Springfield High, North Mac golfers use positive mindsets to win 2024 Drysdale titles

Julian Valenti’s confidence keeps growing — and the results keep improving.

The Springfield High graduate claimed his first Drysdale Junior golf tournament title 2-up-1 over Derek Dulceak in the boys’ 16-18 age division at Bunn Golf Course on Thursday.

Valenti, who nabbed second place in last year’s tournament , said he worked out of a recent slump with swing coach Josh Edison before navigating 35 grueling holes of match play against Dulceak.

“We made a few changes to the swing, but it was mainly all mental,” Valenti said. “Just having a good attitude going out there and knowing that even if you’re one, two or three holes back, just keep playing your game and don’t try to press.”

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A bogey on the par-4 No. 16 cut Valenti’s lead down to one hole.

No matter.

He found the middle of the green on the par-3 No. 17 before sinking the winning uphill putt. He unleashed an emphatic fist pump as soon as the birdie attempt dropped.

“I kind of knew I was going to do that if I made that putt,” Valenti said. “I told my friend Logan (Smith) on the tee box that I was going to go crazy if I made it.”

Smith doused Valenti on the No. 17 green as part of the celebration. Valenti reached the finals via a playoff win over Smith the previous day.

“It feels good knowing the hard work is paying off,” said Valenti, who will resume golf at NAIA Taylor University in Indiana.

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Dulceak, who will be a senior at Chatham Glenwood, described the seven-hour marathon as long and hot, but fun against a familiar opponent.

“It stings a little,” Dulceak said. “I was shooting consistent mid-80s throughout junior year, so it feels good hovering around par. He’s a good competitor that you respect.”

West knows best

North Mac junior-to-be Jersey West appreciates the bright side of things.

Her grandparents, John and Nancy Harbour, especially helped instill a positive mindset on the golf course.

That came in handy this week in the 87 ^th annual Drysdale tournament.

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Despite twice getting a bogey on Bunn’s tricky par-3 No. 15, she rebounded with pars on No. 16 and she ultimately prevailed 3-up-2 over Rochester graduate Kiley Torres on the final day of the girls’ 16-18 age division.

“They definitely taught me to never get down on myself such as today,” West said. “If I’m down a few holes, it’s going to be OK because I can bounce right back and get it.

“That was definitely something they always made sure me and my cousins learned on the course. Even if we got a bad shot, always find something good to say about it.”

John, who now lives in Florida, was part of the entourage. Nancy passed away in 2022.

“That’s definitely something I keep in the back of my mind is golfing for her,” West said.

West, who also plays volleyball and basketball, won the 14-15 division last year while Torres claimed the 16-17 division before an extra year was added.

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Torres’ former high school teammate, Karlie Schnepp, earlier won her fifth Women’s City title in late June.

“Kiley’s such a good golfer and to be able to play against her and even win against her — I’m just very proud of myself right now,” West said.

First-time champions

Rochester’s Emmah Brown won 3-up-2 over Pleasant Plains’ Madison Arnolts in the girls’ 14-15 division.

It was Brown’s first appearance in the Drysdale. Ditto Arnolts.

“I like match play, it’s fun,” said Brown, who also plays softball. “I just take it one shot at a time and think about what I’m going to do on the next shot and forget about the last shot.”

“It was really fun,” said Arnolts, who also does dance. “It was a really good experience.”

Raymond Lincolnwood’s Bryce Cowdrey claimed the boys’ 14-15 division in his first stab at the Drysdale despite a late start at golf just a couple of years ago.

“My buddy just asked me to play and from there I just got the itch to play a lot and I just kept working on it,” said the self-taught Cowdrey, who also plays basketball and baseball. “It was fun, so I kept playing.”

Other results

At Bunn

Boys 16-18 consolation

Sam Schwab 1-up Augustine Hyde

Boys 16-18 1 ^st flight

Anderson Thielen 6-up-4 Jack Turnbull

Boys 16-18 2 ^nd flight

Tucker Maguire 3-up-1 Charlie Jones

Boys 16-18 3 ^rd flight

Colin Watson 1-up Garrett Woodward

Girls 16-18 consolation

Natalie Zak 2-up Macie Petropoulos

Girls 16-18 1 ^st flight

Layden Tamblin 5-up-4 Mackenzie Murphy

Boys 14-15 consolation

Isaac McGlaughlen 2-up Abel Hsueh

Boys 14-15 1 ^st flight

Aiden Carnduff 3-up-1 Henry Stoltzenburg

Boys 14-15 2 ^nd flight

Kohen Stotlar 5-up-4 Alex Pittman

Boys 14-15 3 ^rd flight

Dexter Frizzo 8-up-6 Lennox Davidsmeier

Girls 14-15 consolation

Brinley Torres 3-up-1 Kate Carney

At Bergen

Boys 11-13 championship

Lucas Boualvong 3-up-2 Colin Thoroman

Boys 11-13 consolation

Brayden Byers 3-up-2 Carter Fuiten

Boys 11-13 1 ^st flight

Charlie Wheeler 2-up Augie Blinn

Boys 11-13 2 ^nd flight

Graham Mattews 2-up Carter Borah

Boys 11-13 3 ^rd flight

Eli Miller 2-up Tay Hambelton

Boys 11-13 4 ^th flight

Henry Wagoner 4-up-3 Max Kienzler

Girls 11-13 championship

Elle Sanderson 1-up Kate Johnston

Girls 11-13 1 ^st flight

Arabella Rath 3-up-2 Addison Murphy

Boys 8-10 championship

Gavin Anderson 2-up-1 Hudson Bryant

Girls 8-10 championship

Sidney Roseman 3-up-2 Ivy Hammond

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Springfield High, North Mac golfers use positive mindsets to win 2024 Drysdale titles