2017

First Round and Final Round - Wild Marsh GC (Buffalo, MN) Par 71

John Bevans wins the 34th Riggs Open as he shoots a final round 81 to finish at -7 net, giving him his second R.O. title (2007)!  Gary Nagle (-4) and Mike Winge (-4) tied for 2nd, followed by Chad Conzet (-3) and Mark Patterson (-3), who tied for fourth.  

With gross scores of 74-73 =147, Patterson came within one stroke of the RO gross score record (146, by Craig Steen in 1990).

The first round featured good weather – temps in the low-80’s and plenty of sunshine.  Lots of low scores on the front nine!  Patterson was at -1 gross with a score of 34, Nagle shot a 38 gross, and Winge shot a gross score of 36, which put him as the early leader (at a net -5).  Chad Conzet made a move on the back nine to finish at 88 (-3 net), Nagle shot a 76 (-3 net), John Bevans 82 (-3 net).  And, Winge ended up at 78 (-5 net) to hold the lead after Day 1.  One notable highlight was 4 birdies on the front nine by Patterson (and, 5 birdies total on the day for him)!

The final round had showers predicted, but they never came to fruition (Minneapolis is about 45 minutes east of Buffalo, and they had an inch of rain).  So, no complaints there!  The front nine featured Winge holding on to his lead by shooting a 39 (-2 net), Nagle shot 38 (-1 net), and Bevans moved up with a 41 (-1 net).  Bevans moved to the front of the pack on holes 14 and 15, with back-to-back pars (and, bogeys from Winge).  And, Bev held on to win by parring the 18th hole, and Winge double-bogeyed it.  One notable highlight for the day was an eagle 3 by Patterson on the par-5, 18th!