CCC Invitational starts Friday

After working around some pandemic restrictions last summer, the 90th annual Cloquet Invitational is being held at Cloquet Country Club, this Friday through Sunday (July 9-11), as normal. In all, 175 golfers are registered for this prestigious event, including Alex Kolquist, last year’s champ.

In the 2020 championship flight, Kolquist defeated Travis Blais of International Falls by two strokes. It was the second Cloquet title for the Hermantown native, who also won at CCC in 2012. Dan Moline finished third and Jamie Langenbrunner, former Cloquet and National Hockey League star, finished tied for fourth.

CCC golf pro and manager Bill Manahan said the 18-hole CCC course layout is in pristine shape. “This week’s rain should help the greens and fairways soften up a bit,” Manahan said. “Superintendent Jud Crist and his crew have slightly lowered the green mower blades to get the desired putting speed. The course and greens are really beautiful! The crew does a great job.”

The report from the CCC pro shop regarding pre-tournament favorites includes Alex Kolquist, Dan Moline, Taylor Sundbom, Jim Stafford, John Sheff (current CCC champ), Cory Schultz (turned pro, but now eligible, former winner) and Minnesota State High School Class AA golf champion Sam Baker (who received a special CCC exemption).

Tournament results will be posted in next week’s Pine Knot News. In an event dating back to the 1930s, the tourney excitement continues to draw fans and players alike.