BRAINERD — Tim Johnson’s second season as Brainerd Warriors head coach is similar to his first.
With the graduation of Marty Timmons, Ryan Kennedy and Alex Asche from the Warriors’ third-place Section 8-3A squad and a season-ending injury to Drew Haakonson, Brainerd will be young again when it opens Friday, April 4, at Willow Creek Golf Course in Rochester.
“A lot of these guys are right there and they play a lot of competition in the summer,” Johnson said. “I don’t think it’s going to be completely brand new to them. We’re going to be youthful, but if we can get off to a fast start with some good rounds from some of these guys, that will help. Then we can develop quicker down the stretch. If we struggle right away, then it might take a little more time and we’ll have to go at a turtle’s pace with some of them.
“I’m taking 12 guys to Rochester and just kind of see where we are at and get them some reps before our first conference meet.”
While young, the Warriors do have experience — state experience. Freshman Brady Oseland tied for 58th at last year’s Class 3A Tournament. He opened with a 76 and finished with a two-day 160.
“He’s looking really good,” Johnson said. “He’s a year older and getting taller and stronger. He’s maturing, so it’s great to see. We’re two weeks into practice and I’m already seeing good things out of him. We’ve discussed his goals and I totally agree with a lot of them. They are ones that will definitely help him improve and get to the next level.”
Oseland qualified for state by tying for sixth in the Section 8-3A meet with a two-day 154. He fired rounds of 78 and 76.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better setup for year two to have a kid like Brady,” Johnson said. “He’s very active. Even though he’s a ninth-grader, people look up to him and talk to him. Just to be hanging out, he can tell the other guys, ‘Hey, we did this and this at state and it was a lot of fun.’ To have that motivation to experience that and go as a team will be way more fun. He can give them that insight into what he did to get there. He’s young, but a lot of kids look up to him. The pedigree of his game speaks highly for him. He had that taste and hopefully, he can pass that along to some of the other guys.
Senior Trey Hendrickson is the only other player off the section squad. He tied for 22nd with a two-day 165. He finished 24th in the Central Lakes Conference meet with a 163.
Brainerd Warrior golf captains Drew Haakonson, left, Henry Hartwig and Tyler Lehmann watch Treydn Hendrickson hit a ball at the Gravel Pit Golf Course on Monday, March 31, 2025, in East Gull Lake.
Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
“Trey sticks out as one of those leaders,” Johnson said. “He’s a born leader. He’s knowledgeable and just so even-keel on the golf course. We hope to see big things from him and some growth as we move along.”
Sophomore Alex Imgrund competed for Brainerd in the two-day CLC Championship. He placed 26th with a 167 to help Brainerd to second.
“We’re expecting big things,” Johnson said. “He’s a member at Cragun’s, so I’ve been fortunate to see him most days during the summer, grinding on the range and putting work in. He’s taking some big strides. He’ll be one of our lead assets. He’ll be one you’re going to want to watch. I’m expecting real big things from him.”
Freshman Aydan Dobis participated in the Section 8-3A Preview and placed 30th with an 83.
“He’s growing into,” Johnson said of Dobis. “We have a very youthful team. He’ll be one we’re going to watch and help him grow. The guys are meshing well with all the different ages and grades. We know we have some talent there and we’ll be able to use it.”
Jack Hagberg leads a group vying for varsity action. The junior posted the lowest score in Brainerd’s first qualifying round. He shot 2-under for nine holes.
“He was hovering around junior varsity and varsity last year,” Johnson said. “I expect some growth there. Tyler Lehmann is a senior. He’ll be in the mix. Drew Christensen is a freshman I’ve known for a while. Blake McKinnon is a new addition and he shot 1-under in the qualifier. Kellan Timmons is Marty’s younger brother. Dan Gerlich, Alex Melin and Evan Swenson are kind of the notables that stick out early in the season without seeing a whole lot of scores.
“I know these guys are young, but there is a big group of competitiveness.”
Along with a full CLC schedule, Brainerd will compete in two two-day tournaments in Willmar/New London-Spicer and another in Blaine. It will also travel to the metro for a second Blaine invite.
“We’re going to try and play against some of these teams that we might see at the section,” Johnson said. “We’re trying to put our guys into the mix against some of these other teams that we might see at state, even, and try to compete with them or learn by example by just watching them in their groups. Hopefully, they learn some things and take things from that, especially with them being younger.”
Tim Johnson
Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
Head coach: Tim Johnson, second year
2024 finish: Third in the Central Lakes Conference, second in Section 8-3A
Returning section players: Brady Oseland, Trey Hendrickson
Assistant coaches: Brian Gustafson, Tyson Genz, Mitchell Rude
Captains: Drew Haakonson, Trey Hendrickson, Tyler Lehmann, Henry Hartwig
Seniors: Henry Hartwig, Treydn Hendrickson, Tyler Lehmann, Andrew Wood
Juniors: Aiden Asche, Peyton Erlandson, Drew Haakonson, Jack Hagberg, Alexander Kelm, Liam Saur, Austin Lehmann, Carter Wheeler
Sophomores: Toby Bassett, Cedric Capistrant, Samuel Erickson, Blake Fenstad, Daniel Gerlich, Aiden Gilbert, Alex Imgrund, Jack Jones, Nolan Kennedy, Ronin Martinson, Alexander Melin, Brayden Nelson, Kiefer Olson, Logan Plessel, Evan Swenson, Weston Veith
Freshmen: Drew Christensen, Aydan Dobis, Blake McKinnon, Brady Oseland, Charles Pieper, Canyon Plested, Jack Stromberg, Kellan Timmons, Colin Wirtz
Friday, April 4, Rochester Triangular at Willow Creek Golf Course, 1 p.m.
April 17, Central Lakes Conference meet at St. Cloud Country Club, 3 p.m.
April 22, Central Lakes Conference meet at Geneva Golf Course, 3 p.m.
April 24, Day One, Willmar/New London-Spicer Invite at Little Crow Golf Course, 11 a.m.
April 25, Day Two, Willmar/New London-Spicer Invite at Eagle Creek Golf Course, 9:30 a.m.
April 28, Central Lakes Conference meet at Blackberry Ridge Golf Course, 3 p.m.
April 30, Brainerd Invite at Cragun’s Legacy Courses, 11 a.m.
May 1, Central Lakes Conference meet at Pebble Lake Golf Course 3 p.m.
May 2, Day One, Blaine Invite at Majestic Oaks Golf Course, 1:30 p.m.
May 3, Day Two, Blaine Invite at Majestic Oaks Golf Course 7:30 a.m.
May 5, Central Lakes Conference meet at Rich Spring Golf Course, 3 p.m.
May 12, Central Lakes Conference meet at Cragun’s Legacy Courses, 3 p.m.
May 13, Central Lakes Conference meet at Eagle Creek Golf Course, 3 p.m.
May 20, Blaine Tournament at Victory Links, 9 a.m.
May 21, Day One, Central Lakes Conference Championship at Territory Golf Club, 10 a.m.
May 22, Day Two, Central Lakes Conference Championship at Detroit Lakes, 3 p.m.
