The name Carson Herron appears in the long list of the Minnesota State Open Championship.  TWICE! The names are 92 years apart.

Carson “Lee” Herron won the Minnesota State Open Championship in 1932. Ninety-two years later his great grandson, Carson “Magne” Heron stamped his name in the record books for eternity. Young Carson has now added another chapter to the Herron family golf legacy in Minnesota. Only two Herron’s can find their names on the Minnesota State Open trophy.

This story is not going to attempt to list all the championships, course records and aces scored by the extended Herron family over the past 100 years. This story is about the golfing genes that run through the veins of the entire Herron clan. My good friend Carson Herron, son of Carson Lee Herron and grandfather of Carson Mange Herron and father of Tim (Lumpy) Herron and Alissa Herron, once told me this very unique yet timeless quote from his mother: “Your father was a golf bum! Now you, Carson, are a golf bum!”

If you need the definition of a “golf bum” – read no farther.

Let this writer share a truly unique fact about the US Open Championship. Carson Lee Herron played in the US Open Championship. Carson Herron played in the US Open Championship. And, not to be out done, the golfer with the most impressive list of championships Tim Herron also played in the US Open Championship. To my knowledge the Herron family is the only family to have three consecutive generations qualify for the US Open.

Every serious golfer has, deep in the back of their mind, dreamed of playing in the US Open or The Masters. You must earn your invitation to The Masters. But qualifying for the US Open is available to any male golfer who achieves a low enough handicap. Then make it through two additional stages of qualification. Each year thousands of golfers attempt to qualify to play in the US Open Championship. Only a few play their way into the Championship.

So, the question to be asked: “Will young Carson Herron, winner of the 2024 Minnesota State Open Championship follow his great grandfather “Lee” Herron, his grandfather Carson Herron, and his father Tim “Lumpy” Herron’s US Open foot prints. If young Carson were to complete the foursome and become the fourth Herron as a competitor in the US Open Championship it would end the fairy tale with, ‘And they lived happily ever after’.”

Young Carson, the birdie machine, starting the final round six shots behind the leaders, fired a final round 64 at Rush Creek Golf Club. His round included 9 birdies and one loan bogey. His round began with a birdie on the second then he had six birdies in the next seven holes. Play was suspended for 3 1/2 hours because of rain. Imagine the thoughts running through his mind having 7 birdies in 11 holes at Rush Creek. Young Carson bogeyed the 13th hole, his first after the rain delay, then rallied with two birdies in the last 5 holes. The playoff was another test of will. Three great golfers, Max Tylke, Caleb VanArragon (last year’s State Open Champion, recently turned professional) and young Carson played the ninth hole twice. On the first playoff hole Carson’s drive found the left bunker. No problem, Carson got up and down from 100 yards, draining a downhill 10-footer to stay in the play off. A six-foot birdie on the second trip down 9 gave the trophy and immortality to young Carson.

The guts, grit and most of all the mental toughness to “stay in the process” and make 9 birdies shooting 64, then win a two-hole playoff, is really something. When asked how he was able to keep his composure young Carson mentioned staying “in the process” several times. When he explained staying in the process it went something like this. “We have new coaches at the University of New Mexico, Jake Harrington and Sam Saunders. They teach us that every shot is a process. First is to get the distance and conditions like wind, up or down hill. Second to visualize the shot to be hit. Third is to commit to the shot and fourth is to be aggressive with the shot – live with the result. Throughout the final round and during the two-hole playoff I was able to stay in the process.”

During the interview with young Herron this writer was impressed with his maturity and direct answers to questions. When asked if he has aspirations of following his father, Lumpy, to a career in professional golf he immediately answered yes. He said that he and his father practice a lot together and discuss golf shots and situations that occur during rounds under pressure situations. “He pushed me when I was young, I think I push him a little now,” young Carson said with a smile.

With one more year of school remaining Carson admitted to working very hard on his game. Practicing 3 to 4 hours then playing 9 holes almost every day. He is a finance major that has a cumulative GPA of 3.6. So, if the golf Gods somehow deny his golf future, he should have no problems finding a job.

Young Carson, 21 years old, has 18-year-old twin brothers, Mick and P. J., both excellent golfers who have finished high in several high school and MGA events. The 18-year twins both sport a plus 1 handicap index.

Maybe another golfer with Herron genes flowing through his veins will complete the magic foursome of US Open competitors.