By Jon Levy - Staff Writer

January 21, 2010
Buckeye, Ariz.


Unfortunately, in professional golf, sometimes it’s just not in the cards for a tournament to complete its full course because of Mother Nature’s grander plan. But -- as long as 36 holes are completed, per The Gateway Tour’s official policies -- as they say, a win is a win.

Just ask Bret Swedbeg, who -- with rounds of 67/68-135 (9-under par) at Raven Golf Club at Verrado in the Desert Winter Series’ third event this week -- took a two-stroke victory over Ryan Hogue (68/69-137), worth $16,000, after soaking rains pounded the Phoenix area to abruptly cancel the final round.

A full-time Gateway Tour member for the first time since 2005, the victory was Swedberg’s first on the Tour, and, as he states, the knowledge of it came in a strange way -- via telephone -- as he was informed he didn’t have to hit a single shot in final round to take home the title.

“It wasn’t looking good at all this morning, so I called the golf course as I was driving there and found out the final round had been canceled because the course was unplayable,” said Swedberg. “So, then I called (VP of Tournament Operations) Ryan Pray to confirm and, sure enough, he said the same thing and then congratulated me on winning.”

“It’s a strange thing, really, because you’re trying to prepare for three days of golf and even though after looking at the forecast yesterday and seeing what was coming, it’s hard to get out of the back of your head that we may not actually be playing today,” continued Swedberg. “And that makes it kind of tough to mentally prepare, because you just don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Nevertheless, after caddying at various Phoenix area country clubs in previous winters make ends meet before taking the leap as a full-time member again this winter, the 28-year-old Alexandria, Minn. native will take it.

“There’s no doubt it feels great,” said Swedberg. “I was really happy because yesterday (in Round 2) I made a couple of good birdies on the par-3’s coming down the stretch (Nos. 14 & 17) which got me to 9-under.”

“But, I really didn’t think that would get me out in front, especially by two shots, because with the course in as good as shape as it is, I would have thought for sure someone would have gotten into double digits (under par),” continued Swedberg. “But, I guess you just never know.”

After narrowly missing the cut in Desert Series No. 2 last week -- his first event of the season -- Swedberg attributed his good play this week to solid putting and exceptional mid irons on Verrado’s challenging par 4’s.

Reading between the lines, however, he abstractly attributed his good play to having fun and relaxing on the golf course more than he’s tended to in the past.

“I can say there wasn’t really anything physically different about my game this week,” noted Swedberg on the state of his game compared to last week’s MC,” but, mentally, I was just really comfortable out there each of the two days; much more than I normally am.”

“That mental side, for me to go in there with a carefree attitude and go in with enjoyment, is really good because I’ve had a difficult time doing that,” he added. “And I know that made a difference for me this week.”

That said, the reason he skipped the Desert Winter Series’ opener -- because he was back home to Minnesota proposing to his girlfriend -- might have had something to do with his game rounding into shape as well.

“I guess you could say there have been some changes with me recently,” Swedberg joked of his impending shift in marital status. “We’ve been dating for about the last six months and we’re getting married this spring, so I have to thank my fiancée for putting up with me and for all the support she’s given me.”

“It’s just been great to have her to come home to and have her support me every step of the way,” Swedberg continued. “Along with thanking god for where I’m at right now, I can’t thank her enough for being as great to me as she is.”

With the win, Swedberg now moves to 2nd on the Winter Series money list, trailing last week’s winner, Scott Harrington ($17,196.88), by just over $1,000.


Click here for full field results from Desert Winter Series No. 3 at Verrado and stay tuned as the Tour takes a week off before resuming again, February 2nd -4th, at Anthem Golf & Country Club’s Ironwood course…