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Hegland, Simenson win Vandy titles John J. McRae Bemidji Pioneer Published Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Bruce Hegland of Apple Valley won the men's championship, while Bemidji's Bruce Simenson claimed the senior men's championship crown Monday during the 40th annual Vandersluis Memorial Golf Tournament at Bemidji Town and Country Club. It was the first Vandy championship for both golfers. The men's championship match up could not have been closer or more exciting. Hegland made up a four shot deficit during Monday's final round and then won with a chip in birdie on the first extra hole for the title. Neil Rude of White Bear Lake entered the final round of the 54 hole event with a three shot lead (72-70 142). Hegland was a ways back (74-72 146) but still very much in contention. Did Hegland, playing in his third Vandy tournament, think he had a shot at the title? "I didn't think in those terms," he said. "I just wanted to have a score around par. Some of my friends told before the round, though, that they thought I would go low." Hegland started out the round playing very well and erased the four shot deficit and then some after the first nine holes. Playing in the final group with Rude, Hegland fired a four under 32 on the front nine, including birdies on 4, 5, 8 and 9. At the same time, Rude made the turn at one over 37, giving Hegland a one shot lead with nine holes to play. Things went south for Hegland after making the turn. He bogeyed 10, 11 and 13 and Rude regained a one shot lead. It didn't last long. Rude bogeyed 14 and a Hegland par evened the score. Hegland then birdied 15 to take a one shot lead again. Both players parred the 16th hole. Rude then made a great up and down from behind the 17th green for par to match Hegland's four. Hegland, then, held a one shot lead going into the final hole of regulation. Rude wasn't done. He played 18 to perfection, canning a 10 footer for birdie, while Hegland carded a par. Hegland's 70 on the day and Rude's 74 forced a extra holes. The championship was decided quickly. Both players hit good drives. Hegland's approach came up just short, ending between the edge of the green and the right side bunker. Rude flew his second shot over the green and then faced a long putt for par after a tough chip shot. Hegland calmly stepped and sank his chip for birdie, winning the title. "As soon as I hit it I knew it was going to be close," said Hegland with a smile, "and then it just kept rolling right into the hole." Hegland said he first became aware of the tournament from his brother Mark. "His daughter was playing hockey for Bemidji State and that's how he first heard about the Vandy. He came out, saw that it was a lot of fun and said we should get a group together to play. "That's what we did and we've been coming here ever since. It's a very enjoyable tournament and everyone treats you so well. I've made some great friends here." A 1980 graduate of Apple Valley High School, Hegland said he played golf as a youth but concentrated on hockey. Following high school he played hockey for four years at the University of Maine. Coming back to golf after his college days, Hegland said he now plays a lot of Minnesota Public Golf Association tournaments each year. "I love the Vandersluis," he said. "It feels like you're out there with family every day." Simenson wins Bemidji's Bruce Simenson engaged in a dual with fellow Bemidjian Bob Kobilka on the final day, eventually squeaking out a one shot victory. Kobilka (72-77), led Simenson by one shot (76-74) entering Monday's final round. That pretty much made it match play scenario for the two. Is that the way Simenson played it? "I really didn't pay much attention to anyone else," he said with a chuckle. "I had business of my own to take care of. "It was tough out on the course — windy and a playing little more firm than usual. I tried to concentrate on what I was doing, to make a good swing on each shot." Simenson said he thought he played well on the front nine on the final day, ending at one over 37. "I bogeyed 2 and 8, but had a birdie on 4," he said. "I thought I only made a couple of bad swings." After a birdie on 10, Simenson ran into a bit of bad luck, carding bogeys on 11 and 12 before knocking his tee shot into the hazard on 14, leading to a double bogey. He turned things around quickly, however, with a birdie on 15. Pars followed on 16 and 17 (where he had a nice up and down from the right side bunker), giving Simenson a two shot lead going into the final hole. Both players hit nice drives using three woods off the final tee. Simenson's approach was short, leaving him a long birdie putt of more than 20 feet. Kobilka knocked his approach close for what looked like a certain birdie (and it was with Kobilka making the putt). That meant Simenson had to two putt for the win. "I had a really good first putt," said Simenson. "It stopped about four inches away." That clinched it; Simenson tapped in for par and the championship. "It was a lot of fun playing under the windy conditions with the course firm," the champ said. "You knew you had to hit it on the right side of the hole or you could be in trouble. I thought I hit the ball well and shot 74-75 the last two days. "It really was an enjoyable time out there."