A Brief History of the BürdieMeister
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Looking to establish a reunion of sorts, Mike Andrus and Cyrus Huang decided to host an annual event beginning in 2013. They determined that a golf tournament with a twist would be an entertaining format for mixed company to compete in and enjoy while catching up with old friends and making new ones. The inaugural BürdieMeister Invitational Tournament was first played on July 13th, 2013 at the Links at Northfork. Since 2015, the BürdieMeister is contested on the Saturday of the first full week following the Fourth of July and has produced champions of all golfing abilities from the budding beginner to the die-hard golfer.
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The Inaugural BürdieMeister Crew
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From Brotherhood to the BürdieMeister
1815 University Ave SE circa 1991
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The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity ("SAE") at the University of Minnesota is where Mike Andrus and Cyrus Huang forged the bonds of brotherhood and began their decades-long friendship. The unlikely duo were often organizing get-togethers and outings with friends; whether it be a Spring trip to golf the Robert Trent Jones Trail or desert golf in Palm Springs, "memorable" parties in Las Vegas, or simply meeting up for a happy hour. To this day, they still recruit others to join in on their shenanigans as brotherhood and friendship remain paramount in their lives. Andrus and Huang decided to host an annual event for their friends as a reunion of sorts.
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Finding the Inspiration
In 2003, a fellow fraternity brother invited Andrus and Huang to a golf event hosted by his long-time high school friends. The decades-old Girard Memorial (the Girard) is a calcutta golf tournament that continually draws a large field of players and generates a sizable prize pool. The experience was immediately infectious as the sheer excitement from the team auction, buying and selling of ownership, and a competitive golf format appealed directly to their fondness for golf, gambling and good times. In fact, Andrus attained glory and was crowned a Champion in his very first year playing—beginner’s luck—and again nearly a decade later; while Huang still remains winless. Nevertheless, the Girard Memorial was, and continues to be, an opportunity to reconnect, stay in touch with and meet new friends. After a decade of playing in the Girard and talking about doing an annual event, Andrus and Huang finally had their light bulb moment.
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Creating the Experience
During an NCAA bracket bet dinner in March of 2013, Andrus and Huang proposed the idea of hosting a calcutta golf tournament. The idea was welcomed with great enthusiasm that the two finally put pen to paper with all deliberate haste. Because of the gaming element, the plan was to invite only SAE alumni and close friends, however, interest in the event drew wide attention from colleagues, family, and friends of friends. The decision was made to expand the field to any person who can be vouched for; maintaining the event as strictly an invitation-only tournament. Huang proposed the event be called the BürdieMeister and in only a few short months, the first BürdieMeister Invitational Tournament was held on July 13, 2013 at The Links at Northfork. As the BürdieMeister continues to grow in attendance and popularity, Andrus and Huang strive to elevate the experience for its players who make it a huge success year after year.
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The Story Behind the Name
The object of golf is to complete a hole by playing a ball in the fewest possible number of strokes. One such result would be to score a Birdie, one stroke under Par. Mastering the ability to score a number of Birdies in a round of golf is desirable hence becoming a "Birdie Master" is a much sought-after title. After perhaps one too many of the infamous German herbal liqueur made with 56 herbs and spices, the BürdieMeister Invitational Tournament was adopted. The Founders later decided to drop 'invitational' from the name and officially changed it to the BürdieMeister Tournament. Those in the know just call it the BürdieMeister.
The Whole Story Behind the Name: Short Story Long
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Andrus and Huang had originally sought a tournament name that evoked memories of their SAE experience and specifically its traditions by brainstorming metaphors, symbols and words that connote fraternity. They generated names such as Boone's Unity, Minerva's Invitational, Paddy's Memorial, and the Purple & Gold—all lacked a certain je ne sais quoi. Upon deciding to expand the invitation list, Huang took the reins and jumped down the rabbit hole to later emerge with naming the event BürdieMeister. Partially based on the golf term explained above but in keeping with the original concept, the name has underlying SAE references such as the umlaut (two dots) above the letter U symbolizing brothers shaking hands—"Unity"
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The name's familiarity with the German liqueur also extends beyond the Founders' appetite for the drink and is befitting the "spirit" of the event. According to the label, Jägermeister is dedicated to master hunters who “have strong bonds with one another, as authentic as the history and heritage of the brand itself." Sigma Alpha Epsilon built the bonds of brotherhood and perhaps most importantly, laid the foundation for enduring friendships. The Founders aspire for a similar result with the BürdieMeister in that it establishes its own stories, memories and traditions that instill a sense of camaraderie and provide the opportunities for fostering friendships—strengthening old relationships and establishing new ones.
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BürdieMeister Champions
PAST WINNERS & RESULTS
| YEAR | WINNERS | SCORE | RUNNERS-UP | SCORE |
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| 2025 |
Nick Anderson Karen Hauch Lawrence Means Steve Carleton |
5 under (78) pv |
Tom Holley Cody Ward Doug Teal Shelly Knudsen |
4 under (79) |
| 2024 |
Jeff Schlink Karen Hauch Rick Lessard Mitch Rauk |
5 under (78) pv |
Dan Holley Tom Spiess Paul Nelson Andrea Doran |
5 under (78) |
| 2023 |
Will Hedberg Rickie Lessard Ryan Yardley Shelly Knudsen |
9 under (74) |
Dan Holley Chris Pilon Duncan Bistodeau Bill Ward |
8 under (75) |
| 2022 |
Dan Olson Brian Kilburg Trevor Rolando Mike Andrus |
8 under (75) |
John Weiberg Christian Metzger Paul Nelson Sarah Hale |
7 under (76) |
| 2021 |
Nick Anderson Jon Nelson Christian Metzger Don Cate |
10 under (73) |
John Weiberg Joe Hickey Mandeep Sodhi Jeanie Stake |
9 under (74) |
| 2020 |
Rob Runyon Joe Hickey Courtland Steele Suzana Bjelopetrovich |
9 under (74) |
Darrin Hubbard Andrew Bates Ryan Lommel Dustin Wilfling |
6 under (77) |
| 2019 |
Brian Kilburg Brian Larson Mitch Rauk Mike Andrus |
5 under (78) |
Steve Bump Craig Dauffenbach Doug Teal Diane Kulas |
4 under (79) |
| 2018 |
Dan Holley Andrew Needle Lawrence Means Becky Turner |
4 under (79) |
Jason Meulemans Dan Desaulniers Robbie Somers Ron Kulas |
3 under (80) pv |
| 2017 |
Andy McDaniel Woody Teal Cyrus Huang Diane Kulas |
7 under (76) |
Chris Wilkens Nathan Cress Kris Schlink Mike Andrus |
4 under (79) pv |
| 2016 |
Chris Hickey Brian Tupper Ron Kulas Diane Kulas |
6 under (77) |
Dan Holley Cyrus Huang Jeff Neuenfeldt Amy Christianson |
5 under (78) |
| 2015 |
Chris Hickey Garrett Shufelt Doug Teal Deepak Nath |
6 under (77) pv |
Jeff Schlink Joe Hickey Dan Boyum Mike Schumacher |
6 under (77) |
| 2014 |
Jeff Schlink Peter Hinsch Gabe Kuhfuss Amy Christianson |
5 under (78) |
Joe Nordahl Paul Nelson Tyler Scott Mike Schumacher |
4 under (79) pv |
| 2013 |
Brian Tupper Woody Teal Mike Andrus Jeanie Stake |
6 under (77) |
Frank Richie Matt Lichty Doug Teal Sarah Hale |
5 under (78) pv |
pv = playoff victory
MOST VICTORIES
| 2 | 3 |
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| Brian Tupper 2013, 2016 |
Mike Andrus 2013, 2019, 2022 |
| Woody Teal 2013, 2017 |
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| Jeff Schlink 2014, 2024 |
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| Chris Hickey 2015, 2016 |
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| Diane Kulas 2016, 2017 |
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| Lawrence Means 2018, 2025 |
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| Brian Kilburg 2019, 2022 |
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| Mitch Rauk 2019, 2024 |
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| Nick Anderson 2021, 2025 |
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| Rick Lessard 2023, 2024 |
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| Karen Hauch 2024, 2025 |
HOLES-IN-ONE
| HOLE | PLAYER |
|---|---|
| Hole No. 7 | Chris Hickey, 2015 (P-wedge, 125 yards) |
| Hole No. 7 | Dan Holley, 2020 (P-wedge, 109 yards) // *Friday warm-up round |