VanArragon Wins For Second Straight Week, Claims Second Straight MN Girls' Junior PGA Championship

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  BEMIDJI, Minn. – Opening up the 47th Minnesota Girls’ Junior PGA Championship with a four-stroke lead, recent Class AAA individual champion Kathryn VanArragon continued her strong play, cruising on the final day at Bemidji Golf and Country Club by firing a 1-over 73 to claim a nine-stroke victory over Reese McCauley to successfully defend her title.

With their performances this week, VanArragon and McCauley each earn a spot in the 2022 Girls’ Junior PGA Championship August 2-5 at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Palos Park, Ill. VanArragon, who claimed a two-stroke victory over Ava Hanneman at Bent Creek Golf Club a year ago, opened the championship with a 6-under 66 Monday.

The two-time Minnesota Golf Association Junior Girls’ Player of the Year posted three bogeys during her opening nine Tuesday, but rallied over her final nine holes with birdies at the 16th and 17th to card a final-round 73, finishing at 5-under 139.

McCauley, the 2021 Class AAA individual champion, sat four shots back of VanArragon following her opening-round 70 before McCauley carded a pair of bogeys during her front nine Tuesday to slip to even par for the championship. She would card four bogeys over her final nine to tally a final-round 78 to finish at 4-over 148.

Olivia Salonek, the defending Minnesota State Junior Girls’ champion, posted a 3-over 75 to begin the tournament in a tie for fifth place Monday, and played the first 14 holes of her final round before a pair of late bogeys put her in the clubhouse at 2-over 74, finishing third at 5-over 149.



THE 47TH MINNESOTA GIRLS’ JUNIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
BEMIDJI TOWN & COUNTRY CLUB
BEMIDJI, MINN.
5,769 YARDS, PAR 72


TUESDAY’S FINAL RESULTS
1. Kathryn VanArragon, Blaine, Minn., 66-73—139
2. Reese McCauley, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., 70-78—148
3. Olivia Salonek, Roseville, Minn., 75-74—149
T4. Izzy Olson, Lake Shore, Minn., 73-79—152
T4. Saachi Deshmukh, Plymouth, Minn., 75-77—152
T6. Lauryn Finley, Apple Valley, Minn., 77-77—154
T6. Sammy Youngquist, Eden Prairie, Minn., 76-78—154
8. Amelia Morton, Maple Grove, Minn., 76-79—155
T9. Ava Hanneman, Orono, Minn., 72-85—157
T9. Lily Vincelli, Rosemount, Minn., 76-81—157


For complete tournament results go to: https://mnpgajr.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpgajr22/event/mnpgajr2216/contest/13/leaderboard.htm