By Leah Herzog 

ST. MICHAEL, Minn. – After the first round of the 2023 Minnesota Golf Champions at Fox Hollow Golf Club, Andrew Israelson is at the top with a 7-under par 65. 

On Saturday, September 30,2023, Israelson got off to a steady start with 3 birdies and an eagle on his first 9 which put him at 4-under par. He was toward the top the entire round and was a co-leader for the first time after his eagle on hole 5. 

Israelson continued to be an on and off co-leader throughout his round until he eventually secured the sole lead at 7-under par after his birdie on hole 16. 

He then made routine pars on holes 17 and 18 to shoot a 7-under par 65.

“I drove it really nicely and was in great position the whole day,” Israelson said at the conclusion of his round. 

Israelson had a steady round with only 1 bogey on his card. “I putted solid,” Israelson said, “But mostly because I gave myself a lot of really nice looks with my wedge game.” 

Following Israelson, Jeff Sorenson made a 6-foot birdie putt on his last hole to finish at a 6-under par 67. He positioned himself in 2nd place and just 1-shot back from the lead.

“I had a few up and downs I had to make on my first 9, and I did.” Sorenson mentioned after his first round. 

There are also 7 players at T-3 shooting 5-under par 67s, one of which is the defending champion, Chris Borgen. 

The leaderboard is congested at the top with multiple underpar rounds. 

Tee times will go from 7:30AM-9:20AM tomorrow! 

 

THE 2023 MINNESOTA GOLF CHAMPIONS 

FOX HOLLOW GOLF CLUB

MICHAEL, MINN. 

6,728 YARDS, PAR 72

 

SATURDAY’S FINAL RESULTS

1. Andrew Israelson (p), Minneapolis Golf Club, 32-33–65

2. Jeff Sorenson (p), The Minikahda Club, 34-32–66

T3. Alex Gaugert (p), PGA Tour, 33-34–67

T3. Trey Fessler (p), Albion Ridges Golf Course, 35-32–67

T3. Thomas Campbell (p), Swing Lab Performance, 32-35–67

T3. Brent Snyder (p), Kilkarney Hills Golf Club, 34-33–67

T3. Jonathan Reigstad (p), Keller Golf Course, 34-33–67

T3. Chris Borgen (p), Lost Spur Golf Course, 35-32–67

T3. Trent Peterson, Valleywood Golf Course, 34-33–67

 

Click here for full Round 1 results: https://mnpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpga23/event/mnpga2394/contest/5/leaderboard.htm