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Carlson to defend Shootout crown COMMENTARY Sports Writer The top four players from the inaugural Madden's $10,000 Pine Beach Shootout return for this year's event Sunday at the East Gull Lake resort, including last year's winner John Carlson.
Hoping to knock off the assistant PGA professional from Wayzata Country Club and claim the $7,000 winner's prize will be Baxter's Brad Holland, last year's runner-up, and third-place finisher Curtis Carlson of East Gull Lake.
Jack Wawro, head PGA professional at Grand View Lodge's The Pines, who placed fourth last year, is one of 16 players to return from the first Shootout held on the Pine Beach West and East Courses.
"I would say the field is stronger this year," said Madden's head PGA professional Chris Foley. "One of the top players in the state is playing and there are a lot of good local pros like Jack in the field. Plus, you have Brad Holland and Shawn Chambers who are two of the better amateur players in the area. It should be another strong event."
The Shootout begins with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun on the West. The groups will be paired according to scores and play will begin on the East around 1 p.m. Spectators are welcome.
Dan McCormick, who placed sixth last season, shot a 65 on the Pine Beach East Course to qualify for this year's field of 35. Tom DuBois (8th), Tim Johnson (9th), Greg Snow (10th), Chambers (13th), Eric Peterson (15th), Andrew Kaufman (16th), Kyle Koski (17th), Mike Snow (18th), Lori Money (19th), Mike Pettit (20th) and Alan Kaufman (24th) round out the returners.
Jeff Sorenson's 64 was the low qualifying round on the East Course. Sorenson did not play in last year's event, but won the Minnesota PGA Professional Championship Aug. 28 with rounds of 67-69 at Somerby Golf and Country Club in Byron. He leads the Player of the Year standings for the Minnesota Section PGA.
Koski, head PGA professional at Golden Eagle in Fifty Lakes, shot 65 on the East to qualify as did Eric Stabenow.
The West's low round was Chambers' 64. The former NHL player is coming off his victory at The Pines club championship. He was followed by Holland's 66 and Pettit's 67.
The hottest player might be Tim Johnson, assistant professional at the Legacy Courses at Cragun's. Johnson won the Minnesota TaylorMade Adidas Golf assistant Championship Sept. 2 at Madden's The Classic.
It was Johnson's top finish on the Assistant's Tour. His previous best came Aug. 25 at the Jewel Golf Club, where he tied for third with a 73. He finished the season second on the tour standings.
"I kept the ball between the trees," said Johnson. "I was playing pretty well. That was the best finish that I've had in two years on the tour. I was fairly confident going into the tournament (due to) the fact that The Classic is very similar to the Legacy in that the fairways are tree lined and the greens are fast."
Johnson rattled off six birdies on the back nine, including five straight starting on hole 13 to win by four strokes. A bogey on the final hole was his only hiccup on the back nine.
"I made a few putts down the stretch and that kept me going," he said. "Going into the final hole I knew I had a cushion, so I just didn't want to do anything stupid. I just wanted to hit the fairway, hit the middle of the green and if I had to, three putt. Well, I did three putt."
The win gives Johnson confidence going into his second Shootout. He said his mindset is that he's going to win. With a couple of breaks and continued hot play, he just might; but he does concede that the field is stacked.
"I've played a lot of golf with Joe Kavanaugh this year and his game is very solid," said Johnson. "I'd say him and any of the pros from around here. I've also played with Jeff Sorenson and I know he's a good player."
Qualifying for their first Shootout were Ed Money, Zach Money, Rick Sorenson, Shane Barnes, David Nelson, Janice DuBois, Terry Gallaher, Jim Fazzone, Brian Tarnowski, RJ Stabenow, Peter Anderson, Eric Stabenow, Brandon Turk, Adam Gibbs, Justin Heitkamp and Matt Garber.
jeremy millsop, sports writer, may be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5856.
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