The County Am

County Am champ anxious for 2020

Ben Skogen already knows what he is doing the first weekend of August in 2020.
Skogen (pictured) will be playing in the 30th anniversary edition of the La Crosse County Men's Amateur Golf Championship as presented by Pepsi-Cola of La Crosse on Aug. 1 and 2.
Skogen plans to not only be among players and fans celebrating the 30th annual County Amateur, but he also hopes to celebrate a third straight title in Championship Flight.
Skogen, 25, a former WIAA state champion at Onalaska High School and a four-year letterwinner on the University of Wisconsin Badgers' golf team before graduating in 2018, shot an even par 70 at Drugan's Castle Mound Country Club in Holmen on the final day this year for a two-shot victory over rival Tyler Church, the first-round leader. Skogen finished at 70-70-140 while Church stumbled in with 68-74-142. Skogen's first title in 2018 came a little easier. Coupled with a 2-under par 69 at The Golf Club at Cedar Creek in Onalaska on opening day, he posted 70 at Castle Mound the final round for 139, four shots lower than runner-up Jake Dunn.
With another victory in 2020, Skogen would join Ryan Quinn (2001-02-03) and Harvey "Buster Ott (1968-69-70) as winners of three consecutive titles. Only the late Rich Jungen (1939-40-41-42) and Don Iverson (1964-65-66-67) have collected four straight victories in the County Am dating back to its beginning in 1932.
"The County Am is one of the highlights of my summer," said Skogen recently. "It is very special for our golf community, too. Cedar Creek and Drugan's are great hosts.
"We have an awesome tournament committee that keeps this great tournament going, and we are all very thankful for you all," Skogen added. "I can’t wait for next year!"
Skogen realizes there is a target on his back, but feels that's when he's at his best.
"Winning any County Am is a very tough task. You have to be on top of your game to win any year," he said.
The Festival Foods manager trainee refuses to list any of the other top contenders, adding he would forget some because there are so many good golfers in the area.
"Actually, I try not to pay attention to the field and just play my game," he said.
After capturing his first County Am title in 2018, the talented right-hander said his philosophy was to play against himself and the golf courses rather than against other players or watch the leaderboard. That strategy won't change in 2020.
"Yeah, I feel like I do a really good job of this, especially since I’ve graduated from college. I don’t put as much pressure on myself and play against the golf course and stick to my strategy and the plan," he explained. "I have a lot of confidence in myself and my golf game. I just try to out-think people and be the toughest guy on the course."
In addition to the 30th anniversary addition of the 36-hole Men's County Amateur Championship on Aug. 1-2, the Kwik Trip Seniors and Pepsi Women's County Amateurs, both 18-hole events, are scheduled one week earlier, on July 25.

2020 LA CROSSE COUNTY AMATEUR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS

SATURDAY, JULY 25: La Crosse County Seniors Amateur Golf Championship as presented by Kwik Trip at Forest Hills Golf Course in La Crosse, WI; Contact Bob Lamb at 608-781-4408, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Jackie and Bruce Kaiser at 608-783-0979 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

SATURDAY, JULY 25: La Crosse County Women's Amateur Golf Championship at The Golf Club at Cedar Creek in Onalaska, WI; Contact Bob Lamb at 608-781-4408, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Jackie and Bruce Kaiser at 608-783-0979 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

SATURDAY, AUG. 1: La Crosse County Men's Amateur Golf Championship as presented by Pepsi-Cola of La Crosse at The Golf Club at Cedar Creek in Onalaska, WI; Contact Bob Lamb at 608-781-4408, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Jackie and Bruce Kaiser at 608-783-0979 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

SUNDAY, AUG. 2: La Crosse County Men's Amateur Golf Championship as presented by Pepsi-Cola of La Crosse at Drugan's Castle Mound Country Club in Holmen, WI; Contact Bob Lamb at 608-781-4408, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Jackie and Bruce Kaiser at 608-783-0979 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Skogen makes it 2 in a row for County Amateur

HOLMEN, WI - The 2019 La Crosse County Men's Amateur Golf Championship as presented by Pepsi-Cola of La Crosse title belongs to Ben Skogen (pictured) once again.
Skogen, a former WIAA state champion at Onalaska High School and a four-year letterman on the University of Wisconsin Badgers' golf team before graduating in 2018, shot an even par 70 at Drugan's Castle Mound Country Club in Holmen on Sunday for a two-shot victory over rival Tyler Church, the first-round leader. Skogen finished at 70-70-140 while Church stumbled in with 68-74-142.
It was a classic nail biter both days with Church getting the upper hand at The Golf Club at Cedar Creek in Onalaska on Saturday. His 3-under par 68 gave him a two-shot lead over Skogen entering Sunday's round, but anyone who has followed the 29th annual County Am, knows anything can happen on the final day.
While they battled back and forth all day, Skogen, a shift manager at Festival Foods in Onalaska, made some crucial shots on the closing holes and sealed it with a par on the 18th hole when Church bogeyed.

FIRST FLIGHT
Jeff Pigorsch picked up his first victory in First Flight with a pair of 75's for a 150 total. Bruce Lindseth, first-round co-leader with Pigorsch, finished at 153.

SECOND FLIGHT
Tony Friedl shot 80-82-162 to capture Second Flight honors. Holmen's Roy Brock finished runner-up three strokes back with 165.

THIRD FLIGHT
Greg Espenes managed to slip past three other players to win Third Flight with 171. Jeff Meyer, Scott Hackworth and Eric Flack all finished at 172.

FOURTH FLIGHT
Keith Seidel posted 90-89-179 to defeat Jim Dolesy by two shots for the Fourth Flight crown.

2019 LA CROSSE COUNTY AMATUER MEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

AS PRESENTED BY PEPSI-COLA OF LA CROSSE

Final-Round Results
Drugan's Castle Mound-Holmen
Par 71-70-141)

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
Ben Skogen 70-70 140
Tyler Church 68-74 142
Connor Frawley 75-70 145
Drew Schroeder 74-72 146
Bennett Hutson 75-74 149
Carson Brock 76-73 149
Paul Williamson 77-72 149
Aaron Bishop 77-72 149
John Percy 78-72 150
Andy Tomashek 79-73 152
Nick Tomlinson 74-79 153
Eric Johnson 75-78 153
Joel Preeshl 79-74 153
Mike Drugan 79-75 154
Quinn Schultz 81-73 154
Derek Iverson 74-81 155
Tom McClintock 79-76 155
Dan Lenz 78-78 156
Jordan Graf 79-77 156
Ben Korger 81-75 156
Mike Bistodeau 78-79 157
Cody Dirks 71-87 158
Tony Roberts 77-82 159
Jon Wilson 77-83 160
Almann Brague 84-76 160
Mark Miller 83-79 162
Eric Olson 83-80 163
Evan Friedl 81-83 164
Jake Dunn - WD

(Par 71-71-142)
FIRST FLIGHT
Jeff Pigorsch 75-75 150
Bruce Lindseth 75-78 153
Trevor Schultz 80-74 154
Randy Olson 78-77 155
Mitch Gault 79-78 157
Blaine Mason 81-79 160
Rahn Pischke 84-78 162
Jordan Rudolph 90-74 164
Jim Jenkins 82-84 166
Kurt Peters 90-77 167
Larry Peterson 84-85 169
Paul Bruha 89-83 172
Wes Snyder 85-89 174
Zach Elliott 88-89 177
Rick Stewart DNS

SECOND FLIGHT
Tony Friedl 80-82 162
Roy Brock 82-83 165
Thomas Grapes 85-81 166
Paul Franke 83-84 167
Derek Canady 85-82 167
Jon Strangstalien 85-82 167
Randy Blank 86-81 167
Robert Schoen 89-79 168
Bjorn Berg 93-77 170
Daron Schmitz 88-84 172
Carsen Dellemann 94-78 172
Marty J. Blocker 89-86 175
Jamie Eklov 86-93 179
Tim Peterson 103-88 191

THIRD FLIGHT
Greg Espenes 80-91 171
Jeff Meyer 84-88 172
Scott Hackworth 86-86 172
Eric Flack 89-83 172
Edward Malone 86-87 173
Daniel M. Breeden 93-82 175
Tony Mueller 86-90 176
Jeff Osgood 86-91 177
John Bahr 84-97 181
Bob Sciborski 95-87 182
Kyle Larkin 91-94 185
Leon McNutt 96-89 185
Jon Mueller 103-99 202
Tom Morris 101 DNF

FOURTH FLIGHT
Keith Seidel 90-89 179
Jim Dolesy 93-88 181
Andrew Lindseth 92-93 185
Marv Davis 92-95 187
Marty J. Gora 92-97 189
Bob Roers 95-96 191
Tom Johnson 98-94 192
Eberhard Bosse 93-101 194
Ronald Puestow 99-96 195
Monte Jacobson 103-92 195
Steve Crogan 103-99 202
Jeff Krueger 103-100 203
Edward Hoskin 103-103 206
Kyle Koske DQ

2019 La Crosse County Amateur tee times Day 2

2019 LA CROSSE COUNTY AMATEUR MEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
AS PRESENTED BY PEPSI-COLA OF LA CROSSE

Sunday's Final Round Pairings
Drugan's Castle Mound-Holmen
(Par-35-36-71)

THIRD FLIGHT (1st TEE)

7:30 A.M.
Jon Mueller
Tom Morris

7:39 A.M.
Leon McNutt
Bob Sciborski
Daniel M. Breeden

7:48 A.M.
Kyle Larkin
Eric Flack
Scott Hackworth

7:57 A.M.
Jeff Osgood
Tony Mueller
Edward Malone

8:06 A.M.
John Bahr
Jeff Meyer
Greg Espenes

FOURTH FLIGHT (10th TEE)
7:30 A.M.
Steve Crogan
Monte Jacobson

7:39 A.M.
Edward Hoskin
Jeff Krueger

7:48 A.M.
Ronald Puestow
Tom Johnson
Bob Roers

7:57 A.M.
Eberhard Bosse
Jim Dolesy
Marty J. Gora

8:06 A.M.
Marv Davis
Andrew Lindseth
Keith Seidel

SECOND FLIGHT (10th TEE)
11:30 A.M.
Tim Peterson
Carsen Dellemann

11:39 A.M.
Bjorn Berg
Robert Schoen
Marty J. Blocker

11:48 A.M.
Daron Schmitz
Jamie Eklov
Randy Blank

11:57 A.M.
Thomas Grapes
Derek Canady
Jon Strangstalien

12:06 P.M.
Paul Franke
Roy Brock
Tony Friedl

FIRST FLIGHT (10th TEE)
12:15 P.M.
Jordan Rudolph
Kurt Peters

12:24 P.M.
Paul Bruha
Zach Elliott
Wes Snyder

12:33 P.M.
Rahn Pischke
Larry Peterson
Jim Jenkins

12:42 P.M.
Blaine Mason
Trevor Schultz
Mitch Gault

12:51 P.M.
Randy Olson
Jeff Pigorsch
Bruce Lindseth

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT (1st TEE)
11:30 A.M
Almann Brague
Eric Olson

11:39 A.M
Mark Miller
Quinn Schultz

11:48 A.M
Evan Friedl
Ben Korger
Joel Preeshl

11:57 A.M
Andy Tomashek
Jordan Graf
Tom McClintock

12:06 P.M.
Mike Drugan
Dan Lenz
John Percy

12:15 P.M.
Mike Bistodeau
Paul Williamson
Aaron Bishop

12:24 P.M.
Jon Wilson
Tony Roberts
Carson Brock

12:33 P.M.
Eric Johnson
Bennett Hutson
Connor Frawley

12:42 P.M.
Derek Iverson
Nick Tomlinson
Drew Schroeder

12:51 P.M.
Cody Dirks
Ben Skogen
Tyler Church

Church leads 29th annual La Crosse County Amateur

ONALASKA, WI - Is this Tyler Church's year?
Will Ben Skogen pull off his second straight victory?
Could young gun Cody Dirks surprise both Church and Skogen, or could someone else rise from the pack and pull off an upset?
We'll see on Sunday during the final day of the 29th annual La Crosse County Amateur Men's Golf Championship as presented by Pepsi-Cola of La Crosse at Drugan's Castle Mound Country Club in Holmen.
Church (pictured) stormed to a 3-under par 68 at The Golf Club at Cedar Creek in Onalaska on Saturday. Skogen, 24, who won his first County Am title last year, managed 70, while 18-year-old Dirks turned in a 71.
That's your threesome for Sunday's final tee time at 12:51 p.m. Another large crowd is expected to follow the last few groups as it has for the previous 28 years. Saturday's opening day crowd was one of the largest ever, but Sunday's could prove to be a record setter.
Church shot 4-under par 32 on the front side on Saturday before finishing with 1-over 36 on the back nine. Skogen shot 34-36, including a bogey 5 on the 18th hole.
Dirks managed 37-34-71 and joins Skogen.
Meanwhile, Jeff Pigorsch and Bruce Lindseth pace the First Flight with 75, three strokes lower than Randy Olson.
Tony Friedl is atop Second Flight with 80, two shots better than Roy Brock.
Greg Espenes leads Third Flight with 80, while Keith Seidel has a two-stroke advantage in Fourth Flight with 90.

2019 LA CROSSE COUNTY AMATEUR MEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
AS PRESENTED BY PEPSI-COLA OF LA CROSSE

Saturday's Results
The Golf Club at Cedar Creek
In Onalaska, WI
(Par 36-35 71)

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
Tyler Church 32-36 68
Ben Skogen 34-36 70
Cody Dirks 37-34 71
Derek Iverson 35-39 74
Nick Tomlinson 38-36 74
Drew Schroeder 38-36 74
Eric Johnson 39-36 75
Bennett Hutson 38-37 75
Connor Frawley 36-39 75
Carson Brock 39-37 76
Jon Wilson 39-38 77
Tony Roberts 40-37 77
Paul Williamson 38-39 77
Aaron Bishop 40-37 77
Mike Bistodeau 39-39 78
John Percy 41-37 78
Dan Lenz 40-38 78
Mike Drugan 40-39 79
Andy Tomashek 41-38 79
Jordan Graf 37-42 79
Tom McClintock 40-39 79
Joel Preeshl 38-41 79
Ben Korger 42-39 81
Evan Friedl 39-42 81
Quinn Schultz 38-43 81
Mark Miller 40-43 83
Eric Olson 38-45 83
Almann Brague 41-43 84
Jake Dunn WD

FIRST FLIGHT
Jeff Pigorsch 40-35 75
Bruce Lindseth 38-37 75
Randy Olson 39-39 78
Mitch Gault 39-40 79
Trevor Schultz 41-39 80
Blaine Mason 42-39 81
Jim Jenkins 40-42 82
Rahn Pischke 39-45 84
Larry Peterson 40-44 84
Wes Snyder 40-45 85
Zach Elliott 44-44 88
Paul Bruha 47-42 89
Jordan Rudolph 44-46 90
Kurt Peters 46-44 90
Rick Stewart DNS

SECOND FLIGHT
Tony Friedl 40-40 80
Roy Brock 40-42 82
Paul Franke 44-39 83
Thomas Grapes 42-43 85
Derek Canady 41-44 85
Jon Strangstalien 45-40 85
Jamie Eklov 41-45 86
Randy Blank 44-42 86
Daron Schmitz 43-45 88
Robert Schoen 46-43 89
Marty J. Blocker 47-42 89
Bjorn Berg 48-45 93
Carsen Dellemann 40-54 94
Tim Peterson 51-52 103

THIRD FLIGHT
Greg Espenes 41-39 80
John Bahr 45-39 84
Jeff Meyer 42-42 84
Jeff Osgood 46-40 86
Scott Hackworth 40-46 86
Tony Mueller 41-45 86
Edward Malone 41-45 86
Eric Flack 44-45 89
Kyle Larkin 46-45 91
Daniel M. Breeden 47-46 93
Bob Sciborski 47-48 95
Leon McNutt 50-46 96
Tom Morris 53-48 101
Jon Mueller 48-55 103

FOURTH FLIGHT
Keith Seidel 43-47 90
Andrew Lindseth 46-46 92
Marv Davis 46-46 92
Marty J. Gora 46-46 92
Eberhard Bosse 43-50 93
Jim Dolesy 44-49 93
Bob Roers 49-46 95
Tom Johnson 47-51 98
Ronald Puestow 50-49 99
Edward Hoskin 54-49 103
Jeff Krueger 50-53 103
Steve Crogan 51-52 103
Monte Jacobson 49-54 103
Kyle Koske DQ

Onalaska's Skogen eager for another County Am title run

Ben Skogen (pictured) says he's ready to defend his title in the 29th annual La Crosse County Amateur Golf Championships as presented by Pepsi-Cola of La Crosse.
The 36-hole tournament begins at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at The Golf Club at Cedar Creek in Onalaska, then moves north to Drugan's Castle Mound Country Club in Holmen for the final 18 holes on Sunday.
Skogen, a former WIAA state champion at Onalaska High School and a four-year letterman on the University of Wisconsin Badgers' golf team before graduating in 2018, shot an even par 70 at Castle Mound for a three-stroke victory in Championship Flight last year.
Coupled with a 2-under par 69 at Cedar Creek, Skogen finished at 139, four shots lower than runner-up Jake Dunn.
Skogen said he had a simple philosophy last year.
"My major strategy was to play against myself and not against the other players because I've done that in the past," said the 24-year-old right-hander. "I just wanted to keep the pedal to the metal. Fortunately, I did that and came out on top."
Skogen hopes that strategy carries through again this year.
"I just have to play against myself and the golf course," he said. "It's pointless to worry about how other people are playing."
However, Skogen realizes it won't be easy.
"There are several good players. I just have to play good again and see what happens," he said, refusing to mention other top contenders. "I'm not saying names because there is a bunch."
Skogen recalls last year's title like it was yesterday and says he has everlasting memories.
"Last year's title was awesome. To just see how tight-knit the La Crosse golf community is, having all those fans following us and to have your name on that trophy with all those other guys is something I'll always remember."
Skogen grew up at the par-36 layout at Coulee Golf Bowl in Onalaska, but also knows both County Am tourney courses very well. He was extremely pleased with his 2-under 69 the first day at Cedar Creek.
"Usually, I play way better at Castle Mound, but it was nice to get a head start and three-shot lead after the first day at Cedar Creek," he said.
Skogen played in the 2015 and 2017 County Amateurs, finishing fourth both times. He majored in communications at the University of Wisconsin and for the past six months has been a shift manager at the Onalaska Festival Foods store.
"I love the job, the people and what the company stands for - leadership!" he said.
Skogen honed his leadership skills early. He was co-captain his junior year and captain his senior year at Onalaska High School. He also was the Badgers captain his senior year. He wants to be the leader by the end of Sunday's final County Amateur round, too.

2019 LA CROSSE COUNTY MEN'S AMATEUR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

AS PRESENTED BY PEPSI-COLA OF LA CROSSE

Saturday's First-Round Pairings
At The Golf Club at Cedar Creek
In Onalaska, WI
(Par-36-35-71)

Men's Fourth Flight - 10th Tee
7:30 a.m.
Edward Hoskin
Jeff Krueger

7:39 a.m.
Ronald Puestow
Steve Crogan
Eberhard Bosse

7:48 a.m.
Tom Johnson
Andrew Lindseth
Marv Davis

7:57 a.m.
Marty J. Gora
Kyle Koske
Bob Roers

8:06 a.m.
Monte Jacobson
Jim Dolesy
Keith Seidel

Men's Third Flight - First Tee
7:30 a.m.
Greg Espenes
Leon McNutt

7:39 a.m.
Edward Malone
Jon Mueller
Bob Sciborski

7:48 a.m.
Tom Morris
John Bahr
Daniel M. Breeden

7:57 a.m.
Kyle Larkin
Jeff Osgood
Eric Flack

8:06 a.m.
Scott Hackworth
Jeff Meyer
Tony Mueller

Men's Second Flight - 10th Tee
11:30 a.m.
Robert Schoen
Daron Schmitz

11:39 a.m.
Thomas Grapes
Paul Franke
Bjorn Berg

11:48 a.m.
Roy Brock
Derek Canady
Tim Peterson

11:57 a.m.
Jamie Eklov
Jon   Strangstalien
Randy Blank

12:06 p.m.
Tony Friedl
Carsen Dellemann
Marty J. Blocker

Men's First Flight - 10th Tee
12:15 p.m.
Zach Elliott
Rahn Pischke
Wes Snyder

12:24 p.m.
Randy Olson
Jordan Rudolph
Blaine Mason

12:33 p.m.
Paul Bruha
Trevor Schultz
Jim Jenkins

12:42 p.m.
Jeff Pigorsch
Mitch Gault
Kurt Peters

12:51 p.m.
Larry Peterson
Rick Stewart
Bruce Lindseth

Men's Championship Flight - First Tee
11:30 a.m.
Mark Miller
Jon Wilson

11:39 a.m.
Mike Bistodeau
Almann Brague
Ben Korger

11:48 a.m.
Mike Drugan
Evan Friedl
Eric Johnson

11:57 a.m.
John Percy
Carson Brock
Derek Iverson

12:06 p.m.
Dan Lenz
Andy Tomashek
Jordan Graf

12:15 p.m.
Cody Dirks
Quinn Schultz
Eric Olson

12:24 p.m.
Tony Roberts
Paul Williamson
Tom McClintock

12:33 p.m.
Bennett Hutson
Connor Frawley
Nick Tomlinson

12:42 p.m.
Aaron Bishop
Joel Preeshl
Drew Schroeder

12:51 p.m.
Jake Dunn
Tyler Church
Ben Skogen

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