ABOVE: Amateur Marc Dawson chips his ball onto the putting green during the Interlaken pro-am invitational in Fairmont on Friday

FAIRMONT – Despite the 20 to 30 mph winds and recurring rain, 20 professionals and 60 amateurs put their skills to the test in a pro-am invitational at Interlaken Golf Course Friday.

The invitational format is four-person teams. One professional and three amateurs played their own balls through all 18 holes. For each hole, the lowest regular score and handicap score were entered for the team.

General Manager Paul Baldus said Interlaken had last held a pro-am around 30 years ago. The idea to bring it back came together during a group conversation.

“It came together when the owner Nick Swenson, golf professional Jeff Sorenson, and I were talking,” he said. “I mentioned years ago we used to have a pro-am. Sorenson, who is in the Minnesota Hall of Fame for golf, had the contacts and his involvement drew some of the other pros to want to play. We decided to go for it.”

Baldus said he was excited to highlight the course, which has had changes and dedicated upkeep.

“We’re showcasing the fact we took out 180 trees last fall,” he said. “Our superintendent is working very hard on turning everything green and getting the greens up to speed, touching up the sand traps. I think they’re going to be very impressed with it. We have some greens that took a while to get going, that’s one of the problem areas, but those will get better over the summer.”

Each pro was able to bring their own amateurs or choose from six local amateur teams. Those teams included Interlaken Committee members Rick Theate, John Korsmo, Randy Peyman and Austin Thompson. Josh Baldus also competed as a local professional.

By having this event, Paul Baldus said he is hoping to spread exposure and recognition for the course.

“We have a few teams from Minneapolis, Willmar, Albert Lea, players from Owatonna,” he said. “We’re going to get good exposure to players who haven’t played, and they’ll go back to the pros they know. Having an event like this, bringing golfers to the area, will also build our rapport with the region’s other clubs.”

One of those new to the course was pro player Johnny Schwaller from Waconia. He said his first impression was that the course is in good shape and has good greens.

“It’s good to network with my membership and take them to different golf courses,” Schwaller said. “Getting away from talking shop and getting to know each other.”

What sets Interlaken apart from the other courses Schwaller has played is the amount of trees that adorn the fairways. Their presence steered his game to be more conservative, lest he get caught in a precarious area.

And if the trees hadn’t done so, the 50-degree temps and blustering winds sealed the deal.

“Today we’re trying to survive,” Schwaller said. “Hold on and hope it’s between the trees. You have to embrace it, embrace the rain and wind.”

Andrew Israelson finished first individually among the professionals with a -7, winning the $1,800 prize. Representing Interlaken Golf Club, Israelson, Austin Thompson, Eric Hugoson, and Louie Sanders took first in the team competition. In doing so, they won $1,000.

Among the amateurs, Brock Murphy and Tom Shafranski finished first in the low gross and net score categories with a +1 and -5 respectively. They will each receive $150. Interlaken’s Jennie Dick finished third in the low net score with a -1.