Vandelac Goes Back-to-Back at Minnesota Senior Open

  MAPLEWOOD, Minn. – Posting a round of 6-under 66 for a second consecutive round at Keller Golf Course Wednesday, professional Matt Vandelac cruised to a four-stroke victory over Bill Israelson to successfully defend his title at the 41st Minnesota Senior Open.

Vandelac becomes the sixth player in tournament history to claim back-to-back titles and first since Don Berry won two straight in 2019 and 2020.

"When you’re 64 and you win, you think, ‘Maybe that’s a good career, call it a day—I’ve got that to hang my hat on,’” Vandelac said following his win Wednesday. “But I wanted to back it up. After I won, I played really well in the [Minnesota State Open and the Minnesota PGA Senior Professional Championship]. I didn’t want to be a flash in the pan, and doing it again this year, that’s pretty satisfying.

“I was happy with my overall consistency. Wedges are key out here, you’ve got to hit those. I practiced hard over the weekend, and I’ve been working hard on my putting and it paid off.”

Looking ahead to Wednesday’s final round after posting his opening-round 66 Tuesday, Vandelac said he hoped to avoid early bogey trouble like he did to begin his final round a year ago, eventually holding on to shoot a 1-over 73 to edge Dave Carothers, Aaron Wiemiller and John Brellenthin.

“I made birdie on one and that set the tone,” said Vandelac, who birdied two of his first three holes to begin the final round to expand his lead early. “I hit the ball well, probably hit it better yesterday, but made the putts I needed to make.”

Vandelac carded his first bogey of the championship at the fourth, but answered by tallying a pair of late birdies during his opening nine to turn in 7-under for the tournament.
After capitalizing on the par-5 10th for a second straight day with a birdie, Vandelac watched the 2011 champion Israelson rattle off four consecutive birdies to move within two shots of the lead.

“I was really looking to hit the middle of the green and make pars,” he said. “Then [Israelson] made three birdies in a row and I started to take my foot off the gas.”
Vandelac’s approach at the par-4 14th bounced off the flag and stopped six feet from the hole, where he’d convert his sixth birdie of the day to reach 9-under.

He began to distance himself from the field with a birdie at the par-5 16th before sinking his birdie look from three feet to take a five-stroke lead.

An inconsequential bogey at the last gave Vandelac his second straight win at the championship by posting a 12-under 132, as well as low honors in the 65 and Over Division.

For a second consecutive round Wednesday, Israelson shot his age, a 4-under 68, for his best finish at the championship since his win in 2011 at Brackett’s Crossing Country Club.
“Couldn’t have started off any better,” Israelson said Wednesday. “Got off to a solid start and played pretty well on the front side. Could’ve made a few putts, but got a couple of breaks, too. Back side I threw up four birdies in a row and put a little pressure on [Vandelac], but he just played so good all day. To shoot 68 again was pretty good.”

Scattering seven birdies against three bogeys to open the championship Tuesday, a steady Israelson played his first 10 holes in even par Wednesday before getting comfortable with his putter by sinking four straight chances beginning at the 11th.

The 68-year-old Israelson closed out the championship with consecutive pars over his final four holes to finish four shots back of Vandelac at 8-under 136.

“I was surprised I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I would be today,” said Israelson. “I putted well yesterday, so I felt better teeing off and that gave me some confidence and makes you more relaxed. I’ve shot a couple under here for the tournament previously, so this was probably my personal best by about six strokes.”

Don Berry, a seven-time winner, tallied a third-place finish at 7-under 137 to claim the 60-64 age division, while 2023 Minnesota Golf Association Senior Amateur champion Mark Aldrich finished tied for fourth, overall, with 2023 champion Chris Borgen.

Aldrich earned low amateur honors as well in the 50-59 Division.