Aberdeen's Braun takes second in women's; Watertown's Olson reaches semifinal in men's

BROOKINGS — Jake Olson of Watertown and Olivia Braun of Aberdeen highlighted a strong showing by area golfers over the weekend in the South Dakota Golf Association (SDGA) Match Play Championships at the the Brookings Country Club.

A total of 136 players competed Thursday through Sunday in the four divisions.

Men's Match Play

Olson, a 2024 Watertown High School graduate who won two state Class AA championships for the Arrows, advanced to the semifinals of the 103rd SDGA Men's Platch Play Championship before falling in 20 holes (1 up) to eventual champion Luke Honner of Sioux Falls in the semifinals.

Olson will play college golf at South Dakota State University.

Olson and Arrow teammate Ty Lenards, who will be a senior this fall for WHS, each advanced to the Round of 16on Saturday. Lenards was eliminated with a 5 & 4 loss to eventual runner-up Brodie Hulliinger of Brookings. Olson won 4 & 3 over Radley Mauney of Hartford and also downjed Kayde Bartels of Brookings 1 up to reach the semifinals on Saturday.

Honner defeated Hullinger 4 & 3 in Sunday's championship match.

Women's Match Play

Braun, who will be a junior at Aberdeen Central High School, advanced to the championship in the 48th SDGA Women's Match Play Championship.

In the finals on Sunday, Shakira Ann-Kuys of Brookings defeated Braun 2 & 1.

Braun reached the finals with a 1 up win over Mitchell's Allison Meyerink. Meyerink defeated Braun by one shot to win the state Class AA individual championship in early June.

More: Improvements project at Cattail Crossing Golf Course expected to be completed by late August

Men's Senior Match Play

Watertown natives Doug Murphy of Hartford and Steve Beardsley of Rapid City each reached the quarterfinals in the 3rd SDGA Senior Men's Match Play Championship.

Murphy fell in the quarterfinals to eventual champion Brad Buche of Mitchell 1 up. Beardsley fell to eventual runner-up Rob Dewit of Sioux Falls 3 & 2.

In Sunday's championship, Buche defeated Dewit 3 & 2.

Women's Senior Match Play

Marna Raburn of Rapid City won the 2nd SDGA Women's Senior Match Play Championship by topping Cara Boehler of Rapid City 3 & 2 on Sunday.

Area golfer Vonda Bjorklund of Volga reached the semifinals before falling to Raburn 3 & 2.

Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Aberdeen's Braun takes second in women's; Watertown's Olson reaches semifinal in men's