Sladek Holds Off Late Charge by Roloff to Win MN Boys' Junior PGA Championship

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 LAKE ELMO, Minn. – A final-round and tournament-low 5-under 66 Tuesday at The Royal Club helped Braeden Sladek to a two-stroke victory over Mason Roloff at the 46^th Minnesota Boys’ Junior PGA Championship.
 
Sladek opened the championship with a 2-under 69 Monday to share the early lead with Roloff and Brett Reid before four birdies over his final nine holes Tuesday helped the soon-to-be junior at Alexandria High School to separate himself from the field.
 
Sladek and Roloff both earn spots in the 2021 National Boys’ Junior PGA Championship, which will be played July 12-15 at Kearney Hills Golf Links in Lexington, Ky.
 
A near-flawless round Tuesday helped Sladek remain on top of the leaderboard, sinking his birdie chance at the second before he took a step back with a bogey at the fifth. Carding three birdies over a four-hole stretch moved Sladek to 5-under for the championship before he birdied the par-4 13^th.
 
Sinking one final birdie chance at the par-5 18^th gave Sladek his second state championship victory by finishing at 7-under 135.
 
Sladek teamed up with Logan Hamak, Grant Rebrovich and Ian Simonich to claim the 2019 Minnesota Golf Association Junior Team Championship at Owatonna Country Club.
 
Playing his front nine in even par Tuesday, Roloff remained within one shot of Sladek but fell back with a pair of bogeys early during his back nine. Trying to make up ground late, Roloff carded back-to-back birdies at the 13^th and 14^th holes and would still come up two shots shy of Sladek despite carding birdie on each of his final three holes, shooting a final-round 68.
 
Defending champion Sam Baker posted a 4-under 67 Tuesday to finish tied for third with Cole Witherow at 2-under 140.
 
 
 
THE 46^TH MINNESOTA BOYS’ JUNIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
THE ROYAL CLUB
LAKE ELMO, MINN.
6,554 YARDS, PAR 71
 
 
TUESDAY’S FINAL RESULTS
1. Braeden Sladek, Alexandria, Minn., 69-66—135
2. Mason Roloff, Blaine, Minn., 69-68—137
T3. Samuel Baker, Cloquet, Minn., 73-67—140
T3. Cole Witherow, Woodbury, Minn., 70-70—140
T5. Nate Stevens, Northfield, Minn., 72-69—141
T5. Brett Reid, Spicer, Minn., 69-72—141
T7. Andrew Ramos, Blaine, Minn., 74-69—143
T7. Peyton Coahran, Spicer, Minn., 72-71—143
T7. Tyler Seeling, Breezy Point, Minn., 71-72—143
T10. Carter Spalding, Woodbury, Minn., 73-71—144
T10. Joseph Honsa, Mendota Heights, Minn., 72-72—144
T10. Parker Sands, Minneapolis, Minn., 72-72—144
 
 
For complete tournament results go to:  https://mnpgajr.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpgajr21/event/mnpgajr218/contest/5/leaderboard.htm