Jack Lundin never lost his lead, but was never able to rest easy until his putt for par on the final hole Sunday afternoon.
The Sioux Falls golfer fought off a hard-charging field to win the 33rd Annual Western Printing Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Moccasin Creek Country Club with a 54-hole total of 198, tying the tournament record.
“It was tough out there. These guys were putting the pressure on me and I was feeling it,” Lundin said. “It was awesome having all of these people out here from Aberdeen watching. It was truly a pleasure.”
Nearly 50 golf carts full of spectators watched the tourney go down to the final hole, where Lundin won by a single stroke.
When asked if the big gallery adds more pressure, Lundin responded, “Yeah it does, but I had a lot of fun going and talking with all the fans out here and it was a lot of enjoyment.”
Lundin, who won the SDGA State Amateur Championship on the same course in 2021, took a five-stroke lead into Sunday’s final round, and while he never lost the lead, he shared it with multiple golfers throughout the day after getting off to a rough start to his round.
“I made a bogey and a double early on today, and I was little frustrated,” Lundin said, “but my dad (Eric) kept me in it and was like, we’ve still got a job here to do, and we kept it going.”
The 23-year-old who won $23,000 for his victory, came up with one big shot after another, perhaps none bigger than his drive on hole 15, which left him in prime position for a birdie.
“I said to my dad, that was a big drive,” Lundin said. “It was good one to get on the green and two-putt for birdie.”
Lundin needed every one of his clutch shots, because the field was applying the pressure. One of those was Brady Calkins, who tied for second place just one shot back. Calkins shot a blistering seven-under 65 on Sunday.
“I played really solid,” Calkins said. “I made one bad swing all day and it was (hole) nine, and it cost me the one shot that I needed.”
Calkins made plenty of big shots as well, including one from under a tree on hole 16 that allowed him to sink a birdie putt and stay right in the hunt. He also had a shot at an eagle on 18, but was unable to convert it, and as a result wasn’t quite able to catch Lundin.
“I played really solid. I just had to dig down deep. I was five back going into the round, so I knew I had to put the foot down and go or else I wasn’t going to catch him,” Calkins said. “And I never actually caught him, but I got close. He held with it and played really solid.”
It was the sixth year that Calkins of Chehalis, Wash., has played in the Pro-Am. He said he feels right at home in the Hub City.
“I’m comfortable out here. I love the people. The Midwest hospitality is unmatched,” Calkins said. “I got so many people that support me out there that I love to have a good time with, talk with, and share stories. This is one of my favorite events on the schedule by a lot.”
Caleb VanArragon of Blaine, Minn., also tied for second following a sizzling 65 on Sunday, and Kade Johnson of Yorkton, Saskatchewan, was fourth after he also finished with a round of 65.
Still, nobody was able to match the three-day total of Lundin. When asked about the prospects of playing on the PGA someday, Lundin talked about the immediate future.
“I got Korn Ferry School and Q-School in the fall,” he said, “and then we’ll see what happens.”
No matter what happens, he’ll take some fond memories with him from his first event on the Dakotas Tour and his victory at the Pro-Am.
“I just want to say thank you to Aberdeen, Moccasin Creek, and all the people out here who helped this tournament be the best it can be,” Lundin said. “This course is great and the hospitality is great here.”
To see complete tournament results, click on the following link:
