Rose Cruises to Third MGA Senior Players' Victory

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  ALEXANDRIA, Minn. – The scene at Alexandria Golf Club resembled a club championship rather than a state championship Wednesday, as all four players who advanced to the semifinals of the 24th Minnesota Golf Association Senior Players’ Championship hold a deep connection to the home of the Resorters tournament.

In the end it was Jerry Rose who came out on top following a victory over Mark Aldrich in the championship match, 6 and 4, to claim his third title at the tournament since 2017.

“I love the event—it’s a great tournament,” Rose said Wednesday after winning his sixth match in three days. “This one means a lot more only because it’s my home course. There were a lot of people here pulling for all of us Alexandria guys, so it was fun to play well here.

“I’ve looked forward to this event more than anything we’ve had in the last couple of years.”

Rose defeated fellow Alexandria native Rick Frieburg, 4 and 3, during the semifinal round early Wednesday to face Aldrich in the championship match.

Carding birdie on each of his first two holes during the final match, Rose took control early and never relented, increasing his lead to three following a bogey by Aldrich at the third.

With four birdies already on his scorecard during his opening nine, Rose birdied the par-5 12th and would win the 13th and 14th to close out the match, 6 and 4, for his sixth state championship victory.

“I played great this afternoon and didn’t really hit any bad shots—six birdies in 14 holes,” Rose said. “I struggled a little bit yesterday and didn’t have that feel, but played well today. I had one bogey, and it was a three-putt this morning.

“All-in-all, I hit the ball great and made some putts, so it was pretty fun.”

Playing past the 15th hole just twice in six rounds this week, Rose admitted his game has again taken shape after nearly reaching a boiling point this winter.

“Golf is a fickle game. When you’re playing well, you never think you’re going to lose it. And when you’re not, you never think you’ll get it back,” said Rose. “I just got frustrated this winter because it’s just not fun when you’re not playing to your capabilities.

“I haven’t practiced much the past few years and I figured I had better start working on my game, so I practiced quite a bit this spring, and so far, it’s paid off.”

Rose, who players jokingly referred to as “The Godfather” Wednesday, won his first Senior Players’ Championship in 2017 when he defeated Leif Carlson at St. Cloud Country Club.

In 2021 he claimed his second win at the event with a victory over John Anderson at The Quarry at Giants Ridge.

To go along with his three wins at the Resorters, Rose partnered with Jim Lehman to win the MGA Senior Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Windsong Farm in 2019.

Coming off a top-20 finish at the Minnesota Senior Open two weeks ago, Aldrich defeated another Alexandria native, Mark Lindberg, during the semifinal round Wednesday, 5 and 3, to face Rose in the championship.

"I played fantastic this morning, but I drove it pathetically today and that’s the strong point of my game,” Aldrich said Wednesday. “I usually don’t miss fairways, and I was behind trees the first four holes. If you hit it in the trees, you’re not making birdies and pars."

A stiff back during the morning session only worsened for Aldrich during his championship match against Rose.

“It was sore before I teed off this morning, but I got through it. My last drive on 14, it was gone, but at that point the match was already done,” said Aldrich, who has been playing Alexandria Golf Club for more than 45 years. “You can’t beat a legend on his home course. You have to beat the best guy up here, and Jerry’s been the best here for 20 years.

“This is my first event as a senior and I won five out of my six matches, so I take away a lot from the week.”

Aldrich opened with a win over Colin Bork, 3 and 2, before downing Larry Keithahn during the second round of pool play.

After edging J.B. Lloyd, 2 and 1, Aldrich advanced to the quarterfinal round, where he emerged victorious following a 23-hole bout with J.T. Johnson before facing Lindberg early Wednesday.