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Kringen claims first career championship MINNESOTA PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Sports Writer NISSWA - Bill Israelson's lack of confidence finally caught up to him Tuesday.
The 52-year-old struggled with a second-round 80 to finish tied for 31st in the Minnesota PGA Professional Championship at Grand View Lodge's The Pines.
While Israelson faded, Jeff Kringen only got better. The head professional at Spring Hill Golf Course in Wayzata followed his opening-round 70 with a 5-under 67 to win his first championship with a 137.
Don Berry of Edinburgh USA fired a 4-under 68 Tuesday to land in second with a 141. Craig Brischke of Tanners Brook and David Tentis of Troy Burne tied for third with 143s.
"The key was really the tee ball, driver and 3-wood," said Kringen. "I really didn't hit anything out of play so that certainly made the golf course a lot easier.
"The course set up to my eye. It's not a long golf course so I was able to hit some 3-woods and hybrids off the tee and just kind of kept it in play. My putter was really good. I made a lot of key putts. I didn't make anything real long, but hit some good iron shots and took advantage of the putts."
Kringen shot 2-under on the difficult Lakes Course and carded four birdies and a bogey on the Woods. He finished with three straight pars to earn $4,500 and a trip to the French Lick, Ind. for the 2010 PGA Professional Championship.
"I wasn't very confident coming in," Kringen said. "I had only played one other tournament this year. I just have not played that much this year so my expectations were pretty low. But then the ball was coming off solid and the putts were going where I wanted them to."
Jack Wawro just missed out on his goal of finishing in the top 25. The head professional at The Pines tied for 27th after shooting 78-74 for a 152. The top 25 earn an exception into the State Open.
After opening with a bogey 5, Wawro birdied the next two holes to sit at 1-under. Four straight bogeys were followed by a birdie and eight straight pars.
Wawro played the par 5s at even, a disappointing statistic for him.
Israelson went from fine to bad by the second hole and never got back on track. He finished with five bogeys and a triple bogey.
Greg Snow of Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge improved by five strokes from Monday. He fired an 81 to finish with a 167 and tie for 77th with Eric Peterson, director of golf at Grand View Lodge. Peterson followed his first-round 84 with an 83.
"The golf course was set up a little tougher today," said Peterson. "The pins were a little more challenging on the Lakes Course."
Chuck Klecatsky slipped a little as he fired a second-round 90. He finished tied for 93rd with a 173.
Mark Neva shaved off eight strokes from his opening round for an 83. He placed 96th with a 174.
Only six players broke par Tuesday on the Lakes and Woods compared to eight on Monday. That pleased Peterson, who said the course has really grown into a different course since it last hosted the Championship in the 1995 and 1996 seasons.
"The golf course has changed so dramatically in the last five to eight years," said Peterson. "To see the golf course hold up to the best players in the section under great conditions, the golf course held up tremendously well."
Top 10
1-Jeff Kringen, Spring Hill 70-67 - 137
2-Don Berry, Edinburgh USA 73-68 - 141
3t-Craig Brischke, Tanners Brook 72-71 - 143
3t-David Tentis, Troy Burne 69-74 - 143
5t-Mike Barge, Hazeltine National 75-69 - 144
5t-Jeff Sorenson, Columbia Golf 72-72 - 144
7t-Todd Kolb, Willow Run 75-70 - 145
7t-Aaron Jacobson, Rush Creek 70-75 - 145
9t-Jay Norman, Dellwood Hills 74-72 - 146
9t-Jason Sudenga, Bakker Crossing 73-73 - 146
9t-Ty Armstrong, Glen Lake 70-76 - 146
9t-Mike Zinni, Mankato 71-75 - 146
Notable players
27t-Jack Wawro, The Pines 78-74 - 152
31t-Bill Israelson, Vintage 73-80 - 153
77t-Greg Snow, Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge 86-81 - 167
77t-Eric Peterson, The Pines 84-83 - 167
93t-Chuck Klecatsky, Legacy at Cragun's 83-90 - 173
96-Mark Neva, Deacon's Lodge 91-83 - 174
JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5856.
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