Venne Overcomes Challenging Start to Win Senior Showcase

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By Nick Hunter
nick@mngolf.org
 
 
  ANNANDALE, Minn. – Bouncing back from a rough start with a double-bogey on her opening hole and a bogey at the third Thursday, Kyra Venne played her final 15 holes in even par to shoot a 3-over 75 to claim a five-stroke victory at the 2021 Senior Showcase at Albion Ridges Golf Course.
 
“Tough start but I just tried to hit fairways, greens and two-putt for par,” Venne said Thursday. “I came back on the last nine holes—it was tough in the heat.”
 
Playing her first three holes in 3-over, Venne found her stride by carding consecutive pars to turn in 3-over for the tournament. She picked up a stroke by sinking her birdie opportunity from six feet at the 11^th, but gave it right back with a bogey at the 12^th.
 
Following a bogey at the 15^th, Venne’s strong ball-striking led to her second birdie of the round Thursday, sticking her approach from 100 yards at the 16^th inside of three feet, where she converted her birdie chance and would go on to card a 3-over 75 to earn the victory.
 
Wrapping up her final season at East Ridge High School, Venne fired back-to-back rounds of 75 at the section championship to qualify for next week’s Class AAA championship at Bunker Hills Golf Club as an individual.
 
“We finished second in our conference and also second at sections,” she said. “It’s going to be a good team coming up—there’s a lot of younger kids.”
 
Venne marks the second St. Catherine University commit to win the championship as Jaycee Rhodes claimed the inaugural championship by one stroke a year ago at Bunker Hills Golf Club, shooting even par 72.
 
Anna Krieger and Annika Stensrud posted an 8-over 80 Thursday to earn a tie for second place, five shots off the lead.



THE 2021 SENIOR GIRLS’ SHOWCASE
ALBION RIDGES GOLF COURSE
ANNANDALE, MINN.
5,708 YARDS, PAR 72
 
 
THURSDAY’S FINAL RESULTS
1. Kyra Venne, Woodbury, Minn., 39-36—75
T2. Anna Krieger, Lake Shore, Minn., 43-37—80
T2. Annika Stensrud, Glenwood, Minn., 42-38—80  
4. Carissa Oberding, Cottage Grove, Minn., 45-39—84
5. Greta McArthur, Fargo, N.D., 42-43—85
6. Emily Waldo, Cottage Grove, Minn., 45-47—92
7. Emma Budden, Pipestone, Minn., 49-45—94
8. Rachael Lund, Dawson, Minn., 51-44—95
9. Laura Ylitalo, Buffalo, Minn., 55-47—102