Loeber Downs Defending Champ Gladney to Win MGA Net Amateur; Baker Wins Women's Title

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  HASTINGS, Minn. – After falling to Mike Gladney by one point a year ago at the inaugural Minnesota Golf Association Net Amateur Championship at Baker National Golf Club, Rich Loeber was able to return the favor Monday, downing Gladney on the first playoff hole to claim the championship at Hastings Golf Club.
 
After the opening round Sunday, Loeber took the early lead at the 36-hole event, which uses a Stableford format, carrying a three-point advantage over Gladney to Monday’s final round. Despite a late surge by Gladney, Loeber hung on to force a playoff before earning the victory with a gross par.
 
“Last year I made a run the second day and lost to [Gladney]. Just falling short, I’ve been looking forward to this tournament,” Loeber said following his win Monday. “I had the lead after Day One and kind of squandered it, but to seal the deal in a playoff is pretty cool. We were joking during the playoff that we have to come back next year and have a rubber match.”
 
“I was able to get off the tee really well and that’s been the strength of my game so far this year. I struggled with some of my approach shots and chipping, but I was able to make some shots when it counted and hit some really good putts.”
 
Picking up 17 points during his opening nine Monday, Loeber extended his lead to six points over Gladney before the defending champion rallied to earn 13 points during his final five holes to force a playoff with a 36-hole total of 69 points.
 
“On 12 I stuck one pretty close. Some guys I was playing with in my group starting catching up and were right on my heels, so I was able to bear down and stick one in close,” said Loeber. “It’s a lot of fun—putting these types of events together to give guys who like playing golf an opportunity to play. It’s good competition.”  
 
In the Senior Division, Ivory Giles entered Monday’s final round with a two-point advantage and hung on to claim a one-point victory over Phil Link with a total of 72 points.