Golfer wins Albert Lea City Golf Championship for the 5th time in 9 years

For the fifth time since 2005, Phil Schmidt won the Albert Lea City Golf Championship, a two-day event spanning 36 holes on two golf courses.

The tournament began Saturday with 18 holes at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club and finished Sunday with 18 more holes at Green Lea Golf Course.

“We have two very nice courses in town, and it’s nice to play on both of them,” Schmidt said. “I like stroke playing and the challenges — fairway distances at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club and elevated greens at Green Lea Golf Course — are different at each course.”

After the first 18 holes, Schmidt led the field of 18 players in the championship flight by two strokes. He extended his lead on Day 2 to win by 11 strokes with a score of 175.

Andy Petersen took second place with 186 strokes. He was followed by Brett Richards in third with 188, and Chris Baas in fourth with 189.

Players battled the elements in addition to their opponents. Albert Lea received .053 inches of rain on Sunday.

“It was a grind early, but my plan was just go ahead, get wet and deal with it,” Schmidt said. “It cleared up after we made the turn, and they make these black gloves that help you hold the grip.”

Spectators followed each group of the championship flight.

Tournament veteran Lance Engebretson watched the event from a golf cart on Sunday, because he was out of town on Saturday.

“I just want the guys to play well,” he said. “Phil (Schmidt) is doing a great job. They’re all friends. That’s what’s cool about the city tournament. You know everybody. Golf is kind of like a fraternity.”

In the women’s division, Samantha Nielson took first place. She was the only participant in the division and she took the title after Megan Pulley won it the last three years.

“I wish there were more girls, but it was alright,” Nielson said after golfing along with the men’s open flight on Day 2.

Nielson played in the Albert Lea City Golf Championship last year as well, and she has been playing the sport for three years, she said. She plans to play next year under head coach Shawn Riebe as a sophomore for the Albert Lea girls’ varsity golf team.

Male participants were given a choice to play in an open flight instead of the championship flight. Josh Johnson won the open flight with a score of 160, and Matt Peterson finished one stroke behind.

Larry Amanson finished with the top score among three seniors’ flights with a score of 157. Paul Linnes won flight No. 2 with 158, and Butch Harves won flight No. 3 with 176.

 

Albert Lea City Golf Championship at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club on Saturday and Green Lea Golf Course on Sunday

Men’s championship flight
1. Phil Schmidt 175
2. Andy Petersen 186
3. Brett Richards 188
4. Chris Baas 189

Men’s flight
1. Josh Johnson 160
2. Matt Peterson 161

Senior’s flight No. 1
1. Larry Amanson 157
2. Scott Rasmussen 158

Senior’s flight No. 2
1. Paul Linnes 158
2. Vance Mickelson 165

Senior’s flight No. 3
1. Butch Harves 176
2. Earl Krieger 183

Women’s flight
1. Sam Nielson 105

Champions since 2001
2001: Chris Baas, Jane Hanson
2002: Steve Wright, Virginia Hanson
2003: Chris Baas, Jane Hanson
2004: Chris Baas, Val Nicolaus
2005: Phil Schmidt, Kelli Hanson
2006: Phil Schmidt, Marti Andersen
2007: Phil Schmidt, Val Nicolaus
2008: Andy Petersen, Kelli Hanson
2009: Phil Schmidt, Marti Andersen
2010: Andy Petersen, Megan Pulley
2011: Andy Petersen, Megan Pulley
2012: Chris Baas, Megan Pulley
2013: Phil Schmidt, Samantha Nielson