After 45 State Wins, Peterson Collects First National Title

  WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earning his 45th state title earlier this year with his fifth victory of the 2025 season, Trent Peterson checked off another first in his amateur golf career Sunday by winning the National Links Trust Championship at East Potomac Golf Course for his first national win.

Behind six birdies during his final round Sunday, Peterson carded a 4-under 68 to claim a one-stroke victory over California’s Ramiz Jamal at the 25-and-over championship.

“Winning at any level is hard, let alone a national event,” Peterson said. “This being a young event and not knowing anybody, it’s hard to know what to expect. I don’t play too many national events so I have to take advantage when I can.

“The camaraderie between the guys was really good. It had a very mid-am feel compared to when the young guns are around.”

Peterson and fellow Minnesotan Bobby Frazzini earned an exemption into the championship by finishing inside the top-5 at the MPGA Mid Public Links  Championship at Fox Hollow Golf Club in June.

Following his opening-round 68, Peterson carded a 5-under 67 during Saturday’s second round to trail Californian Mitchell Fedorka by one stroke entering the final round.

Steady through his first five holes Sunday, Peterson birdied three of his final four holes on the front side, but still trailed by one stroke.

Dropping an 18-footer for birdie at the par-4 10th moved Peterson to 13-under for the championship and gave him his first lead of the final round following a Fedorka bogey.

After a bogey at the 14th, Peterson rolled in a 30-footer for birdie at the par-3 15th to recapture a one-stroke advantage.

Reaching the edge of the 17th green in two, Peterson got up-and-down for birdie to take a two-stroke lead heading to the final hole.

Despite a three-putt bogey at the 18th, Peterson earned a one-stroke victory as one of just four players in the 61-player field to finish all three rounds below par, shooting 13-under 203 for his first national title and sixth win of the season.

“Six wins is hard to comprehend,” said Peterson. “I never would have thought that starting the year off, so I am very happy with how I played this summer.

“Final round was very windy, and the course was firm and fast. About half the holes were into the wind, and the other half were downwind. Nos. 6,7,9 were playing shorter due to the wind, and I took advantage of that.”

Finishing inside the top-5 Sunday, Peterson earns an exemption into next year’s championship.

Frazzini, 29, of Plymouth, Minn., opened the championship with a 2-over 74 before tallying a 70 during his second round Saturday.

Finishing the championship with a 76 Sunday, Frazzini placed tied for 11th at 4-over 220.

This season marked the third year of The National Links Trust Championship, a private organization that oversees three courses in the Washington D.C. area. Funds from the championship will be used to maintain and improve all three courses.

The 38-year-old Peterson extended his impressive streak of at least one victory to a 13th consecutive season in June when he claimed his fifth Minnesota Public Golf Association Mid Public Links Championship in the past five seasons.

He collected his third win at the Loren Krugel Invitational at Mankato Golf Club in July and followed it with his fifth career win at the MPGA State Public Links Championship at Prestwick Golf Club.

Just three days later, Peterson and partner, Brett Benson, earned a victory at the Minnesota Golf Association Amateur Four-Ball Championship as Peterson secured his fourth victory of the season for the third time during his career.

Partnering with Nick Jarrett at the MPGA Combination Championship at Pebble Creek Golf Club in September, Peterson notched his fifth state victory of the season for the first time.

Despite a six-win season, Peterson falls short of his fourth MGA Men’s Player of the Year award, finishing 52.5 points behind Max Tylke, who earns the honor for a second straight season.