Berry in the Lead at Tapemark -- Again

September 20, 2019 | 3 min.



WEST ST. PAUL -- Stop me if you've heard this one before. 

Don Berry shot a 4-under-par 67 at Southview Country Club on Friday and leads the Tapemark Charity Pro-Am by a stroke after the first round. 

Actually, anyone who's been paying attention to golf in this area during the last few decades has heard or seen that one before, because Berry leading a professional major is the most frequently recurring theme in the history of Minnesota golf. He owns the records for most state professional major titles (24), most non-senior state championships (30) and most overall state titles (41).

His most recent victory came at the Minnesota PGA Championship three weeks ago. Berry claimed that crown for the 10th time (another record). This weekend, the 57-year-old head pro at Edinburgh USA will be looking for his eighth Tapemark title (he already has that record, as well, with seven). 

Berry has been the PGA Player of the Year 16 times. The only other two players to have won that award since 1995 are Jeff Sorenson, who has won it six times, and Brent Snyder, who's won it twice. Both of them should also be in contention for the 2019 Tapemark crown this weekend. Sorenson is tied for second place, along with Ross Miller and Sam Matthew, at 68. Miller is the defending champion. He won last year in a playoff with Berry and Robert Bell. Matthew is a former Minnesota State Amateur champion who is now an assistant pro at North Oaks.

Eric Chiles is alone in fifth place with a 69. Snyder is part of a four-way tie for sixth at 70, along with Thomas Campbell, Alex Kline and Eddie Wynne. 

There is also a four-way tie among the pros for 10th, which includes Bell, plus Andy Smith, Kyle Scanlon and Austin Meissner. They're all at 71. And so is the low amateur, Colin Kinsel, a Southview member and former club champion.

Rain was predicted for Friday, as if the courses in the Twin Cities needed more water. The rain failed to materialize, and the sky was mostly sunny. But all the rain we've had this summer (1 1/2 times the normal amount) has produced thick, juicy rough, and that, combined with fast greens, made scoring at Southview a challenge on Day 1 of the Tapemark, even though the course is playing at only 6,121 yards.

Starting on the back nine, Berry made six birdies and two bogeys. To win the Tapemark, you have to take advantage of the par-5's, which are relatively short. Berry did that. He hit a 4-hybrid onto the green at the 490-yard 17th hole and two-putted for a birdie. The sixth is 470 yards, and Berry reached that green with a 5-wood second shot, for another two-putt birdie. But he couldn't help thinking that he gave a couple shots away on Friday, with a bogey at the 350-yard, par-4 first, and a three-putt bogey to conclude his round at the 330-yard, par-4 ninth.

Tapemark Charity Pro-Am

At Southview Country Club

Par 71, 6,121 yards

West St. Paul

First-round results 


1. Don Berry, Edinburgh USA              67

T2. Ross Miller, Medina                       68

T2. Jeff Sorenson, Minikahda              68

T2. Sam Matthew, North Oaks            68

5. Eric Chiles, Chaska Town Course  69

T6. Brent Snyder, Troy Burne             70

T6. Thomas Campbell, 2nd Swing      70

T6. Alex Kline, Troy Burne                  70

T6. Eddie Wynne, Bolstad/University  70

T10. Robert Bell, Pierz                        71

T10. Kyle Scanlon, Rush Creek          71

T10. Austin Meissner, Majestic Oaks  71

T10. Colin Kinsel (A), Southview         71

   

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