Price, Peterson and Aldrich Winners on First Day at MGA Senior Players' Championship

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  BREEZY POINT, Minn. – Making five appearances at the Minnesota Golf Association Senior Players’ Championship since 2014, James Price has advanced from his opening match on each occasion.

With a pair of victories to his credit to begin the championship Monday at Deacon’s Lodge, Price is one victory away from advancing to the quarterfinal round for a fourth time in 10 seasons.

“I’m 71—so I’m just happy to be here,” Price said following the first day of competition Monday. “I wanted to come in and play the best I could and try not to shoot myself in the foot. I made a lot of pars, and sometimes that’s all it takes. I had a fantastic day, no complaints.”

Facing 2019 Minnesota Public Golf Association Senior Public Links winner Rick Frieburg to begin the tournament early Monday, Price’s stability was on display from his first tee shot, winning four of his first five holes, hanging on for the victory, 4 and 3.

Falling behind Bob Auman early during the second round of pool play Monday, Price rallied to take a 3-up lead through nine holes before converting his birdie chance at the par-4 10th hole, on his way to his second win of the day, 6 and 5.

“I putted really well today. I didn’t make a lot putts, but if I was 50 feet way, I had no problem getting down in two. Above the hole or in a bad spot, I had my speed dialed in. I didn’t three-putt once and that was the best part of my game.”

Hoping to reach the quarterfinal round once again, Price will have to get past 2019 MGA Senior Amateur champion Trent Wilcox during Tuesday’s final round of pool play.

“Trent doesn’t make any mistakes,” Price said. “I’m sure he’s going to throw in some birdies, too. I only made one birdie today, so I’m going to have to make more birdies if I’m going to beat him.”

Overcoming three consecutive bogeys to begin the championship Monday, 2020 MGA Senior Men’s Player of the Year Tim Peterson rallied behind an eagle from 12 feet at the par-4 seventh hole before winning four of his first seven holes over the back nine to defeat Patrick Muellerleile, 4 and 2.

Facing Scott Holt during the second round Monday, Peterson again fell behind early, but used a birdie to begin his back nine to propel him to victory, 3 and 2.

“Played much better this afternoon,” Peterson said. “I hit the ball solidly in the second round and didn’t get into much trouble. Most of the time I was fairly close to the hole and made a lot of pars. My approach play was good—I had quite a few good looks a birdie.

“I come up here every spring and the conditions are completely different, it’s almost like a different golf course. It’s so firm and fast—it’s really cool and very fun to play. You have to think about what the ball’s going to do once it hits the ground.”

Peterson reached the semifinal round of the 2021 championship at Giants Ridge Golf and Ski Resort, falling to John Anderson in 20 holes.

Asked what it will take to contend late in the championship this week on a familiar course, Peterson replied, “Second shots and controlling your ball is going to be key—you don’t want to be on the wrong side of some of these pins.”

Peterson will face John Mugford during Tuesday’s final round of pool play.

Defending MGA Senior Amateur champion Mark Aldrich won both of his matches Monday, looking to make a deep run for a second consecutive season.

After advancing to the finals last season at Alexandria Golf Club, Aldrich was slowed with a back injury during his match against eventual winner Jerry Rose, falling to the five-time MGA Senior Men’s Player of the year, 6 and 4.

A little more than three months later, Aldrich shot 68-69 during the final two rounds at Wayzata Country Club to cruise to a four-stroke victory.

Aldrich edged David Mingo, 2 and 1, to begin the championship Monday prior to sinking a pair of birdies chances during his back nine of the afternoon session to help defeat Michael Smith by the same margin.

David Haslerud, winner of the 2017 MGA Senior Amateur Championship earned a pair of victories Monday, as did two-time MPGA Senior Public Links champion Don Howe.

The final round of pool play at the 25th MGA Senior Players’ Championship is slated to begin at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at Deacon’s Lodge.