Jones Holds Off Snyder to Win Minnesota PGA Professional Championship

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  BYRON, Minn. – Sinking a two-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole Tuesday at Somerby Golf Club, Dale Jones defeated Brent Snyder to claim the 90^th Minnesota PGA Professional Championship.
 
Jones previously went eight seasons without a victory from 2008 to 2016, but now owns wins in back-to-back seasons and earns a spot in the 54^th PGA Professional Championship next spring at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
 
Firing a 5-under 67 Monday, Jones entered the final round Tuesday with a two-stroke advantage over both Brent Snyder and Eric Rolland. Jones played his first nine holes in even par with two birdies against two bogeys to remain at 5-under for the championship before a bogey at the par-3 13^th dropped him back into a share of the lead with Snyder.
 
Momentarily dropping back to second at 3-under following a bogey at the 16^th, Jones bounced back by sinking his birdie opportunity at the 17^th and would finish 36 holes of regulation at 4-under 140 with Snyder.
 
With four state titles to his credit, Jones has been one of Minnesota’s most consistent professional players for well over a decade, collecting nearly 50 top-10 finishes since 2007.
 
Also joining Jones at the national championship next spring will be Snyder, Jeff Sorenson, Derek Holmes, Luke Benoit and Kris Kroetsch. Eric Rolland and Bill Israelson earned the final two qualifying spots following a playoff.
 
Entering the week with three wins already this season, the always steady Snyder carded four birdies and a bogey during his opening round to sit three shots back. During Tuesday’s final round Snyder rolled in a lone birdie at the par-5 fifth hole to post a 4-under 140 for a share of the lead.
 
Chipping inside of three feet on the first playoff hole, Snyder’s birdie chance grazed the lip and wouldn’t drop.
 
In 16 events this season, Snyder has finished inside the top-10 in all but one, collecting more than $19,000 in earnings on the season.
 
Sorenson fired a final-round 69 to finish in third place at 3-under 141, while Holmes posted back-to-back rounds of 71 to place fourth at 142.
 
 
 
THE 90^TH MINNESOTA PGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
SOMERBY GOLF CLUB
BYRON, MINN.
7,030 YARDS, PAR 72
 
 
TUESDAY’S FINAL RESULTS
1. Dale Jones, Mendakota CC, 67-73—140 (won playoff)
2. Brent Snyder, Troy Burne GC, 69-71—140
3. Jeff Sorenson, The Minikahda Club, 72-69—141
4. Derek Holmes, PXG Minneapolis, 71-71—142
T5. Luke Benoit, Interlachen CC, 73-70—143
T5. Kris Kroetsch, Fargo CC, 72-71—143
T7. Grant Shafranski, North Oaks GC, 73-71—144
T7. Bill Israelson, Vintage at Staples, 73-71—144
T7. Don Berry, Edinburgh USA, 72-72—144
T7. Eric Rolland, Augsburg College, 69-75—144
 
 
For complete tournament results go to:
https://mnpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpga20/event/mnpga2033/contest/5/leaderboard.htm