Klasse Fires 71, Searching for Sixth Win at Minnesota Senior Women's State Amateur

View full size image

  OWATONNA, Minn. – After Brenda Williams put an end to her five-year run as Minnesota Senior Women’s State Amateur champion last season, Leigh Klasse fired a 2-under par 71 Monday at Owatonna Country Club in search of her sixth title in the past seven years.

Klasse was tied for the lead heading into the final round a year ago at Elk River Country Club before falling to Williams in a playoff. She will have a little breathing room ahead of Tuesday’s final round, leading Minnesota State Open champion, Lynn Anderson, by five shots.

On Monday, Klasse began her round with consecutive pars before sinking her birdie opportunity at the par-4 fifth hole. Drawing even with a bogey on the ensuing hole, Klasse would turn at 2-under following back-to-back birdies at the eighth and ninth holes.

Playing the first six holes of the back at even par, Klasse rolled in birdie at the 16th, but made bogey on the final hole to shoot 71 during the first round of play.

Anderson began the championship with a bogey on the opening hole before drawing even with a birdie on the second. She would play the final seven holes a 4-over with two bogeys and a double to turn at 4-over.

Finding her footing over the final nine, Anderson would shoot 76 after rolling in three birdies with two bogeys on the back to finish the opening round in second, five shots back of Klasse.

Claudia Pilot, a two-time champion, carded an opening-round 80 Monday and will begin the final round nine shots off the lead in third place, while Alison Hurley starts the final 18 in fourth at 81.

The 41st Minnesota Senior Women’s State Amateur Championship concludes Tuesday with tee times beginning at 8 a.m. at Owatonna Country Club.



41ST MINNESOTA SENIOR WOMEN’S STATE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
OWATONNA COUNTRY CLUB
OWATONNA, MINN.
5,546 YARDS, PAR 73


MONDAY’S RESULTS
1. Leigh Klasse, Keller Golf Club, 35-36—71
2. Lynn Anderson, Keller Golf Club, 41-35—76
3. Claudia Pilot, Pines at Grand View Lodge, 39-41—80
4. Alison Hurley, Minnesota Valley Country Club, 41-40—81
T5. Barbara Miller, Hillcrest Golf Club, 44-38—82
T5. Kathy Hubert-Wyss, Bunker Hills Golf Club, 40-42—82
T7. Bernie Brown, Wapicada Golf Club, 44-41—85
T7. Brenda Williams, Windsong Farm, 44-41—85
T9. Trish Olsen, Forest Hills Golf Club, 48-38—86
T9. Stacy O’Reilly, Keller Golf Club, 45-41—86


For complete tournament results go to: www.mngolf.org/Tournament/41st_Minnesota_Senior_Womens_State_Amateur_Championship