ARLINGTON – Alex Hedlund has the drive to succeed.
Whether he’s drilling a majestic 290-yard tee shot, spending extra hours at the driving range or improving his focus by gleaning psychological tips from a book called “Zen Golf: Mastering the Mental Game,” Hedlund always has golf on the brain. He’s become one of the best young players around by strictly adhering to a productive philosophy: “There’s no limit to improving.”
The Arlington High junior grew up playing soccer, but switched to golf at age 14, and it didn’t take long for him to find his niche. Hedlund, whose house borders hole No. 4 at Gleneagle Golf Course in Arlington, tied for eighth place last June at the Class 4A state tournament – quite a surprise, considering he was one of two players who had to survive a six-person district playoff to earn the final two state berths.
Hedlund didn’t waste the opportunity. After firing a respectable 1-over-par 73 in the first round at Indian Canyon Golf Course in Spokane, Hedlund capped his inaugural state appearance with an eye-popping 69.
“I was blown away,” said Wes Godden, a senior on the Arlington golf team and one of Hedlund’s close friends. “You don’t go out and shoot 3-under in a state tournament. That doesn’t really happen to a lot of people.”
“Obviously, something clicked. It was really perfect timing.”
Hedlund hopes to put together some sparkling rounds starting this week at the 4A district tourney at Oak Harbor’s Gallery Golf Course (Round 1 is Thursday and Round 2 is Monday). Needless to say, Hedlund doesn’t expect to sneak into state this time.
“You don’t really know that you can (score) low like he did (at state) until you actually do it. Now, he kind of has that expectation,” said Jack Greaves, Arlington High’s fifth-year boys golf coach.
Hedlund’s expectations don’t end with prep success.
“This is just the beginning,” Hedlund said. “My next goal is to (play for) a good college. … I’m pretty competitive and I do think that last year at state I showed that I can play (at the next level).”
About 11 months after his stunning emergence at state, Hedlund wants to finish even higher in the 2006 4A championship tourney (May 23-24 at the Creek at Qualchan Golf Course in Spokane.) Hedlund’s desire to improve pushed him to put in extra practice time over the summer, and he even hit the weight room to get more yardage from his already potent swing. Despite Hedlund’s unimposing frame (about 6 feet and 165 pounds), he regularly crushes drives anywhere from 275 to 300-plus yards. And, always a key, he usually hits it extremely far but avoids trouble.
“I know a lot of guys that can hit farther than that,” Hedlund said, “but I also think that I’ve got a better feel. When I step up there with my driver, it’s one of my most accurate clubs.”
Said coach Greaves, “He generates a lot of head speed and makes such solid contact. It just takes off.”
Hedlund’s driving prowess is impressive and a bit confounding to Godden, Hedlund’s teammate. They use the same driver, a TaylorMade R580 XD, yet their results differ greatly. “We have similar swings,” Godden said, “but for some reason he hits it (about 40 yards) longer.”
Hedlund has also worked hard to bolster his skill around the green, once a weakness. To maximize his potential, Hedlund plans out every minute of practice. No energy is wasted. Every task has a specific purpose. “You’ve got to learn how to practice,” said Hedlund, who idolizes Tiger Woods. “You don’t just want to go to the course with nothing in mind and say, ‘Oh, I’ll just play 18 holes.’”
“He just always has had this drive that … a round of golf was never enough,” said Godden, who met Hedlund at Gleneagle nearly six years ago. “He was always going the extra mile.”
Though Hedlund is relatively new to the game, coach Greaves said the talented junior soaks up instruction like a sponge. But will Hedlund make another postseason splash?
“He’s really still learning the game and he’s just got a lot of potential to do some great things,” Greaves said.
In other words, tee time will tell.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
