Last week was the 13th Annual Med City Marathon in Rochester (with a start in Byron). The men’s winner was Mark Ott of Jackson, Michigan, in 2:54:33. On the women’s side, Kara Arzamendia of St. Paul won with a time of 3:12:19.

Family friend Debra Miller was 18th among women, with a time of 3:58:23. Way to go Deb!

This race doesn’t have the high profile that Grandma’s and TCM have, but it attracts more than 1,000 participants. This was the first year the race was organized by the Rochester Area Family YMCA.

The 2009 race will be held Sunday, May 24th.

Today our Saturday group paid a visit to the Ridges at Sand Creek in Jordan.

The course will be very busy this week, playing host to the Minnesota Senior Open on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by the 2008 Boys and Girls Class AA Golf Tournament on Thursday and Friday.

The course was in the best shape of any I’ve played so far this year, with no winter kill, receptive greens and nice teeing areas. This was also the first time I’ve left there without any complaints about slow play (or fivesomes on a weekend).

7MM Ridges at Sand Creek Photo Gallery

I like the design of the new stamp commemorating the Minnesota Sesquicentennial. It’s not a lake image, but the aerial shot from Winona looking up the Mississippi towards the Highway 43 bridge is very nice. Very close to including Wisconsin in the shot though…

It’s been a stressful week at work for me (hence the lack of posts here). I’m close to having things back in order, if not in control, so hopefully the summer will be what summer is meant to be–laid back.

Events on tap:

• Kids at birthday parties and sleep-overs.
• Golfing tomorrow morning in Jordan with the Millers.
• Running the Grand Old Day 8K on Sunday with my friend Gina.
• Playing White Bear Yacht Club for the first time on Monday with friends.
• Tapemark Week next week (volunteering and playing this year).
• Heading straight from Southview to the airport for WWDC in San Francisco.

That list doesn’t look laid back, but it will be fun.

One of the oldest courses in the state (and one of my favorites) has established itself as a leader in 21st century communications.

Northland Country Club in Duluth has two excellent blogs:

• Northland Country Club Blog
• Northland Country Club Turfgrass Management

Established in 1899, this Donald Ross course has greats views of Lake Superior, hard-to-read greens, a new clubhouse and swimming pool and a staff that knows how to keep their members informed.

As one of their recent blog posts points out, membership has never been higher. More than 600 members in various categories call Northland home.

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will host the first annual Adrian Peterson Celebrity Classic at Bearpath Golf and Country Club in Eden Prairie on June 16. Proceeds benefit the All Day Foundation, which supports Special Olympics Minnesota and the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities.

Foursomes are available for $3,000 and include four invitations to the Pairings Party on Sunday night, one golf foursome and four tickets to Monday’s barbeque. Individual golfers can also participate for $750 if you do not have a foursome.

For more information, email allday@foxsports.net or call 612-486-9503.

Saint John’s University won its second straight NCAA Division III Men’s Golf National Championship on May 16 at Chateau Elan Resort in Braselton, Georgia.

The Johnnies were in 14th place after the first day and were eight shots out of the lead entering the final day.

Their totals of 314, 291, 296 and 291-1192 (+56) were three better than second-place University of Redlands (California).

Individual golfer results:

• 6, Joe Schoolmeesters (Junior), 76-74-73-71-294 (+10)
• T10, Matt Bohlig (Senior), 83-67-73-74-297 (+13)
• T19, Joe Daly (Junior), 74-73-77-77-301 (+17)
• T19, Joey Polingo (Junior), 81-78-73-69-301 (+17)
• T93, Clinton Dammann (Senior), 85-77-79-78-319 (+35)

For more details, please see the school’s press release.