Not even a World War could slow down Minnesota Golfers in 1917. Minnesota's first Open Championship went off as scheduled at the Minikahda Club. Tom Stevens, Minikahda's junior professional, became the first winner of the Minnesota State Open Championship. In 1918, the event moved to Northland Country Club where Interlachen's George Sargent won the 72-hole event by finishing with nine consecutive fours. The championship remained a 72-hole event until the World War II.
The first decade of the State Open clearly belonged to professional Jack Burke of Town & Country Club who won four championships, three in succession. Burke won the Championship in 1919, 1920, 1921, and 1923. The 1920's also saw the first amateur to win the Championship, when Minikahda's Harry Legg won at Interlachen Country Club in 1925.
From 1934 to 1952 the State Open belonged to Highland Park's amateur Joe Coria. During this stretch Coria won the State Open a record seven times and finished second five times. When Coria was not winning, other Minnesota golfing greats had their chance. Les Bolstad and Pat Sawyer each won three State Open Championships and Wally Ulrich of Austin, MN won four.
In the recent years, the Championship has seen its share of multiple winners. George Shortridge, Ron Benson, and Mike Morley have all won the Championship three times. Tom Lehman, PGA Tour Player of the Year and British Open Champion in 1996, won the State Open in 1989 and 1990, and 1993 United States Amateur Champion John Harris won the title in 1994 and 1995.
Harris joined Jim Sorenson as the only Minnesotans to hold a USGA and Minnesota State Open title. Sorenson claimed the 1985 US Public Links Championship and then won the 1986 State Open.
Australian amateur sensation James McLean added the 1998 State Open title to his impressive resume that included the NCAA Championship and MGA Amateur Championship won that same year.
Don Berry, now a ten-time Minnesota Section PGA Player of the Year, added his second State Open title to his resume when he claimed the Championship in a playoff over Joe McCormick in 1999. Berry won his first in 1992.
In 2000, Ben Meyers, a member of the University of Minnesota Golf Team, claimed the title by one-shot over Tom Dolby of Island Pine Golf Club by carding 68-66-72-206. Three players tied for third two shots back. Also of note was that for only the second time in the history of the event, a woman, Angie Rizzo of Bunker Hills Golf Club participated in the Championship. Rizzo shot 81-75-156 to miss the cut by eight shots.
The 2001 Championship was a record setting year. North Oaks Assistant Professional Rodney Cook bettered the previous tournament record by six strokes with a three-day-total of 19-under par. Professional Mike Christensen of Grand Rapids was runner-up at 14-under par.
Mississippi Dunes golf professional Dave Tentis added the State Open to an already impressive resume of golf accomplishments when he defeated amateur Dave Carothers in a playoff. The State Open title was the start to a very impressive year for Tentis who made the cut at the PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club.
Amateur Joe Stansberry won the 2003 Championship by one stroke over professional Mario Tiziani. The win helped Stansberry claim Minnesota Golf Association Player of the Year honors.
Professional Ty Armstrong, Eden Prairie MN, defeated professional Dave Gunderson, Stillwater CC, on the fourth playoff hole to claim the 2004 Championship. Both players made pars on the first three playoff holes. Armstrong then made a twenty-five foot birdie putt to seal the victory.
Jered Gusso of The Wilds GC shot a final round 6-under par 66 to win the 2005 Minnesota State Open Championship by two shots over amateur Neil Johnson of River Falls GC. Gusso finished the 54-hole tournament at 12-under par 204 and won $9000 for his efforts. Johnson, playing early, shot a tournament and Bunker Hills Golf Course record 10-under par 62 to finish at 10-under par 206. Amateur Kane Hanson of Detroit CC finished alone in third place after a final round 4-under par 68 left him at 9-under par 207. Second Round Leader and defending Champion Ty Armstrong of Glen Lake GC finished tied for 4th at 8-under par 208.
The Championship has been hosted by some of Minnesota's finest golf facilities such as the Minikahda Club, Northland Country Club, Interlachen Country Club, White Bear Yacht Club, the Town & Country Club, Minneapolis Golf Club, Somerset Country Club, Woodhill Country Club, and Hazeltine National Golf Club. In 1980, Bunker Hills Golf Club became the permanent site of the Championship.
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