New Albany, Ohio – There’s always a tournament within the tournament at the New Albany Classic.
Perfectly situated on the SOPGA schedule, New Albany gives players the final chance to work their way onto the Southern Ohio team for the Ohio Cup. It’s the kind of tournament where everyone watches the leaderboard and the points lists simultaneously.
Just about anything can happen on both.
The 2026 edition featured the usual suspects at the top of the leaderboard with Ben Kern eventually beating all comers thanks to another round in red figures.
Kern shot 6-under 66 to edge Bob Sowards, Jeff Olson and Dylan Van Fossen by a shot. It’s Ben’s second win on the SOPGA schedule this season during a year where his best golf has been on display at all times. He has yet to finish outside T8 and is tied with Sowards for the most rounds in the 60s this season.
Olson’s 68 came at the perfect time and helped his Ohio Cup chances tremendously. Bogey-free on the day, Olson now sits well above the qualifying line after moving up five spots.
Sowards has won this event more than anyone, something he can say about a lot of tournaments. But his dominance at New Albany is different. Sowards has won five of the last eleven New Albany Classics and he’s yet to finish outside the top ten.
Van Fossen’s 4-under round of 68 was more than enough to grab the Associate Division title. He managed a four shot victory over Josh Gilkison to take that title.
Jared Jones, Michael Auterson and Brad Loomis all finished in red figures, improving and likely solidifying their chances of representing the SOPGA at Sand Ridge in October.