Six Albert Lea high school golfers competed in a Minnesota Junior PGA event at Green Lea Golf Course Monday in an effort to maintain a competitive spirit during the summer.

The events featured many of the state’s top golfers and allows junior players the opportunity to improve by playing different courses and against tougher competition.

Tyler Brackey, Tyler Haaland and Grant Stadheim, all members of the Tigers boys’ golf team, played in the event and Brackey won medalist honors at his home course.

Brackey started playing in the Junior PGA events the summer after he finished seventh-grade and said he enjoys the competitive atmosphere and the opportunity to get better.

Stadheim finished second with a 78 and Haaland finished third with a 79, each one beating out Drew Osier, from Austin, who competed in the Class AAA state tournament in early June.

Two Albert Lea girls captured first place in the event as well.

Kelli Hanson shot an 85 to win the 16-18 age group and Taylor Nelson finished with a 96 to win the 13-15 bracket. Erin Brick finished third in the 16-18 group with a 109.

“It keeps up you’re golf playing during the summer,” Brick said.

For $70 players can join the Junior PGA and then travel to different courses around the state where events are held and pay $20 to play. If they win, they move will play in a year-end tournament with other winners from other events.

Shawn Riebe, girls’ golf coach for the Tigers, has stressed the importance of playing during the summer to his players and he believes the numbers can be even better for his team in the Junior PGA.

“We have to make it contagious and bring girls in,” Riebe said. “We could be really tough if we did.”

Heather Greibrok and Megan Pulley also play in junior events during the summer and Riebe expects the experience to carryover to next spring when the real competition heats up.

“It matters to get them signed up,” he said. “It’s big time for us.”