Aldrich Shoots Even Par to Lead MGA Women's Senior Amateur Championship

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By Nick Hunter
nick@mngolf.org
 
 
  ALEXANDRIA, Minn. – Building momentum since her first state victory at the Minnesota Golf Association Women’s Senior Amateur Match Play Championship in late June, Betsy Aldrich posted a round of even par 72 Monday to take the early lead at the 2018 MGA Women’s Senior Amateur Championship at Alexandria Golf Club.
 
Aldrich carded a pair of birdies against two bogeys Monday and will take a two-stroke advantage over defending champion Leigh Klasse into Tuesday’s final round.
 
“Today was really stress-free, I only had two bad drives so I hit the ball pretty well and my irons were good,” Aldrich said after her round Monday. “Once I got on the green I either two-putted or one-putted.”
 
Aldrich, from Woodhill Country Club, began her round Monday on the 10^th hole and stuck her approach inside of two feet at the par-4 11^th, tapping in birdie to quickly move to 1-under. Taking a step back with a bogey at the par-3 17^th, Aldrich turned at even par.
 
Recording her second bogey in a matter of four holes at the second hole, Aldrich slipped to 1-over for the tournament, but would sink a 12-footer for birdie at the sixth and finished the day at even par, two shots ahead of the field.
 
Making several appearances at the Resorters Tournament, Aldrich’s familiarity with the course paid dividends Monday. Since 2000, Aldrich has claimed two victories and seven top-5 finishes at the event.
 
“I play in the Resorters all the time, but these tees are totally different and a lot different looks at holes. It helps to play that because I feel like it’s my home course. I probably play here more than my home course and that helps a ton.”
 
Aldrich, winner of four Northland Invitationals, collected her first major state victory at Faribault Golf Club in June, prevailing in a 22-hole duel against Lynn Anderson. Aldrich teamed up with Ede Rice to claim the 2006 MGA Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Medina Golf and Country Club. She also teamed up with brother, Mark, to win the MGA Mixed Amateur Team Championship in 2007 at Forest Hills Golf Club.

Klasse carded a 1-over par 73 to begin last year’s championship before shooting 78 during the final round to capture a three-stroke victory over Lynn Anderson at Crow River Golf Club, claiming her 17^th state title as a senior.
 
Beginning her round on the 10^th hole Monday, Klasse sank a 12-footer for birdie at the par-5 12^th to move into a share of the lead before a bogey on the ensuing hole dropped her back to even par. Klasse hit her approach to six feet at the par-4 16^th and converted her birdie look and would turn at even par.
 
Unable to get her putter going over the final nine holes Monday, Klasse carded a pair of bogeys to finish the first day of competition in second place with a round of 2-over par 74, two shots off the lead.

“On the first nine I was hitting a lot of greens, so I had some good putts,” Klasse said Monday. “The second nine I did a lot more scrambling. I was in between clubs a lot and seemed to be choosing the longer one and not hitting it the right distance. Tomorrow I have to hit more greens in regulation. I love the greens, so if I’m putting, I feel like I can make them.” 
 
Prior to her victory last season, Klasse claimed 12 Minnesota Senior Women’s Amateur and MWPGA State Senior Public Links victories dating back to 2010. Klasse and Anderson combined for a seven-stroke victory in early June to win their fourth consecutive MGA Women’s Senior Amateur Four-Ball Championship.
 
Brenda Williams, winner of the 2015 Minnesota Senior Women’s State Amateur at Elk River Golf Club, fired a round of 5-over par 77 Monday and will begin Tuesday’s final round in third place, five shots off the lead.
 
The 2018 MGA Women’s Senior Amateur Championship concludes Tuesday with final-round tee times beginning at 8 a.m. at Alexandria Golf Club.
 
 
 
2018 MGA WOMEN’S SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
ALEXANDRIA GOLF CLUB
ALEXANDRIA, MINN.
5,734 YARDS, PAR 72
 
 
MONDAY’S FIRST ROUND RESULTS\
CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
1. Betsy Aldrich, Woodhill CC, 36-36—72
2. Leigh Klasse, Keller GC, 38-36—74
3. Brenda Williams, Windsong Farm, 38-39—77
4. Claudia Pilot, Grand View Lodge, 38-41—79
T5. Lynn Anderson, Keller GC, 40-41—81
T5. Betsy Jackson, Detroit CC, 45-36—81
T5. Barb Miller, Dellwood CC, 40-41—81
T8. Bernie Brown, Wapicada GC, 42-42—84
T8. Ellie Layton, Rochester G&CC, 43-41—84
T8. Gail Tilsner, Oak Ridge CC, 43-41—84
T8. Cathy White, Royal Club, 41-43—84