Julian Valenti’s confidence keeps growing — and the results keep improving.
The Springfield High graduate claimed his first Drysdale Junior golf tournament title 2-up-1 over Derek Dulceak in the boys’ 16-18 age division at Bunn Golf Course on Thursday.
Valenti, who nabbed second place in last year’s tournament, said he worked out of a recent slump with swing coach Josh Edison before navigating 35 grueling holes of match play against Dulceak.
“We made a few changes to the swing, but it was mainly all mental,” Valenti said. “Just having a good attitude going out there and knowing that even if you’re one, two or three holes back, just keep playing your game and don’t try to press.”
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A bogey on the par-4 No. 16 cut Valenti’s lead down to one hole.
No matter.
He found the middle of the green on the par-3 No. 17 before sinking the winning uphill putt. He unleashed an emphatic fist pump as soon as the birdie attempt dropped.
“I kind of knew I was going to do that if I made that putt,” Valenti said. “I told my friend Logan (Smith) on the tee box that I was going to go crazy if I made it.”
Smith doused Valenti on the No. 17 green as part of the celebration. Valenti reached the finals via a playoff win over Smith the previous day.
“It feels good knowing the hard work is paying off,” said Valenti, who will resume golf at NAIA Thomas University in Indiana.
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Dulceak, who will be a senior at Chatham Glenwood, described the seven-hour marathon as long and hot, but fun against a familiar opponent.
“It stings a little,” Dulceak said. “I was shooting consistent mid-80s throughout junior year, so it feels good hovering around par. He’s a good competitor that you respect.”
West knows best
North Mac junior-to-be Jersey West appreciates the bright side of things.
Her grandparents, John and Nancy Harbour, especially helped instill a positive mindset on the golf course.
That came in handy this week in the 87th annual Drysdale tournament.
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Despite twice getting a bogey on Bunn’s tricky par-3 No. 15, she rebounded with pars on No. 16 and she ultimately prevailed 3-up-2 over Rochester graduate Kiley Torres on the final day of the girls’ 16-18 age division.
“They definitely taught me to never get down on myself such as today,” West said. “If I’m down a few holes, it’s going to be OK because I can bounce right back and get it.
“That was definitely something they always made sure me and my cousins learned on the course. Even if we got a bad shot, always find something good to say about it.”
John, who now lives in Florida, was part of the entourage. Nancy passed away in 2022.
“That’s definitely something I keep in the back of my mind is golfing for her,” West said.
West, who also plays volleyball and basketball, won the 14-15 division last year while Torres claimed the 16-17 division before an extra year was added.
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Torres’ former high school teammate, Karlie Schnepp, earlier won her fifth Women’s City title in late June.
“Kiley’s such a good golfer and to be able to play against her and even win against her — I’m just very proud of myself right now,” West said.
First-time champions
Rochester’s Emmah Brown won 3-up-2 over Pleasant Plains’ Madison Arnolts in the girls’ 14-15 division.
It was Brown’s first appearance in the Drysdale. Ditto Arnolts.
“I like match play, it’s fun,” said Brown, who also plays softball. “I just take it one shot at a time and think about what I’m going to do on the next shot and forget about the last shot.”
“It was really fun,” said Arnolts, who also does dance. “It was a really good experience.”
Raymond Lincolnwood’s Bryce Cowdrey claimed the boys’ 14-15 division in his first stab at the Drysdale despite a late start at golf just a couple of years ago.
“My buddy just asked me to play and from there I just got the itch to play a lot and I just kept working on it,” said the self-taught Cowdrey, who also plays basketball and baseball. “It was fun, so I kept playing.”
Other results
At Bunn
Boys 16-18 consolation
Sam Schwab 1-up Augustine Hyde
Boys 16-18 1st flight
Anderson Thielen 6-up-4 Jack Turnbull
Boys 16-18 2nd flight
Tucker Maguire 3-up-1 Charlie Jones
Boys 16-18 3rd flight
Colin Watson 1-up Garrett Woodward
Girls 16-18 consolation
Natalie Zak 2-up Macie Petropoulos
Girls 16-18 1st flight
Layden Tamblin 5-up-4 Mackenzie Murphy
Boys 14-15 consolation
Isaac McGlaughlen 2-up Abel Hsueh
Boys 14-15 1st flight
Aiden Carnduff 3-up-1 Henry Stoltzenburg
Boys 14-15 2nd flight
Kohen Stotlar 5-up-4 Alex Pittman
Boys 14-15 3rd flight
Dexter Frizzo 8-up-6 Lennox Davidsmeier
Girls 14-15…
