‘It’s a challenge’: QND’s Orpet-Hulett to square off with Doral’s Blue Monster during Optimist International Junior Golf Championship

QUINCY — The trip that began as a family vacation will end with Keeden Orpet-Hulett staring down a monster.

The Blue Monster.

The Quincy Notre Dame sophomore golfer qualified for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship, which is being played beginning Tuesday at the Trump National Doral Resort and Spa in Miami. The 15-year-old linkster will play the Golden Palm course once during the first two rounds and the Blue Monster course on the alternate day.

Should he make the 36-hole cut, Orpet-Hulett would play the Blue Monster again.

“That’s the No. 1 course I’ve wanted to play,” he said.

Understandably so.

The Blue Monster was the site of the PGA Tour’s Doral Open from 1962-2006 and the WGC-Cadillac Championship from 2007-2016. In April, the course that plays 7,701 yards from the championship tees was the host site for the LIV Golf event won by Marc Leishman.

“It’s a challenge,” Orpet-Hulett said. “The way the course is set up is hard. There’s water everywhere. There are certain things you have to be ready for — changes in your swing, where you want to hit your ball, what clubs to hit. It’s all about strategy.”

As his game progresses, so does his ability to strategize.

Last fall, Orpet-Hulett shot QND’s third-best score on the second day of the Class 1A state tournament, posting a 9-over 81 and helping the Raiders finish fourth as a team. With the entire lineup returning this fall, including state runner-up Beau Eftink, QND has a chance to chase a state championship.

“I have teammates to back me up when I have days that are not so good, but I have the confidence to go out there and play with them and help out the team as much as I can,” Orpet-Hulett said.

That confidence comes from hard work and maturity.

“Every week, I’m practicing and practicing and I’m seeing improvement in consistency for sure,” Orpet-Hulett said.

He’s also challenging himself more, like signing up to play in the Optimist International qualifier at Silo Ridge Country Club in Bolivar, Mo., on May 31. Orpet-Hulett finished second in the boys 14-15 division to qualify for the Miami finals.

“I had no idea I was in contention,” he said. “I saw them post the scores and I was in shock.”

And thrilled.

“All the practice I’ve put into this, all the practice I’ve put into my golf game, it’s amazing that it has led to this,” Orpet-Hulett said. “I’ve been waiting for this ever since I qualified. I’ve been grinding hard, working on fixing my swing and getting ready. I’m stoked. I’m ready.”

He’s worked all aspects of his game.

“My swing. My aim. Where I want my ball to land, how far I want my ball to go,” Orpet-Hulett said.

But it isn’t all work and no play. His family scheduled a vacation to Orlando for the week before the Optimist International, which made travel to Miami easier while also affording Orpet-Hulett and his father, Ryan Hulett, the opportunity to play some golf while on vacation.

They even ran into PGA Tour pro and Pekin, Ill., product D.A. Points while teeing it up.

And now comes the chance to tee it up against an international field of golfers.

“I’m getting to where I need a little bit more challenge in my game,” Orpet-Hulett said. “I’ve loved the game since I first touched a golf club and this is what I want.”