ABERDEEN, S.D. — Sioux Falls’ Drew Velasquez and Aberdeen’s Olivia Braun captured the individual titles this past week at the South Dakota Golf Association Sanford International Series, navigating warm conditions over two days of play.
The tournament, held Monday and Tuesday at Moccasin Creek Country Club and Lee Park Golf Course, featured strong performances from a highly competitive field, including several standout competitors from Watertown.
In the boys division, Velasquez rallied after an opening-round 77, carding a 2-under-par 70 on Tuesday to finish with a 4-over-par total of 147.
Jonathan DeBoer of Twin Brooks was the top local finisher in the boys field, tying for fourth place with a 151 after rebounding from an opening 79 with an even-par 72 on day two.
Watertown’s Max Stemwedel earned a top-15 finish, tying for 14th after shooting rounds of 80 and 77 for a 157 total. Gavin Neyens of Watertown finished 25th with a 165 (85-80), while Emmett Schwiesow of Clear Lake carded a two-day total of 179 (92-87).
On the girls side, Braun used a dominant second round to claim the top spot on her home turf. After opening with a 2-over 74, Braun fired an impressive 5-under 67 on Tuesday to finish the tournament at 2-under-par 141.
Watertown’s Gabi Olson pushed Braun until the final holes, finishing alone in second place with a 3-over 146. Olson held the first-round lead after firing an even-par 72 on Monday before closing with a 74.
Watertown’s Brynn Roehrich also secured a top-five individual finish, placing fifth with a 150 total after carding rounds of 73 and 77.
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