” Sladek said. “I didn’t think too much about it until I made that eagle. They were playing good on the day too. We were playing good golf. I wish I would’ve had it a day earlier at the state tournament. That’s just the way it goes.”