Humboldt’s Michael Herperger used a furious final round comeback to claim Golf Saskatchewan’s 32nd Mid-Amateur title, and finish second in the 107th edition of the Amateur championship.
“It’s awesome. I’m at a loss for words. It’s just been great this whole week up here at Dakota Dunes,” Herperger told Golf Saskatchewan.
Herperger fired a six-under 66 in the final round at Dakota Dunes Golf Links in Saskatoon to collect the win.
Herperger’s 66 erased a six stroke deficit heading into the third and decisive round as the 26 year old edged second round leader David Stewart by a stroke.
Herperger, a first time entrant into the event, admitted that despite sitting sixth, six strokes behind, he came out with a clear focus for the final round.
“I was gunning. I was just going out there to make some birdies, make some putts. They started falling on that front nine, got a little excited and kept going and rode it from there.”
Herperger opened his round making a par, birdie, and bogey.
After playing the first six holes even, the Humboldt native caught fire making birdies on seven, eight, ten and 11 to sit four under on the day with seven holes to play.
“It was probably about 14 when I looked at that leaderboard and I said ‘well there could be a chance here,’” he said.
Five bogeys in a stretch of seven holes by Stewart combined with birdies on 15 and 18 by Herperger served as the difference.
Herperger, being a Humboldt native admitted that it was extra special winning the tournament this year, given all the community has endured.
“It means a lot to me. It hit close, very close and I did it for a lot of people and I’m hoping that they will be able to come to nationals with me.”
With the win Herperger will be heading off to the 2018 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship in Victoria, B.C. Aug. 21-24.
