From time to time between rounds, Dan Sepiol demonstrates illusions.

Learned not from watching David Blaine or Criss Angel but from YouTube, Sepiol's arsenal includes card tricks and sleight of hand with sponges that disappear and reappear.

Lately he's also been pretty magical on the golf course.

Just 15 years old, Sepiol will head to the biggest tournament of his young career next week at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex in West Lafayette.

The five-day Pepsi Indiana Junior State Championship begins Monday on the Kampen (north) Course at the home of Purdue golf.

"This is my biggest event so far, and I've been practicing harder for it," Sepiol said. "It means a lot because the best junior players from Indiana are going to be there."

Sepiol and a host of other local golfers qualified for the event July 17. Sepiol was part of a three-way tie atop the qualifier's leaderboard at The Brassie in Chesterton. His 2-over 74 was among his best 18-hole finishes and his first share of a title in any tournament. He tied LaPorte's Kyle Bowden and recent Boone Grove grad Taylor Noel for top honors.

"I feel good," Sepiol said. "I'm kind of a younger kid, I still think I can compete with all the older kids."

Noel was tied for second after the first day of the IHSAA state finals in June. Sepiol simply wished he was there.

As a freshman this spring Sepiol was all-Duneland Athletic Conference despite beginning the season on the junior varsity. He helped the Vikings make the regional round, but he and his team could not advance.

This summer Sepiol has been on the links a lot, mostly on The Course at Aberdeen, trying to improve enough to make it to state next season. His goal is to make the Division I ranks one day.

"I just love golf," Sepiol said. "I love to play every day, and I just want to get better every day."

Sepiol said he's improved his mental game and honed his putting.

"When I didn't make it to state for school season, I just wanted to make it that much more and work that much harder," he said.

That's something Vikings coach Wayne Lichtenberger is happy to hear.

"As the (prep) season went on, he just gained more confidence and got better and better," Lichtenberger said. "There's no doubt he has a big passion for the game."

LOCAL GOLF

Pepsi Indiana Junior Golf Championship

When: Monday through Aug. 7. First two days, stroke play; final three, match play.

Where: Kampen Course, Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex, West Lafayette.

Local qualifiers (hometown in parentheses): Dan Sepiol (Valparaiso), Taylor Noel (Crown Point), Kyle Bowden (LaPorte), Bobby Jacobs (Valparaiso), Drake Devereux (Crown Point), Jordan Lenard (LaPorte), Nick Stasil (Chesterton), Kyle Krause (Michigan City).

Alternates: Taylor Corley (LaPorte), Logan Bertalan (Valparaiso), Nate Svihlik (Crown Point).