The Minnesota State Open is the Minnesota state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Minnesota section of the PGA of America. It was first played in 1917 and has been played at a variety of courses around the state.
History The first event was held on September 6, 1917. Twenty-four players played in the event. Professional golfer Tom Stevens, who played out of the Minikahda Club in Minneapolis, won the tournament by one stroke.
In 1930, there was one of the more surprising victories. Edward Baening, a golf club salesman, "came out of nowhere" to win the event. During the mid-20th century, Joe Coria and Ade Simonson produced many highlights. In 1934, while still an amateur, Coria won for the first time. In 1940 he won for the second time, his first as a professional. In 1941, Coria and Simonson were the top contenders. Near the end of the tournament, Coria was the clubhouse leader though Simonson, still playing, was near the lead. On the 18th hole Simonson "plopped a shot 60 yards away out of a divot to within a foot of the cup" to assure a playoff with Coria. However, Coria defeated Simonson in the playoff. Coria won the tournament in 1952, his last victory. In 1959, Simonson had a chance to win. He had a four-shot lead going into the final round. However, Simonson made an 8 on the 10th hole of the final round which facilitated his loss to Bill Waryan. It was his seventh and final runner-up finish. Simonson never won the event. During this era, the tournament was held at a variety of courses around the state including Duluth, Mankato, Faribault, and Rochester.
In 1980, the event started to be permanently held at Bunker Hills Golf Club in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. During this year the tournament also started to be sponsored by National Car. It was sponsored by National Car until 1997. During these years, it was known as the National Car Open or, colloquially, as "the Car." From 1998 to 2001, the tournament was sponsored by Best Buy.
In 1998, the tournament was preceded by a series of events under the title "Minnesota Golf Week." The events included "a celebrity golf tournament, golf clinics, a junior, senior, and women's championship, entertainment and various fundraisers" followed by the tournament proper.
Around the turn of the century, Australians with golf scholarships at the University of Minnesota have won the tournament. They include James McLean in 1998, Ben Meyers in 2001, and Yu Katayama in 2008.
Since 2009, the event has alternated between Bunker Hills and a different course in the state.
Winners YearChampionRef.Minnesota State Open2025Tyler Leach2024Carson Herron (a)2023Caleb VanArragon (a)2022Van Holmgren2021Cecil Belisle (a)2020Angus Flanagan (a)2019Brady Madsen (a)2018Andrew McCain2017Benjamin Greve (a)2016Benjamin Greve (a)2015Andrew McCain (a)2014Trent Peterson (a)2013Jon DuToit (a)2012Ryan Peterson2011Troy Johnson (a)2010Clayton Rask2009Brett Swedberg2008Yu Katayama (a)2007Kane Hanson2006Mike Barge2005Jered Gusso2004Ty Armstrong2003Joe StansberryBest Buy Minnesota State Open 2002David Tentis2001Rodney Cook2000Ben Meyers (a)1999Don Berry1998James McLeanNational Car Open1997John Snyder1996Andy Brink11995John Harris1994John Harris1993George ShortridgeEDS/National Car Open1992Don BerryNational Car Open1991Bill Israelson1990Tom Lehman1989Tom Lehman1988Jon Chaffee11987Kevin Cashman1986Jim Sorenson1985Joel Goldstrand11984Chris Perry11983Mike Morley1982Mike Morley1981George Shortridge1980Dan CroonquistMinnesota State Open1979Dan Croonquist1978Dave Haberle1977Ron Benson1976Rick Ehrmanntraut1975Mike Morley1974Ron Benson1973Joel Goldstrand1972Ron Benson1971Clayton Johnson1970Dave Haberle1969Bob Reith Jr.1968Eddie Langert1967Clayton Johnson1966George Shortridge1965Dave Gumlia1964Dave Gumlia1963Joe Sodd1962Gene Hansen1961Gene Hansen1960John Cook1959Bill Waryan1958Paul O'Leary1957Ray Hill1956Charles "Pat" Sawyer1955Wally Ulrich1954Ray Hill1953Loren Krugel1952Joe Coria1951Wally Ulrich1950Bill Waryan1949Joe Coria1948Joe Coria1947Wally Ulrich (a)1946Wally Ulrich (a)1945Joe Coria1944Stan Larson1943Les Bolstad1942Harry Cooper1941Joe Coria11940Joe Coria1939Les Bolstad1938Les Bolstad1937Al Clasen (a)1936Charles "Pat" Sawyer1935Charles "Pat" Sawyer1934Joe Coria (a)1933Les Bolstad1932Carson "Lee" Herron1931No tournament1930Edward Baening1929Jock Hendry1928Jimmy Johnston (a)1927Jimmy Johnston (a)1926George Smith1925Harry Legg (a)1924George Smith1923Jack Burke Sr.1922Tom Stevens1921Jack Burke Sr.1920Jack Burke Sr.1919Jack Burke Sr.1918George Sargent1917Tom Stevens Source:
(a) denotes amateur 1 Playoff win
References
External links PGA of America – Minnesota section