Schmitz Leads State Publinks by 3 with 66 at Ridges

JORDAN -- Sammy Schmitz, who's finished second, third and second in the Minnesota State Publinks Championship the last three years, will take a three-stroke lead into the final round of this year's tournament, after shooting a first-round 66 on Saturday at Ridges @ Sand Creek. 

The 2011 MGA Player of the Year has won two state championships this year -- the Publinks Mid-Amateur in May and the MGA Mid-Players' in June. Schmitz also picked up a second-place finish in the State Amateur a month ago.

Chris Meyer, who will begin his senior year at the University of Wisconsin in a couple of weeks, is in second place at 69. 

The defending champion, Jon Hanner, who won the State Publinks Match Play crown two weeks ago, got off to a slow start and shot 76.  

MINNESOTA PUBLIC GOLF ASSOCIATION

State Publinks

At Ridges @ Sand Creek

First-round scores

1. Sammy Schmitz                     66

2. Chris Meyer                            69

T3. Greg Werner                         70

T3. Keith Piotrowski                   70

T3. Matt Schneider                     70

T3. Nick Kling                              70

T7. Grant Exsted                         71

T7. Rick Frieberg                        71

T7. Tony Brown                          71

T10. David Smith                       72

T10. Brent Jacobson                 72

T10. Dakota Clark                      72

T10. Jack Teal                            72

T10. Jake Warneke                   72

T10. Leif Carlson                       72

T10. Kane Bauer                        72

T10. Mark Sperling                    72