RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesDespite winning the 100th annual Greater South Bend Men's Metro golf tournament in 2024, Austin Christner was still nervous heading into the second weekend of the 2026 edition. He was leading the field by six strokes and seemed poised for his second title in three years, but the 2014 Fairfield High School alumnus knows no lead is safe in golf.
Especially when there's still two rounds and 36 holes to be played. Christner admitted those nerves got the best of him for the first nine or so holes of the day Saturday, July 25 at Erskine Park Golf Course. It wasn't until the back nine that he started to rediscover the groove he was in during the previous weekend at Elbel Park Golf Course, where he combined to shoot -5.
"It's okay to be a little nervous, but you don't want it to overtake too much of your thought process," Christner said. "I finally got settled, started making some good swings and gave myself some good looks. Sunday, I felt a lot better. I felt like if I [went] out and do what I knew I was capable of doing, things should work out."
From the first two rounds: Austin Christner leads Greater South Bend Men's Metro golf tournament
Things more than worked out for Christner, who finished the four-round tournament at five strokes under par to win his second Greater South Bend Men's Metro championship. He became the 25th person to ever win the tournament at least twice by shooting four under, one under, one under and one over par in each of the four respective rounds.
Coming in second place was Matt Noll at five strokes over par, and three-time champion Ben Szklarek finished in third at +9. Although he secured victory long before the final hole Sunday, July 26, Christner finally exhaled and released all of the pressure he felt throughout the two weekends once all 72 holes were behind him.
"Everyone is expecting [since] you have a big lead, you should win. The expectation you put on yourself is, 'Yeah, I should win, but what if I don't?'" Christner said. "Working through that was really important for me, and I was proud of myself for fighting through that."
Christner's group whom he celebrated with was larger than last time, at least by one member, as his eight-month-old daughter even got photographed inside the tournament trophy. Afterwards, Christner, his wife, daughter, mother-in-law and more family members rang in the victory at Papa Vino's Italian Kitchen in Mishawaka.
With almost a full 24 hours to reflect before speaking with the South Bend Tribune Monday, July 27, Christner said his biggest competitor in the tournament was himself. That wasn't a brag, it was an admission of how he not only put pressure on himself to back up his large lead after the first weekend but also to be better than he was when he won the tournament in 2024.
Although he spoke glowingly of what his first victory meant to him in creating a legacy, he wasn't satisfied with finishing at one stroke over par. Heading into the 102nd Annual Greater South Bend Men's Metro, Christner was determined to finish under par.
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That motivated him even more than the feeling of finishing as the tournament runner-up, which he did in 2025 behind champion Szklarek. Next year, Christner will have the chance of joining Szklarek as one of just 15 people to ever win the historic tournament at least three times.
"The first one will always have a special place in my heart, because that's where [I] kind of got over the hump," Christner said. "The group of people who have won always have the respect of the tournament and what it means to South Bend. It's an exclusive club; that's why you see a lot of people who have won it continuously play."
Kyle Smedley is a sports reporter at the South Bend Tribune. Contact him via email at [email protected] or follow him on X @KyleMSmedley.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Austin Christner wins 102nd Annual Greater South Bend Men's Metro golf tourney
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