Johnson Eagles His Way to Share of MGA Mid-Amateur Lead with Fleegel

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  WACONIA, Minn. – Joel B. Johnson was pleasantly surprised when he holed out his approach from 130 yards for an eagle at the 13th hole Tuesday at Island View Golf Club.

But he was practically speechless when he holed out for another eagle five holes later.

“Crazy day—I’ve never done that before,” Johnson said following his round Monday. “It was kind of freaky. I was like, ‘What’s going on here?’ I haven’t holed out in a long time, and to have two on the same nine is crazy.”

Johnson’s two eagles helped him to an opening-round 68 to share the clubhouse lead with Bryan Fleegel following the first round of the 36th Minnesota Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship.

Beginning his day on the 10th tee at Island View Monday, Johnson took bogey on his opening hole, but he would turn in 3-under thanks to his two eagles at 13 and 18.

Reaching the par-5 first in two, Johnson would two-putt for birdie to climb to 4-under for the round.

At the par-3 fourth, Johnson hit his tee shot to eight feet and converted his birdie chance to reach 5-under, but would miss his short par putt on his final hole to post a 68 to begin the championship.

“Iron play was really good, and I hit the ball really solid,” said the two-time Minnesota Public Golf Association Mid Public Links champion Johnson. “My driver off the tee was good enough. I hit a ton of greens, but only made an 8-footer all day.”

Johnson now turns his focus to Tuesday’s second round when he switches venues to Chaska Town Course.

“You just have to keep attacking because these courses are getable. [Chaska] has a lot of birdie opportunities. Just have to keep playing golf.”

Johnson is in search of his second win of the season after claiming the 97th Arrowhead Invitational at Ridgeview Country Club in July.

Teaming with Curt Carbaugh at the 2008 MGA Amateur Four-Ball, Johnson claimed his first state victory at Hillcrest Golf Club.

He claimed victories at the MPGA Mid Public Links and the MPGA Combination Championship 2010 before his fourth state win at the Loren Krugel in 2018 at Mankato Golf Club.

In 2019, Johnson claimed a second win at the Loren Krugel, as well as his second win at the MPGA Combination Championship.

Prior to his win earlier this season, Johnson’s most recent victory came in 2021 when he claimed his second MPGA Mid Public Links Championship at Green Haven Golf Course.

Playing his opening round at Chaska Town Course Monday, Fleegel carded four birdies during his outward nine, including back-to-back birdies at the eighth and ninth holes to turn in 4-under.

Unable to save par at the par-4 11th, Fleegel bounced back by converting his birdie chance on the ensuing hole to get back to 4-under for the day.

Carding his second bogey of the round at the par-5 15th, Fleegel would again rebound by taking advantage of his birdie opportunity at the 17th to earn a share of the clubhouse lead with a 4-under 68.

"I was happy with how I drove the ball today," Fleegel said Monday. "It put me in position to attack with the wedges, which is a strength of mine.

"Tomorrow I will try to give myself as many birdie chances as I can and we'll see where it goes from there."

Connor Herman tallied seven birdies during his opening round at Island View Monday, but gave back four strokes to finish in a share of third with John Ouren and 2021 MGA Senior Amateur champion and 2022 MGA Senior Men’s Player of the Year John Brellenthin at 3-under.

The field will be cut to the low 60 players, plus ties, following the second round of play Tuesday.

The second round of the 36th MGA Mid-Amateur Championship is slated to begin at 8 a.m. at both Chaska Town Course and Island View Golf Club.