The Alexandria boys golf team got its season going against the rest of the Central Lakes Conference field on April 16 and scores were higher than they likely will be by season’s end as Brainerd won the meet with a 324.

That was two shots lower than Alexandria’s 326. Sartell was third with a 334.

Logan Hamak, a senior from Sartell, won the individual tournament with a 74. Cole Proctor and Erik Stoxen led Brainerd as each tied for third with a 77. Alexandria sophomore Braeden Sladek was also third at 77, and 8th-grader Ashton Sladek, Braeden’s brother, was sixth with a 79.

“He didn't finish great, bogeying 4 of his last 5 holes, but (Ashton) handled himself extremely well the entire day," Alexandria head coach Brady Swedberg said. "Overall, the boys had a tough day. It’s not surprising the scores were high with some gusty winds, a tricky golf course and it being the first meet of the season. With that being said, I think it was a little wake up call for them.”

Senior Wyatt Cavers was Alexandria’s third scorer with an 84, and senior Grant Rebrovich, 8th-grader Carver Larson and junior Andrew Swedberg each shot an 86.

“As a whole, we didn’t get the ball in play off the tee, and that will typically be a huge strength of ours,” coach Swedberg said. “Having to scramble all day from the trees or the rough just doesn’t provide many birdie or even decent par looks.”

CLC MEET AT ROCORI

TEAM SCORES - Brainerd - 324; Alexandria - 326; Sartell - 334; Rocori - 345; Bemidji - 350; Fergus Falls - 352; Willmar - 373; St. Cloud Tech - 384; Sauk Rapids-Rice - 387

West Central Area wins home meet

The West Central Area boys golf team won its season opener on its home course at Tipsinah Mounds on April 15 with a team score of 337.

Hillcrest Lutheran was a distant second at 369. Ashby (406), Border West (407), Pillager (420), Rothsay (432), Ottertail Central (Incomplete) and Underwood (Incomplete) rounded out the field.

Trevor Swonger of Underwood was the medalist with a 77. Grant Beuckens led WCA with an 80, good for third place. Teammate Mitch Dewey was fourth with an 84, and Peyton Hanson added a sixth-place 85. Tate Christenson carded an 88. Marshall Dewey shot a 92, and Devon Benson rounded out the Knights’ lineup with a 101.

“We are pleased with our performance for the first meet of the year and fortunate to have three of the six medal winners with Tate Christenson close behind with an 88,” WCA head coach Kraig Hunter said. “Of course in golf, you always feel there are strokes you left on the course and our guys are excited to try to keep getting better each meet."

Ashby’s Celi Nelson won the girls’ meet with an 88. Lexi Hunter of West Central Area was fourth with a 107, while Ottertail Central won the girls’ meet as a team.