Shane Kvidera

NEW ULM — Shane Kvidera, the champion of the 2019 New Ulm Invitational Golf Tournament, was the first round championship flight leader on Saturday in the 62nd edition of the tournament.

Kvidera, who golfs out of Rum River Hills Golf Club in Ramsey, shot a one-over-par 72 on the New Ulm Country Club course, putting him one stroke ahead of Scott Paa, a New Ulm Country Club member.

Nate Weisenburger, from the Pines Golf Course in Nisswa, was in third with a 75. Four golfers carded 76s to tie for fourth – Coliin Huffman of New Ulm, James Fromm of New Ulm, Chris Brookens of Dahlgreen Golf Course in Chaska, and Ryan Bakken of Ridgeview CC , Duluth.

Jason Wieland of New Um was in 8th with a 77, one stroke ahead of Ethan Kraus and Brett Mathiowetz of New Ulm.

Four playes tied for 11th, with scores of 80 – Josh South of New Ulm, Kevin Atrip of New Ulm, Tyler Hirth of New Ulm and Paul Andersen of CC of Asheville.

Kvidera said the 72 he shot Saturday was his best start since coming to the tournament. He has been playing here since 2017 with a group from Ramsey.

“A buddy’s wife from Rum River is from New Ulm – Tony Kliber. He’s been coming here for years, and he invited a few of us along, and now we have a group of about eight who come every year.”

Kvidera said he shot a 74 on the first day the year he won in 2019, and he’s hoping another simllar round will get him into the final four playig for the title on Sunday.

“That’s the fun part. All the fans come out and cheer you on,” Kvidera said.

Competition starts on Sunday at 7:30 a.m. when all flights will play their final round. The top finishers in the championship flight will play another nine holes after that to decide the title.