163 golfers gathered at the Bemidji Town & Country Club for the 44th Annual Gordy Skaar Memorial Golf Tournament on June 18, which grossed nearly $40,000 in support of Bemidji State’s athletic programs.

With both morning and afternoon flights, all participants in the five-person scramble received tee gifts including a commemorative golf towel, golf balls and a gift bag courtesy of tournament sponsor Sanford Health. Golfers enjoyed Stittsworth Meats brats grilled by Ace on the Lake, buns from Raphael’s Bakery & Cafe and a walleye meal following their round.

On-course games included a long-drive challenge, closest-to-the-hole competition, putting contest and a hole-in-one contest for a new car provided by Dondelinger GM in Bemidji. In addition, an online auction was promoted the week of the event featuring BSU apparel and merchandise, items donated from local Bemidji businesses, golf packages and the opportunity to watch a BSU Men’s Hockey game from a Sanford Center suite. The auction allowed bidders from all across the nation to support the tournament.

Long-drive winners on holes 1, 3, 4, 8 and 9 were Mara Rosenberg, Kevin Pickhard, Jake Kangas, Ryan Welle and Craig Hougan respectively. Closest-to-the-hole winners were John Buckanaga (hole 2), Tom Serratore (hole 7) and Clint Cornell (hole 11).

Dave Erickson scored an ace on hole 14.

Low net scores:

1st place (47.3): Tom Serratore, Paul Friesen, Andy Friesen, Jeff Peltier, Clint Cornell

2nd place (48.7): Gary Ross, Don Ross, Jerry Phillips, Jeff Parker, Troy Hendricks

3rd place (49.3): Tiffany Paine, Bob Paine, Shelly Geerdes, Kevin Geerdes

Low gross score:

1st place (49): Ryan Welle, Travis Barnes, Eric Carlson, Tony Burlingame, Bob Brink

The 45th Annual Gordy Skaar Memorial Golf Tournament will return to the Bemidji Town & Country Club on June 17, 2022. The tournament has raised nearly $900,000 for BSU Athletics since 1978 with proceeds supporting student-athlete scholarships through the Beaver Pride fund and the Gordy Skaar Memorial endowment.