Josh Blackman comes from behind on back nine to win MGA Mid-Amateur Championship; 33 year old makes up two-stroke deficit on last eight holes
EDINA, MN (September 21, 2005) -- Josh Blackman found himself in unfamiliar territory on Wednesday morning on the first tee at Rochester Golf & Country Club – he was leading an MGA championship by one stroke heading into the final round.
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
About the Minnesota Mid-Amateur
In 1988, the MGA Mid-Amateur Championship was introduced at Edina Country Club. It is similar to the Amateur except participants must be 30 years or older and have a handicap index of 6.4 or lower. The low 54-hole score determines the winner. It is o...
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