MGA Press Release

Roller, Hasselberg to Meet in Birchmont Women's Final

BEMIDJI -- Rachel Roller, who won the Women's Championship Division at the 2009 Birchmont, moved to within one victory of a second straight title on Thursday as she defeated Missy Tabery 3&2 in the semifinals.

Her opponent in the 2010 final will be Cydney Hasselberg, who shared medalist honors earlier this week, thanks to a 75 in the qualifying round. Hasselberg, a sophomore to be at North Dakota State, defeated Shelby Sauer 7&5 in the other semifinal match.

Sauer had upset the other co-medalist, Ali Nelson, a former Minnesota state Class AAA high school champ from Moorhead, 4&3 in the quarters.

The defending champ in the Men's Championship Division, Tom Jenkins, is also still advancing, although there are still eight players left in that category. Jenkins had to go all the way to the 18th green, but he defeated Chris Curb of Bemidji 1 up.

Jenkins, a former MGA Players' winner (he defeated newly crowned State Open champ Clayton Rask in 19 holes to win that title in 2007), now lives in Plymouth. But he is a hometown hero in Bemidji, having attended Bemidji State. 

Unlike Jenkins, the medalist, Tim Skarperud, who was the runner-up to Jenkins last year, did not survive Thursday's Round of 16. Kevin Krigbaum eliminated the two-time finalist (Skarperud's other second-place finish came in '07) 2&1.     

The Birchmont 2010

At Bemidji Town & Country Club

Men's Championship Division

Second-round matches (Round of 16)

Tom Jenkins, Plymouth, def. Chris Curb, Bemidji, 1 up

Sam Matthew, Roseville, def. Paul Daman, Bemidji, 2&1

Clint Cornell, Grand Rapids, def. Jake Sanders, Crookston, 1 up

Eric Lilleboe, Okemos, Mich., def. Matt Norby, Grand Forks, 8&6

Kevin Krigbaum, Brooklyn Park, def. Tim Skarperud, Grand Forks, 2&1

Mike Levitt, Bemidji, def. Adam McArthur, Detroit Lakes, 2&1

Matt Skarperud, Scottsdale, def. Sam Carr, Roseau, 3&2 

Scott Messmer, Houston, Texas, def. Jim Foss, Roseau, 1 up

Women's Championship Division

Semifinals

Rachel Roller, Fargo, def. Missy Tabery, Wadena, 3&2

Cydney Hasselberg, Staples, def. Shelby Sauer, Bemidji, 7&5