Kunkel Wins Second MGA Women's Net Amateur Championship

MGA

  NISSWA, Minn. – Fueled by a strong finish Wednesday at The Preserve at Grand View Lodge, Cindy Kunkel tallied a final-round total of 27 Stableford points to earn five-point victory over defending champion Shawna Johnson and Jennifer Lehnert at the 2022 Minnesota Golf Association Women’s Net Amateur Championship.

Kunkel, of Pine Ridge Golf Course, began the championship with 36 points Tuesday at The Pines at Grand View Lodge to sit one point back of the lead after 18 holes of play.

Posting 14 points during her opening nine Wednesday, Kunkel would then run into trouble early during her back nine before finishing with four consecutive pars to earn a total of eight points over her final four holes to run away from the field.

After claiming the title in 2020, Kunkel placed third a season ago, two shots back of Johnson.

Looking for her second consecutive win at the championship this week, Johnson jumped out to the early lead Tuesday, helped by a net eagle and three net birdies over a six-hole span.

Johnson, from Keller Golf Club, claimed 11 points during her opening nine Thursday, but would face difficulties late in the round by taking both a triple and quadruple bogey to finish in a tie for second with a 36-hole total of 58 points.

Lehnert, also of Keller Golf Club, began the final round seven points off the lead, but made up ground in a hurry with 14 points during her opening nine Thursday.

Despite a double-bogey at her 12th holes, Lehnert remained steady over her final eight holes carding a final-round total of 28 points to finish tied with Johnson at 58 points.

Jean Solheim, from Minnewaska Golf Club, notched 55 points during her two rounds this week to place fourth, while Brenda Breckheimer, of Legendary Lakeview Ladies, finished fifth with a total of 54 points.