Peterson Collects 30th Career Win with Third MPGA State Public Links Title

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By Nick Hunter
nick@mngolf.org
 
 
  BECKER, Minn. – Entering the final round of the 99^th Minnesota Public Golf Association State Public Links Championship three shots off the lead following a late double-bogey to close out his opening round Saturday, two-time winner Trent Peterson carded a bogey-free 69 on Sunday to claim a one-stroke victory at Pebble Creek Golf Club.
 
A string of three birdies over a five-hole span to begin his back nine led the 34-year-old Peterson to a milestone victory Sunday, collecting the 30^th state championship win of his career.
 
“It’s been a goal of mine,” said Peterson, who extended his streak of at least one victory to a ninth consecutive season. “Just get one win to keep it alive and I wanted to get one at a nice state event.
 
“My game has been pretty good. I’ve played more tournaments than I expected, but I’ve been playing really well. I realize that I can still be in school full-time and still compete. The driver has been really solid and kept me out of trouble. Putting has been hit or miss, but when you get a lot of opportunities, some are bound to go in.”
 
Peterson dialed back his competitive golf schedule after enrolling in the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia at the end of the 2019 season. He notched a win at the MPGA Mid Public Links Championship early last season at Valleywood Golf Course before closing out the year with a win at the Minnesota Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship at Northland Country Club.
 
Making six starts at state events this season, Peterson now has one win and three top-10 finishes.
 
Carding nine consecutive pars to open the final round Sunday, Peterson dipped into red figures by sinking a 12-foot slider at the 10^th to move to 3-under for the championship.
 
“It was a little frustrating on the front nine today—I was hitting some good shots, but it was all pars,” he said. “Missed birdie putts on the par-5s. I tried to stay patient and then made a nice birdie on 10 and made another nice putt on 11, so that got me on track because those were the only putts I’d made all day.”
 
Peterson earned a share of the lead with Ryan Conn by rolling in his birdie from 12 feet at the 11^th and kept pace with Conn’s birdie at the 12^th by rolling in a 10-footer for birdie at the par-5 14^th. Getting up-and-down after going long at the par-3 17^th, a two-putt par would give Peterson a one-stroke victory after Conn failed to convert his birdie putt at the last.
 
“I hit the driver great both days and made some putts,” Peterson said. “Yesterday I took advantage of the par-5s, outside of 16 when I doubled it. Today it was fairways and greens—I bet I hit 15 or 16 greens and if I missed, it was small.”
 
Peterson will carry momentum from Sunday’s win into next week’s MGA Mid-Amateur Championship, where he’ll look to defend his title and claim his fourth win at the championship over the past five seasons.
 
Entering Sunday’s final round two shots off the lead, Conn was searching for his first state victory since the MGA Amateur Four-Ball in 2019, but a bogey at the 17^th proved costly as Conn’s 15-footer for birdie at the 18^th to force a playoff rolled right of the cup and he’d post a 4-under 140 to finish one shot back.
 
“I was hoping to be in it with nine holes to play today,” said Conn, a former University of Wisconsin golfer. “Overall, I was pleased—I hit the ball well. I had a couple loose shots, but it’s been windy. I played decent and hung in there with no real blowup holes.
 
“This is around the same time last year that I had a good run at the [MGA Players’ Championship]. I think I need all summer to figure out how to play golf. I love playing competitively and playing against good players like Trent. It’s fun to be out there battling.”
 
Conn paired up with Hunter Rebrovich to win the MGA Four-Ball in 2019 at The Classic at Madden’s and has posted seven top-10’s over the last three seasons, including a runner-up finish at last year’s MGA Players’ Championship, falling to Cecil Belisle in the final match at Hastings Golf Club.
 
St. Thomas University golfer Matt Armstrong posted a round of even par 72 on the final day Sunday to finish in third place at 2-under 142, while Jonathan Hanner’s 69 moved him into a share of fourth place with first-round leader and MGA Players’ champion Max Tylke at 1-under 143.
 
 
 
THE 99^TH MPGA STATE PUBLIC LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP
PEBBLE CREEK GOLF CLUB
BECKER, MINN.
6,872 YARDS, PAR 72
 
 
SUNDAY’S FINAL RESULTS
1. Trent Peterson, Fountain Valley GC, 70-69—139
2. Ryan Conn, Chaska TC, 69-71—140
3. Matt Armstrong, Braemar GC, 70-72—142
T4. Jonathan Hanner, Baker Nat’l GC, 74-69—143
T4. Maxwell Tylke, Legends Club, 67-76—143
T6. Troy Johnson, Edinburgh USA, 72-72—144   
T6. Brody Pass, MN Youth on Course, 71-73—144
8. Jamie Quesnel, Legends Club, 74-71—145  
T9. Yarri Bryn, Bunker Hills GC, 74-72—146
T9. Ryan Stendahl, Rush Creek GC, 72-74—146
 
 
For complete tournament results go to:  www.golfgenius.com/pages/7639224772093565354