A look back at the history of the Resorters

Editors note: This is the third of a four-part series about the history behind the 100th Resorters Golf Tournament. It’s written by Ron Way, a former reporter for the Minneapolis Tribune, who writes occasional opinion columns for the, now, StarTribune. Special thanks to the Douglas County Historical Society for this series.

Part 3: Memorable matches

The Resorters’ golf tournament celebrates its centennial this summer at the Alexandria Golf Club. The tournament’s rich history includes two brotherly matches:

In 1933, ranked amateur Earl Larson and Brother Stan, both of Minneapolis, played 36 holes (then the format) to even. Both birdied the first playoff hole before Stan drove over the second green as Earl’s landed just short for an easy chip to “gimme.” Incredibly, Stan then holed a difficult short pitch to win.

In 1984, Steve Herzog edged his brother, Pat (both now of Alex), on the fourth extra hole in a downpour. Steve’s approach found the green but Pat’s short chip was stopped by a puddle on the soggy surface; Pat missed the resulting longish putt before Steve parred to win. Steve won again in 1993, and Pat in ’82 and ‘86.

Into the 1980s The Resort Circuit was known for eye-popping betting calcuttas, up to $250,000 in current dollars. Kenny Pinns, an outstanding amateur from Las Vegas, won a bundle for those who bought him in calcuttas as he swept The Birchmont, The Resorters, and Pine to Palm in 1965, the only player to win all events in a single year.

And perhaps The Resorters’ most controversial match:

A 23-year-old Californian, Ed Fiori swaggered into town in 1976. Given his star-status at the University of Houston, Fiori was considered the guy to beat even though two PGA-destined players, Bill Israelson of Bemidji and 17-year-old Tom Lehman, were in the field. I played that year and witnessed what may be the wildest tale of The Resort Circuit.

Fiori cruised in early matches before facing 17-year-old Mark Norman of Bloomington in the quarterfinals.

Fiori started early with his trademark intimidation, telling the kid on the first tee he had zero chance. Fiori frequently stopped the match for a picky ruling. One

Fiori complaint was that Norman’s caddie, Joe Stansberry, couldn’t give advice since he played the course that morning (that was true; I was Stansberry’s opponent in the earlier match). The gallery, angered by the gamesmanship, shouted in vain that Fiori shut up.

Incredibly, Fiori was just 1-up at the par-3 17th. Norman hit first to 25 feet and Fiori, ignoring gallery taunts, stroked his tee shot to a few feet. Norman’s putt was true but stopped on the cup’s rim; Fiori said “good” and quickly knocked the ball away. Stansberry went apoplectic, tossing Norman’s bag to the ground and screaming at Fiori that the ball was still moving (no, it wasn’t). Amid bedlam, Fiori tapped for bird and apparent match closeout.

Norman sought a ruling. After a long delay, the USGA confirmed pro John Basten’s decision that a player must be given time to determine his putted ball’s status. The penalty: Fiori lost the hole.

The now-even match was played before a larger, noisier gallery that