Roseau Times-Region - Serving Roseau County for over 100 Years - The Official Roseau County Newspaper

It was like once again watching Nicklaus and Palmer, a couple of old pros from two generations ago.

Only these were young guys, real studs on the links who play for keeps and keep on winning.

On Sunday afternoon at Oakcrest in the club championship, it was pure perfection during the final 18 holes between Jim Foss and Jared Strand, both in their twenties who make the golf course sing.

Off the tee, there is a sound as close to hearing Kirby Puckett blasting one into the upper deck at the Metrodome in the 1987 World Series.

Nothing but sweet music.

Foss, who had won three of the last four titles coming into the finals, and Strand, who had denied Mr. Foss in 2014 when he added his name to the record books, played a round of golf that was simply superb.

What did it take for Strand to beat Foss?

Probably perfection, which Jared didn't deny.

"I played the best golf I've played all year to beat him," he said, mentioning that Mr. Foss had shot 67 while he had shot 66.

It was like winning a marathon against the equivalent of a Kenyan runner.

"Foss is tough and he's a great player," he said on Sunday evening from Oakcrest.

They've met in the last four finals, and it should be forever known as the Jim Foss and Jared Strand Show at Oakcrest.

To advance to the finals, they each played 54 holes and beat three quality golfers.

Yes, Mr. Strand celebrated in the clubhouse afterwards.

"It ended on 18," he said, noting that Foss had been 2-up after 9 holes. "I ended up tying it after hole 13 and then he went 1-up from 15."

It was a chess match on grass.

"I won 16 and 17, and we tied on 18 so I won 1-up," said the champ.

Late on Sunday evening, Mark Wilson, the commissioner of Oakcrest Men's League, tipped his hat to both golfers while adding that Mr. Foss has won six club championships since 2007.

"Jared was 5 under and Jim was 4 under," he said. "That's phenomenal golf."

And it had to be.

"The course was set up as fair but probably as difficult as we've had in recent years," said Wilson, noting that the pin placements were in places they hadn't seen this year.

"So, we had some different looks on the greens today," he said.

Meet the Champs

Christine Reese defeated Jessica Herling for the Ladies Club Championship on Sunday.

Ms. Reese defeated three straight opponents over 27 holes to claim the title.

Jared Strand with the winning bracket

Ben Johnson won the President's Flight while Will Czeh claimed the Consolation Championship Flight title.

Hats off to the following flight winners:

Executive Flight - Jack Lundbohm.

1st Flight - Dave McDonald.

2nd Flight - Donn Haugen.

3rd Flight - Jon Byfuglien

4th Flight - Terry Hanson.

Senior Flight - Luther Johnson, and Ladies First Flight - Julie Carlson.

Junior Boys Flight - Gus Vatnsdal

Photos by Donn Haugen and Laura Strand