Alexandria’s Braeden Sladek, a soon-to-be junior for the Cardinals, is off to a big start to his summer golf season that will keep him plenty busy traveling the country.
Sladek set the Geneva Golf Club’s course record with an 11-under par round the day after the state tournament in mid-June . He carried that over into an invite-only tournament with 165 16-18-year-olds from all over the country at the Western Junior event in Lake Forest, Ill. The top 44 golfers made the cut after two rounds there, and Sladek finished tied for 32nd with a four-round score of 13-over par 293. Caleb Surratt of North Carolina won the tournament at 3-under par.
Sladek went on to capture a win June 28-29 at the Minnesota Junior PGA Championship at The Royal Club in Lake Elmo. He shot a 69 and 66 over the two days, finishing at 7-under 135 for a victory that qualified him for the National Junior Boys PGA Championship in Lexington, Ky. that runs July 12-15.
On June 30, a day after playing in Lake Elmo, Sladek was in Maple Plain for a qualifier as he tried to earn a spot at the 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur . He did just that by shooting a 67. That tied him for second place and earned him one of the five qualifying spots up for grabs at the tournament.
“I struck the ball well and made a few putts—I was on cruise control,” Sladek, who played his opening 10 holes in 4-under,” told Nick Hunter of the Minnesota Golf Association after his round. “I gave myself a lot of looks. I could’ve made a few more putts, but I was happy.”
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The U.S. Junior Amateur will be played in Pinehurst, N.C. July 19-24.
“I’m looking forward to Pinehurst. I’ve been close but haven’t gotten through,” Sladek said. “It means a lot to come in and play well. I have high expectations heading in there and hope to play well in qualifying and moving on to match play. It should be a fun experience and atmosphere.”
Alexandria triathlon set for July 31
The Alexandria Kiwanis Club is hosting its first-ever triathlon for athletes of all levels that will take place at Lake Brophy County Park on July 31.
Individual ($60) and relay ($120) entry options are available. The triathlon will start with a 500-yard swim or 1-mile paddle in Lake Brophy. Participants will then complete the 13-mile bike ride and finish with a 2.62-mile run through the trails at Brophy Park.
For additional details or to register, visit https://alexandriatriathlon.weebly.com . Email alexandriatriathlon@gmail.com or call Jillian Reiner at (320) 815-4580 with any questions.
