And for the first 10 holes, it seemed the Mankato native’s nerves may have gotten the best of him as he lost three strokes to first-round leader William Forbrook of Mendakota Country Club (70-72-77—219) and suddenly found himself two strokes back on the 11th tee.

But Blackman’s dramatic back nine, punctuated by a tap-in birdie on the par-4 15th paved the way for him to claim the 18th annual Minnesota Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship – his first MGA title.

"I made a couple putts when I needed to today," said Blackman. "After I got the lead back I wasn’t going to give it away to anybody."

For Blackman, his first MGA title means much more than just a name on a trophy – it also means he automatically qualifies for a slew of MGA events in 2006.

"I’ve always felt like I’ve been close and that I could win," said Blackman. "I finally played well enough to win. So now having been in that position and knowing that I can win will help me immensely next year."

On a day when no player broke par at the 6,469-yard Rochester Golf & Country Club, a few players shot one-over-par including: 2003 Mid-Am champ James Lehman of Windsong Farm Golf Club (75-74-71—220), who finished tied for third; and 2005 MGA Amateur champ Joe Stansberry of Hiawatha Golf Club (72-81-71—224) who finished tied for eighth.

Meanwhile, defending champion, John Spreiter of Litchfield Golf Club (73-75-74—222) never got close enough to make a significant run shooting four-over-par and finishing five back of Blackman in sixth.

Final results – Wednesday, September 21, 2005 Rochester Golf & Country Club, Rochester, Minn., 6,469 yards, par 70

Josh Blackman, Mankato Golf Club, 72-69-76--217 William Forbrook, Mendakota Country Club, 70-72-77--219 Jon Empanger, Island View Golf Club, 74-75-71--220 James Lehman, Windsong Farm, 75-74-71--220 Scott Ainsworth, Minneapolis Golf Club, 72-74-75--221 John Spreiter, Litchfield Golf Club, 73-75-74--222 Leif Carlson, Hastings Country Club, 75-76-72--223 Gregory Peterson, Rochester G&CC, 72-74-78--224 Joe Stansberry, Hiawatha Golf Club, 72-81-71--224 Bill Anderson, Bent Creek Golf Club, 73-74-77--224 Steve Chesley, Dellwood Hills Golf Club, 72-76-76--224 Gary Lawson, TPC - Twin Cities, 74-77-74--225 Jerry Gruidl, Golden Valley G&CC, 73-77-75--225 John Anderson, Bunker Hills Golf Club, 74-75-76--225 Chris Catron, University Golf Club, 78-75-73--226 Chad Hartman, Oak Ridge Country Club, 74-75-77--226 Todd Sinjem, Edinburgh USA, 78-71-78--227 John Wiederholt, Hastings Country Club, 77-74-76--227 Michael Larson, Rochester G&CC, 76-73-78--227 Tim Kelley, Minneapolis Golf Club, 77-75-76--228 Tom Whaley, Minneapolis Golf Club, 73-76-79--228 Reed Kolquist, Lester Park Golf Course, 71-80-77--228 David Petric, Rochester G&CC, 75-76-78--229 Timothy Gordon, Rush Creek Golf Club, 76-75-78--229 Mick Hockinson, Albert Lea Country Club, 76-76-77--229 Tony Brown, Wayzata Country Club, 74-76-79--229 Don Howe, Olympic Hills Golf Club, 74-80-75--229 David Steingart, Edina Country Club, 77-78-75--230 David Kokesh, Hillcrest Golf Club, 74-81-76--231 Bill Tadewald, Bunker Hills Golf Club, 75-74-82--231 Mitch Thornell, Valleywood Golf Course, 71-80-81--232 Trevor Nelko, Windsong Farm, 78-79-75--232 Jeff Pint, New Prague Golf Club, 77-78-78--233 Jon Montei, Madden's On Gull Lake, 73-80-80--233 Michael Smith, Redwood Falls Golf Club, 77-78-78--233 Mark Sperling, The Legends Club, 80-76-77--233 Robert Griesgraber, Indian Hills Golf Club, 79-75-79--233 John Sexton, Valleywood Golf Course, 79-71-83--233 John Christopherson, Hastings Country Club, 76-75-83--234 David Rehfeldt, StoneRidge Golf Club, 80-76-78--234 Tom Ryan, Hazeltine National GC, 78-74-83--235 Larry Keithahn, Mendakota Country Club, 76-79-80--235 Tim Holland, Owatonna Country Club, 78-78-79--235 Tim Peterson, Forest Hills Golf Club, 78-79-78--235 Brandon Swensen, Pioneer Creek Golf Course, 80-76-79--235 Dave Pilot, Windsong Farm, 79-77-80--236 Mike Wanless, Keller Golf Club, 78-77-81--236 Jim Turner, Ridges at Sand Creek, 77-78-81--236 Michael Dolan, Town & Country Club, 80-77-80--237 John Scanlon, Dellwood Hills Golf Club, 80-74-83--237 Kyle Berger, Island View Golf Club, 80-77-81--238 Keith Erickson, River Oaks Golf Course, 77-77-85--239 Jim Curtis, Owatonna Country Club, 79-78-82--239 James Fazzone, Sawmill Golf Club, 76-81-82--239 Dan Geske, Braemar Golf Course, 78-78-85--241 Carl Horsch, Brackett's Crossing CC, 78-79-85--242 Jeff Silus, Chaska Town Course, 80-77-89--246 Bill Perpich, Sawmill Golf Club, 80-77-90--247 Robert Patrick, Rush Creek Golf Club, 76-76-WD--WD Barry Pogatchnik, Willingers Golf Club, 74-79-WD--WD