Mid-Season Form?

As evidenced by my lack of posts, I have been completely overwhelmed by the tournament season for 2009.

Since my last post three weeks ago, we have crowned our MGA Senior, Mid-Players and Players' champions - Gary Johnson, Troy Johnson and Donald Constable (respectively). In addition, Leigh Klasse and JT Johnson claimed their first MGA Mixed Team championship at Medina G&CC. And, Mike Barge and John Harris earned spots into the US Senior Open Championship.

In one week, the focus of golf in Minnesota will turn to "Championship Week" when the MGA Amateur Championship will be held at Mendakota Country Club (Mendota Heights) July 20-22 and the Minnesota State Open will be held at Hastings Country Club July 24-26. It makes for a long week for those players competing and making the cut in both.

New at the MGA web site are videos about our events. We have posted highlight videos of the three match play (Players') events, and there is a preview video of the Amateur. If you haven't seen them yet, check them out at the MGA web site. Thanks to Jake Lurie for his efforts!

One last thing about the Amateur, Golf Bound is previewing the State Am tonight at 11:05 on KARE 11.

Finally, the state is starting to feel the excitement of the impending PGA Championship. True, we won't be witnesses to history in the pursuit of the modern Grand Slam, but it still will make for great drama. It appears we can expect Tiger to be a factor as he was in 2002. Will Rich Beem repeat? I doubt it, but there are many capable players (i.e. Angel Cabrera or Lucas Glover) to step up if Tiger and the others don't bring their best to Hazeltine.

The second half of the season looks full with the many remaining championships and USGA qualifiers, so there should be many opportunities for great golf.

Until next time-
Doug