Golden Performances Shine at the Refuge
Boney Headlines Championship Sunday at the 2026 Rumble at the Refuge
PRIOR LAKE, Minn. — The towering pines, lightning-fast greens, and championship atmosphere at The Refuge Golf Club once again delivered one of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Tour's premier tests, and when the dust settled, four players had etched their names into the history of the 2026 Rumble at the Refuge.
With valuable points, prize money, and season-long momentum on the line, competitors battled changing conditions and relentless pressure throughout the day. Birdies were difficult to find, mistakes were magnified, and patience proved to be the ultimate weapon.
A Flight:
John Boney Breaks Through in Commanding Fashion
No player was sharper from the opening tee shot than John Boney.
Boney fired an outstanding 3-over-par 76, separating himself from one of the strongest A Flight fields assembled this season. His round featured three birdies, consistent ball striking, and the kind of steady golf that never allowed the chasing pack to gain momentum.
The victory earned Boney 450 Tour points and $120, while announcing himself as one of the players to watch heading into the second half of the season.
Defending points leader Joshua VanCampen mounted a charge but simply couldn't generate enough offense, finishing runner-up with an 82. Despite failing to card a birdie, VanCampen minimized damage throughout the round to salvage valuable championship points.
One of the day's most exciting moments belonged to Jay Wenner, whose lone birdie helped propel him into solo third at 84.
Behind them, Felix Scott and Richard Lesslie battled to a tie for fourth at 89, while former event champion Larry "OG" Caldwell rounded out the contenders with a 92 highlighted by a lone birdie.
B Flight:
Sewell Delivers Under Pressure
Few players entered Sunday carrying more confidence than Dave Sewell, and he rewarded that confidence with one of his finest performances of the season.
Sewell posted a composed 82, navigating The Refuge's demanding layout with precision while recording the only birdie among the top three finishers. His victory earned the largest payout of the day at $200, along with 450 points.
Runner-up Matt Meyers stayed within striking distance for much of the afternoon, but a final score of 85 left him three shots short of the title.
Current points contender Geoffrey Zahn continued his remarkable consistency by finishing third with an 87, keeping himself firmly in the season-long championship conversation.
Perhaps the most explosive scorecard belonged to Chris Elbert, who made two birdies—the most in B Flight—but costly mistakes elsewhere left him tied for fourth with Dominic Hathaway at 92.
Veteran Mark Morris claimed sixth at 94, followed by Matt Catlin (96) and Brent Svac (97).
C Flight:
Ellenson's Experience Pays Off
When scoring conditions became increasingly difficult, Steve Ellenson relied on patience rather than aggression.
Ellenson ground out a championship-winning 88, avoiding major mistakes while others around him struggled to maintain momentum. It wasn't flashy—he didn't record a birdie—but it was exactly the type of disciplined golf required to conquer The Refuge.
His reward was 450 points, $100, and another prestigious Tour victory.
Runner-up Dean Chester stayed within two shots all afternoon before settling for a strong 90, while former champion Austin Ludeman produced one of the highlights of the division with a birdie en route to third place at 93.
Further back, Tim Palya finished fourth at 97, and Xavier Riggle used a birdie to secure fifth with a 99.
D Flight:
Marotte Caps Breakthrough Victory
The biggest breakthrough of Championship Sunday belonged to Paul Marotte.
With a title defense 365 days in the making Marotte delivered a composed, confident performance to capture the D Flight title with a winning score of 90, seven shots clear of the field.
His lone birdie proved to be one of the most important swings of the day, creating valuable separation during the back nine as pressure mounted.
The victory earned Marotte 450 points, $60, and his first major statement of the season.
Veteran Dennis Dreelin fought hard to finish runner-up at 97, while Spencer White completed the podium with a 98 after recording one birdie of his own.
The Story of the Day
Championship golf at The Refuge once again rewarded consistency over fireworks.
Only 11 birdies were recorded across all four flights, underscoring the demanding nature of one of Minnesota's toughest tournament venues. Players who stayed patient, managed the golf course intelligently, and avoided costly mistakes found themselves lifting trophies by day's end.
For John Boney, Dave Sewell, Steve Ellenson, and Paul Marotte, the 2026 Rumble at the Refuge wasn't simply another tournament victory—it was a defining moment in their seasons and a major boost in the race toward the 2026 Golfweek Amateur Tour Minneapolis/St. Paul Points Championship.
As the Tour now shifts its attention to The Wilds Invitational, the leaderboard is tightening, confidence is growing, and one thing is becoming increasingly clear:
Championship season has officially arrived.