Minnesota Golf Association

Vizina Claims Minnesota PGA Senior Match Play Title

October 3, 2018

 
 
  WACONIA, Minn. – Rolling in a birdie at the fourth hole in the final match against Daniel Callahan Wednesday, Thomas Vizina never trailed over the final 14 holes to claim the 2018 Minnesota PGA Senior Match Play Championship, 3 and 2, at Island View Golf Club.
 
Vizina wins for the first time since claiming the 2016 Minnesota Senior Open at Minnesota Valley Country Club, where he pulled out a one-stroke come from behind victory over Dave Podas.
 
Opening the championship Tuesday with a 2-up victory over Bob Miller, Vizina edged Steve Fessler, 1-up, to advance to the semifinal round. He faced defending champion Dale Jones during Wednesday’s semifinal match and would birdie two of his first three holes to take command before Jones evened the match at the eighth.
 
Taking advantage of a bogey by Jones at the ninth, Vizina regained his lead and never looked back, closing out the match with a 2-up victory at the 17th hole.
 
Facing the challenge of taking on Callahan on his home course Wednesday, Vizina rolled in his birdie putt at the fourth before Callahan answered by winning the sixth. Vizina grabbed the lead for a second time with a par at the seventh, but Callahan answered again by winning the 11th to draw even.
 
Winning the 13th with a par, Vizina took control of the match by sinking his birdie at the 14th and would close out the match after a bogey by Callahan at the 16th to earn the victory, 3 and 2.
 
 
 
2018 MINNESOTA PGA SENIOR MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
ISLAND VIEW GOLF CLUB
WACONIA, MINN.
6,252 YARDS, PAR 72
 
 
WEDNESDAY’S FINAL MATCH
Thomas Vizina, Oaks GC, def. Daniel Callahan, Island View GC, 3 and 2
 
 
WEDNESDAY’S SEMIFINAL ROUND
Thomas Vizina, Oaks GC, def. Dale Jones, Mendakota CC, 2 and 1
Daniel Callahan, Island View GC, def. Roger Fahrenkrug, Braemar GC, 5 and 4
 
 
TUESDAY’S SECOND ROUND RESULTS
Dale Jones, Mendakota CC, def. George Smith, Club Champion, 1-up
Thomas Vizina, Oaks GC, def. Steve Fessler, Medina G&CC, 1-up
Daniel Callahan, Island View GC, def. Don Berry, Edinburgh USA, 1-up
Roger Fahrenkrug, Braemar GC, def. Matt Vandelac, unattached, 3 and 2
 
 
TUESDAY’S FIRST ROUND RESULTS
Dale Jones, Mendakota CC, def. Gary Westman, Pebble Creek GC, forfeit
George Smith, Club Champion, def. Larry Norland, Greenhaven GC, 2 and 1
Thomas Vizina, Oaks GC, def. Bob Miller, MN PGA, 2-up
Steve Fessler, Medina G&CC, def. Steve Whillock, Oak Marsh GC, 4 and 2
Don Berry, Edinburgh USA, def. James Johnson, Medina G&CC, 4 and 3
Daniel Callahan, Island View GC, def. Jeff Otto, Lafayette Club, 2 and 1
Matt Vandelac, unattached, def. Craig Waryan, Edinburgh USA, 4 and 3
Roger Fahrenkrug, Braemar GC, def. Marty Lass, Edina CC, 2 and 1
 
 
For complete tournament results go to:  https://mnpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpga18/event/mnpga1865/contest/1/leaderboard.htm
 
 

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