Defending champ rolls on in Grand Masters

Ekdahl upsets Harris in first round

By Al Edenloff

Alexandria Echo Press

Gary Ekdahl took down a three-time Resorters champion, Dave Harris, in the Men’s Grand Masters during the opening round of match play Thursday.

It was an upset in terms of seeding. Harris was the No. 3 seed, while Ekdahl was No. 6. Meanwhile, the division’s defending champion and No. 2 seed, Mike Golden, escaped with a 3-2 win to keep his repeat hopes alive.

Medalist advances with bye

Since only seven golfers competed in this year’s Grand Masters, the medalist, Skip Madsen, received a bye in the opening round. He shot a two-day qualifying round of 158 (14-over-par).

Madsen is making his sixth appearance in the Resorters.

Today, Madsen will square off against Clayton Pike, who is playing in his 58th Resorters and has racked up numerous Resorters flight championships over the years. Pike has won three club championships – the AGC, Yellowstone Country Club, and Austin Country Club.

“The Resorters and Alexandria have always been a family vacation for us, and now that my son, Kevin, who was a hockey stand-out, is playing in the tournament, it is extra special to me,” Pike noted on his Resorters entry form.

Pike def. Douglas, 1-up

Clayton Pike and William Douglas had a down-to-the-wire match, and Pike ended up on top. No other scoring details were available.

Golden def. Obele, 3-2

Mike Golden was a 3-2 winner over Gary Obele. Scoring details were not available.

Golden has played in 31 Resorters tournaments. A highlight was winning the Men’s Grand Masters Championship last year. He’s also won numerous club

GRAND

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Resorters newspaper is published five times throughout the tournament, starting with the preview issue. The remaining issues will be available Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday mornings with the results of the previous day’s play. Copies are located at the Alexandria Golf Club and around the area and are free of charge.