Amateur Golf Podcast: Minnesota Open and Amateur champion Caleb VanArragon

August 22, 2023 | by Sean Melia of AmateurGolf.com

Caleb VanArragon

Caleb VanArragon's red hot summer included two blowout wins and an invite to play in the 3M Open in July

Caleb VanArragon has had quite a summer in Minnesota. The fifth-year senior at Valparaiso won the Minnesota State Open by 9 shots and backed that up with a 12-shot victory in the Minnesota State Open.

Those two performances gained him some attention, and he received a last-minute invite to the 3M Open. During his interview with Justin Golba, VanArragon talks about what helped him get on such a heater, competing alongside the world’s best, and how he hopes to continue the momentum into the fall.

Highlights

On making an albatross: It was definitely a weird mental challenge to try to stay in the moment after making a two. I actually made a two in our state match play tournament last year on a par five. That was my only other albatross. But it was in a match play tournament. So I was like, "Oh, come on. If I just made birdie, I would have still won the hole."

On getting an exemption into the 3M Open:

So I got an exemption into the Monday qualifier for winning the State Open. I played a practice round Saturday. On Sunday, I was out at the course pretty much all day practicing. And then I got a call from Mr. Kavner - The tournament director - that night. He said "You're not going to have to play tomorrow; you're actually going to be playing in the Pro-Am for the 3M Open." And that was crazy. It was one of the most unbelievable moments I've ever had just like, "oh my gosh, I'm actually going to get to play a PGA Tour event."

Most Popular Articles

Masters: Memorable performances by amateurs in the last 40 years

Apr 2, 2026A Mid-Amateur legend and a 14 year old have won low-amateur honors at Augusta National over the years

Meet the Amateurs in the 2026 Masters: Six Different Paths to Augusta National

Mar 22, 2026From teenage phenoms to seasoned dreamers, the amateur class at the 2026 Masters brings six compelling stories to Augusta

FINAL RESULTS: 2026 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley

Mar 14, 2026Miles Russell surged with a closing 67 to reclaim the boys title while Asterisk Talley dominated the girls division at Sage Valley

San Francisco City Championship: Champions Crowned

Mar 22, 2026Joey Hayden, Gianna Singh, Bob Niger, and Jeff Thomas capped championship week with title-winning performances at Harding Park.

Gary Woodland Wins Houston Open in Emotional Comeback After Brain Surgery

Mar 30, 2026Gary Woodland’s Houston Open win is a reminder of why perseverance matters in golf

Filters

Loading latest news...

Loading article...