After the 2003 Green Lea Golf Course Club Championship, Chris Baas thanked the course’s staff for what he called a good club tournament.

“People look forward to playing in it,” said Baas. “I always have fun with it.”

Baas probably has more fun than most. He usually wins.

Baas captured his sixth men’s championship while Marlene Overgaard took the ladies title in Saturday’s nine-hole, match-play event. It was the second Club Championship for Overgaard.

Baas faced recent Albert Lea High School graduate Josh Jones in the championship match, but didn’t give the youngster much of a chance. Baas was near perfect on the first four holes, which he could have birdied if he had to finish them, and he won 4-and-2.

“I played real well today, toward the last 18 holes especially,” said Baas. “Mike Nelson gave me a real tough fight in the first match. It took the wind out of me right away. I had to regroup to beat Lance (Engebretson).”

Baas went on to defeat another recent ALHS graduate, Dan Breuer, in the semifinals.

Jones’ path to the finals included wins over Scott Rasmusson, Brian Knudsen and Jeff Elseth.

Justin Bennett won the Presidential Flight &045; the men’s championship consolation &045; with a 3-and-1 victory over Eric Amann.

The men’s championship flight also included Jim Johnson, Nate Rasmussen, Doug Olson, Steve Wright and Mike Elseth.

Overgaard opened with a victory over Val Nicolaus and defeated defending champion Virginia Hanson to reach the finals, where she won 1-up over Annie Olson. In the opening rounds, Olson defeated Pat Brooks and Barb Willmert.

“I’m still kind of numb,” said Overgaard as she watched the men’s championship final.

Green Lea Manager Jeff Elseth said it was one of the strongest championship fields in recent memory.

“You needed a 5.6 handicap index (to qualify for the championship flight), the lowest it’s been in years,” said Elseth. “It was a real good championship field.”

The results, by flight:

Men’s championship flight – 1. Chris Baas; 2. Josh Jones;

Presidential flight – 1. Justin Bennett; 2. Eric Amann;

First flight – 1. Bucky Rasmussen; 2. Justin Nelson; Cons. – Eli Schroeder;

Second flight – 1. Brett Hanson; 2. Butch Donovan; Cons. – Ross Peterson;

Third flight – 1. Mike Dorman; 2. Mike Linnes; Cons. – Dave Sandon;

Fourth flight – 1. Barry Oliva; 2. Tony Johnson; Cons. – Mike Billat;

Fifth flight – 1. Wes Johnson; 2. Gene Hansen; Cons. – Lion Billat;

Sixth flight – 1. Tom Baas; 2. Jack Briggs; Cons. – Jim Godtland;

Seventh flight – 1. Bill Elliot; 2. Ed Peterson; Cons. – Bob Shideler;

Eighth flight – 1. Steve Arneson; 2. Kraig Westendorf; Cons. – Bob Driesbach;

Women’s first flight – Low gross 1. Diane Sorenson, 72; Low gross 2. Kirsten Davis, 74; Low net 1. Darlene Reed, 70;

Women’s second flight – Low gross 1. Ida Mildenstein, 146.

(Contact Jim Lutgens at sports@albertleatribune.com or 379-3437.)