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8-21-08
WISCONSIN STATE OPEN
Ryan Helminen held on to his lead through the final two rounds of the Wisconsin State Open Wednesday and came away with a 4-shot victory at the 88th annual event, held at Eau Claire G&CC in Altoona.
The SentryWorld GC assistant professional struggled on the back nine, carding bogeys on three holes. But he ended the tournament in style and sealed his victory with a 10-foot birdie putt on No. 18. Helminen, the 2007 Wisconsin PGA Player of the Year from Appleton, finished at 5-under-par 279 (71-66-70-72).
“I’ve been playing in this tournament since I was 16 years old,” Helminen said following the event. “It’s always been the premiere event in the state, and now my name will be next to the likes of Steve Stricker, Skip Kendall and other great names.”
Tied for second place at 1-under 283 were Oostburg native Patrick Stolpe (71-71-73-68), who now lives in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Milwaukee’s Mike Johnston (75-67-69-72), who finished fourth last year. Andrew Rauscher, River Falls, was alone in fourth at 1-over 285 (73-69-74-69), and David Roesch of Germantown and Garrett Jones of Rewey tied for fifth at 2-over 286.
Helminen’s victory earned him a $8,100 check and an exemption to the 2009 U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee.
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