PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – Olivia Braun of Aberdeen captured the Girls’ 16-18 championship at the West Coast Notah Begay Invitational Golf Tournament at Indian Canyon Golf Resort on Sunday.
After shooting a 4-under par 68 on Saturday, Braun followed it up with an identical round to win the tourney by four strokes with a 36-hole total of 8-under par 136.
“I had two pretty good days that I was able to put together, so it was a pretty fun tournament,” Braun said.
The senior at Aberdeen Central played a practice round on Friday and then went out and played like she was a regular at the course.
“Overall, it’s really just trying to figure out where you want to hit,” Braun said, “and then just trying to hit it there, I guess.”
Braun noted one particular area that proved to be a big factor in her victory.
“It’s hard because you aren’t able to get outside in South Dakota obviously, so I really tried to zone in my short game this tournament,” Braun said, “because I think that’s the biggest thing you don’t get to do in South Dakota. I think my short game was kind of the biggest factor in the tournament.”
While Braun won by four strokes, her margin was just two with two holes remaining. She then birdied the last two holes to ice the victory.
Braun wasn’t sure what to expect heading into the event because she hadn’t played in an organized tournament since August.
“Honestly, I was coming out to this tournament not really expecting a lot. I was just more excited to get outside and play and see where my game was at,” Braun said. “I was really surprised when I came home day one and shot a 68. That was kind of good feeling.”
That feeling turned into an even better one when Braun finished off the tourney with an identical round and claimed the championship.
Braun, who won the Class AA individual state championship last spring in helping to lead the Golden Eagles to the team title as well, said this past weekend’s tournament might top her list of accomplishments.
“I would say, this might be probably toughest tournament I’ve ever done,” Braun said. “It’s pretty high up there. There was a lot of good girls in there.”
Braun qualified for the event by finishing runner-up at a regional tourney in Minnesota last summer. By winning the West Coast Notah Begay event, she qualified for the national tourney in November, but won’t be able to compete because she will be at South Dakota State where she will be golfing for the Jackrabbits.
Braun just tried to go hole by hole, regardless of what happened on the previous one.
“For me I just try to stay in the process,” Braun said, “and just kind of focus on one hole at a time and try to leave the hole, good or bad, behind me.”
There was also one other major perk for Braun at the tourney. She missed out on South Dakota’s harsh winter elements and got to compete in 82-degree weather.
“This heat is really nice,” Braun said.
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