MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State University Athletics Department and the Marshall Chamber of Commerce, along with title sponsors D&G Excavating, Deutz Auctioneering, Edward Jones, Lockwood Motors, McLaughlin Farms, Titan Machinery and Ralco, Inc., hosted the annual Farmer's Open on Monday at the Marshall Golf Club.
 
35 teams comprised of 140 total golfers participated in the event with proceeds going towards ag scholarships for SMSU student-athletes. The tournament has raised more than $15,000 each year and has contributed over $28,000 to the Farmer's Open Scholarship Endowment Fund. In 2015-16, Derek Schlangen, a SMSU baseball student-athlete, was the first recipient of the Farmer's Open Scholarship.
 
The Ralco, Inc. team of Brian Knochenmus, Kory Schnider, Rayn Fromm and Jon Green won the tournament with a score of 54. The AP Design team of Brian Kor, Rick Hennen, Max Deutz and Tim Deutz took second with a score of 55.
 
Darin Rahm won the closest to the pin on hole 4, while Bill Mulso knocked in the longest put on hole 6. Randy Viessman was closest to the pin on hole 9, Max Deutz on hole 10 and Matt Ahrends was the closest to the pin in two on hole 12. Chad Michelson recorded the longest drive on hole 14 and Mitchell Noyes had the longest putt on hole 16.
 
The SMSU Athletics Department and Director of Athletics, Chris Hmielewski, would like to thank the following Farmer's Open Committee members for their outstanding work on planning this annual event: Cal Brink, Tim Deutz, Pat Hennen, Lucas Hilgemann, Tom McLaughlin, Bill Mulso, Tim Steinbach, Lyle Thiesse and Karen Van Keulen.
 
In addition to our title sponsors, a big thank you to our proud sponsors: CHS, Prairie Pride Cooperative, Channel Seed, Cattoor Oil Company, Aspect Ag, United Farm Credit Services, Bremer Bank, Prudential – Jim Kontz, Great Western Bank, Norwegian Mutual, Boerboom Insurance, Wells Fargo, First Independent Bank, AP Design, Runnings and Terry Christianson.
 
"The 2016 Farmer's Open was a huge success, and it was a result of a lot of hard work by our committee members and partners," said Director of Athletics Chris Hmielewski. "This year's event had the most teams in the four years we have been hosting the golf tournament. We are very thankful for the support of the Marshall Chamber of Commerce and SMSU who are presenting sponsors of the Farmer's Open. The foundation of the event has been built on strong sponsorship that starts with our title sponsors. Titan Machinery, Ralco, Inc., Deutz Auctioneering, Edward Jones, D & G Excavating, Lockwood Motors and McLaughlin Farms have provided the Farmer's Open a solid foundation for success."
 
"We are fortunate and thankful to have such a supportive group of title sponsors along with Channel Seed and CHS who were both Brown Level Sponsors and accounted for ten of the thirty-five teams participating on Monday. This year, the Farmer's Open Committee secured fifteen Brown Sponsors, the most sponsors at this level since we re-instated this event. The Farmer's Open Committee is proud to host this event for our ag industry and farmers in southwestern Minnesota and are extremely thankful to all of our partners and sponsors who help make this a great event."
 
For more information on the Farmer's Open or how to donate to the Farmer's Open Scholarship Endowment Fund contact Chris Hmielewski at (507) 537-7984.