Three weeks removed from his second appearance in the KHSAA Boys State Golf Championship, Harlan County High School junior Brayden Casolari turned in a stellar performance in his return to competition over the weekend in Lexington.
Competing in a Golf Week Junior Tour event at University Club-Big Blue, Casolari carded rounds of 73 and 71 to tie for sixth place in a field that included more than 100 golfers representing 11 states.
“I had a good tournament,” Casolari said. “Finishing inside the top 10 against these players is not easy because they can all play at a high level.”
Casolari got off to a hot start Saturday, but struggled down the stretch with three bogeys over his final five holes.
“I hit the ball good on the first day and just had two bad 3-putts that kept me from being under par,” Casolari said. “I was three strokes back of the lead going into Day 2, so I knew I had a chance.”
On Sunday, Casolari battled windy conditions to record two birdies, a single bogey and 15 pars. He was one of just seven golfers to post an under-par score during the final round.
“It was very windy on day two, Casolari said. “I hit the ball really good off the tee, hit 14 greens in regulation (for the second straight day) and, again, I missed some birdie putts.
“Putting has hurt me all year. I plan to spend the winter with a big focus on getting better with the putter.”
After winning Pine Mountain Golf Conference Player of the Year honors for a third straight prep season, Casolari noted the differences between playing high school golf and competing against elite fields against players vying for college scholarships.
“I love playing high school golf, but this level of golf is so different,” he said. “I was excited to get back on the course with all these players from other states.
“Other than a few high school events, there is really no comparison to the level of play and competition. In these tournaments, the course is longer, set up harder and the field of players is just so much better.
“There were 105 golfers in this tournament, and on a good day probably 80 of them have a chance to win.”
Casolari will finish his 2024 season Nov. 23-24 in the Elite Event at the Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, Tenn.