Israelson, Schaefer, Foss & Curb Make Birchmont Semis; Glesne & Sheetz in Women's Final

BEMIDJI -- Andrew Israelson ran his winning streak to eight consecutive matches in the Birchmont on Friday, as the defending champion beat Gage Stromme 4&3 in the quarterfinals at Town & Country Club.

With that, the North Dakota State sophomore-to-be earned a spot in the Saturday morning semifinals against the player who preceeded him as Birchmont champ, the 2015 winner, Nick Schaefer. Schaefer, who played golf for NDSU's arch-rival, North Dakota, beat Tim Skarperud of Grand Forks.

There was one other former champ in the quarters. That was 2011 winner Johnny Larson of Springfield, but he lost 3&2 to Chris Curb. Curb, a Bemidji State alumnus, was a co-medalist in the qualifying earlier in the week with a 36-hole total of 135 (67-68).  

As a result, Curb will take on fellow Bemidji State alum James Foss in the semis. Foss got there with a 1-up victory over yet another former Beaver -- Matt Haugstad.  

In the Women's Division, the two Nelson sisters bowed out on Friday in the semifinals.

Kristin Glesne, who knocked off the 2016 champ, Emily Israelson (Andrew's sister), in the qiuarters (1 up), needed only 16 holes to dismiss Katie Nelson 3&2. So the soon-to-be Iowa sophomore will play three-time champ Katie Sheetz (2013, '14, '15) for the 2017 title. Sheetz and Annie Nelson needed 19 holes to settle things between them on Friday, and Sheetz won with a birdie on the first extra hole.   

MINNESOTA AMATEUR GOLF

Birchmont

At Bemidji Town & Country Club

Par 72

Bemidji

Men's Championship Division

Round of 16 -- Thursday

(1) Andrew Israelson, Staples, def. Chad Skarperud, Fargo 5&4

Gage Stromme, West Fargo, def. Matt Norby, Grand Forks 2&1

Nick Schaefer, Grand Forks, def. Chris Swenson, Fergus Falls 5&4

Tim Skarperud, Grand Forks, def. Will Holmgren, Plymouth 1 up

Matt Haugstad, Bemidji, def. Danny Menton, Minnetonka 21 holes

James Foss, Roseau, def. Lucas Johnson, Moorhead 2&1

Chris Curb, Bemidji, def. Connor Bjugstad, San Antonio 4&3

Johnny Larson, Sringfield, def. Justin Johnson, Bemidji 1 up

Quarterfinals -- Friday

Israelson def. Stromme 4&3

Schaefer def. Tim Skarperud 1 up

Foss def. Haugstad 1 up

Curb def. Larson 3&2


Women's Division

Quarterfinals -- Thursday 

Kristin Glesne, San Antonio, def. (1) Emily Israelson, Staples 1 up

Katie Nelson, Bismarck, def. Hailey Abel, Avilla, N.D. 19 holes 

Katie Sheetz, Grand Rapids, def. Haley Tollette 1 up

Annie Nelson, Bismarck, N.D., def. Abby Kelm, Bemidji 3&2

Semifinals -- Friday

Glesne, San Antonio, def. Katie Nelson 3&2

Sheetz def. Annie Nelson 19 holes