COON RAPIDS - Ben Greve is one of the best golfers to come from Minnesota, but as he plays in the Minnesota State Open as an amatuer this week, he is also thinking about an upcoming trip to the London for the Olympics.

He won the 1999 State High School Championship and followed that up three years later by helping the Minnesota Golden Gophers golf team win the 2002 National Championship.

Since then, Greve has been playing on lower-level tours around the region, but recently, he decided to give up the sport as a professional.

"It was a tough decision, but I gave it a good shot," Greve said. "I spent seven years trying to play, so, just trying to find a job in the real world now."

All of his success makes Greve an athlete that some Minnesotans know, but, he's not even close to the most popular athlete in his house.

That's because Greve is married to Lynx star Lindsay Whalen, who is playing in her first-ever Olympic games.

"We're on very different levels as professionals, but it's been fun," Greve said. "I'm really happy for her and proud of her. It's a ton of fun and I piggyback on that whenever I can."

And you'll definitely see Greve in the stands when Lindsay makes that Olympic debut in London.

"I love going to the games," Greve said. "I get a little too into it. I try to stay in the background a little bit, but it's fun."

Greve opened the 3-day Minnesota State Open by shooting a 3-over 75. He enters the second round 10 shots off the lead.

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