Schintz Cruises to MGA Senior Women’s Amateur Title

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WILLMAR, Minn. – Former University of Minnesota women’s golfer Amy Schintz used a final-round even par 72, the best of the tournament, Wednesday to claim the 2024 MGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Willmar.

Schintz shot a two-round total of 3-over 147 (75-72), to claim a five-shot victory over 11-time winner of the Women's Senior Amatuer, Leigh Klasse, to get her first state title since winning the 2010 MGA Women’s Mid-Amateur at Indian Hills Golf Club where she also bested Leigh Klasse by 10 shots.

Having grown up in Spicer, just three miles from Eagle Creek, this win was special for Schintz. She was able to celebrate the win with family and friends.

"My mom was able to follow us today and [I] was so flattered that many of our long time family friends came to watch," she explained.

Entering the final round with a two-shot lead over Klasse, Schintz came out of the gates fast birdieing the par-5 first hole to extend her lead to three-shots which helped her settle into the round and calm her nerves.

Playing steadily, Schintz carded three straight pars before heading to the par-4 fifth hole where she would make a bogey to shrink her lead back to two-shots.

A par at the tough par-3 sixth hole helped keep the momentum going.

"[The] tees were back and I hit a great shot to about 15 feet and was thrilled with par," she said of the sixth hole.

She would go on to bogey the par-4 eighth hole to move back to 4-over for the championship and made the turn with a three-shot lead after Klasse made bogeys at the seventh and ninth holes to fall to 7-over for the championship.

Stumbling to open the back nine, she made bogey at the par-4 10th to move to 5-over and again shrinking her lead over Klasse to two.

She would play the best stretch of golf of anyone in the field over the next eight holes, playing them in 2-under, to separate herself from the competition. She used six pars, a two-putt birdie at the par-5 14th and a close tee shot on the par-3 16th where she converted another birdie to claim her first state title since 2010.

With the win she also claimed her first senior state title. Playing with and amongst many accomplished golfers was the cherry on top of the win.

She went on to say about competing with those players, "All credit to those women who have created a beautiful culture of competition and yet everyone supports each other. We all want each other to do well and understand the disappointment we all feel when it’s just not our day. These women know how to win and are extremely accomplished golfers. I have so much respect and admiration for them!"

Schintz played college golf at the University of Minnesota from 1992-1995 earning All-Big Ten Honors in 1994 and 1995. 

In addition to winning the 2010 MGA Women’s Mid-Amateur, she claimed the 1990 Minnesota Girls’ Junior PGA Championship, the 1994 MGA Mixed Amateur Championship at Prestwick Golf Club and has won a record 12 Women’s Arrowhead tournaments. 

Lori Jacobson, of Eagle Creek Golf Club (and Schintzs' high school coach), claimed the first flight by six-shots over Mary George shooting a two-round total of 13-over 157.

Kathy Hubert-Wyss posted a 23-over 167 to edge Robin Goetz for medalist honors by three-shots in the second flight.

Kay Rasmusson earned a five-shot victory over Lynn Cunningham in the third flight after posting a 28-over 172.

Tammy Nermyr carded a 38-over 182 to win the fourth flight by four-shots over Cindy Kunkel.

Kay Anderson used a bounce-back, final-round 92 to post 54-over 198 and claim the fifth flight over Wendy Wilde.

In the 65-and-over Master’s Division, Linda Fess posted a net score of 9-under 135 to run away with a 7-shot victory over Barabara Patrow.

Chaska Town Course will play host to next year’s event from August 25-26.