Ross Miller is returning to Moccasin Creek Country Club and would like to finish what he started.

Last year in his first time playing the course, he finished in third just two strokes off the winning total during the annual Western Corporate Image Pro-Am Golf Tournament.

The Minneapolis man was the only golfer in last year’s field to shoot a score in the 60’s all three rounds.

“Last year was probably one of my most consistent seasons as far as just good golf,” Miller said. “There wasn’t a lot of flash, just consistent good golf.”

While Miller was unable to secure the victory last year, he did make up enough ground to tie for the lead during the final round. He recalled a conversation that took place as he was about to tee off.

“I was on the first tee and there was some members standing by and didn’t know that I was there or who I was,” Miller said. “And they were like, oh that guy in third is way out of it, and then after 10 holes I was tied for the lead.”

Miller ended up getting a good laugh out of that, but said that Moccasin Creek is among the best venues on the Dakotas Tour when it comes to support of the golfers.

“I think especially for guys that haven’t played it, to realize that it’s a great golf course, but then it’s one of the events where members really get behind it, it felt like,” Miller said. “So there’s a different atmosphere around the clubhouse and then even in the last couple of groups. It’s really fun. There was around 20-30 carts full of people following us around the last nine and it was exciting.”

Although Miller has only played one tournament on the course, he enjoyed the challenges of the layout and played it well a year ago.

“It’s one of those places where if you’re keeping it in play, you feel like you should score really well, but it can be a little squirrely and you are just holding on for dear life,” Miller said. “I would say it’s pretty well recognized amongst the players as being a ‘real golf course’ where you have to hit fairways and greens. You can’t hit it a mile right and just be magically open.”

Miller said a key for him heading into this week’s tournament is having the right mindset. The 31-year-old said that includes more than just blocking out distractions.

“Any time I’ve ever won a tournament, it’s been a week where my mental game was really sharp,” Miller said, “not only for the sense of maintaining a positive mindset, but more so sticking to your process and not getting sloppy, hitting each shot with intent instead of going through the motions.”

Miller said it’s easier to have confidence when the proper prep work is done, so that when the competition starts the mechanics are second nature.

“I think if you know you’re practicing properly, I think you gain confidence from that to where you get on the course, you don’t need to think about mechanics,” Miller said. “I mean if I have confidence in which way the ball is going to go, it makes it easy to pick targets and commit to what’s going on, but if you’re playing and you’re not sure what’s happening, then it’s where it’s challenging, because it’s hard to be committed if you’re not sure how you’re hitting it.”

Miller said when it comes to unpredictable nature of the sport, “I think the good ones are real good at having a short memory.”

Miller has a career-best round of 61 to his credit.

“It’s nice to know,” Miller said of the low round, “you get little uncomfortable when you’re that many under par, but it’s nice to know that you’re capable.”

When asked about the keys to his game, Miller said “short game has always been my thing,” and that his driving has improved.

The former Minnesota State golfer is looking forward to another shot at winning the Pro-Am tournament title.

“I think it’s just one of those events where everybody’s kind of fired up for it,” Miller said. “It’s a great purse, it’s a good golf course, good membership. It’s just one of those you look forward to.”

He is not about to get ahead of himself, but would love to be the one hoisting that trophy this time around.

“I would like to get that W,” Miller said. “It would be fun, but one shot at a time.”