Golf: Madsen makes it to the top – West Central Tribune

WILLMAR — A hometown golfer shared first place in the professional portion of the Marcus Construction Pro-Am on Thursday, which featured near-perfect weather for tournament play.

Brady Madsen, the 26-year-old and 2017 MACCRAY High School grad from Raymond, shot a six-under-par 66 to tie for first place with Jack Hiemenz of Blaine at Eagle Creek Golf Club. Isaac Nelson, the head golf professional at Little Crow Resort in Spicer, finished in third place with a 67.

“It’s never a bad feeling when you’re towards the top of the board,” Madsen said. “I’ve been starting to trend and I feel like my game’s turning in the right direction. Hopefully, I can use this as a building stone and stepping stone and keep it going throughout the rest of the summer.”

Madsen spent three years of college at the Division II Winona State Univerrsity where he was named to the 2020 PING All-America Third Team. He attended the Division I Florida Golf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida for his final two years of college eligibility.

His home course being Hawk Creek Golf Club in Raymond, Madsen turned pro in September 2022. He is currently rostered on the Michigan Auto Aces of the Grass League, the world’s first high-stakes Par 3 Golf League, according to its website.

Madsen, who spends his summers in Minnesota and winters in Scottsdale, Arizona, hopes to earn his PGA Tour Card in the near future.

Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune

“I’m trying to make a run to earn a PGA Tour Korn Ferry Card,” Madsen said. “I just turned 26, so I’ll give it a few more years and keep chasing it. I feel like I’m pretty close.”

Brittany Lincicome, the 39-year-old semi-retired Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour player from St. Petersburg, Florida, won the professional portion of the pro-am with a seven-under-par 65, but her score was not included in the final tally.

In her career, Lincicome has eight LPGA Tour wins, including two majors, and has played on six U.S. Solheim teams. She retired from full-time tour play in November 2024.

“It was fun to feel some competitive nerves again,” said Lincicome, whose round featured eight birdies and one bogey. “I can’t wait to come back next year.”

Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune

Lincicome’s husband, Dewald Gouws, who was the runner-up in the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, also finished in first place in the amateur net division, which accounts for a golfer’s score based on their handicap.

Gouws’ net seven-under-par 65 was also not included in the final tally, which made way for Scott Kimman to solely secure the amateur net scoring division title at a seven-under-par 65.

In the amateur gross division, which does not include handicap adjustments, Shawn Chambers, a former NHL player who logged 719 games between the regular season and playoffs, won behind a four-under-par 68. He played for the Minnesota North Stars, Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils and Dallas Stars over 14 seasons.

The winning foursome from Thursday’s pro-am included professional Don Berry and amateurs Dylan Hoerchler, Taylor Larson and Steve Fuchs. They totaled a tournament-low 125.

The Marcus Construction Pro-Am benefitted the Willmar Junior Golf Foundation.

Gries Lenhardt Allen Law Firm served as a presenting sponsor and NB Golf Cars and Viking Coca-Cola Botting Company were auxiliary sponsors.

The professional purse was $6,600, the team purse was $4,500 and the individual amateur purse for both the net and gross competitions were each $2,660.

Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune