ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. – A bogey-free 6-under 66 Monday at Brookview Golf Course helped Matt Norgaard pace the field at the 39th Minnesota Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship, earning a share of the first-round lead with Andy Stahlman.
Norgaard birdied two of his final three holes to close out his first round, searching for his first state victory since claiming the 2021 Minnesota Public Golf Association Combination Championship with partner Nick Jarrett at Emerald Greens Golf Course.
“It was a good day. Generally, everything worked well but the putter was very good,” Norgaard said Monday. “I didn't have too many misses. When I did miss, I found myself in good spots.
“Having never played [Brookview] before, I was cautious at times, but some of the holes lent to more aggressive shots. It's been several years since I've played [Minneapolis Golf Club], always enjoy playing there. The mindset is the same, just a different course and a new challenge.”
Carding three birdies during his front nine Monday, Norgaard converted a fourth at the par-5 second hole, sinking a 10-footer to reach 4-under par for his round.
Taking advantage of a birdie chance from inside of six feet at the seventh, Norgaard then two-putted for birdie at the ninth to begin the championship with a clean scorecard of 66.
Norgaard and Jarrett earned a pair of victories in 2021, the MGA Amateur Four-Ball at Brackett’s Crossing Country Club before closing out the season with a win at the MPGA Combo in Hastings.
Carding three birdies to close out his opening nine at 3-under at Brookview, Stahlman holed out for eagle from 90 yards at the par-5 second to quickly jump 5-under.
After back-to-back birdies at the fifth and sixth, Stahlman carded his second bogey of the opening round at the seventh. But he’d rebound with a birdie at the par-5 ninth to join Norgaard at 6-under 66.
“I hadn’t played out here for 15-plus years, so it was fun to see it again,” Stahlman said Monday. “I’m dealing with some back issues, so today was all about swinging smooth and keeping it in play.
“After Jesse Bull whooped me in the club championship [at The Club at Golden Valley], for the first time in years, I was craving some more competitive golf. Signed up for this the next day. Hope to keep it rolling the rest of the week.”
Jesse Larson posted the lowest round from Minneapolis Golf Club Monday, a 5-under 67 to put him one back of the lead ahead of Tuesday’s second round.
“Played solid pretty much the whole round. Had some good looks on both nines, just made a few putts on the back,” Larson said Monday. “That was kind of the difference.
“I've never played Brookview, so go home and do some recon tonight and then just try to keep it in front of you. Don't try to do too much with it and get the ball on the greens. Hopefully, have a good putting day and try to get out of there with a decent score.”
Turning in 1-under for the championship, Larson narrowly missed his eagle opportunity at the first before sinking his birdie look from 10 feet at the fifth.
Sticking a 6-iron to eight feet at the sixth led to Larson’s fifth birdie of the round and he’d finish by punching his approach from 100 yards at the ninth to six feet and converting one last birdie opportunity to card a 5-under 67.
Bull and Jarrett both carded rounds of 4-under 68 Monday to finish the opening round in a share of fourth, two shots behind Norgaard and Stahlman.
The 39th MGA Mid-Amateur Championship continues Tuesday with the second round scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. at both Minneapolis Golf Club and Brookview Golf Course.