MGA Makes it Two in a Row at MGA/PGA Cup Matches

By Nick Hunter
nhunter@mngolf.org


  WEST ST. PAUL, Minn. – The last time the Minnesota Golf Association won consecutive titles against the Minnesota Section of the PGA at the MGA/PGA Cup Matches came 10 years ago, when the MGA won three consecutive titles from 2003-05.

After a 24.5 to 15.5 victory for the MGA a year ago, the amateurs officially made it a winning streak Tuesday at Southview Country Club, beating the PGA 26.5 to 13.5, the largest margin of victory for either side since 2011.

The MGA got off to a fast start getting all four points from Claudia Pilot and Leigh Klasse who won both individual matches as well as the four-ball match.

Starting on the par-3 10th hole, Pilot and Klasse won the opening hole with a birdie before taking six consecutive holes, highlighted by Pilot chipping in for birdie on the 17th, then adding a lengthy birdie putt on the 18th as the two would clinch the match on the third hole, 7 and 6.

“We played well together as far as the four-ball match,” Pilot said after her round Tuesday. “I putted well. I made some good putts and we had some great recovery shots because we weren’t always in the fairway. Winning six holes in a row with three birdies kind of sealed it.”

“It was cold out so the ball wasn’t really going. You had to club-up and try to hit more club,” Klasse added. “I chipped well because I didn’t hit many greens on the first nine.”

Jon Empanger and Jerry Rose added another four points for the MGA with a clean sweep over Thomas Vizina and George Smith, giving the MGA an 8-0 lead.

Jesse Bull, the 2014 Minnesota State Amateur Champion, and Troy Johnson, the 2014 MGA Mid-Amateur Champion, increased lead to 12.5-2.5 for the MGA with a third sweep, as the two downed Scott McDonald and Luke Benoit.

McDonald and Benoit took an early lead by winning the second hole, but Bull and Johnson came charging back with a birdie at the par-5 fifth to even the match.

Bull and Johnson took the lead for good with a birdie at the ninth before taking a 2-up lead on the 12th with another birdie. The two would clinch the match on the 16th hole, 3 and 2, as McDonald and Benoit couldn’t get their par putt to fall.

“We both hit some good shot and some bad shots, but all in all it was a solid round for us,” Johnson said. “For me, starting off the year, I putted pretty well—which is usually something I struggle with at the beginning of the year. I made some nice putts and got us on the board with a couple of birdies.”

The year has started pretty slowly for the defending amateur champion as he has not found the time early in the season to work on his game.

“It’s just good to be out there. The [Minnesota Golf Champions] was my second and third rounds of the year and today was my fourth, so I’m just getting going,” Bull said. “I think I made a few birdies today, but expectations were pretty low. It’s just fun to be out here playing golf again so I wasn’t going to be too nitpicky about my game.”

The twosome of Bull and Johnson has played well together over the last couple seasons due to what Bull calls a similar game.

“We’re usually both in play and we can both find greens, so we didn’t give them too many holes today. One of us was always in it today,” he said.

Overall the MGA won six of the ten four-ball matches but pulled away in the singles matches, winning 13 of 20. The PGA still holds a 27-10 lead over the MGA at the event.

Professional Eric Chiles was one of the bright spots for the PGA as he and partner, Chris Peterson, won their four-ball match, while Chiles defeated Joel B. Johnson in a back and forth battle during the individual match, 1-up.

“Today went alright. I didn’t hit the ball great and it was a little cold but I made a few putts,” Chiles said. “I’m old so I can’t hit the ball very far, but the greens were perfect and I made a lot of putts.”


For complete tournament results go to: www.mngolf.org/Tournament/39th_MGA_PGA_Cup_Matches