It appears that the title for the Western Printing Pro-Am professional division will come down to a pair of past champions following the second day of action Saturday at Moccasin Creek Country Club.
Zander Winston, who won the event in 2021 and 2023, at one time owned a six-shot lead when he came off the course around noon. However, 2022 champ Ryan Gronlund golfed in the afternoon and sliced that lead down to just a pair of strokes heading into today’s final round.
Winston of Scottsdale, Ariz., is currently at 12-under-par, while Gronlund of Pleasanton, Calif., is at 10-under-par. The next closest golfers, Chris Gilman of Sioux Falls and Braxton Watts of Farmington, Utah, are at 5-under-par.
“There’s a lot of golf left,” Winston said, “but if you told me I’d be 12 under through two rounds I would be happy.”
Winston, who fired a 63 on Friday, settled for a 69 on Saturday.
“I had a terrible night’s sleep,” Winston said. “I was dragging this morning, cold, windy, tough conditions to start the day early.”
Winston only hit two fairways during his second round. He said that will need to change this afternoon when he competes in the final round.
When asked what it will take to win the championship today, Winston pointed out two things in particular.
“Fairways and greens. Gosh, I need to hit some fairways (Sunday),” Winston said. “You miss fairways out here, the rough’s long and when it gets windy and stuff, it’s hard to control a golf ball. It’s hard to give yourself birdie opportunities. I only had four birdies today.”
Winston, who started on the 10th hole, was able to overcome a bogie on 13 with an eight-foot putt to make par on the next hole.
“That was a really big momentum putt for me. … Momentum is huge,” Winston said. “It kind of kept me in it.”
Winston, who is 5-0 when he has a lead heading into the final round, will look to keep that record unblemished the championship flight competes this afternoon.
“I know how to play with a lead,” Winston said, “like I said (Sunday) fairways and greens, and let the chips fall.”
THE EVOLUTION OF THE GAME
Longtime Aberdeen golfer Mark Jorgensen is currently competing in the amateur portion of the meet.
Jorgensen, who has golfed for nearly six decades, said the game has changed quite a bit since he first got started.
“Better golf balls first of all,” Jorgensen said. “You can’t cut these golf balls anymore, like in the olden days you could cut them. The equipment, metal drivers, different shafts, really helps.”
While Jorgensen said he is a bit old school when it comes to clubs, one of the things he really enjoys about the game is the fellowship of other golfers.
“Really the comraderie. Usually you have a group of guys you play with. We’re all still very competitive within our own group. It’s fun just to get together,” Jorgensen said. “We’re lucky here, because of ease of play. You can get on a golf course without any problems. Some people who live in Sioux Falls or Minneapolis, you have to plan a week ahead of time and it’s difficult.”
The 71-year-old Jorgensen was an accomplished golfer in his prime and still enjoys being around the game.
“I won my fair share when I was younger and I enjoy watching these younger guys now,” Jorgensen said, “because we’ve got a lot of good golfers around here and a lot of guys that can get it done.”
Jorgensen, who won a pair of Dakota Open championships, said his personal best round is a 67.
He also accomplished a rare feat a couple of years ago.
“When I was 69, I shot 69, so I shot my age,” Jorgensen said. “That is pretty cool.”
He then added, “Right now, if my age was 90, that’s about what I would shoot.”
CANADIAN ENJOYS WESTERN PRO-AM
One of the golfers who is near the top of the pack in the professional division is Kade Johnson, who hails from Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada.
“I wasn’t able to get status this year on America’s Tour, so I was looking for somewhere to play this summer,” Johnson said. “I’ve played this tournament the last two years and a then few others on the Dakotas Tour two years ago. I’ve really enjoyed this tour, and especially this tournament, and that’s why I keep coming back.”
Johnson, who finished fourth in the Western Printing Pro-Am last year, said he likes the setting of the tourney in Aberdeen.
“Being from a small town, it’s great to travel and go to small towns,” Johnson said. “The people are great, the staff and the course are great, and everybody comes together for this tournament, so that’s why I love coming down.”
Interestingly enough, Johnson wore a sweatshirt for his entire round on Saturday after a bit of a chilly start to the day. Informed he should be used to the cooler temps since he’s from Canada, Johnson responded, “I’m kind of a fake Canadian now. I’ve spent too much time down south in the winter time.”
Johnson shot a round of 70 on Saturday and it could have been much lower than that considering he had four putts lip out during his play.
“It’s just one of those days where you feel like you’re hitting pretty good, and you’re hitting decent putts, but nothing goes in,” Johnson said. “The story of this game. You can never expect anything and you keep trying to hit good putts, and they’ll fall eventually.”
WATCHING THE PROS
One of the enjoyable things for the amateurs in the Pro-Am is getting a chance to play with professionals from across the country. It’s part of what makes the annual tournament a special time.
“The tournament is fantastic. They do a great job on the course and playing with a pro is just a lot of fun,” said Aberdeen’s Derek White. “Getting to see them hit unbelievable shots is a lot of fun.”
He said witnessing what the pros are able to accomplish is inspiring.
“It absolutely makes me want to hit shots like that,” White said. “I know I can’t, but it’s unbelievable to watch them do what they do.”
White said there are reminders why the local players are in the amateur division.
“There’s things on a golf course that tell you, hey, this is why you’re a recreational player,” White said.
While White said that golfers tend to improve with age, the main goal for him is just to enjoy the game with his buddies.
“Anybody that plays golf, the older you get the better you get,” White said. “For me out here, it’s just have fun. Enjoy the time with your friends.”
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