BRAINERD, Minn. – In search of his first state title since winning the Minnesota Golf Association Players’ Championship in 2017, Jacques Wilson fired a 2-under 69 Monday at The Classic at Madden’s on Gull Lake to earn a share of the first-round lead at the 122nd MGA Amateur Championship.
Wilson enters Tuesday’s second round tied with University of St. Thomas golfer Mason Roloff and 16-year-old Chase Larson.
“I’m tired—it’s a grind out here today,” the 30-year-old Wilson said Monday. “The wind earlier in the round definitely played a factor on some of the holes. I only hit three drivers the entire day, but I think I hit 15 or 16 greens.
“Ball-striking was great, but pins were in some spots where you couldn’t be too aggressive, which you’re going to get at a tournament like this. That’s where playing in these for as long as I have is a bit of an advantage—you’ve got to know to be patient.”
Even through his first 10 holes Monday, Wilson rolled in his birdie chance from four feet at the 11th to reach red figures.
Wilson, who started his collegiate career at the University of Kansas before finishing his career at Charleston Southern University, capitalized on both par-5s during his inward nine, including his putt from 20 feet at the 16th, to take the outright lead at 3-under before failing to get up-and-down for par at the par-3 17th, finishing in a three-way share of the lead at 2-under 69.
“Anything under par for three consecutive rounds will be in a good spot,” Wilson said. “Tomorrow we are supposed to have similar wind, so I don’t see anybody taking the course and running with it.
“If you can get yourself in good spots off the tee, you’ll have looks, but all the par-3s are 200-plus yards and there’s water everywhere. You’re one swing away from a double-bogey at any time.”
Beginning his summer with a strong finish at the MGA Players’ Championship at Spring Hill Golf Club, where he advanced to the finals, Roloff played his opening nine holes in 2-under Monday before tallying three birdies against three bogeys during his final nine to pace the field with a 2-under 69.
“It’s such a grind on this golf course and I feel like you just can’t let your guard down,” Roloff said following his opening round Monday. “Trying to commit to every shot, even though some of them are tough to look at visually—try to make the best swing you can.
“Off the tee was good today—kept it between the jungle on both sides. Could be a little better getting to the greens, but on and around the greens was pretty solid.”
Larson, who will begin his junior year at Edina High School this fall, tallied two birdies during his opening nine Monday before he was slowed with two bogeys at the 12th and 14th holes.
Converting his birdie chance at the par-4 14th, Larson then dropped his birdie putt at the 16th to earn a share of the lead at 2-under 69.
Sam Udovich, who capped off his senior season at Cretin-Derham Hall with individual medalist honors while leading the Raiders to the Class AAA team title at Bunker Hills Golf Club last month, rolled in his birdie chance on his final hole Monday to card a 1-under 70.
The 2025 Mr. Minnesota Golfer award recipient will begin Tuesday’s second round tied for fourth with Hank Sogge.
Beginning his round on the 10th tee Monday, Udovich carded a pair of birdies against one bogey to turn in 1-under for his round.
Following a birdie at the par-5 first, Udovich took double-bogey at the second before rallying late with a pair of birdies to help him pull within one shot of the lead at 1-under 70.
“I thought I played some good golf today,” Udovich said Monday. “Started off plus-one through two and fought all the way to 2-under and then made an unbelievably sloppy double-bogey on 11. The best thing I did was to keep myself in it after the [double-bogey].
“I need to hit a couple more fairways tomorrow. I only hit driver about three times because I was spraying it a little bit today. Played well, so I’m not going to change much.”
Taking advantage of his home-course knowledge Monday, Sogge birdied two of his final three holes to move into a share of fourth place with his 1-under 70.
Sogge, who’s an employee of the golf course, played his first ten holes in even par before his first bogey of the round at the 11th.
The former Eagan High School golfer answered by converting his birdie opportunity at the 13th, but again took a step back with bogey at the 14th.
Rolling in his birdie putt at the 16th put Sogge back to even par for the round and he’d finish the day with a birdie at the 18th to post a 1-under 71.
Trent Peterson, winner of the 2008 championship at Windsong Farm, finished birdie-eagle Monday to close out his opening round at even par. He’ll start the second round tied for sixth former Tommie golfer Matt Armstrong and former University of Minnesota golfer Josh Persons.
The second round of the 122nd MGA Amateur is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. at The Classic at Madden’s on Gull Lake.