Defending champs survive opening-round challengers

BEMIDJI – Joe Burgess of Woodbury took the first step toward defending his Executive Championship Wednesday when he stopped Tony Carlson of Maple Grove 3 and 2 in the opening round of match-play.

In today’s quarterfinals Burgess will tangle with Miles Schacher of Hawley who eliminated Matt Mayer of Fargo 2 up Wednesday.

Today’s other upper bracket match pits Derrick Johnson of Grand Forks against Scott Hinners of Bemidji. In Wednesday’s action Johnson slapped Rick Barrett of Red Lake 4 and 3 while Hinners escaped Brad McEnroe of Minneapolis 1 up.

Today’s lower-bracket matches pit Todd Witkowski of Michigan against Randy Landsverk of Fosston and Lee Hetletved of Grand Forks against Russ Moen of Bemidji.

In Wednesday’s action Witkowski downed Dale Finck of Bertha 2 and 1. Finck finished second last year and was this week’s medalist.

Landsverk thumped Todd Schaefer of Grand Forks 6 and 4 while Hetletved belted Vern Capelle of Little Falls 6 and 5 and Moen squeaked past Aaron Burnside of Detroit Lakes 1 up.

Bruce Nord of Grand Forks also passed the first test of his Senior title defense as he defeated Duane Wages of Grand Forks 2 and 1.

Today’s challenge will be Matt Anderson of Zumbrota who tripped Bob Kobilka of Bemidji 1 up Wednesday.

Today’s other match in the upper bracket pits Jeff Hendrickson of Thief River Falls against Doug Hiney of Grand Forks. Hendrickson topped Glen Hasselberg of Staples 1 up while Hiney tripped Don Dale of Bemidji 3 and 1 in Wednesday’s first round.

Headlining the lower bracket is John McEnroe of Woodbury. On Tuesday he captured the medalist honor and Wednesday he defeated Jim Kennelly of Bemidji 6 and 5 in his match-play opener.

Today McEnroe will battle Curt Howard of Sapupla, Okla. Howard stopped Daniel Gilman of Centennial, Colo. 4 and 3 Wednesday.

Today’s other match pits Brian Patterson of Scandia against Craig Bihrle of Bismarck. Patterson trimmed Jeff Nelson of Bemidji 4 and 3 while Bihrle slipped past Pete Keeley of Bemidji 2 and 1.

Another defending champion, Jack Seiberlich of Rush City, leads the Masters division contenders and Wednesday he defeated Gerald Graham of San Jose 5 and 4.

Seiberlich’s next challenge will be Jim Nelson of Houston who topped Robert Duckson of Burnsville 2 and 1 Wednesday.

Thomas Hanson of Detroit Lakes needed 19 holes to oust Ken Riesberg of Mesa, Ariz. and today he will face Birchmont veteran Bryant Barnes of Bemidji who defeated Murray Williamson of Eden Prairie 2 up.

Joe Mayer of Bemidji, the Masters medalist, continued his hot play Wednesday as he downed Rick Curb of Bemidji 6 and 5. Today he will face Bob Sorensen of Neptune, N.J. who thumped Ed LeBeau of Bemidji 5 and 3.

Today’s other Masters match-up pits Bob Ostlund of Walker against Chuck Hiller of Crookston. In Wednesday’s action Ostlund bumped Vern Steinmetz of Fargo 6 and 5 while Hiller stopped Ralph Pester of Bemidji 3 and 1.

Aaron Leintz of Bagley followed his medalist performance with a 5 and 3 win over Zac Borgen of St. Michael Wednesday. Today he will square off against Barrett Eickhof of Grand Forks who nipped Gavin Loscheider of Grand Forks 1 up.

Matthew Gregg of Bemidji advanced with a 4 and 3 win over Andrew Thompson of Grand Forks while his Thursday opponent, Doug Larson of Crookston, tackled Reed Bohm of St. Hilaire 7 and 5.

Bemidji’s Elliott Leinen was a 4 and 3 winner over Austin Jensen of Grand Forks and he will meet fellow Bemidji High School varsity teammate Sam Starkey today. On Wednesday Starkey dominated Grant Anderson of Edina 8 and 6.

Alex Barrett of Bemidji downed Chris Washington of Bemidji 5 and 3 while Morgan Williams of Bemidji tripped Matt Borgen of St. Michael 2 and 1. In today’s quarterfinals Williams, who is a member of the Bemidji High School girls golf team, will tangle with Barrett.

The Juniors are scheduled to begin their rounds at 7:51 a.m.