The large silver Pine to Palm championship trophy presented to Tom Hoge early Sunday evening was a process that started in June. That's when the TCU golfer tied for third in the NCAA Division I Championships.
There hasn't been much of a letdown including his first Pine title at the Detroit Country Club. Hoge defeated University of Minnesota senior Thomas Campbell 2 and 1, a match that was dormie with four holes to play. Hoge was 4-up at that point and Campbell had to win every hole to force extra holes.
"I made it interesting," he said.
The Fargo South graduate made it interesting with bogies on 14 and 15 and Campbell's birdie on 16. But Hoge stuck his tee shot on the par 3 17th within a few feet while Campbell landed in the bunker.
"I was too far back," he said.
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Hoge began the day taking the buzz out of the tournament by defeating Amy Anderson 7 and 6 in the semifinals. Anderson was the first female to qualify for the championship round.
"I snuck by her a little easier than I thought," Hoge said.
He slowly grabbed the advantage on Campbell taking a 3-up lead on No. 10 when Campbell bogied. 3 and 2.
Campbell, meanwhile, defeated Gopher teammate Cameron White
Hoge, the Minnesota Amateur champion, leaves Tuesday for the U.S. Amateur in at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. Then it's on to TCU.
So, goodbye lake country.
"After the NCAA, I felt like I had a good chance here if I continued to play well," he said. "It's been a good week."
