DETROIT LAKES – Last week, Detroit Lakes welcomed over 500 golfers to the 92nd edition of the Pine to Palm Golf Tournament at Detroit Country Club.
New to the tournament this year was the introduction of the Legends Division, which was open to golfers aged 75 and over. The field consisted of 15 golfers who played the first round on Monday, August 5th at Lakeview Golf Course. The top eight players advanced to the championship round, the other seven to the consolation round.
Leland Peterson of Fargo took home the first trophy after defeating RJ Smiley of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, 3 and 2. Peterson took the lead over Smiley after the first hole and never gave it up.
“It was a fantastic tournament as always,” Peterson said. “Everyone at Detroit Country Club does a great job of making it a first-class event. The greens are always in great shape and the pins are difficult to place, but it’s just exciting to play. When you’ve been here for many years, you know how valuable a win here is.”
Cooper Kanthak/Detroit Lakes Tribune
Peterson made it to the championship round after shooting a 75 on Monday, which was good enough for fourth place. The competition was tough, but Peterson played consistently throughout the tournament and managed to prevail.
“It’s a humbling experience competing against the other guys,” Peterson said. “I’m a former national champion in wrestling, so the transition to golf has been fun. The camaraderie that comes from continuing to play with these guys has been a lot of fun. They’re very competitive players, so nothing is given to you.”
On Monday, the weather conditions were anything but favorable for the golfers. In wet and rainy weather, the participants had to battle against the elements and strong competition. Peterson didn’t seem to mind and fought through the adversity.
Cooper Kanthak/Detroit Lakes Tribune
“The rain was definitely a tough time in Lakeview,” Peterson said. “We had our rain suits with us, so it wasn’t too bad because everyone had to go through the same conditions. The weather today was perfect, so it was nice to finish the tournament on a good note.”
The splendor of the Pine to Palm is something every golfer raves about. Peterson was no different and had nothing but good things to say about the 92-year-old tournament.
“Everyone who works on the tournament does a fantastic job every year,” Peterson said. “It’s a fantastic summer event between the Birchmont and Resorter tournaments. There are a lot of great golfers who aren’t known yet. A lot of people are eliminated who could have just as easily won.”
For a week-long coverage of Pine to Palm, visit
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Cooper Kanthak/Detroit Lakes Tribune
Cooper Kanthak/Detroit Lakes Tribune
Cooper Kanthak/Detroit Lakes Tribune
Cooper Kanthak/Detroit Lakes Tribune
Cooper Kanthak/Detroit Lakes Tribune
Cooper Kanthak is a sports reporter for the Detroit Lakes Tribune, Perham Focus and the Wadena Pioneer Journal. Cooper graduated from South Dakota State University with a degree in journalism with a minor in digital and social media. Originally from Pipestone, Minnesota, he has a passion for all things sports. You can reach Cooper at [email protected].
