Minnesota State Open

The Minnesota State Open is the Minnesota state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Minnesota section of the PGA of America. It was first played in 1917 and has been played at a variety of courses around the state.

History

The first event was held on September 6, 1917. Twenty-four players played in the event. Professional golfer Tom Stevens, who played out of the Minikahda Club in Minneapolis, won the tournament by one stroke.[1]

In 1930, there was one of the more surprising victories. Edward Baening, a golf club salesman, "came out of nowhere" to win the event.[1] During the mid-20th century, Joe Coria and Ade Simonson produced many highlights. In 1934, while still an amateur, Coria won for the first time. In 1940 he won for the second time, his first as a professional. In 1941, Coria and Simonson were the top contenders. Near the end of the tournament, Coria was the clubhouse leader though Simonson, still playing, was near the lead. On the 18th hole Simonson "plopped a shot 60 yards away out of a divot to within a foot of the cup" to assure a playoff with Coria. However, Coria defeated Simonson in the playoff.[1] Coria won the tournament in 1952, his last victory. In 1959, Simonson had a chance to win. He had a four-shot lead going into the final round. However, Simonson made an 8 on the 10th hole of the final round which facilitated his loss to Bill Waryan. It was his seventh and final runner-up finish. Simonson never won the event.[1] During this era, the tournament was held at a variety of courses around the state including Duluth, Mankato, Faribault, and Rochester.[1]

In 1980, the event started to be permanently held at Bunker Hills Golf Club in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.[1] During this year the tournament also started to be sponsored by National Car. It was sponsored by National Car until 1997. During these years, it was known as the National Car Open or, colloquially, as "the Car."[1] From 1998 to 2001, the tournament was sponsored by Best Buy.[1][2]

In 1998, the tournament was preceded by a series of events under the title "Minnesota Golf Week." The events included "a celebrity golf tournament, golf clinics, a junior, senior, and women's championship, entertainment and various fundraisers" followed by the tournament proper.[3]

Around the turn of the century, Australians with golf scholarships at the University of Minnesota have won the tournament. They include James McLean in 1998,[3] Ben Meyers in 2001, and Yu Katayama in 2008.[1]

Since 2009, the event has alternated between Bunker Hills and a different course in the state.[1]

Winners
Year Champion Ref.
Minnesota State Open
2022 Van Holmgren
2021 Cecil Belisle (a)
2020 Angus Flanagan (a) [4]
2019 Brady Madsen (a)
2018 Andrew McCain
2017 Benjamin Greve (a)
2016 Benjamin Greve (a) [5][6]
2015 Andrew McCain (a)
2014 Trent Peterson (a)
2013 Jon DuToit (a)
2012 Ryan Peterson
2011 Troy Johnson (a)
2010 Clayton Rask
2009 Brett Swedberg
2008 Yu Katayama (a)
2007 Kane Hanson [7]
2006 Mike Barge
2005 Jered Gusso [8]
2004 Ty Armstrong
2003 Joe Stansberry [9]
Best Buy Minnesota State Open
2002 David Tentis
2001 Rodney Cook [1]
2000 Ben Meyers (a) [10][11]
1999 Don Berry [1]
1998 James McLean
National Car Open
1997 John Snyder [12]
1996 Andy Brink1 [13]
1995 John Harris [1][5]
1994 John Harris [1][5]
1993 George Shortridge [1]
EDS/National Car Open
1992 Don Berry [14]
National Car Open
1991 Bill Israelson [2]
1990 Tom Lehman [1][15]
1989 Tom Lehman [1][15]
1988 Jon Chaffee1 [12]
1987 Kevin Cashman
1986 Jim Sorenson
1985 Joel Goldstrand1 [16]
1984 Chris Perry1 [17]
1983 Mike Morley [1]
1982 Mike Morley [18]
1981 George Shortridge [16]
1980 Dan Croonquist [1]
Minnesota State Open
1979 Dan Croonquist [1]
1978 Dave Haberle
1977 Ron Benson [1]
1976 Rick Ehrmanntraut [12]
1975 Mike Morley
1974 Ron Benson [1]
1973 Joel Goldstrand
1972 Ron Benson [1]
1971 Clayton Johnson
1970 Dave Haberle
1969 Bob Reith Jr.
1968 Eddie Langert
1967 Clayton Johnson
1966 George Shortridge [16][19]
1965 Dave Gumlia [1]
1964 Dave Gumlia [1]
1963 Joe Sodd
1962 Gene Hansen [1]
1961 Gene Hansen [1]
1960 John Cook
1959 Bill Waryan [1]
1958 Paul O'Leary
1957 Ray Hill
1956 Charles "Pat" Sawyer
1955 Wally Ulrich [1]
1954 Ray Hill
1953 Loren Krugel
1952 Joe Coria [1]
1951 Wally Ulrich
1950 Bill Waryan
1949 Joe Coria
1948 Joe Coria
1947 Wally Ulrich (a) [1]
1946 Wally Ulrich (a) [1]
1945 Joe Coria
1944 Stan Larson
1943 Les Bolstad
1942 Harry Cooper
1941 Joe Coria1 [1]
1940 Joe Coria [1]
1939 Les Bolstad [1]
1938 Les Bolstad [1]
1937 Al Clasen (a) [20]
1936 Charles "Pat" Sawyer [1]
1935 Charles "Pat" Sawyer [1]
1934 Joe Coria (a) [1]
1933 Les Bolstad [1]
1932 Carson "Lee" Herron
1931 No tournament
1930 Edward Baening [1]
1929 Jock Hendry
1928 Jimmy Johnston (a) [1]
1927 Jimmy Johnston (a) [1]
1926 George Smith
1925 Harry Legg (a)
1924 George Smith
1923 Jack Burke Sr.
1922 Tom Stevens
1921 Jack Burke Sr. [1]
1920 Jack Burke Sr. [1]
1919 Jack Burke Sr. [1]
1918 George Sargent
1917 Tom Stevens

Source:[21]

(a) denotes amateur

1 Playoff win

References
  1. Stensaas, Brian (July 21, 2017). "Minnesota State Open: Celebrating 100 Years". Star Tribune. p. C2. Retrieved February 2, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. Mugford, John (July 19, 2000). "Veterans, young pros look to make their mark at Best Buy State Open". Star Tribune. pp. 77–80. Retrieved January 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "19 Jul 1998, Page 37 - Star Tribune at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  4. Zgoda, Jerry (July 21, 2020). "Mastering a mixed bag". Star Tribune. p. C6. Retrieved February 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "22 Jul 2017, C7 -". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 11, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "25 Jul 2016, Page C7 -". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "30 Jul 2007, Page C4 -". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 11, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "23 Apr 2006, Page SA7 -". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 11, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "21 Jul 2003, Page C2 -". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Gophers captain Meyers says better unity can help team win". Star Tribune. September 18, 2000. p. C19. Retrieved January 31, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "24 Jul 2000, Page 27 -". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "19 Jul 1998, Page 38 -". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 11, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "19 Jul 2000, Page 78 -". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 11, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. Roe, Jon (July 27, 1992). "Victory gives Berry a new lease on golf". Star Tribune. p. 2C. Retrieved January 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. "19 Jul 2000, Page 77 -". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 11, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. Roe, Jon (July 29, 1985). "Goldstrand surprised to win National Car Open". Star Tribune. p. 27. Retrieved January 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. "Open". Star Tribune. July 28, 1985. p. 40. Retrieved February 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. Roe, Jon (August 1, 1982). "Israelson leading by 1 stroke at Bunker Hills". Star Tribune. p. 34. Retrieved January 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. "2 Aug 1966, Page 12 - Argus-Leader at Newspapers.com". Retrieved February 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. "4 Jul 1937, Page 21 -". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. "Minnesota State Open Championship – Past Champions". PGA of America – Minnesota section. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
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