Schmitz Fires 68 at Baker National to Grab Early Lead at 29th MGA Mid-Amateur Championship

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  MEDINA, Minn. – A 4-under par 68 by two-time champion Sammy Schmitz paced the field Monday to begin the 29th Minnesota Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship at Medina Golf and Country Club and Baker National Golf Club.

Leif Carlson and Troy Johnson each carded rounds of 2-under par 70 to finish the opening day of competition tied for second, two shots back of Schmitz.

A pair of bogeys overshadowed Schmitz’s one birdie during his front nine Monday at Baker National, but Schmitz would catch fire over the final nine, sinking five birdies to shoot 31 over the final nine holes to finish on top of the leaderboard after the opening round at 68.

Schmitz, Valleywood Golf Course, won the 2015 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, Fla., and was helped by a miraculous ace at the 290-yard, par-4 33rd hole, en route to a 3 and 2 victory over Florida’s Marc Dull.

Carlson, Valleywood Golf Course, started quickly at Medina Monday, rolling in three birdies in a span of seven holes before taking a bogey at the ninth to turn at 2-under.

The 2012 MGA Senior Men’s Player of the Year would card a pair of birdies and two bogeys over the final nine holes to finish in a tie for second at 2-under par 70.

Johnson, who won the event in 2010 and again in 2014, showcased why he’s been one of the state’s most consistent players in recent years Monday at Baker National, carding a birdie and the par-4 third and a second birdie at the 11th to finish with a bogey-free 70 and will begin the second round Tuesday, tied for second only two shots back.

Joe O’Brien, Ben Greve and David Anderson each carded rounds of 71 Monday to finish the opening day of competition tied for fourth.

The 29th MGA Mid-Amateur Championship continues Tuesday at both Medina and Baker National, with tee times scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.