Two of the State's Best, VanArragon and McCauley to Square Off for MN Girls' Jr. PGA Title

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By Nick Hunter
nick@mngolf.org
 
 
  MAPLE GROVE, Minn. – Each with a convincing win to their credit already this season, Kathryn VanArragon and Isabella McCauley will enter Tuesday’s final round separated by one stroke following Monday’s opening round of the 45^th Minnesota Girls’ Junior PGA Championship at Rush Creek Golf Club. Up for grabs are bragging rights as the state’s top junior golfer.
 
VanArragon began the season with a runner-up finish at the Minnesota Golf Association Women’s Amateur Match Play Championship, an event in which she dispatched several of the state’s top players. Less than weeks ago, VanArragon posted a 4-under 67, despite a double-bogey on the final hole, to run away with a three-stroke victory at the Twin Cities Junior Championship.
 
On Monday, VanArragon posted an up-and-down opening nine, turning in 1-over following a double-bogey at the par-4 fifth. The defending MGA Junior Girls’ Player of the Year, got back on track by sinking back-to-back birdies at the 10^th and 11^th holes before sinking her fifth birdie of the round at the 153-yard, par-3 15^th hole to capture the first-round lead with a 2-under 70.
 
Posting the day’s only other score below par Monday, McCauley, who last week claimed five-stroke victory at the Minnesota Junior Girls’ State Championship at Bent Creek Golf Club, got started by making bogey at the par-3 third, but would sink birdie looks at two of her final four holes to turn in 1-under.
 
She would move to 2-under with a birdie at the 10^th, but stepped back with a bogey at the par-4 15^th and would finish the first 18 holes of competition one shot back at 1-under 71.
 
Both VanArragon and McCauley have etched their names into the record books in recent years, and will likely have a plethora of offers when it comes to collegiate golf.
 
In 2018 VanArragon capped off her seventh-grade season when became the youngest player to win a Class AAA individual title as a member of the Blaine High School golf team. She followed that by claiming the Women’s State Amateur Championship last year at Town and Country Club, just days after her 14^th birthday. She will begin her sophomore season this fall.
 
McCauley broke a Class AAA tournament record by shooting 9-under 135 to wrap up her freshman season at Simley High School. She is the defending champion this week, claiming a two-stroke victory last year at The Jewel Golf Club. McCauley will enter her junior season later this year.
 
Aayushi Sarkar posted a 1-over 73 Monday and will begin Tuesday’s final round three shots back, while Olivia Solonek and Lauryn Finley each carded a 74 and currently sit tied for fourth.

Tee times for the final round of the 45^th Minnesota Girls’ Junior PGA Championship will begin a 7 a.m. Tuesday at Rush Creek Golf Club.
 
 
 
THE 45^TH MINNESOTA GIRLS’ JUNIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
RUSH CREEK GOLF CLUB
MAPLE GROVE, MINN.
5,709 YARDS, PAR 72
 
 
MONDAY’S FIRST ROUND RESULTS
1. Kathryn VanArragon, Blaine, Minn., 37-33—70
2. Isabella McCauley, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., 35-36—71
3. Aayushi Sarkar, Woodbury, Minn., 36-37—73
T4. Olivia Salonek, Roseville, Minn., 35-39—74
T4. Lauryn Finley, Apple Valley, Minn., 36-38—74
T4. Reese McCauley, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., 38-36—74
7. Madi Hicks, Chanhassen, Minn., 35-40—75
8. Courtney Wedin, Chanhassen, Minn., 35-42—77
T9. McKenna Mallow, Detroit Lakes, Minn., 36-42—78  
T9. Shelby Busker, Detroit Lakes, Minn., 39-39—78
 
 
For complete tournament results go to: https://mnpgajr.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpgajr20/event/mnpgajr201/contest/9/leaderboard.htm