Mick Hockinson was near the top of his game.

Tuesday, September 04, 2001

Mick Hockinson was near the top of his game.

Chris Baas was a little better.

Baas outlasted Hockinson 2-and-1 to win the 2001 Shortstop Golf Tournament at Albert Lea Country Club. The three-day event, the 73rd annual, as usual concluded on Labor Day.

It made it a clean sweep of the summer’s major local golf events for the 25-year-old Baas, who also took the City Open title. The Shortstop, though, was a much tougher test with a match-play format on Sunday and Monday.

&uot;It was a tough (final) match, a real tough day,&uot; said Baas. &uot;Starting with (Jeff) Stadheim, right down to the last hole. The difference is I birdied 7, 8 and 9 on him.&uot;

But he didn’t secure victory until the 17th hole, giving him his second Shortstop title in the last three years.

Both players were particularly sharp with their short game. Hockinson came close to holing a number of approach shots, including one from a sand bunker on No. 6. Baas saved a par on No. 12 with an outstanding shot from the trees to the right of the fairway.

Hockinson came away knowing he left everything on the course.

&uot;I tell you what,&uot; said Hockinson, 42. &uot;When you play in a match, it’s very self-fulfilling to play well. I played well today. Chris just played better. He deserves to win. It was a lot of fun. I’m just grateful my dad taught me this game.&uot;

Baas said he wanted to thank God and the several hundred spectators who followed the final round.

&uot;It’s the biggest gallery I’ve ever played in front of,&uot; said Baas, who returns to school at Minnesota State-Mankato today. &uot;It was fun with all those people out there. I’d definitely like to thank everyone who came out to watch.&uot;

The top finishers, by flight:

* Championship flight – 1. Chris Baas; 2. Mick Hockinson; consolation – 1. Scott Hogan; 2. Nate Rasmussen;

* Presidential flight – 1. Scott Goergen; 2. Andy Petersen; consolation – 1. Kirk Monsenthin; 2. Morrie Monson;

* First flight – 1. Tom Falk; 2. Mike Petersen; consolation – 1. Vance Mickelson; 2. Ron Monson;

* Second flight – 1. Steve Foss; 2. Dennis Bergstrom; consolation – 1. Dave Cahill; 2. Mark Fligge;

* Third flight – 1. Joe Sczublewski; 2. Ron Hansen; consolation – 1. Ryan Anderson; 2. Jay Loustad;

* Fourth flight – 1. Nils Norland; 2. Mark Squires; consolation – 1. Chris Clausen; 2. Robert Schultz;

* Fifth flight – 1. Jeff Denisen; 2. Brian Demmer; consolation – 1. Paul Field; 2. Mike Carstens;

* Sixth flight – 1. Jerry Vogt; 2. Scott Flanagan; consolation – 1. John Krieger; 2. Scott Weber;

* Seventh flight – 1. Phil Norland; 2. Ryan Skubic; consolation – 1. Ron Freeman; 2. Rich Chihak;

* Eighth flight – 1. Doug Johnson; 2. Mike Jutson; consolation – 1. Chad Petersen; 2. Fred Doyle;

* Ninth flight – 1. Ed Schlede; 2. Steve Hebert; consolation – 1. Jason Schwarz; 2. Frank Heys;

* Century flight – 1. John Kallis; 2. Mike Hanson.