While the weekend's weather for the Gopher Invitational was extremely difficult for golf, these past two days at the Town & Country Club in St. Paul have been glorious! The picture is looking over the 18th green just before dawn this morning. And, as pretty as this looks, the day itself has turned out better - bright sun, clear sky and 80* - not too bad for September 16!!
Players in the Championship Flight are just starting to finish from the afternoon rounds. MGA Executive Director Tom Ryan and his partner Marshall Nowlin are in the (proverbial) "thick of things" after firing an opening 71. However, they are chasing defending champions Jerry Gruidl and Robert Leaf, who opened with a 68. Kudos to Bob Patrick, who played alone in tribute to his long-time partner Dick Brozo, who died this past spring.
In the event you did not see the results of the Gopher Invite, the team championship ended up in a tie between the Texas Longhorns and the LSU Tigers. The trophies were awarded to the Longhorns after the tiebreaker - the 54-hole total of the highest scoring individual on each team. Minnesota's own Don Constable, a Spring Hill member, sank a long putt on the 18th hole for a birdie and a final round 1-under par 71 to aid his Longhorns in the victory.
Next week, I will be writing from Edina Country Club and the 21st MGA Mid-Amateur Championship.
Until then-
Doug
