Klasse, Pilot, Williams and Miller Advance at MGA Women's Senior Match Play

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  CANNON FALLS, Minn. – Riding momentum from her recent win at the Minnesota Golf Association Women’s Senior Amateur Four-Ball Championship last month, Barb Miller outlasted defending champion Adele Peterson in extra holes Friday at Cannon Golf Club to open the 2023 MGA Women’s Senior Amateur Match Play Championship.

Miller edged Peterson on the third playoff hole to advance to Saturday’s semifinal and will now face 2021 champion Claudia Pilot.

Winning the opening hole with a par at the first, Miller took the early lead before Peterson countered by winning the second to tie the match. Miller won the par-3 seventh to regain the lead, but again Peterson answered by winning the ninth to even the match.

Taking her third lead of the match, Miller carded a par at the 10th to gain a slight advantage over Peterson, who answered by winning the par-3 12th.

The two remained deadlocked through the remainder of regulation until Miller closed out the match by winning the third playoff hole with a par.

Facing Cathy White during her opening-round match Friday, Pilot climbed out to a 5-up lead after 11 holes, but watched White win four consecutive holes to pull within one before tying the match with a par at the 17th.

A birdie at the last lifted the Minnesota Golf Hall of Famer Pilot into the semifinal round Saturday. Leigh Klasse, a six-time champion cruised during her opening-round match Friday, defeating Tracey Donesky, 8 and 7 to reach the semifinal round.

Klasse, who won six straight championships from 2012-2017, will face 2011 champion Brenda Williams during Saturday’s semifinal round.

The semifinal round of the 2023 MGA Women's Senior Amateur Match Play Championship is scheduled to begin at noon at Cannon Golf Club.