2026 NALG National Tournament Results
The 2026 National Lefties tournament is in the books. A special thanks to the 68 players who signed up to play, especially the 32 lefties from the host state of Minnesota.
The NALG Tournament week consisted of three one-day Shootouts with prizes for two-person team combined stableford, individual, skins and deuces (any two's on the card). The last of the Shootouts served as a practice round. Following the Shootouts the 36-hole national tournament was conducted. Results of the Shootouts are shown below the national tournament results.
This year's national tournament was hosted at the Keller Golf Course outside of St. Paul, Minnesota. The fear was that the first round might be impacted by rain. But the rains predominantly stayed to our west and north. While there was some small amount of rain, it was manageable by the players and no one should have gotten "soaked".
This year's national champion is Easton Fiddle. Fiddle is a junior in high school at White Bear Lake High School. He is a superb golfer! He is a member of the Minnesota National Development Team and recently won an AJGA event. Fiddle demonstrated his skill level by shooting rounds of 69 and 68 to win by eight shots over fellow Minnesotan Nolan Frank and by twelve strokes over defending champion, and Colorado lefty champion, Joe Buchholz.
The NALG Tournament week consisted of three one-day Shootouts with prizes for two-person team combined stableford, individual, skins and deuces (any two's on the card). The last of the Shootouts served as a practice round. Following the Shootouts the 36-hole national tournament was conducted. Results of the Shootouts are shown below the national tournament results.
This year's national tournament was hosted at the Keller Golf Course outside of St. Paul, Minnesota. The fear was that the first round might be impacted by rain. But the rains predominantly stayed to our west and north. While there was some small amount of rain, it was manageable by the players and no one should have gotten "soaked".
This year's national champion is Easton Fiddle. Fiddle is a junior in high school at White Bear Lake High School. He is a superb golfer! He is a member of the Minnesota National Development Team and recently won an AJGA event. Fiddle demonstrated his skill level by shooting rounds of 69 and 68 to win by eight shots over fellow Minnesotan Nolan Frank and by twelve strokes over defending champion, and Colorado lefty champion, Joe Buchholz.
2026 NALG Champion - Easton Fiddle
All scores can be found on the tournament sponsor SmartGolf app HERE. In the app you will see three different events. One is the national championship with scores shown by Division, one is the Minnesota state championship and the last are the Flights. The flights show all players in the respective flights created by dividing up the field by first round score. Note that anyone who won in the Divisions was eliminated from the flights as a person cannot cash in both. Those winning Division or Flight prizes are shown in the summary below. At the bottom of the page you can find pictures from the event.
Championship Division
1st - Easton Fiddle - 69 68 = 137
2nd - Nolan Frank - 70 75 = 145
3rd - Joe Buchholz - 74 75 = 149
4th - Chase Hoops - 75 76 = 151
5th - Hunter Hoagland - 77 79 = 156
Open Division
1st - Brandon Schindler - 82 79 = 161
2nd - Brent Walker - 87 78 = 165
3rd - Aaron Holmes - 83 83 = 166
4th - Jim Dalton - 85 84 = 169
5th - Sully Lucht - 83 -86 = 169
Senior Division
1st - Lane Hawkinson - 77 72 = 149
2nd - Sid Miner - 79 79 = 158
3rd - Jan Karlstrand - 82 81 = 163
4th - Daniel Barrett - 79 85 = 164
5th - Moses Eshkenazi - 79 86 = 165
Masters Division
1st - Randy Oglesbee - 77 75 - 152
2nd - Mike Kemppainen - 76 78 = 154
3rd - Erv Froese - 79 79 = 158
4th - Dan Townsend - 82 80 = 162
5th - Jerome Olichwier - 81 83 = 164
Grand Masters Division
1st - Jim Pfrogner - 77 77 = 154
2nd - Jack Hammond - 88 87 = 175
Women's
1st - Angela Walker - 97 101 = 198
Championship Division
1st - Easton Fiddle - 69 68 = 137
2nd - Nolan Frank - 70 75 = 145
3rd - Joe Buchholz - 74 75 = 149
4th - Chase Hoops - 75 76 = 151
5th - Hunter Hoagland - 77 79 = 156
Open Division
1st - Brandon Schindler - 82 79 = 161
2nd - Brent Walker - 87 78 = 165
3rd - Aaron Holmes - 83 83 = 166
4th - Jim Dalton - 85 84 = 169
5th - Sully Lucht - 83 -86 = 169
Senior Division
1st - Lane Hawkinson - 77 72 = 149
2nd - Sid Miner - 79 79 = 158
3rd - Jan Karlstrand - 82 81 = 163
4th - Daniel Barrett - 79 85 = 164
5th - Moses Eshkenazi - 79 86 = 165
Masters Division
1st - Randy Oglesbee - 77 75 - 152
2nd - Mike Kemppainen - 76 78 = 154
3rd - Erv Froese - 79 79 = 158
4th - Dan Townsend - 82 80 = 162
5th - Jerome Olichwier - 81 83 = 164
Grand Masters Division
1st - Jim Pfrogner - 77 77 = 154
2nd - Jack Hammond - 88 87 = 175
Women's
1st - Angela Walker - 97 101 = 198
From the results you can see that Brandon Schindler from Ohio won his first Open Division title. Word is that he will now try to compete in the Championship Division. Great ball striker and long hitting senior Lane Hawkinson captured his third Senior Division title in four years. Grand Master Jim Pfrogner captured his third Grand Masters title to go with his six Masters Division titles. And Angela Walker won the women's title for the second time in three years. Sarah Cornelius disqualified herself when she discovered she did not play the correct tees. Congratulations to all the champions!
Other Division Winners - Open, Senior, Masters, Grand Masters, Women's
There were a few notable achievements during the tournament.
Scott Fredrickson aced hole #13 on Saturday. The hole played from about 100 yards for the Masters Division. It was Fredrickson's ninth career ace!!
Hole-in-One by Scott Fredrickson!
Jim Pfrogner broke his age of 84 for the umteenth time by shooting back-to-back rounds of 77. Eighty-nine year old Jack Hammond also shot his age both rounds as he shot 88 and 87. Congratulations. You give us all something to look forward to!
Here is a picture of the age-breakers - Jim Pfrogner and Jack Hammond. Congratulations!!
Biswajith Vadakumury-Kesavan came all the way from Paris, France to participate. It was a pleasure meeting him! Here is "Bishi" putting on the 18th hole at Loggers Trail.
All in all it was a great event. About $12,000 was awarded to all the winners across all the events. Thanks to the many sponsors that contributed a bulk of this money as only $25 per player was included in the entry fee.
At the awards dinner it was announced that the 2027 NALG tournament will be held in Reno from June 12 -15. Look for more information early next year.
At the NALG Board Meeting on Saturday night, Colorado's Joe Buchholz was elected the new NALG Chair replacing Sid Miner. Thanks to Sid and his board members that were able to get the NALG back on track for growth. Sid had done massive work and contributed financially to the success of the NALG. We all owe him our thanks! Thanks Sid!
Also elected were new board members Wayne Hamilton, Greg Howard and Nate Doimer. Thanks to outgoing Directors Rick Rodriguez, Frank Hunter and Dick Martin for their contributions.
Thanks to all the sponsors that helped make this tournament a success. They are listed below.
Platinum Sponsors
Frank and Margaret Hunter
Sid and Keli Miner
Steve and Joy Newcom
Gold Sponsors
Joe and Jennifer Buchholz
Wayne and Carla Hamilton
Christine M. Leis
Michael Richter
Aspen Litigation Support
SMART Golf
Stryker by Design
Apparel Sponsors
Legendary Golf Apparel
Left Behind Golf
Hole Sponsors
Wayne Hamilton
Curtis James
Jon Kelley
Mike Kemppainen
Ohio Lefties
Jim Pfrogner
Tony Santos
Legendary Golf Apparel
Thanks to Nate Doimer and his tournament committee for all their hard work. Nate put a huge amount of hours into organizing this event. Please thank him when you get a chance!
At the awards dinner it was announced that the 2027 NALG tournament will be held in Reno from June 12 -15. Look for more information early next year.
At the NALG Board Meeting on Saturday night, Colorado's Joe Buchholz was elected the new NALG Chair replacing Sid Miner. Thanks to Sid and his board members that were able to get the NALG back on track for growth. Sid had done massive work and contributed financially to the success of the NALG. We all owe him our thanks! Thanks Sid!
Also elected were new board members Wayne Hamilton, Greg Howard and Nate Doimer. Thanks to outgoing Directors Rick Rodriguez, Frank Hunter and Dick Martin for their contributions.
Thanks to all the sponsors that helped make this tournament a success. They are listed below.
Platinum Sponsors
Frank and Margaret Hunter
Sid and Keli Miner
Steve and Joy Newcom
Gold Sponsors
Joe and Jennifer Buchholz
Wayne and Carla Hamilton
Christine M. Leis
Michael Richter
Aspen Litigation Support
SMART Golf
Stryker by Design
Apparel Sponsors
Legendary Golf Apparel
Left Behind Golf
Hole Sponsors
Wayne Hamilton
Curtis James
Jon Kelley
Mike Kemppainen
Ohio Lefties
Jim Pfrogner
Tony Santos
Legendary Golf Apparel
Thanks to Nate Doimer and his tournament committee for all their hard work. Nate put a huge amount of hours into organizing this event. Please thank him when you get a chance!
Flight Prize Winners
Three prize winners were determined within six flights created based on the first round score. The Flight prize winners are shown below.
1st Flight
1st - Jared Lewis - 80 79 = 159
2nd - Jon Kelley - 78 81 = 159
3rd - Dan Aufderheide - 80 80 = 160
2nd Flight
1st - Wayne Hamilton - 81 83 = 164
2nd - Mike Bjerke - 83 83 = 166
3rd - John Cornelius - 82 88 - 170
3rd Flight
1st - Tanner Lydon - 84 84 = 168
2nd - Michael Hoppe - 84 86 = 170
3rd - Chris Fernholz - 84 86 = 170
4th Flight
1st - Alex Melin - 89 82 = 171
2nd - Nate Doimer - 88 87 = 175
3rd - Jack Hammond - 88 87 = 175
5th Flight
1st - Andy Kleinfehn - 92 80 = 172
2nd - Chad Schroeder - 94 82 = 176
3rd - Anthony Nelson - 91 85 = 176
6th Flight
1st - Kyle Nelson - 99 85 - 184
2nd - Steven Damigella - 99 92 = 191
3rd - Theodore McGraw - 96 99 = 195
Three prize winners were determined within six flights created based on the first round score. The Flight prize winners are shown below.
1st Flight
1st - Jared Lewis - 80 79 = 159
2nd - Jon Kelley - 78 81 = 159
3rd - Dan Aufderheide - 80 80 = 160
2nd Flight
1st - Wayne Hamilton - 81 83 = 164
2nd - Mike Bjerke - 83 83 = 166
3rd - John Cornelius - 82 88 - 170
3rd Flight
1st - Tanner Lydon - 84 84 = 168
2nd - Michael Hoppe - 84 86 = 170
3rd - Chris Fernholz - 84 86 = 170
4th Flight
1st - Alex Melin - 89 82 = 171
2nd - Nate Doimer - 88 87 = 175
3rd - Jack Hammond - 88 87 = 175
5th Flight
1st - Andy Kleinfehn - 92 80 = 172
2nd - Chad Schroeder - 94 82 = 176
3rd - Anthony Nelson - 91 85 = 176
6th Flight
1st - Kyle Nelson - 99 85 - 184
2nd - Steven Damigella - 99 92 = 191
3rd - Theodore McGraw - 96 99 = 195
Shootout Results
Shootout #1 - Loggers Trail
Team 1st Place - 57 Points - Jon Kelley and Biswajith Vadakumury-Kesavan
Team 2nd Place - 55 Points - Steve Newcom and Mike Kemppainen
Team 3rd Place - 52 Points - Jan Karlstrand and Wayne Hamilton
Individual 1st Place - 75 - Jon Kelley
Individual 2nd Place - 78 - Mike Kemppainen
Individual 3rd Place - 80 - Dan Aufderheide
Individual 4th Place - 81 - Curtis James and Sid Miner
Skins
Hole #1 - Birdie 3 - Nate Doimer (with Steve Damigella)
Hole #3 - Birdie 2 - Mike Kemppainen (with Steve Newcom)
Hole #4 - Birdie 3 - Noah Knepper (with Rick Rodriguez)
Hole #7 - Birdie 3 - Biswajith Vadakumury-Kesavan (with Jon Kelley)
Hole #9 - Birdie 4 - Jan Karlstrand (with Wayne Hamilton)
Hole #14 - Birdie 3 - Jon Kelley (with Biswajith Vadakumury-Kesavan)
Hole #15 - Birdie 3 - Mike Kemppainen (with Steve Newcom)
Deuces
Hole #3 - Mike Kemppainen
Shootout #2 - Troy Burne
Team 1st Place - 59 Points - Sid Miner with Jerry Olichiwer
Team 2nd Place - 52 Points - Joe Bucholz with Kyle Nelson
Team 3rd Place - 51 Points - Curtis James with Moses Eshkenazi
Team 4th Place - 50 Points - Dan Aufderheide with Herman Bowling and Wayne Hamilton with Mike Bjerke
Individual 1st Place - 72 - Joe Bucholz
Individual 2nd Place - 75 - Jon Kelley
Individual 3rd Place - 76 - Jerry Olichwier
Individual 4th Place - 79 - Dan Aufderheide, Sid Miner, Wayne Hamilton, Justin Piotrowski and Jim Pfrogner
Skins
Hole #5 - Birdie 4 - Sid Miner (with Jerry Olichwier)
Hole #6 - Birdie 3 - Dan Aufderheide (with Herman Bowling)
Hole #9 - Birdie 3 - Joe Bucholz (with Kyle Nelson)
Hole #11 - Birdie 2 - Jon Kelley (with Rick Rodriguez)
Hole #14 - Birdie 3 - Wayne Hamilton (with Mike Bjerke)
Hole #17 - Birdie 3 - Jerry Olichwier (with Sid Miner)
Deuces
Hole #8 - Nate Doimer, Noah Knepper and Jon Kelley
Hole #11 - Jon Kelley
Hole #15 - Noah Knepper, Jerry Olichwier and Mike Bjerke
Shootout #1 - Loggers Trail
Team 1st Place - 57 Points - Jon Kelley and Biswajith Vadakumury-Kesavan
Team 2nd Place - 55 Points - Steve Newcom and Mike Kemppainen
Team 3rd Place - 52 Points - Jan Karlstrand and Wayne Hamilton
Individual 1st Place - 75 - Jon Kelley
Individual 2nd Place - 78 - Mike Kemppainen
Individual 3rd Place - 80 - Dan Aufderheide
Individual 4th Place - 81 - Curtis James and Sid Miner
Skins
Hole #1 - Birdie 3 - Nate Doimer (with Steve Damigella)
Hole #3 - Birdie 2 - Mike Kemppainen (with Steve Newcom)
Hole #4 - Birdie 3 - Noah Knepper (with Rick Rodriguez)
Hole #7 - Birdie 3 - Biswajith Vadakumury-Kesavan (with Jon Kelley)
Hole #9 - Birdie 4 - Jan Karlstrand (with Wayne Hamilton)
Hole #14 - Birdie 3 - Jon Kelley (with Biswajith Vadakumury-Kesavan)
Hole #15 - Birdie 3 - Mike Kemppainen (with Steve Newcom)
Deuces
Hole #3 - Mike Kemppainen
Shootout #2 - Troy Burne
Team 1st Place - 59 Points - Sid Miner with Jerry Olichiwer
Team 2nd Place - 52 Points - Joe Bucholz with Kyle Nelson
Team 3rd Place - 51 Points - Curtis James with Moses Eshkenazi
Team 4th Place - 50 Points - Dan Aufderheide with Herman Bowling and Wayne Hamilton with Mike Bjerke
Individual 1st Place - 72 - Joe Bucholz
Individual 2nd Place - 75 - Jon Kelley
Individual 3rd Place - 76 - Jerry Olichwier
Individual 4th Place - 79 - Dan Aufderheide, Sid Miner, Wayne Hamilton, Justin Piotrowski and Jim Pfrogner
Skins
Hole #5 - Birdie 4 - Sid Miner (with Jerry Olichwier)
Hole #6 - Birdie 3 - Dan Aufderheide (with Herman Bowling)
Hole #9 - Birdie 3 - Joe Bucholz (with Kyle Nelson)
Hole #11 - Birdie 2 - Jon Kelley (with Rick Rodriguez)
Hole #14 - Birdie 3 - Wayne Hamilton (with Mike Bjerke)
Hole #17 - Birdie 3 - Jerry Olichwier (with Sid Miner)
Deuces
Hole #8 - Nate Doimer, Noah Knepper and Jon Kelley
Hole #11 - Jon Kelley
Hole #15 - Noah Knepper, Jerry Olichwier and Mike Bjerke
Photo and Video Gallery
