EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Ryan Helminen earned his first Wisconsin State Open Golf Championship, but Mark Schneider proved once again that he is among Wisconsin’s elite golfers.

After almost tasting victory in 2006, Helminen, an assistant at Sentryworld Golf Club in Stevens Point, Wis., finished at 5-under-par 279, including rounds of 70-72 on Wednesday at the Eau Claire Golf and Country Club in Eau Claire, Wis.
Schneider, former PGA professional at The Golf Club at Cedar Creek in Onalaska, Wis., tied for 15th place at 290 with rounds of 71 and 73 on Wednesday.

Keegan Drugan, a 19-year-old sophomore at Winona State University from Holmen, Wis., was in a six-way tie for sixth place heading into Wednesday’s final two rounds. However, he posted 81-70 for a 293 total and finished in a tie for 27th place.

Mason Milner, from Onalaska, Wis., tied for 55th place at 302 with rounds of 82-73.

“I’m pretty happy with the way I played,” Schneider said, late Wednesday night. “I played pretty solid. My morning round was OK, but I didn’t hit it very well, although I eagled the last hole.”

Nonetheless, Schneider and Drugan played well enough to gain exemptions into the 2009 State Open.

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