Jens Bracht’s putter was as hot as the Idaho weather at the Pacific Northwest Golf Association’s Junior Boys Championship Aug. 13-17 in Burley, Idaho.
The Shorecrest senior and Lake Forest Park resident buried a 40-foot birdie putt from off the green on the 17th hole to defeat Dylan Goodwin of Mukilteo to take the match-play title, 3 and 1, at Burley Municipal Golf Course.
“I putted really well all week. I made a lot of good putts that helped me win the tournament,” Bracht said. “I hit the ball well. I hit 14 or 15 greens almost every round. I kept really focused all the rounds.”
Bracht was one-up after the morning round of 18, but fell behind to Goodwin by two holes after Goodwin birdied holes four and five, and scored a par on eight. Then, Bracht went on a tear. He won the next six holes, notching three birdies along the way, to go four-up. Goodwin rallied to take holes 15 and 16, but Bracht ended it on 17, the 35th hole of the day.
“It was really big for me,” Bracht said. “I wanted to do something like that all summer. It was good to finally get that in.”
Of the 94 golfers who made the trip, 32 qualified for the championship round. The temperatures reached the mid-90s and twice lightning storms delayed play.
During the first two days of stroke play Bracht shot a 69 and 67 to earn the second seed for match play. He won his first match 3 and 2, and his second match 2 and 1.
Next up for Bracht is the Fidelity Investments Junior Championship sponsored by the American Junior Golf Association Aug. 27-30 at Richter Park Golf Course in Danbury, Conn.
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