By Leah Herzog 

ST. MICHAEL, Minn. – Andrew Israelson came into the final round of the 2023 Minnesota Golf Champions with a 1-shot lead over Jeff Sorenson. 

Israelson just came off a win at the 2023 National Car Rental Minnesota Assistant PGA Championship by finishing 27 holes 6-under par 71-30–101 at Northland Country Club. Israelson also tied for first at the Assistants’ Event #3 hosted at Chaska Town Course with a 2-under par 70. Along with these significant wins, Israelson has found success in the majority of his season by finishing high on the leaderboards.

Israelson played determined on Sunday to break away from the rest of the field. He had a successful start with a bogey free 5-under par front nine.

“I was able to give myself some leeway after shooting 31 on the front.” Israelson stated at the conclusion of his round.

He started the first two holes draining 10 footers for birdies which gave him the confidence he was looking for in the flat stick. His putter remained hot all day long which produced a 6-under par round 0f 66. 

“I had a really nice start with a couple good drives and wedges to give myself some looks,” Israelson said, “I was able to capitalize because I was rolling my putter really good and didn’t really have many downhill putts.” 

Israelson was in contention for the course record, with the need for a couple more birdies after he went eagle, birdie on hole 14 and 15.

With a solid cushion as the leader, Israelson found trouble on his approach shot on hole 16, which resulted in an unfortunate double. This double took him back to -13 for the event.

Despite the double on hole 16, Israelson was able to secure the win by 5-shots over Sorenson and Trent Peterson who both finished 8-underpar and shared runner-up honors. 

Peterson was also awarded Low Amatuer with his 67-69–136. 

The Past Master Champions honors went to Mike Barge who shot 5-under par 69-70–139. Barge also accomplished the satisfaction of shooting his age on Saturday!  

 

NOTEABLES

Israelson and Lucas Johnson shared the low round of the day with 6-under par 66s. 

 

THE 2023 MINNESOTA GOLF CHAMPIONS 

FOX HOLLOW GOLF CLUB

ST. MICHAEL, MINN. 

6,728 YARDS, PAR 72

 

FINAL RESULTS

1. Andrew Israelson (p), Minneapolis Golf Club, 65-66–131

T2. Trent Peterson, Valleywood Golf Course, 67-69–136

T2. Jeff Sorenson (p), The Minikahda Club, 66-70–136

T4. Derek Stendahl (p), Rush Creek Golf Club, 69-68–137

T4. Alex Gaugert (p), PGA Tour, 67-70–137

T6. Ross Miller (p), LeSueur Country Club, 69-69–138

T6. Thomas Campbell (p), Swing Lab Performance Golf, 67-71–138

T8. Lucas Johnson (p), Suite Shots, 73-66–139

T8. Jack Hiemenz (p), Victory Links Golf Course, 70-69–139

T8. Mike Barge (p), Hazeltine National Golf Club, 69-70–139

T8. Trey Fessler (p), Albion Ridges Golf Course, 67-72–139

 

For full tournament results click here: https://mnpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpga23/event/mnpga2394/contest/5/leaderboard.htm