Carlson Outlasts Neuberger in Playoff to Win Third Twin Cities Championship

  ST. PAUL, Minn. – A two-putt par on the first playoff hole Wednesday at University of Minnesota’s Les Bolstad Golf Course gave Leif Carlson a victory over Bob Neuberger for his third win at the Twin Cities Senior Championship.

“I played well on the front nine with one bogey and four birdies,” Carlson said. “Didn't play quite as well on the back nine with a couple of bogeys early. I putted very well up until the three-putt [on 18].”

Carlson got off to a quick start with three consecutive birdies beginning at the fifth before he was slowed with a bogey at the seventh.

He’d bounce back by converting his birdie chance at the ninth to turn in 3-under for the championship.

Bogeys at the 13th and 15th holes dropped Carlson back to 1-under, but he’d take advantage of his birdie opportunity at the 16th before a three-putt at the last put him in a share of the lead with Neuberger at 70.

After wedging his approach to 15 feet on the first playoff hole, Carlson two-putted for par to claim his first state victory since winning the MGA Senior Amateur at Burl Oaks Club in 2020.

Carlson, 72, won his first Twin Cities Senior Championship in 2012 at Bunker Hills Golf Club, and waited another five years before winning a second at Majestic Oaks Golf Club.

Neuberger, who claimed the MGA Senior Players’ Championship earlier this season at The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, bounced back from a pair of early bogeys over his first four holes by playing his next 12 holes in 4-under.

Following a bogey at the 17th, a par at the last put Neuberger in a share of the lead with Carlson at 1-under 70.

Steve Whittaker, champion in 2010, tallied a round of even par 71 to place third, while Brad Johnson’s round of 2-over 74 was good enough for a solo fourth-place finish.
In a recent news release, The University of Minnesota Les Bolstad Golf Course will close permanently at the end of the 2025 season.

Senior Division Final Results

University of Minnesota, Les Bolstad Golf Course

6,259 Yards, Par 71