Snyder Cruises to Third MN PGA Match Play Title and Second MN Section Player of the Year Honors

September 22, 2017 | 6 min.


By Nick Hunter
nick@mngolf.org


  ROSEVILLE, Minn. – Brent Snyder took an early lead by carding birdie on the opening hole Friday during his championship match against Derek Stendahl Friday at Midland Hills Country Club and never looked back as Snyder won his third Minnesota PGA Match Play Championship.

With the victory Snyder collected his sixth win of the season, including two section majors, and likely sealed Minnesota Section Player of the Year honors for a second time in the past five seasons. In 19 events this year, Snyder has 15 top-10 finishes, earning more than $21,000 in winnings.

“I am overwhelmed with gratitude—I live my life one day at a time, and that type of thinking and process has created some special memories,” Snyder said Friday. “My full time caddy in the summer months is my brother, but my wife jumps on the bag in the spring and fall sometimes. It was great to have her along for the walk on Thursday and Friday.

“The final match finally included my putter, which was helpful. Overall, ball striking was very solid, and I was fortunate to finally find the pace on the greens. Midland asks for a fade on most holes, so my comfort level with the shots required at that golf course were ideal. My friends give me a hard time with what my draw looks like, basically a few yards of a pull.”

Beginning the tournament with a first-round bye as the No. 2 seed, Snyder cruised to a 6 and 5 victory during the Round of 16 over Chris Borgen Wednesday before edging Jonathan Reigstad, 2 and 1, to reach the semifinals Thursday.

Needing a late rally, Snyder came from behind to top Grant Shafranski in 19 holes to face Stendahl in the finals.

“It was tough playing against my good friend [Reigstad] in the quarters. He is such a talented player, and we had a nice match all the way to 17. Semifinal match was real tricky. I was certainly pressed a bit, and felt like I couldn't get the energy rolling,” Snyder said. “[Shafranski] is a terrific young player, who I believe will have a strong professional playing career. Three down with three to play is not an exciting place to be, but we decided to just stay in our lane and hit the next shot asked of us.”

Snyder rolled in a short birdie on the opening hole Friday against Stendahl to take the only lead he would need before increasing the margin to 2-up after a bogey by Stendahl at the fourth.

Stendahl was conceded his makeable eagle after Snyder couldn’t convert birdie, cutting into his lead at the fifth, but Snyder came charging back to win three consecutive holes with birdie, taking a 4-up lead to the back nine.

A birdie at the par-5 10th put Snyder squarely in control as his lead swelled to 5-up and he would cruise over the next four holes to close out the match at the 14th with a par to win, 5 and 4.

Snyder, of Troy Burne Golf Club, earned his first victory at the event by defeating Jeff Sorenson at Dellwood Country Club in 2010 before downing Minnesota Golf Hall of Famer Don Berry at Rush Creek Golf Club in 2013.

“There’s certainly not one thing that is specific to my eventful season. My work with my company has been extremely busy, and I have received so many blessings from watching my players flourish and succeed. Constantly being around that work ethic and environment of process is certainly helpful,” Snyder said Friday. “We were so disappointed after returning from the PGA Professional Championship, as we knew I was playing well, it just hadn't come together. I was able to put a run together through late June and July. Through the back stretch of the season, collecting these last two majors has been a rewarding experience, solely in the sense of the passion I have for the game.

“Golf is hard, it often asks more of you then you can produce. That human experiment of testing yourself and the golf course is a freeing adventure. I understand how difficult it is to win golf tournaments, and I am fully aware of the amazing talent we have through the Minnesota section. To accumulate eight wins this season, six of which throughout the section, and two of them majors is completely humbling. My gratitude is limitless.”

A teaching professional in his 11th season at Troy Burne in Hudson, Wis., Snyder says he’s invested his life into serving people, and he’s done it quite well as the list of his students’ accomplishments is extensive.

“As the years go on, I challenge myself, my wife, my family, my staff, and all my students to present their best self. Work super hard, have a great time along the way, and make everyday an opportunity to get a little better,” he said. “Golf is simply a vehicle. I am in the service business, and my role is to be of maximum service. I have realized over the years that as I center more of my attention to others, my life becomes simplified, and is full of amazing experiences. It's an awesome journey, and I suspect I'll keep trying to find ways to improve.”



THE 2017 MN PGA MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
MIDLAND HILLS COUNTRY CLUB
ROSEVILLE, MINN.
6,867 YARDS, PAR 72


FRIDAY’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

Brent Snyder, Troy Burne GC, def. Derek Stendahl, Rush Creek GC, 5 and 4


THURSDAY’S SEMIFINAL RESULTS
Derek Stendahl, Rush Creek GC, def. Paul Speltz, Brackett’s Crossing CC, 2 and 1
Brent Snyder, Troy Burne GC, def. Grant Shafranksi, Hiawatha GC, 19 holes


THURSDAY’S QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
Derek Stendahl, Rush Creek GC, def. Jeff Sorenson, Minikahda Club, 4 and 2
Paul Speltz, Brackett’s Crossing CC, def. Scott McDonald, Minnewaska GC, 4 and 3
Brent Snyder, Troy Burne GC, def. Jonathan Reigstad, Keller GC, 3 and 1
Grant Shafranski, Hiawatha GC, def. Don Berry, Edinburgh USA, 2 and 1


WEDNESDAY’S ROUND OF 16 RESULTS
Jeff Sorenson, Minikahda Club, def. Andy Smith, Hazeltine Nat’l GC, 7 and 6
Derek Stendahl, Rush Creek GC, def. Derek Holmes, Dellwood CC, 3 and 2
Paul Speltz, Brackett’s Crossing CC, def. Eric Rolland, Augsburg College, 3 and 1
Scott McDonald, Minnewaska GC, def. Eddie Wynne, University GC, 2 and 1
Brent Snyder, Troy Burne GC, def. Chris Borgen, Lost Spur GC, 6 and 5
Jonathan Reigstad, Keller GC, def. Bob Miller, Minnewaska GC, 3 and 1
Don Berry, Edinburgh USA, def. Tom Kirkland, Victory Links GC, 1-up
Grant Shafranski, Hiawatha GC, def. Eric Chiles, Chaska TC, 1-up


WEDNESDAY’S ROUND OF 32 RESULTS
Jeff Sorenson, Minikahda Club, BYE
Andy Smith, Hazeltine Nat’l GC, def. Chris Peterson, Dellwood CC, 2 and 1
Derek Holmes, Dellwood CC, def. Thaddeus Bloberger, Midland Hills CC, 2 and 1
Derek Stendahl, Rush Creek GC, def. Daniel Callahan, Island View GC, 2-up
Eric Rolland, Augsburg College, def. Larry Norland, Greenhaven GC, 3 and 2
Paul Speltz, Brackett’s Crossing CC, def. Jeff Running, Burl Oaks GC, concession
Eddie Wynne, University GC, def. Matt Vandelac, Unattached, 2 and 1
Scott McDonald, Minnewaska GC, def. Philip Anderson, North Oaks GC, 3 and 2
Brent Snyder, Troy Burne GC, BYE
Chris Borgen, Lost Spur GC, def. Christopher Sauer, Cedar Creek GC, 1-up
Jonathan Reigstad, Keller GC, def. Ryan Hanford, Midland Hills GC, 2 and 1
Bob Miller, Minnewaska GC, def. Timothy Brovold, Bunker Hills GC, 19 holes
Don Berry, Edinburgh USA, def. Shawn Weisen, Royal GC, concession
Tom Kirkland, Victory Links GC, def. Kris Kroetsch, Fargo CC, 1-up
Eric Chiles, Chaska TC, def. Greg Jamieson, University GC, 2 and 1
Grant Shafranski, Hiawatha GC, def. Erik Toftner, Hiawatha GC, concession

 

Contact Us

Contact Us

6550 York Avenue South, Suite 411 • Edina, MN 55435 • (952) 927-4643 • (800) 642-4405 • Fax: (952) 927-9642
© 2024 Minnesota Golf Association. All Rights Reserved