By Nick Hunter

OAKDALE, Minn. – A pair of late birdies Wednesday at Oak Marsh Golf Course helped Minnesota Golf Hall of Famer Don Berry secure his fifth Minnesota Senior PGA Professional Championship, carding a 5-under 135 to claim his first win at the championship since 2020.

Posting an even par 70 during his final round, Berry edged defending champion Eric Chiles by one stroke.

“I felt like I played really good yesterday, and last week I felt like my game was coming around,” Berry said following his victory Wednesday. “It was such a nice day today, I figured somebody had passed us. I knew the birdie on 18 was important, but I had no idea it was to win.

“On the front today, I missed a couple of short birdie putts and didn’t play that great. I three-putted nine, which really set me on a four-hole stretch of weird things—I hit it in the water on a hole.”

The 2024 Senior PGA Professional Championship is set to be played Sept. 24-29 at Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Ore.

Joining Berry at the national championship next month are Eric Chiles, Dale Jones, Bill Israelson, Daniel Callahan and Jason Sudenga.

Carrying a two-stroke advantage over Chiles after a bogey-free 65 Tuesday, Berry played his first eight holes in even par before a three-putt bogey at the ninth put him at 4-under for the championship.

Berry bounced back with a birdie at the par-5 11th, but gave back two strokes with back-to-back bogeys at the 12th and 13th holes.

Taking advantage of the par-5 16th, Berry carded his second birdie of the round before finishing with a birdie at the last to claim a one-stroke victory.

The 62-year-old Minnesota Golf Hall of Fame member claimed three straight titles beginning in 2014, with his most recent victory coming in 2020 at Medina Golf and Country Club.

Chiles, who fired a final-round 67 to beat Bill Israelson and Derek Stendahl by two strokes at Highland National Golf Course last season, opened with a 67 Tuesday to trail Berry by two shots entering the final round Wednesday.

A bogey at the par-4 fourth set Chiles back to 1-under for the tournament, but he’d recover with birdies at the seventh and ninth holes to turn in 1-under for the round.

Giving up a stroke with a bogey at the 13th, Chiles would card one final birdie at the 16th to post a final-round 69 to finish alone in second at 4-under 136.

A final-round 66 helped Dale Jones climb four spots on the leaderboard Wednesday to finish in a tie for third with six-time winner Israelson at 3-under 137.

THE 50TH MINNESOTA SENIOR PGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
OAK MARSH GOLF COURSE
OAKDALE, MINN.
6,179 YARDS, PAR 70

WEDNESDAY’S FINAL RESULTS
1. Don Berry, Edinburgh USA, 65-70—135 (medalist, exempt into 2024 championship)
2. Eric Chiles, Chaska TC, 67-69—136 (qualifier)
T3. Dale Jones, Mendakota CC, 71-66—137 (qualifier)
T3. Bill Israelson, Bemidji T&CC, 69-68—137 (qualifier)
5. Daniel Callahan, Island View GC, 69-69—138 (qualifier)
6. Jason Sudenga, Bluff Creek GC, 71-68—139 (qualifier)
7. Derek Stendahl, Rush Creek GC, 72-68—140
T8. Chris Peterson, Oak Glen GC, 73-69—142
T8. Matt Vandelac, PGA Life Member, 72-70—142
T8. Craig Brischke, Tanners Brook GC, 72-70—142
T8. Lance West, Medina G&CC, 71-71—142

For complete tournament results go to:   https://mnpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpga24/event/mnpga2417/contest/1/leaderboard.htm