Alec Cwienkala had every reason to be bitter about Monday’s District 11 Championship Golf Tournament.

One bad break resulted in Cwienkala missing the cut for regionals by a single stroke.

But instead of wallowing in misery, the Trojans’ top player took it in stride.

“I wouldn’t say it’s easy but I just feel like you have to look at the positives,” he said. “Especially after playing so well. It’s rough to lose by one but I played well.”

Cwienkala hit a tee shot into the thick rough on a par-5 Monday at Schuylkill Country Club. Despite having a marshall and three other players in his group who saw the ball come to rest in play, it was never found.

He had to go back to the tee and take a penalty stroke. It cost him two strokes as he made a triple-bogey and finished his round with a 79.

The top six golfers advance to regionals and Emmaus’ Kevin Caverly earned sixth place with a 78. That one lost ball was the difference between a trip to regionals and the end of a season.

“We do have marshalls,” said Cwienkala. “He thought it would be right in the rough also. There were lots of leaves.

“That was two strokes right there. But I overcame it and played well the rest of the round.”

He was one of three Parkland golfers to earn a spot in the district tournament.

The Trojans’ Suyeon Hong (8th place) and Jackie Katz (9th place) also competed in the event, shooting 117 and 130, respectively.

Cwienkala finished in a tie for seventh in the boys tournament, his first time making it into the championship field. He shot 90 just a week earlier and qualified right on the number.

“I definitely feel good today, especially after shooting 90 at the district qualifier,” he said. “I just missed it by one and I think about all the shots I could have had back. I just have to remember that I played well.”

Instead of dwelling on the bad break, Cwienkala chooses to focus on the parts of the game he can control while forgetting the things he can’t.

He’ll use Monday’s round as a learning experience. He plans to be back next season. He already improved his game after the league tournament two weeks ago , where he said he hit exactly “zero fairways” over 18 holes.

“I worked hard on my driver and I came back and I hit a lot of fairways [at districts],” he said. “That was a positive because this course is narrow.

“Last year I missed districts by two strokes, so I was definitely happy to make it here. I think it’s a great learning experience. So next year I know what it’s like and I know what to expect. And I take a lot of confidence out of playing this well my first time.”