Norland, Schmierer and Brischke Share Early Lead at MN Senior PGA Professional Championship

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  FOREST LAKE, Minn. – Carding rounds of even par 72 Monday, Larry Norland, Brad Schmierer and Craig Brischke each earned a share of the lead following the opening round of the 2017 Minnesota Senior PGA Professional Championship at Forest Hills Golf Club.

Norland, Schmierer and Brischke will be chased by the threesome of Mike Flaherty, Dean Zahn and three-time defending champion, Don Berry, after all three fired rounds of 1-over par 73 to sit one shot back when the final round gets underway Tuesday.

Starting slow Monday, Norland carded a bogey on the opening hole but came charging back with three birdies over his next eight holes to turn at 2-under for the championship.

Carrying his momentum to the final nine, Norland birdied the 10th, but would stumble late with three bogeys in a four-hole span to finish with a share of the lead at even par 72.

Schmierer carded a pair of bogeys to begin his front nine, but rolled in his birdie look at the par-4 ninth to turn at 1-over and would card a lone bogey over his final nine to finish in a tie for the lead at 72.

Carding back-to-back bogeys at the second and third holes, Brischke fell to 2-over for the tournament before finding his footing to par six consecutive holes to turn at 2-over. Birdies at the 10th and 12th holes put Brischke back to even for the day and he would par the final six holes to finish tied with Norland and Schmierer at 72.

The final round of the 2017 Minnesota Senior PGA Professional Championship is slated to begin at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday at Forest Hills Golf Club.



2017 MINNESOTA SENIOR PGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
FOREST HILLS GOLF CLUB
FOREST LAKE, MINN.
6,514 YARDS, PAR 72


MONDAY’S RESULTS
T1. Larry Norland, Greenhaven GC, 34-38—72
T1. Brad Schmierer, Dakota Pines GC, 37-35—72
T1. Craig Brischke, Tanners Brook GC, 38-34—72
T4. Mike Flaherty, Dakota Pines GC, 38-35—73
T4. Dean Zahn, Moccasin Creek CC, 37-36—73
T4. Don Berry, Edinburgh USA, 39-34—73
T7. Jay Norman, TPC Twin Cities, 39-35—74
T7. George Smith, Club Champion, 38-36—74
T7. Thomas Vizina, Oaks GC, 35-39—74
T10. Mike Barge, Hazeltine Nat’l GC, 38-37—75
T10. John Cleary, Univ. of Minn., 39-36—75
T10. Steve Whillock, Oak Marsh GC, 38-37—75


For complete tournament results go to: https://mnpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpga17/event/mnpga1767/contest/1/leaderboard.htm