Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Holtzman holds his own
Kansas sophomore Noah Holtzman shoots 7-under to get No. 1 seed in Men’s Championship division
BY SAM STUVE Alexandria Echo Press
Brothers Lunden and Bronx Esterline may be young but they’ve become Resorters Tournament veterans. Lunden has won three Resorters junior championships (two Junior 13-15 and one Junior 10-12), and Bronx is the Junior 13-15 division medalist this year. These two live in Andover, Kansas, spend their summers in Alexandria, and compete in the Resorters Tournament. This year, they brought some friends to the tournament, one of whom is Noah Holtzman.
Holtzman, who is entering his sophomore year with the Kansas University men’s golf team, made a heck of a debut at the Resorters in Sunday and Tuesday’s Men’s Championship division qualify-
ing rounds.
Holtzman shot 4-under in Sunday’s qualifying round at Geneva Golf Club, then 3-under in Tuesday’s qualifying round at Alexandria Golf Club to finish the qualifying rounds at 7-under par and earn the No. 1 seed in the Men’s Championship division.
“At the beginning of the summer, I kind of struggled a little bit, but I’ve started to play better golf these last couple of weeks,” Holtzman said. “I was excited coming into this week to try to play well. My putting was really good. I made a lot of putts. Putting has definitely been the best part of my game.”
Holtzman, a two-time Class 5A Kansas high school individual state champion, shot a 69 on Sunday at Geneva with an eagle, five birdies, and
nine pars. He led that qualifying round at 4-under par (137).
Holtzman built on his lead early on Tuesday with birdies on the second and sixth holes. He also began the back nine with a birdie on the 10th hole.
He took a step back with a bogey on the 13th hole, but with a birdie on the 17th hole and a par on the 18th hole, his 13th of the round, Holtzman finished his Tuesday qualifying round at 3-under par (68) and 7-under par overall (137) in the qualifying rounds.
“I had to grind it out on my back nine at Geneva,” Holtzman said. “I missed a lot of greens, but I made a lot of par putts coming back. I just tried to play conservative, miss in the right spots, and make putts.”
Good putting is
Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press
Kansas sophomore Noah Holtzman (right) lines up a putt on the 17th hole at the Alexandria Golf Club on July 30. Holtzman made that putt for birdie and to get to 3-under par for the second Men’s Championship division qualifying round at the 103rd Resorters Tournament. Holtzman shot 7-under par in the qualifying rounds and is the No. 1 seed in the Men’s Championship division.
something Holtzman aims to maintain throughout the tournament.
“I’ve played quite a bit of match play growing up, and it’s a completely
different game that you have to take hole by hole,” Holtzman said. “If you hit a really bad shot, it’s not the end of the world because it’s just one hole. You can be more aggressive, and I think I’m going to do that this week.” Holtzman, Lunden Esterline, and Ty Adkins
Men's ChaMp on J3
• Glass replacement
• Shower doors
• Mirrors
• Custom tub enclosures
• Screen replacement
• Plexiglass
• Patio door replacement
Alexandria Golf Club
Sponsored by:
Home of the Resorters
Sunday, July 28th -
August 3rd
Pro-Am Saturday, July 27th
Wednesday, July 31st
PUTTING CONTEST QUALIFYING 5-7 PM
LONG DRIVE FINALS - 6:30 PM
PUTTING CHAMPIONSHIP - 7:15 PM
NIGHTLY FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE
Sunday, July 28th - 7PM CHAMPION’S DINNER BY INVITATION ONLY
Monday, July 29th - 5PM - 8PM
WALLEYE FISH FRY
Premium Walleye filets lightly battered and fried with bacon cheddar potato kegs and slaw Adults - $20, Children - $10
Entertainment
MONDAY,
Tuesday, July 30th - 8PM RESORTERS CALCUTTA
Appetizers will be available from 5PM - 7PM. Phillips will be here with AGC's very own Private Barrel 10 yr Bourbons. Serving craft cocktails all night!
Wednesday, July 31st - 6:30PM
BURGER AND BRAT BARBEQUE
Casual barbeque of delicious hamburgers and brats on the driving range during the Long-Drive Finals and Putting Championship. Beverage Bars available for everyone to enjoy!
WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
See familiar faces and lots of green and gold in Women’s Champ
Boraas grabs No. 1 seed
BY AL EDENLOFF Alexandria Echo Press
ALEXANDRIA – There are a lot of familiar faces in the 2024 Resorters Women’s Championship Division.
Thirteen of last year’s 16 qualifiers in the bracket are back for more.
There are also a lot of green and gold golf bags, as in North Dakota State University, that can be seen on the Alexandria Golf Course. In fact, five of the top 10 qualifiers are either active students or alumni, including last year’s champion, Madi Hicks, along with Catherine Monty, Norah Roberts, Cora Larson and Madison Herzog. Herzog has been oh-soclose to winning it all and
has three runner-up titles ( 2023, 2021 and 2019). She works as the manager of Herzog Seal Coating. This is her 10th Resorters appearance.
At the top of this year’s list of qualifying contenders is the medalist – Hannah Boraas, who carded a round of 38-34-72.
Boraas began her qualifying round with bogeys on Nos. 1 and 4. She made
par on Nos. 2, 3, and 5 and got back to par with a birdie on the sixth hole. She parred the next three holes to finish the front with a 38.
Boaraas upped her game on the back nine. She nailed three birdies –Nos. 10, 15 and 17. She had to settle for bogeys on Nos. 11 and 18, which resulted in her even-par medalist round.
MEN’S CHAMP
CONTINUED from J1
are all golfers who live in the Wichita, Kansas, area and are top-end seeds in this year’s Men’s Championship division.
Holtzman said they all met by playing junior golf in the Wichita area.
Lunden Esterline, who won the 2024 Kansas High School Class 3A individual state title by 10 strokes, is the No. 4 seed in the bracket after shooting 5-under par in the qualifying rounds, courtesy of two eagles, seven birdies, and 21 pars.
“I’ve been striking the ball well,” Lunden said.
Boraas is also the division’s 2022 champion and made a deep run in last year’s tournament before losing to Hicks 2-1 in the semifinals. She also took home the Resorters Junior 13-15 Division trophy in 2020. Boraas is now attending Montana State. She’s playing in her 10th Resorters.
Larson, an Alexandria graduate, is a sophomore
greens. My chipping is good. If I miss, I can get up and down.”
Adkins is a sophomore at Wichita State University and is the No. 6 seed in this bracket after also posting a score of 5-under par in the qualifying rounds. He had an eagle, seven birdies, and 23 pars.
Lunden Esterline, who attends Wichita Collegiate High School, Adams, who attended Hutchinson High School in Kansas before playing for WSU, and Holtzman, who attends Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Wichita, all played in the same group on Tuesday.
at NDSU and made it to the semifinals last year before falling to Herzog. She’s competing in her ninth Resorters.
Monty, who is from Stillwater, completed her senior year at NDSU. Last year, she was the No. 5 seed in the tournament and was eliminated by Larson in the quarterfinals.
Out of last year’s eight quarterfinalists, six of them are back – Boraas, Hicks, Madison Herzog, Larson, MacKenzie Olsen and Mackayla Olsen.
As the defending champion, Hicks opted to automatically qualify for the No. 2 seed. She will play
The Women’s Championship qualifiers will tee it up at 12:15 p.m. from hole No. 1.
DAY
12:15
12:25
12:35
12:45
-
-
-
as
is
in
while
“My putting wasn’t amazing to start, but it turned around. I made a few birdies at the end. My irons have been good, and I’ve been hitting a lot of
“They’re my buddies and kept me loose,” Holtzman said. They helped me play well.”
Lunden Esterline putts on the 17th green at the Alexandria Golf Club on July 30. Esterline has won three Resorters junior titles and in his first year playing in the Men’s Championship division, is one of the top-end seeds.
Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press MEN ' S CHAMP on J24
Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press Noah Holtzman (left) celebrates making a birdie putt at the 17th hole at the Alexandria Golf Club on July 30
Zach Rouleau (right) looks on. Holtzman
the medalist
the Men’s Championship division,
Rouleau is the No. 9 seed.
Mackayla Olsen in the opening round.
WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY QUALIFYING RESULTS –1. Hannah Boraas, 72; 2. Madi Hicks (defending champ automatically qualifies);
3. Catherine Monty, 74; 4. Norah Roberts, 74; 5. Madison Herzog, 76; 6. Samantha Sommers, 77; 7. Cora Larson, 77; 8. McKenzee Sullivan, 78; 9. Lauren Klick, 78; 10. Amanda Woodhull, 78; 11. Avery O’Donnell, 79; 12. Jenna Westerham, 80; 13. MacKenzie Olsen, 80; 14. Anaka Lysne, 80; 15. Mackayla Olsen, 81; 16. Caroline Monty, 81
WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP WEDNES-
OPENING ROUND - 1ST TEE
p.m.
Hanna Boraas vs Caroline Monty; McKenzee Sullivan vs Lauren Klick
p.m.
Norah Roberts vs MacKenzie Olsen; Madison Herzog vs Jenna Westerham
p.m.
Madi Hicks vs Mackayla Olsen; Cora Larson vs Amanda Woodhull
p.m. - Catherine Monty vs Anaka Lysne; Samantha Sommers vs Avery O’Donnell
Boraas Caroline Monty
Catherine Monty Lysne
Herzog Westerham Hicks Mackayla Olsen
Larson Woodhull
Sullivan Klick
Sommers O’Donnell
MacKenzie Olsen Roberts
MEN’S SENIOR
Top seven seeds advance to second round of match play
Top seeds in Men’s Senior division take care of business in Tuesday’s match play
BY JAKE SUTHERLIN AND AL EDENLOFF
Alexandria Echo Press
Despite five upsets, Tuesday’s opening round of match play in the Men’s Senior division at the 103rd Resorters Tournament at the Alexandria Golf Club went to some of the heavy hands as the top seven seeds all advanced into the second round. Brant McLeod pulled off the biggest upset of the day as he stormed back from four holes down with only seven to play, and Eric Hjortness notched the biggest win of the round with a 6-5.
Haugen def. Hagen, 5-4
Top-seeded Chris Haugen, who posted a qualifying round score of 2-under 69, and No. 32 seed Alan Hagen split four of the opening five holes in their first round of match play on Tuesday afternoon, but Haugen took full advantage of a rash of bogeys (5) from Hagen over the next nine holes to secure his spot in the next round.
Heimsness def. Cattoor, 4-3
Three opening round birdies helped No. 16 seed Eric Heimsness secure his victory over No. 17 seed Justin Cattoor in Monday’s match play. The pair split four of the first
six holes, but shortly after Heimsness opened up a lead with a 3-hole winning streak on holes 8, 9 and 10 that Cattoor couldn’t recover from. McLeod def. Montplaisir, 1-up No. 25 seed Brant McLeod was able to dig himself out of a 4-hole deficit in the final seven holes of his opening round match against No. 8 seed Larry Montplaisir to pull off the biggest upset of the opening round. McLeod began his late comeback with his first of three birdies on hole 12 followed by a birdie on hole 14 and a final birdie on hole 18, which secured the victory. Montplaisir’s lone birdie came on hole 10.
C. Peterson def. G. Peterson, 4-3
After splitting four of the first seven holes, No. 24 seed Corey Peterson won four of his match’s final seven holes to upset No. 9 seed Greg Peterson. Corey recorded all three birdies in the match, all of which came on the course’s par 5’s.
Ystebo def. Schneiderhan, 1-up
A back-and-forth match between No. 4 seed Daniel Ystebo (7 wins) and No. 29 seed Todd Schneiderhan
(6 wins) ended with a narrow victory for the higher seed despite a strong comeback effort from Schneiderhan who won two of the final three holes. The pair combined for six birdies in the competitive match. Ystebo had four, and Schneiderhan had two.
Johnson def. S. Freeman, 1-up
The No. 20 seed Chad Johnson overcame an early 2-hole deficit and then gave away a 3-hole lead in his match against No. 13 seed Stefan Freeman but was able to claim the win with a par on hole 18 to secure his spot in the next round. Both golfers notched a pair of birdies during the round.
Schultz def. DeLozier, 4-3
No. 5 seed Cory Schultz won six of the opening nine holes in his match against No. 28 seed Dan DeLozier and polished off the tie with his second of two birdies on hole 15 to secure the victory. DeLozier won three holes during the match.
Ramberg def. Nygaard, 4-3
No. 12 seed Chris Ramberg and No. 21 seed Jeff Nygaard split six of their matches opening nine
holes and entered the back nine even, but then Ramberg carded three birdies and won four of the next six holes to book his ticket to the next round. Ramberg had four birdies on the day.
J. Freeman def. E. Peterson, 2-1
Last year’s Men’s Senior champion, No. 2 seed Jon Freeman, opened his title defense with a close victory over No. 31 seed Eric Peterson. Freeman’s hole-7 birdie gave him the advantage heading into the back nine, but he surrendered the advantage with backto-back bogeys on holes 9 and 10. He tied the contest with his second birdie of the day (hole 12) and took a 2-hole lead with a pair of pars that helped him see off his opponent.
Larson def. Nettleton, 3-2
No. 15 seed Mike Larson opened his match against No. 18 seed Bill Nettleton with a birdie to take an early lead, but the pair entered the back nine all square. Nettleton took the lead with his only birdie of the day on hole 10, but Larson won four of the next six holes to advance. Larson tallied two birdies during the round.
Lindberg def. Pederson, 4-3
No. 7 seed Mark Lindberg lost only one hole in his match against No. 26 Jeff Pederson: hole 4, which Pederson birdied. Lindberg played a consistent round that saw him take advantage of bogeys from Pederson and built up a healthy lead that earned him a spot in the next round.
Whitbeck def. Davis, 4-3
No. 10 seed Joe Whitbeck carded three birdies in his opening round victory over No. 23 seed Matt Davis and dropped only one hole: hole 7, which Davis won with a par.
Howard def. Bright, 4-3
Curtis Howard struck for four birdies on the front nine – Nos. 1, 3, 5 and 8 – to build a lead against Pete Bright. However, it was only a twohole advantage because Bright matched Howard’s birdie on the first hole and gained ground on Howard’s bogey on No. 4. Bright’s double-bogey on the ninth hole put Howard 3-up at the turn.
Both golfers parred No. 10 and settled for bogeys on No. 11. Bright sliced into the lead with a birdie win on the par-5 12th to
draw within two.
But Howard quickly squelched the comeback with a nifty birdie on No. 13, matched Bright’s par on No. 14 and picked up the win on No. 15 with a par.
Berg def. Marlow, 1-up
Bogeys haunted both Chad Marlow and Steve Berg. Combined, they had 11.
Marlow started the match with four straight bogeys. Berg lost the first hole with a double-bogey but won the next two holes with pars to steal the lead but could only match Marlow’s bogey on No. 4.
Marlow won the fifth hole with par to even the match. Both golfers matched pars on the next two holes before Berg jumped back into the lead with a birdie on No. 8. He added a par win on No. 9 to take a 2-up lead at the turn.
Berg lost No. 10 with a bogey and Marlow’s birdie on No. 11 tied the match. Berg took the lead for the third time with a birdie on No. 12, but lost the next hole because of a bogey.
With the match tied, the match fell into a rhythm. Both golfers shot nothing but pars on the next four holes. Berg put the match away on No. 18 when Marlow ran into bogey trouble one last time.
Hjortness def. Dutoit, 6-5
It just wasn’t Dana Dutoit’s day.
In his match against Eric Hjortness, Dutoit could only bogey the first six holes. Hjortness made par on the first three
Haugen
Howard McLeod Schultz
Heimsness
Berg Hjortness
Johnson Ramberg
Freeman Lindberg Larson Whitbeck
C. Peterson Lehman
Ystebo
A crowded leaderboard
Pokorney trumps 3-way tie for top spot
ALEXANDRIA — Mark
Pokorney, Larry Novotny and Dale Womeldorf each posted a 1-over 72 to lead all participants in Monday’s Men’s Masters qualifying round at the 103rd Resorters Tournament, but it will be Pokorney who will compete as the top seed in Wednesday’s match-play tournament.
A 1980 graduate of St. Thomas, Pokorney is competing in his 11th Resorters tournament and is proud that at 65 years of age he’s still breaking 80 on the golf course - and did so handily on Monday while sinking six birdie putts.
2023 champion Jon Empanger holds the No. 2 seed and is seeking at least his 10th Resorters title, maybe his 11th - but who’s counting?
Novotny and Womeldorf will serve as the
No. 3 and No. 4 seeds, respectively, and Norty Blanchard rounds out the top-five seeds after posting a 2-over 73 in the
qualifying round.
Sean Lehman and Hannah Boraas win 2024 MGA Mixed Amateur Team title
Lehman, Boraas win in a playoff
BY SAM STUVE Alexandria Echo Press
Sean Lehman and Hannah Boraas sat atop the
leaderboard at the 2024 Minnesota Golf Association Mixed Amateur Team Championship with a bogey-free round of 64
at the Stillwater Golf Club on Monday, July 1.
The pair who were representing the Alexandria Golf Club in the two-day tournament led by a couple of strokes heading into the final round and
to fend off Oliva Herrick and Trent Peterson (Bunker Hills Golf Club and Dellwood Country Club, the winner of the 2016 MGA Mixed Amateur Team Championship.
Herrick and Peterson carded a round of 64 on Tuesday, July 2nd, while Boraas and Lehman carded a round of 69. This forced a playoff as both
MONDAY’S QUALIFYING RESULTS —1. Mark Pokorney, 72; 2. Jon Empanger, Automatic qualifier defending champion; 3. Larry Novotny, 72; 4. Dale Womeldorf, 72; 5. Norty Blanchard, 73; 6. Steve Herzog, 74; 7. Rick Vanyo, 74; 8. Vern Lee, 75; 9.
Mike Herzog, 75; 10. Ward Jackson, 75; 11. A.J. Kluver, 76; 12. Peter Ancona, 76; 13. Paul Peterson, 76; 14. Ray Sauer, 76; 15. Brian Engstrom, 77; 16. Steve Siddy, 78
MATCH PLAY -
HOLE
a.m. Mark Pokorney vs Steve Siddy;
Vern Lee vs Mike Herzog 7:25 a.m. Dale Womeldorf vs Paul Peterson; Norty Blanchard vs Peter Ancona 7:34 a.m. Jon Empanger vs Brian Engstrom; Rick Vanyo vs Ward Jackson 7:43 a.m. Larry Novotny vs Ray Sauer; Steve Herzog vs A.J. Kluver
Boraas Lehman
Staying upbeat
Jake Sutherlin / Alexandria Echo Press
Billy Rosacker is one of many golfers competing at the 103rd Resorters Tournament at the Alexandria Golf Club this week. He’s competing in the Men’s Regular division. In one of the early rounds of the tournament, Rosacker accidentally smashed one of the tee markers while trying to hit his ball. Here he is holding up the pieces of a former tee marker.
Sunday, July 28th, 2024
Geneva Golf Club
1st Tee
Foursomes
8:00 AM Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
8:10 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
8:20 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
8:30 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
8:40 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
8:50 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
9:00 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
9:10 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
9:20 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
9:30 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
9:40 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
9:50 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
10:00 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
10:10 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
10:20 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
10:30 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
10:40 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
10:50 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
11:00 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
11:10 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
11:20 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
11:30 Men's Championship Qualifying (Round 1)
End of Play for Sunday, July 28th at Geneva Golf Club
Monday, July 29, 2024
8:00 AM Men's Regular 5th Flight (1st Round Match)
8:10 Men's Regular 5th Flight (1st Round Match) 8:20 Men's Regular 5th Flight (1st Round Match)
8:30 Men's Regular 5th Flight (1st Round Match) 8:40 Men's Regular 6th Flight (1st Round Match)
8:50 Men's Regular 6th Flight (1st Round Match)
9:00 Men's Regular 6th Flight (1st Round Match)
9:10 Men's Regular 6th Flight (1st Round Match)
9:20 Men's Regular 7th Flight (1st Round Match)
9:30 Men's Regular 7th Flight (1st Round Match)
9:40 Men's Regular 7th Flight (1st Round Match)
9:50 Men's Regular 7th Flight (1st Round Match)
10:00 Men's Executive 2nd Flight (1st Round Match)
10:10 Men's Executive 2nd Flight (1st Round Match)
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
10:20 Men's Executive 2nd Flight (1st Round Match)
10:30 Men's Executive 2nd Flight (1st Round Match) End of play for Monday, July 29th at Geneva Golf Club
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 Geneva Golf Club 1st Tee
8:00
Thursday, August 1,
Medalist Bryant Black sizzles
3 former champs in the hunt
BY AL EDENLOFF Alexandria Echo Press
Bryant Black of Alexandria is riding high in the Resorters Golf Tournament.
In Saturday’s Swedberg Wood Products Pro-Am, Black tied for having the best amateur round (1-under par).
On Monday, his qualifying round in the Men’s Executive Division matched the weather – hot.
He blistered the Alexandria Golf Club course with a round of 34-34-68 to clinch medalist honors with a 3-under-par performance (par is 71 at this year’s Resorters because No. 11 is being worked on and was shortened from a par-4 to a par-3). Last year’s medalist was Andrew Olson, who was 5-under par.
Black began his medalist round with three pars, had a rare miscue on No. 4, and settled for a bogey. He parred No. 5 and got to even-par with a birdie on
No. 6.
From there, he stepped up his game, knocking down a par on the No. 7 Minnesota Green and followed that up with three straight birdies to go 3-under par.
Black made par on No. 11 and sank another birdie, his fifth of the day, on the par-five No. 12 to go 4-under. On No. 13, he ran into bogey trouble, but it was his last flub of the round. He made par on the next five holes for a 68 round – one stroke ahead of Matt Norgaard’s 69.
Other golfers who shot par or better in the Men’s Executive Division were Shay Conder with 70, followed by a trio of golfers with 71 – Daryl Schomer of St. Cloud, Troy Johnson of Maple Grove, and Joe Sauer of St. Cloud. All those golfers are very familiar names in the division. Johnson won the division five times in a row, from 2018-2022.
Schomer also has taken home the trophy five times (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017). Sauer qualified for the division last year and was seeded sixth. He breezed through his first match, 6-5, but lost to the
July 2. “It’s so fun to win with someone like Sean.
EXECUTIVE
22nd seed, Cory Schultz, 1-up. Sauer made it to the final four in 2022.
Don’t forget about Dave Christensen of Elk River.
As the defending Men’s Executive champion, he automatically received the No. 2 seed. Last year, Christensen made a triumphant return to the Resorters – the last time he competed in it was 1998 – and defeated Schomer 2-1 in the final.
Other notables who made the cut with qualifying rounds of 80 or better include two former runners-up in the division, Dan Johnson (2019) and Chad Hacker (2022). Johnson shot a qualifying round of 72 while Hacker carded a 78.
Three golfers tied with rounds of 80, which forced a playoff to determine the final two spots. Chad Saice and Jonathan Rentz made
the championship bracket, while Paul Martinson will be playing in the flights.
The 80-cut mark was the same as the 2023 Resorters.
SUNDAY’S QUALIFYING RESULTS — 1. Bryant Black, 68; 2. Dave Christensen - (automatic, defending champ); 3. Matt Norgaard, 69; 4. Shay Conder, 70; 5. Daryl Schomer, 71; 6. Troy Johnson, 71; 7. Joe Sauer, 71; 8. Dan Johnson, 72; 9. Todd Gease, 73; 10. Bryan Hoops, 74; 11. Pat Beste, 74; 12. Alex Woodhull, 75; 13. Kerry O’Donnell, 75; 14. Andrew Olson, 75; 15. David Kvasager, 76; 16. Chad Bisson, 76; 17. Tony Bagneschi, 76; 18. Patrick Sieve, 77; 19. George Kadlec, 78; 20. Toby Weibye, 78; 21. Andrew Johnson, 78; 22. Craig Crosby, 78; 23. Chad Hacker, 78; 24. Joe Seltz, 79; 25. Brian
30. Jack Chapin, 79; 31. Chad Saice, 80; 32. Jonathan Rentz, 80 WEDNESDAY MATCH PLAY10TH TEE
1:35 p.m. Bryant Black vs Jonathan Rentz; Chad Bisson vs. Tony Bagneschi
1:45 p.m. Dan Johnson vs Brian Salzer; Todd Gease vs. Joe Seltz
1:55 p.m. Shay Conder vs. Jake Womeldorf; Kerry O’Donnell vs Toby Weibye
2:05 p.m. Daryl Schomer vs Sam Pokorney; Alex Woodhull vs Andrew Johnson
2:15 p.m. Dave Christensen vs Chad Saice; David Kvasager vs Patrick Sieve
2:25 p.m. Joe Sauer vs Chris Wessel; Bryan Hoops vs Chad Hacker
2:35 p.m.
uplifting and very positive.”
teams finished the first 36 holes at 11-under (133).
Lehman and Boraas made the most of their birdie opportunity on the first playoff hole as Lehman sank a 12-foot putt to birdie the hole and give himself and Boraas the 2024 MGA Mixed Amateur Team title.
“This win feels so good,” Boraas said to the MGA’s Nick Hunter on
Everyone knows the Lehmans, so it’s pretty legendary to be a part of something with him and his family. It was thrilling and so much fun.”
“Everyone knows that Hannah is one of the best golfers from [Alexandria] ever, so I called her up and said, ‘Let’s go win this thing,’ and she came out and grinded this week,” Lehman said to Hunter. “We played so well, and she was an even better teammate—very
The duo’s birdie putt was set up by a nice approach shot by Boraas that left her and Lehman 12 feet right of the hole.
“I thought it was just outside of the right edge, and she said she loved it,” Lehman said. “She hit an amazing wedge shot and put me in a good position.
[From there] It was a straightforward putt down the hill—I loved everything about it.”
Boraas and Sean Lehman combined for 12
birdies, 23 pars, and just one bogey in the tournament.
Lehman is from Scottsdale, Arizona, is the son of Alexandria native and the 1996 British Open champion Tom Lehman and plays college golf at California Polytechnic University. Lehman secured his first MGA state title on July 2. He’s the No. 14 seed in Men’s division at this year’s Resorters Tournament.
Boraas is heading into her sophomore year at Montana State University.
Boraas played in 27 rounds as a freshman and helped Montana State finish fourth at the 2024 Big Sky Conference Championship. Boraas is the No. 1 seed in the Women’s division in this year’s Resorters Tournament.
One of Boraas’ high school teammates, Cora Larson, teamed up with her brother, Carver Larson, to tie for 15th at the 2024 MGA Mixed Amateur Tournament.
Representing the Geneva Golf Club, the Larson’s had five birdies and
24 pars in the tournament. The Larson’s had a two-day total of 147 and tied for 15th with the team of Madi Hicks, who won the 2023 Resorters Women’s title, and her partner Nick Kaufmann. Carver Larson is heading into his senior year at Alexandria High School. Cora Larson played 20 rounds as a sophomore at North Dakota State, where she and Hicks helped NDSU finish sixth at the 2024 Summit League Conference Championship.
Salzer, 79; 26. Chris Wessel, 79; 27. Mike Rose, 79; 28. Sam Pokorney, 79; 29. Jake Womeldorf, 79;
Campbell leads pros at Swedberg Wood Products Pro-Am
Conn, Black tie for 1st among amateurs
BY SAM STUVE Alexandria Echo Press
ALEXANDRIA— Since turning pro in 2011, Thomas Campbell has won many golf tournaments. The Minnesota graduate has earned a plethora of titles, including the 2019 and 2021 Alexandria Golf Club ProAm titles.
Campbell added another title to his collection on July 27, 2024. The Abbotsford, New Zealand native who lives in the Twin Cities played bogey-free golf as he carded seven birdies and 11 pars to win the
2024 Swedberg Wood Products Pro-Am with a round of 64.
Campbell started his round on hole 13 and quickly shot under par. Campbell birdied the 14th and 15th holes to get to 2-under par.
Campbell rounded out his card with birdies on holes 3, 6, 7, 10, and 12.
Campbell finished five strokes ahead of the Minnewaska Golf Club’s Scott McDonald, who shot 2-under par to finish in second place amongst the pros.
McDonald had five birdies and 10 pars in his round.
On the amateur side, Ryan Conn and Bryant Black tied for first with rounds of 1-under par
(70).
“Scoring under par, you can never really complain,” Black said.
“It was windy, and a lot of holes had crosswinds,” Conn said. “With that, it’s always a little bit harder to shoot the scores you ideally want to. I think if there was no wind, I would probably go a little lower. I’ve played quite a few windy rounds recently.”
Black and Conn are both members of the Alexandria Golf Club.
In Saturday’s pro-am, Conn carded three birdies and 13 pars, while Black had four birdies and 11 pars.
“You got to aim farther away and let the wind ride it,” Conn said. “In
this wind, I think sometimes you’re not going to hit shots where you’re lined up. You end up missing a few shots, miss fairways and have to get up and down. There were a few holes where you’d have to lag putt and make par instead of focusing on birdie.”
“It was a little up and down for me,” Black said. “I had my score to 3-under at one point, then kind of limped my way coming in. It was windy and there were tough winds. I think I putt it well, and usually, that is one of my strengths. When I hit the fairway, I usually hit some pretty good wedges.”
Conn is competing in the Men’s division in the
year’s Resorters Tournament, while Black is competing in the Men’s Executive division.
Other winners at the Swedberg Wood Products Pro-Am include the team of Christopher Borgen, Scott Swanson, Gary Locke, Duane Matthews,
Black
Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press Thomas Campbell watches his tee shot during the ProAm at the 103rd Resorters Tournament at the Alexandria Golf Club on Saturday.
Pro-Am on J17
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JUNIOR 13-15
Medalist, runner-up and two former champs survive in Junior 13-15
Bronx Esterline makes some noise early
BY AL EDENLOFF AND SAM STUVE ALEXANDRIA
— The Esterline family of Andover, Kansas, has plenty to cheer about when playing or watching the Resorters.
Lunden Esterline won the Junior 13-15 Division Championship in 2022 and 2023 and collected the trophy for the Junior 10-12 championship in 2020.
This year, his brother, Bronx Esterline, nabbed the No. 1 seed in the Junior 13-15 Division with a medalist round of
37-33-70 for 1-under par. He smashed last year’s medalist mark in the division by five strokes.
“I watched the beginning of his round on Sunday and the end of his round on Monday, and he looked so strong,” Lunden said about his brother Bronx.
Bronx began his medalist run with a birdie on the first hole and stayed steady with two pars on Nos. 2 and 3. He bogeyed the 4th and 6th hole but was able to make par on
Nos. 5, 7, 8 and 9 to go 1-over par at the turn.
Bronx buckled down and played near-flawless golf from there. He parred the 10th hole, ran into bogey trouble on No. 11, but erased that mistake with a birdie on the par-5 12th. He followed that up with four straight pars before finishing his round in style – birdies on Nos. 17 and 18 – for a 33 on the back nine. Bronx’s closest competitors, Luke Herker and Garrison Johnson of
Alexandria were two strokes behind, shooting 73s.
In Monday’s opening round matches, there were only two upsets –Jaxn Hacker of Owatonna, the 13th seed, got past the No. 4 seed, Thatcher Sherlin of Glenwood, 1-up; and the 14th seed, Macoy Denny, outlasted the No. 3 seed, Garrison Johnson, 1-up. Johnson was last year’s champion in the Junior 10-12 Division.
Besides the medalist, Esterline, other golfers in
the “elite eight” who will tee it up Wednesday afternoon starting on the 10th hole, include last year’s runner-up, Denny; two former champs in the Junior 10-12 Division – Will Hacker (2021) and Henry Buttwiler (2022); Drew Schiena; Jaxn Hacker; Herker; and Annika Hendrickson.
Here are the results of Monday’s first-round matchesBronx Esterline def. Jameson Geris, 5-4
Drew Schiena def. Gavin Srock, 1-up
Jaxn Hacker def. Thatcher Sherlin, 1-up
Will Hacker def. Jackson Bull, 5-4
Luke Herker def. Bennett Paulsen, 3-1
Annika Hendrickson def. Anders Kompelien, 1-up in 19 holes
Macoy Denny def. Garrison Johnson, 1-up
Henry Buttweiler def. Tyler Cullen, 6-5
JUNIOR DIVISION 13-15 SUNDAY
QUALIFYING RESULTS —
Esterline,
JUNIOR DIVISION 13-15 WEDNESDAY
QUARTERFINALS - 10TH TEE
1:15 p.m.
1:25
1. Bronx
70; 2. Luke Herker, 73; 3. Garrison Johnson, 73; 4. Thatcher Sherlin, 74; 5. Will Hacker, 74; 6. Henry Buttweiler, 74; 7. Annika Hendrickson, 75; 8. Drew Schiena, 77; 9. Gavin Srock, 77; 10. Anders Kompelien, 77; 11. Tyler Cullen, 79; 12. Jackson Bull, 79; 13. Jaxn Hacker, 80; 14. Macoy Denny, 80; 15. Bennett Paulsen, 80; 16. Jameson Geris, 82
- Bronx Esterline vs Drew Schiena; Jaxn Hacker vs. Will Hacker
p.m. - Luke Herker vs. Annika Hendrickson; Macoy Denny vs. Henry Buttweiler
Esterline Scheina Denny Buttweiler J. Hacker W. Hacker Hendrickson Herker
Co-medalists roll on in Junior 10-12 class
BY AL EDENLOFF Alexandria Echo Press
The co-medalists in the Resorters Junior 10-12 Championship Division –Brady Boe and Odin Sherlin – rolled to easy victories in the opening round of match play. They both won by the same margin, 4-3.
The first round of match play on Tuesday contained no big surprises, according to how they were seeded. All eight of the top seeds advanced. There was still plenty of excitement, however.
The George Buttweiler/ Jameson Bull shoot-out lasted through 19 grueling holes before
Buttweiler nailed down the win. And Henry Whiting edged past Drew Hacker after 18 holes.
A new champion will be crowned in the Junior 10-12 Division. Last year’s titlist, Garrison Johnson of Alexandria, competed in the Junior 13-15 Division and was knocked out in the opening round of match play, 1-up.
Starting from hole 10, Boe began his co-medalist run with a bogey followed by a par and another bogey. He made par on No. 13, settled for a bogey on No. 14, and then put together three straight parts on No. 15, 16, and 17. He closed out his round with a bogey on
No. 18 to finish with a 4-over par 40.
Sherlin also bogeyed No. 5 but bounced back with a birdie on No. 11. A bogey on the next hole put him 1-over par. Sherlin made par on the next three holes but ran into some trouble with bogeys on the final three holes, matching Boe’s 40.
Here are the results of the opening round of match play:
- Brady Boe def. Ari Horstman, 4-3
- Henry Whiting def. Drew Hacker, 1-up
- Cole Winkels def. Nolan Rudy, 3-2
- Brody Martinson def.
Jake Sutherlin / Alexandria Echo Press Brady Boe hits a tee shot at the 10th tee at the Alexandria Golf Club on July 29.
FAVORITE GOLF CLUB
WOMEN’S EXECUTIVE
Sullivan takes top seed
ALEXANDRIA — Former MSHSL Class AA High School State Champion (1984) and 2-time Resorters Women’s champion (1985 and 1987) and 2018 Women’s Executive champion, Jodi Sullivan earned the top spot in the 2024 Women’s Executive division at the Resorters Tournament with a round of 2-over par in Monday’s qualifying round at the Alexandria Golf Club. Sullivan, who is originally from Alexandria, posted an impressive fivehole stretch during the round on July 29, with birdies on holes 1, 3, and 5. The No. 2 seed in match play is 2023 champion Krista Bull, who earned an automatic qualification.
the Women’s Executive title in 2007, then after there was no Women’s Executive division from 2008-2016, Aldrich won the next four out of five Women’s Executive titles, winning in 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
WEDNESDAY
The No. 3 seed is Betsy Alrich, who carded a pair of birdies in a 4-over 76 round. Nancy Syverson and Geri Huser both carded 5-over 77’s and will serve as the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds, respectively.
Aldrich is a 5-time Women’s Executive division title winner. She won
Amanda O’Donnell, the 2022 Women’s Executive champion is in this year’s field as well as she is the No. 8 seed.
MONDAY’S QUALIFYING RESULTS
12:25
12:35
12:45
— 1. Jodi Sullivan, 74; 2. Krista Bull, automatic,
defending champion; 3. Betsy Aldrich, 76; 4. Nancy Syverson, 77; 5. Geri Huser, 77; 6. Jessica Kammann, 78; 7. Karla Tessmer-Jones, 79; 8. Amanda O’Donnell, 79; 9. Molly Baker, 79; 10. Andrea Allyn, 80; 11. Heidi Beckendorf, 82; 12. Colleen Boerboom, 83; 13. Lynda Holzemer - 83; 14. Molly Jarrett, 84; 15. Stacy Faith, 85; 16. Jill Schlaak, 86
MATCH PLAY TEE TIMES — 10TH HOLE
12:15 p.m. Jodi Sullivan vs Jill Schlaak; Amanda O’Donnell vs Molly Baker
p.m. Nancy Syverson vs Lynda Holzemer; Geri Huser vs Colleen Boerboom
p.m. Krista Bulls vs Stacy Faith; Karla Tessmer-Jones vs Andrea Allyn
p.m. Betsy Aldrich vs Molly Jarrett; Jessica Kammann vs Heidi Beckendorf
Sullivan
Schlaak
Aldrich Jarrett Huser Boerboom Bull Faith
TessmerJones Allyn
O’Donnell Baker
Kammann Beckendorf Holzemer Syverson
PRO-AM
CONTINUED from J9
and Cranmer, who won the Best Ball 2 of 4 team title with a total of 120.
Michael Larson, Lee Tufvander, Loren Backlund, Thomas Vipond, and Don Berry won the team skins competition.
Gary Locke finished with the lowest net score among the amateurs in the event with a score of 7-under par.
Check out the Echo Press website for all the Resorters Golf Tournament results.
2024 Swedberg Wood Products Pro-Am TOP 10 PROFESSIONALS (gross) - 1. Thomas Campbell, 64; 2. Scott McDonald, 69; T3. Blake Bloedorn, 70; T3. Christopher Borgen, 70; T3. Don Berry, 70; 6. Brady Swedberg, 71; T7. Grant Hanson, 72; T7. Casey Vangsness, 72; T7. Dan Callahan, 72; T7. Lisa Grimes, 72
TOP 10 AMATEURS (gross) - T1. Bryant Black, 70; T1. Ryan Conn, 70; T3. Jack Holtz, 71; T3. Mac Cranmer, 71; T3. Peter Wilson, 71; T6. Lunden Esterline, 72; T6. Andrew Olson, 72; T6. Noah Holtzman, 72; T6. Lukas Bigger, 72; T6. Max Thrune, 72
Email sports and outdoors editor Sam Stuve at sstuve@echopress.com
Ryan Conn hits a tee shot during the Pro-Am at the 103rd Resorters Tournament at the Alexandria Golf Club on Saturday.
Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press
MEN’S GRAND MASTERS
Robert Chelsey leads the pack by three strokes
Chelsey cards a 75
BY JAKE SUTHERLIN Alexandria Echo Press
ALEXANDRIA – On his 2024 Resorters player information form, Robert Chelsey listed his golf accomplishment as being able to walk all 18 holes without a respirator. Well, in Monday’s first round of qualifying for the Grand
Masters tournament, Chelsey showed that he’s got more than just a pair of decent lungs - he’s got a decent golf swing, too.
Chelsey finished his round with a 4-over 75 that included back-to-back birdies on holes 1 and 2. He will enter Wednesday’s second round of qualifying with a three-stroke lead over second-place Dave Harris who carded a lone birdie on hole 9 and finished with a 7-over 78.
Clayton Pike finished in
third with a 9-over 80; Tom Schoenrock placed fourth with an 11-over 82, and Chris Christensen and Kenneth Riesberg tied for fifth with 12-over 83’s.
MONDAY’S QUALIFYING RESULTS – 1.
Robert Chelsey, 75; 2. Dave Harris, 78; 3. Clayton Pike, 80; 4. Tom Schoenrock, 82; T-5. Chris Christensen, Kenneth Riesberg, 83; 7. Randy Johnson, 84; T-8. Gary Ekdahl; Skip Madsen, Michael Golden, 86; 11. Alan Grundei, 91; 12. George Mikesh, 92; WD - Gary Obele, 106; WD - John Zoutendyk
WEDNESDAY QUALIFYING (ROUND
2) — 10TH TEE –
6:49 a.m. - Gary Ekdahl, Skip Madsen, Michael Golden, George Mikesh
6:58 a.m. - Chris Christensen, Kenneth Riesberg, Randy Johnson, Alan Grundei
7:07 a.m. - Robert Chelsey, Dave Harris, Clayton Pike, Tom Schoenrock
Jacques Wilson earns medalist honor at U.S. Amateur qualifier
BY SAM STUVE
Alexandria Echo Press
The reigning Resorters
Tournament Men’s champion, Jacques Wilson, managed the wind better than anyone at a local US
Amateur Championship qualifier at Dacotah Ridge Golf Club in Morton on Wednesday, June
in Morton
26, as he posted a new course record with a round of 64 (8-under par) to earn the medalist honor.
“It feels great,” Wilson told the Minnesota Golf Association’s Jack Mendesh after his round on June 26 round. “We stuck to our game plan. This is my 7th or 8th U.S. Am Qualifier out here, so I am very comfortable
Ekdahl
Golden
Johnson
Madsen Riesberg
Grundei Chelsey Pike Harris Schoenrock
Mikesh Christensen
MEN’S REGULAR
Riley Larson, Michael Herzog shoot 1-under to lead Men’s Regular division qualifying
Larson will be the No. 1 seed in the match play bracket, while Herzog will be the No. 2 seed
BY SAM STUVE Alexandria Echo Press
ALEXANDRIA— Two golfers shot under par in Sunday’s qualifying round for the Men’s Regular division at the 103rd Resorters Tournament: Riley Larson and Michael Herzog.
Larson and Herzog both finished 1-under par (70) on July 28, 2024, at the Alexandria Golf Club.
Larson, who won the Men’s Regular title in 2022, birdied the first, eighth, 13th, and 16th hole on Sunday.
Larson is a Minnewaska High School graduate who is entering his sophomore year and is a
member of the University of Sioux Falls men’s golf team.
In his first match of the match play bracket on Wednesday at 8:55 a.m., Larson will take on a current Minnewaska Laker, the No. 16 seed Zachary Gugisberg.
Larson isn’t the only former champion in this field. Peter Dierks, who is the No. 10 seed after shooting a round of 72 on Sunday, won the Junior 13-15 title in 2012, and Charlie Moen, who is the No. 4 seed following a
round of 1-over par on Sunday, won the Junior 10-12 division title in 2018. Herzog, who had birdies on holes No. 1, 2, 12, and 15 on Sunday, will battle the No. 15 seed Chase Triebenbach of Osakis on Wednesday at 8:55 a.m. Triebenbach placed 33rd at the MSHSL Class AA Individual State Championship this past June.
One of the best high school golfers in the state, Lakeview senior Carson Boe, is the No. 12 seed in this bracket after a round
of 73 on Sunday. Boe finished second in the MSHSL Class A Individual Tournament as a junior in June.
Boe will battle Alexandria sophomore Blake Scholl on Wednesday. Scholl was one of three golfers, along with Aidan Johnson and Charlie Moen, to shoot even par in Sunday’s qualifying round.
Other golfers from the Alexandria area that have advanced to the 16-man match play bracket at the No. 7 seed Josh Sherlin,
who, as a high schooler at Minnewaska High School, won the MSHSL Class A individual title in 2000, the No. 11 seed Aaron Nack out of Osakis, the No. 13 seed Drew Imdieke of Osakis and the No. 14 seed Drew Swedberg out of Alexandria.
A couple of golfers in this division earned eagles on Sunday. Imdieke did it on the par 5 6th hole, while Kendell Banyai, who is the No. 8 seed in this division, birdied the par 5 12th hole.
Banyai was last the runner-up in this division in 2023, losing in the finals to Max Coatta in a playoff (20 holes total).
Rounding out the topsix seeds in the division is Chase Keimig, who shot 1-over par to get the No. 6 seed. Keimig is one
of three golfers named Chase in the first flight of this division along with Triebenbach, Chase Hoops is the No. 9 seed in this division.
Johnson had seven birdies in his round on Sunday.
with the golf course. I didn’t know that was the course record. I was just focused on what was in front of me.”
Wilson birdied the first three holes and then birdied the sixth hole to put himself at 4-under through six holes. Wilson then birdies holes 10, 12, 13, and 14 to move to 8-under par. Wilson didn’t have a single score above par on his card.
Wilson won the medalist honor by three strokes over Jacob Pedersen of Excelsior.
With winning this medalist honor, Wilson is moving on to the 36-hole 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship at the Chaska
Golf Course and Hazeltine National Golf Club, both of which are in Chaska, on Aug. 12-18. Wilson lives in Charleston, South Carolina, but grew up in Minnetonka. Wilson calls the Chaska Town Course his home course.
“It means a lot to Minnesota golf, having the U.S. Am at Hazeltine and Chaska Town Course,” Wilson said to Mendesh. “I grew up playing Chaska Town Course, that’s my home course, so for it to be out there is very special.”
Wilson is one of 12 golfers from this round who qualified for the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship.
One of those 12 golfers is Alexandria alum Bryce Hanstad.
Hanstad placed fourth in the local qualifier with a round of 70 (2-under par). Hanstad had five birdies and 11 pars in his round.
Recent Alexandria graduate Jack Holtz also competed in the local qualifier. Holtz finished with a round of 74, just missing out on qualifying for or being an alternate for the US Amateur by two strokes. Holtz had two birdies and 13 pars in his round.
Ryan Conn of the Alexandria Golf Club had a round of 75 with four birdies and seven pars in his round.
MEN’S REGULAR 1ST FLIGHT
WEDNESDAY TEE TIMES –1ST TEE –
8:55 a.m. - Riley Larson vs. Zachary Gugisberg; Kendell Banyai vs. Chase Hoops
9:04 a.m. - Charlie Moen vs. Drew Imdieke; Blake Scholl vs. Carson Boe 10TH TEE –
8:55 a.m. - Michael Herzog vs. Chase Triebenbach; Josh Sherlin vs. Peter Dierks
9:04 a.m. - Aidan Johnson vs. Drew Swedberg; Chase Keimig vs. Aaron Nack
Email sports and outdoors editor Sam Stuve at sstuve@echopress.com
Holtz’s high school teammate and current Kansas Jayhawk Braeden Sladek competed in the qualifying round and had a round of 77. He had 13 pars in his round. Email
and outdoors editor Sam Stuve at
MEN’S REGULAR 1ST FLIGHT QUALIFIERS – 1. Riley Larson, 70; 2. Michael Herzog, 70; 3. Aidan Johnson, 71; 4. Charlie Moen, 71; 5. Blake Scholl, 71; 6. Chase Keimig, 72; 7. Josh Sherlin, 72; 8. Kendell Banyai, 72; 9. Chase Hoops, 72; 10. Peter Dierks, 72; 11. Aaron Nack, 73; 12. Carson Boe, 73; 13. Drew Imdieke, 73; 14. Drew Swedberg, 74; 15. Chase Triebenbach, 74; 16. Zachary Gugisberg, 75
Larson Gugisberg
Johnson Swedberg
Scholl Boe Herzog Triebenbach
Sherlin Dierks
Banyai Hoops
Keimig Nack
Imdieke Moen
Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press Jacques Wilson lines up a putt on the 1st green at Alexandria Golf Club on Aug. 5, 2023. Wilson made the putt to win the men’s title at the 102nd Resorterts Tournament over Lukas Bigger. On June 26, 2024, Wilson shot 8-under par to earn the medalist honor at a 2024 US Amateur qualifying tournament.
GOLF
Luke Aabel, Zach Kier win Lakes to Links Member-Guest Tournament
Karla Jones, Marlena Grant
win AGC Women’s Member-Guest Tournament
BY SAM STUVE
Alexandria Echo Press
ALEXANDRIA— The Alexandria Golf Club has been busy as of late hosting Member/Guest Tournaments.
Most recently, the club hosted its Lakes to Links Member/Guest tournament from July 11-13.
Luke Aabel (member) and his guest Zach Kier won the title on Saturday, July 13. The duo earned a close win over Carl Vaagenes and his guest, Tim Bush, to win the title.
Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press
From left to right, Tim Bush (Carl’s guest), Carl Vaagenes (member), Luke Aabel (member) and Zach Kier (Luke’s guest) take a picture on the 9th green at the Alexandria Golf Club after the Lakes to Links MemberGuest Tournament on July 13. Aabel and Kier won the title, while Bush and Vaagenes finished second.
Vaagenes and Bush were one of the two wild card teams to get to the final round, with Craig Crosby and Karl
Hammerstorm being the other.
13 other teams qualified for the finals:
• Andrew Lindberg and
Contributed photo
From left to right - Marlena Grant (guest), Karla Jones (member), Teri Martin (member), and Ruth Larson (guest) take a picture at the Alexandria Golf Club on July 10 at the AGC Women’s Member-Guest Tournament. Grant and Jones won the gross division title while Martin and Larson won the net title.
Max Cranmer
• Jon Freeman and Stefan Freeman
• Steve Cummings and
Jack Cummings
• Sam Steidl and Nate Wright
• Brian Johnson and
Brian Duroche
• Steve Black and Joe Solo
• Andrew Essleman and Daniel Essleman
• Toby Weibye and Jerrod Ochsendorf
• Craig Erickson and Scott Erickson
• Nate Meyer and Bov Meyer
• Steve Siddy and Joe Siddy
• John Saxon and Gary Lambert
• Jeff Syvrud and Steve Syvrud
In the skills competition, Bryant Black won the putting contest by beating out Luke Filkowski, Andrew Lindberg, Scott Stockmoe, and Chris Cattoor. Jim Kuhn won the put closest to the pin challenge while Black finished second and
MeMber-Guest on J23
Clayton Pike serves honorary starter, Doug Dobmeier honorary chairman
BY SAM STUVE Alexandria Echo Press
ALEXANDRIA— From July 28 to Aug. 3, hundreds of golfers from across the United States will gather in Alexandria for the 103rd Resorters Tournament.
On Tuesday, July 30, two people with strong ties to the Resorters Tournament were honored: Clayton Pike and Doug Dobmeier.
Pike served as the honorary starter, while Dobmeier was the honorary chairman. These two were recognized at a ceremony on the first tee box at the Alexandria Golf Club on Tuesday, July 30. Pike gets things started Pike has become a familiar face at the Resorters Tournament. In 2023, he was a semifinalist in the Men’s Grand Master’s division.
Pike’s ceremonial tee shot will kick off the match play portion of the Resorters Tournament for most brackets in the tournament.
“I was shocked,” Pike said about getting the honor. “I’ve seen that the honor goes to somebody who’s won a couple of Resorters year after year. It’s gone to guys like George Cliff and Dave Harris. So, I never thought my name would be in the mix because, unfortunately, I haven’t won a division. I played in the finals a few times. I’ve won individual matches against many guys who have won divisions. To have this honor is very special.”
Pike, originally from Austin, Minnesota, graduated from South Dakota State University and worked for BaumbachHolvorson Drug in 1965. One of the first golfers
much as he has playing in them.
Pike began playing golf as a 13-year-old down in Austin.
Pike played with when moving to Alexandria was Myron ‘Hap’ Rose, the father of Jerry Rose, a former Alexandria Golf Club president and the current chairman of the Resorters Tournament.
“I met Jerry and Greg [Rose] through Hap, and that summer [of 1965] was kind of special,” Pike said. “It was my third Resorters, and I was the club champion earlier in the year.”
Pike’s first Resorters tournament was in 1963.
In 1964, he brought along some of his college teammates at South Dakota State to play in that year’s Resorters Tournament.
“We were good,” Pike said. “We won the North Central Conference and played 10th at nationals. The tournament in 1964 was pretty much between
our group and a group of guys from the University of Minnesota. Les Peterson from the University of Minnesota won it that year. That was his first.”
Pike has lived in Billings, Montana, since 1977 but frequently returns to Alexandria for the Resorters Tournament.
Pike said he keeps coming back for the tournament because of the people and what the community offers.
“This isn’t just a golf tournament,” Pike said. “It’s great to get back the lakes, the fishing, the boating, the swimming pool and whatnot. There isn’t a child that doesn’t like something here. It’s a great family vacation.”
Throughout his years participating in the Resorters Tournament, Pike said he’s enjoyed watching matches as
Pike was a left-handed golfer, but there were only right-handed clubs in his garage as a kid. Nonetheless, Pike began swinging the club in his parent’s backyard.
Eventually, Pike ran into a problem: He lost the only golf ball they had. So, to fix this problem, he went half a mile down the road to the Austin Country Club to search for more balls.
“I thought that if I down the road to the country club, I could find a ball,” Pike said. “So I went over there, and sure enough, I found one ball, then another, and another. Eventually, two or three times a week, I’d find balls. Finally, the golf pro caught me one day and said, ‘Son, you can’t be over here,’ so I left.”’
Pike wasn’t deterred as
he came back the next day in search of more balls. He once was again caught the next day by the country club’s head pro.
Pike said that the head pro eventually offered him a position as a caddy. This was his entrance into golf.
He would eventually go on to play college golf at South Dakota State, become a board member of the Yellowstone Country Club in Billings for 15 years, and be a regular in the Resorters.
On top of that, Pike said for 25 years, he was a chairman of the “roundup,” which is the big tournament held at the Yellowstone Country Club.
Pike said the family aspect keeps people coming back to the Resorters tournament.
“You start as a young person, probably trying to make a name for yourself in golf, playing in tournaments like this,”
Pike said. “As you get older, you come back with family, and that’s what it’s all about. It’s much harder to be competitive because you’re doing many other things. But that’s what keeps you coming back. The Resorters is special in two ways: You can bring the family up here and have a fantastic week. And you can play match play, which is hard to find.”
Dobmeier honored to be honorary chairman
Dobmeier hasn’t played in a Resorters Tournament but has played a big role in the tournament in recent years.
Dobmeier was the AGC president from 2016-2018 and began helping Jerry Rose with the Resorters tournament. His first Resorters Tournament was in 2016. Fast forward to 2024, and Dobmeier will be the
Al Edenloff / Alexandria Echo Press Doug Dobmeier (left) with Resorters Tournament chairman Jerry Rose (right)
Al Edenloff / Alexandria Echo Press
Doug Dobmeier (back row fear left) and Clayton Pike (back row purple shirt) take a group photo with friends and family at the honorary starter and chairman ceremony at the 103rd Resorters Tournament on July 30, 2024, at the Alexandria Golf Club. Dobmeier is the honorary chairman for the tournament while Pike is the honorary starter.
MEMBERGUEST
CONTINUED
from J21
Aabel finished third.
The Women’s
CONTINUED from J22
honorary chairman of the 103rd Resorters Tournament.
“I was at first surprised, but now I am very honored, humbled, and privileged,” Dobmeier said. “My involvement with the tournament has been working it and doing what Jerry Rose needs me to do.”
Dobmeier has been the primary start for the qualifying rounds at Geneva Golf Club in recent years.
Dobmeier’s start with the Resorters Tournament was with stocking food and beverages.
“I was making sure the cooler was stocked, doing what it took to ensure we had food and beverages at the stands, and ensuring we had enough initial inventory in the coolers,” Dobmeier said.
With his involvement in the tournament, Dobmeier has witnessed the behind-the-scenes work ensuring the tournament runs smoothly.
“You have to be sure there’s enough food and beverages,” he said. “The
Member-Guest tournament was held on Wednesday, July 10.
Karla Jones (member) and her guest, Marlena Grant, won the net title with a score of 59.
key people who are running the show that day need the product that is needed. For the tents, there are hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks, and all that stuff. Probably the most difficult thing is what Jerry Rose does with just getting everybody lined up for qualifying the tee times. With over 500 players, I don’t know how he does it. Then, of course, the weather could change things. You also have to get enough golf carts and volunteers.”
Dobmeier is originally from Olivia, Minnesota. He grew up playing football, baseball, basketball, and golf.
Planning for the Resorters Tournament starts 11 months before the tournament starts. Scott Anderson organizes the volunteers and leads the effort.
He went on to play college for the University of Minnesota in 1972; then he went to Southwest Minnesota State, where he played baseball, basketball, and football for a year. In his final two years of college, he only played baseball.
Teri Martin (member) and her guest, Ruth Larson, placed second with a net score of 62.
The team of Sarah Hnath and Kathy Brown finished second, while
After college, he settled in Fargo, North Dakota, where he lived for about 30 years. There, Dobmeier began a career in hospitality management.
Dobmeier said he was a member for 15 years before becoming the club president in 2016.
“We had a cabin here and would go back and forth between here and Fargo,” Dobmeier said. “Jerry and I got on the board simultaneously in 2016.”
One of Dobmeier’s favorite aspects of the tournament is seeing familiar faces return each year for the tournament.
“With this tournament being over 100 years old, there are players that have been here for many years,” Dobmeier said.
“You see many of your friends playing, which is nice.”
Dobmeier’s grandchildren, Weston Nyberg and Nolan Rudy played in the Resorters last year. In addition to them, Dobmeier’s nephew Craig Crosby is set to play in the Resorters this year.
“He (Craig) has two sons that are playing in
Jan Esala and Wendy Nelson placed third, Judy Panek and Jane Case placed fourth, Tammy Van Orsdel and Susan Mackay placed fifth, and Vanessa
it, so for me, this tournament is becoming what it has been for other people with family playing in it,” Dobmeier said.
Over the past decade, Dobmeier has been involved in the tournament, and he said its size and environment have blossomed.
The tournament has grown so much that qualifying rounds have had to be played at Geneva Golf Club in the last two tournaments and this year.
Dobmeier said the pace of play at the tournament has improved over the years.
In his time with the Resorters Tournament, Dobmeier has helped create a welcoming environment that has and could keep players coming back for many years.
“The first thing we needed to figure out (back in 2016) was how do we create a welcoming atmosphere,” Dobmeier said. “We want people to come eat and play here. We’re a semi-private club, so getting people back out here and involved is huge. The members have been tremendous not only with getting memberships but
Bruggeman and Rose Lambrose placed sixth.
Cathy Klick and Lauren Klick earned second in gross score (75).
The Women’s MemberGuest Tournament was a memory of Carol Meyer benefitting West Central Minnesota Communities Action.
Email sports and outdoors editor Sam Stuve at sstuve@echopress.com
30, 2024.
with the Resorters, too. Without them and the volunteers, the tournament wouldn’t be nearly what it is today.”
Email sports and outdoors editor Sam Stuve at sstuve@echopress.com
Al Edenloff / Alexandria Echo Press Clayton Pike (right) with Resorters Tournament chairman Jerry Rose (left) at the Alexandria Golf Club on July
MEN’S CHAMP
CONTINUED from J3
Holtzman, Lunden Esterline, and Adkins all know each other thanks to Lunden’s mother, Sabrina Esterline.
Sabrina Esterline is the U.S. Kids Golf Local Tour Director in Wichita, Kansas.
Holtzman is staying with the Esterline family this week in Alexandria.
“They’ve been great, and I appreciate them having me up here,” Holtzman said.
“It’s a good time,” Lunden said. “If we’re not playing here, we’re fishing.”
The Esterline family
isn’t the only tie that Holtzman has to the Alexandria area.
Holtzman’s college roommate in the most recent school year was former Alexandria standout and 2021 Resorters Men’s Division champion Braeden Sladek. Sladek will also be a sophomore in college in the fall.
“We got pretty close just through being on the same team and obviously being roommates,” Holtzman said. “We’re good buddies.”
Holtzman, Lunden Esterline, Adkins, and 28 others, Sladek has moved on to the match play portion of the Men’s Championship division.
Sladek is the No. 15
seed in the bracket and faces the No. 18 seed, South Dakota’s Lance Hamak, on Wednesday. Holtzman faces the No. 32 seed, James Mendel, in the first match play round on Wednesday afternoon. Mendel, who will be a sophomore at Augustana College in the fall, got into the men’s championship bracket, as did the No. 30 seed, Esten Stensrud, and No. 31 seed, Tyler Seeling.
Lunden Esterline opens the match play portion of the tournament with a tilt against the No. 29 seed Ryan Conn. Conn tied fellow Alexandrian Bryant Black for the lowamateur title at 1-under par at the Swedberg Wood
Products Pro-Am on Saturday.
Jacques Wilson is the reigning champion in this division and used his automatic exemption to get the No. 2 seed in the bracket.
Wilson, a two-time Resorters men’s champion, faces the No. 31 seed, Seeling, in the first match play round on Wednesday. After shooting 7-over par on Sunday, Seeling shot a round of 70 (1-under par) on Tuesday.
Davis Johnson, Mack Farley, Nate Adams, Thomas Gutzmer, Zach Rouleau, and Nate Deziel round out the top 10 seeds in this year’s men’s division. These six also shot under par on Tuesday.
Adams and Gutmzer had the lowest qualifying rounds, finishing with 66s.
Johnson and Farley are the No. 3 and 5 seeds, respectively, after shooting 5-under par in the qualifying rounds.
Adams and Gutzmer shot 3-under in the qualifying rounds to get the No. 7 and No. 8 seed, respectively. Adams finished runner-up in the men’s division in 2018.
Rouleau, who plays at college at St. Thomas, shot 2-under in qualifying to get the No. 9 seed.
Deziel won the Men’s division title at the 100th Birchmont Tournament inBemidji on July 27. After shooting 1-under par in qualifying, he’s the No. 10 seed in this year’s Resorters Tournament.
Nick Jarrett, the 2022 Men’s division runner-up, is one of the many past runner-ups in the mix for this year’s tournament.
15. Braeden Sladek, 145; 16. Nick Jarrett, 145; 17. Jack Holtz, 146; 18. Lance Hamak, 146; 19. Dylan Baker, 146; 20. Will Harris, 147; 21. Logan Hamak, 147; 22. Gabe Weller, 147; 23. Lukas Bigger, 147; 24. Skyler Gish, 147; 25. Andrew Lindberg, 147; 26. Gannon Walsh, 147; 27. Danny Renner, 149; 28. Connor O’Hara, 149; 29. Ryan Conn, 149; 30. Esten Stensrud, 150; 31. Tyler Seeling, 150; 32. James Mendel, 150 WEDNESDAY MATCH PLAY MATCHES –1ST TEE –1:05 p.m. - Noah Holtzman vs. James Mendel; Nick Jarrett vs. Jack Holtz 1:15 p.m. - Thomas Gutzmer vs. Andrew Lindberg; Zach Rouleau vs. Skyler Gish 1:25 p.m. - Lunden Esterline vs. Ryan Conn; Max Thrune vs. Will Harris 1:35 p.m. - Mack Farley vs. Connor O’Hara; Samuel Tukey vs. Logan Hamak 1:45 p.m. - Jacques Wilson vs. Tyler Seeling; Braeden Sladek vs. Lance Hamak 1:55 p.m. - Nate Adams vs. Gannon Walsh; Nate Deziel vs. Lukas Bigger 2:05 p.m. - Davis Johnson vs. Esten Stensrud; Sean Lehman vs. Dylan Baker; 2:15 p.m. - Ty Adkins vs. Danny Renner; Lincoln Johnson vs. Gabe Weller Email sports and outdoors editor Sam Stuve at sstuve@echopress.com
holes to quickly go 3-up and added another win with par on No. 6 to go 4-up.
After halving the next two holes with par, Dutoit ran into trouble on No. 9 with a double-bogey, which gave Hjortness a comfortable five-hole lead at the turn.
Both golfers parred Nos. 10 and 11 and Dutoit
won his first hole, a birdie No. 12, but it was too little too late. Hjortness once again took advantage of Dutoit’s bogeys on Nos. 13 and 14 to seal a 6-up match.
Lehman def. Frieburg, 1-up
A well-played match between two cagey Resorters veterans. That sums up the battle between Rick Frieburg and Jim Lehman. The match had a little bit of everything – momentum
swings, crucial birdies, a slow comeback and lastminute turnaround.
Frieburg jumped out to an early lead, taking the first hole with a birdie. They matched pars on the next three holes and Frieburg built on to his lead when Lehman bogeyed No. 5.
Lehman answered with a birdie win on No. 6 only to lose the next hole with a bogey. Both golfers halved Nos. 8 and 9, which kept Frieburg’s
2-up lead intact. It didn’t last too long.
Frieburg was dragged down by back-to-back bogeys on Nos. 10 and 11, which deadlocked the match. They both birdied the par-5 12th and swapped pars on the next two holes to keep the match tied.
Lehman knocked down a birdie on No. 15 to take his first lead in the match. But it wasn’t over yet. Frieburg capitalized on Lehman’s bogey on
No. 16 and the match was tied again.
Lehman, looking for some magic, found it on the par-3 17 with a birdie to put him 1-up.
Lehman made par on No. 18 and Frieburg was unable to come up with a birdie, giving Leman a hard-fought 1-up victory.
MONDAY’S QUALIFYING RESULTS
WEDNESDAY
8:10
8:19
8:28 a.m.
He’s the No. 16 seed and faces the No. 17 seed Jack Holtz on Wednesday. MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING RESULTS – 1. Noah Holtzman, 137; 2. Jacques Wilson (automatic, defending champion); 3. Davis Johnson, 139; 4. Lunden Esterline, 139; 5. Mack Farley, 139; 6. Ty Adkins, 139; 7. Nate Adams, 140; 8. Thomas Gutzmer, 141; 9. Zach Rouleau, 142; 10. Nate Deziel, 143; 11. Lincoln Johnson, 144; 12. Samuel Tukey, 144; 13. Max Thrune, 145; 14. Sean Lehman, 145;
Holtzman Mendel
Farley O’Hara
Rouleau Gish
Sladek La. Hamak
Esterline Conn Thrune Harris
Adams Walsh Deziel Bigger
D. Johnson Stensrud
L. Johnson Weller Lehman Baker Adkins Renner
Jarrett Holtz
Tukey Lo. Hamak
Lindberg Gutzmer
Seeling Wilson
—1. Chris Haugen - 69; 2. Jon Freeman - Automatic; 3. Curtis Howard - 70; 4. Daniel Ystebo - 70; 5. Cory Schultz - 71; 6. Eric Hjortness - 71; 7. Mark Lindberg - 71; 8. Larry Montplaisir - 71; 9. Greg Peterson - 72; 10. Joe Whitbeck - 72; 11. Rick Frieburg - 72; 12. Chris Ramberg73; 13. Stefan Freeman - 74; 14. Chad Marlow - 74; 15. Mike Larson - 74; 16. Eric
Heimsness - 74; 17. Justin Cattoor - 75; 18. Bill Nettleton - 75; 19. Steve Berg - 75; 20. Chad Johnson - 75; 21. Jeff Nygaard - 76; 22. Jim Lehman - 76; 23. Matt Davis - 76; 24. Corey Peterson - 77; 25. Brant McLeod - 77; 26. Jeff Pederson - 77; 27. Dana Dutoit - 78; 28. Dan DeLozier - 78; 29. Todd Schneiderhan - 78; 30. Peter Bright - 78; 31. Eric Peterson - 79; 32. Alan Hagen - 79
MATCH PLAY1ST TEE8:01 a.m. Chris Haugen vs Eric Heimsness; Brant McLeod vs Corey Peterson
a.m. Daniel Ystebo vs Chad Johnson; Cory Schultz vs Chris Ramberg
a.m. Jon Freeman vs Mike Larson; Mark Lindberg vs Joe Whitbeck
Curtis Howard vs Steve Berg; Eric Hjortness vs Jim Lehman
Odin Sherlin watches his tee shot at the 10th tee at the Alexandria Golf Club on July 29.
Jake Sutherlin / Alexandria Echo Press
Paxton Beste, 3-1
- Odin Sherlin def. Dominic Palm, 4-3
- George Buttweiler def. Jameson Bull, 1-up in 19 holes
- Mac Zauhar def. Ross Anderson, 2-1
- Graham Berg def. Ryder Conder, 2-1
JUNIOR DIVISION 10-12 SUNDAY
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Boe Sherlin Martinson
Buttweiler Zauhar Berg
Whiting Winkels
1. Brady Boe, 40; 2. Odin Sherlin, 40; 3. Mac Zauhar, 43; 4. Cole Winkels, 45; 5. Brody Martinson, 46; 6. Graham Berg, 46; 7. George Buttweiler, 48; 8. Henry Whiting, 49; 9. Drew Hacker, 50; 10. Jameson Bull, 50; 11. Ryder Conder, 50; 12. Paxton Beste, 52; 13. Rudy Nolan, 52; 14. Ross Anderson, 57; 15. Dominic Palm, 59;
Cole Winkels vs Brody Martinson
p.m. - Odin Sherlin vs. George Buttweiler; Mac Zauhar vs Graham Berg
