Trailing by seven strokes with one round to go, Jens Bracht didn’t think he had much of a shot at winning his division at last week’s Washington Junior Golf Association State Championship at the Overlake Golf and Country Club.
After the first round, the 13-year-old Lake Forest Park resident was tied for first place in the Boys 12-13 Division with a score of 76. But Bracht struggled on day two with an 84 and ended up trailing leader Gifford Olson of Gig Harbor, who shot a 77.
Bracht, however, saved the best for last, shooting a 75 for a three-day total of 235. Olson faltered with an 85 to finish with a 238.
The result was a stunning three-stroke victory for Bracht on Aug. 1 in what was his first major tournament
“It felt great,” Bracht said. “Since the second day I didn’t play so well, the third day, it wasn’t such a big deal. I didn’t think I was in contention. I just played really well and ended up winning.
“The pressure was off.”
Bracht has been playing competitive golf for three years. Bracht was introduced to the sport by his father and he tries to play every day.
“It’s just fun,” Bracht said. “I like the competitiveness about it.”
Bracht will be entering the eighth grade at Kellogg Middle School in the fall. He is already looking forward to playing for Shorecrest in two years when he enters high school.
“I’d love to play college golf and maybe go on from there,” Bracht added.
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