Birdies Early and Often Lift VanArragon to MGA Women's Match Play Title

  EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – Entering this week’s Minnesota Golf Association Women’s Amateur Match Play Championship at Olympic Hills Golf Club with a dozen career wins on her impressive golf resume, University of St. Thomas golfer Kathryn VanArragon said it was a loss in the finals of the 2020 championship to University of Minnesota’s Grace Curran that has since been a source of motivation.

“I first played this event when I was 15—made it to the final match and lost on the playoff hole. She hit an amazing shot into the green and holed the putt like it was nothing. She was such a good player, I was always inspired by her.”

Advancing to the finals for the second time Wednesday, VanArragon spread six birdies across 16 holes to defeat University of Northern Colorado’s Olivia Salonek, 3 and 2, capturing her first Minnesota Women’s Amateur Match Play title for her 13th state victory.

“Being able to win this tournament now means a lot,” said VanArragon, who tallies her first victory since winning the MGA Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship with partner Emma Welch last season at Pebble Creek Golf Club. “I was encouraged after my round Monday and then, obviously, played solid yesterday and today. It’s been a lot of golf, but I’m definitely encouraged by how well I played.

“I was a little nervous about this week because it’s my first event since the conference championship in April. It just feels different to come out after not competing for a while, and after practicing, it’s hard to know how those skills will transfer to the course.”

Getting to work quickly during her final match Wednesday, VanArragon birdied two of her first three and then won three consecutive holes, including back-to-back birdies at the eighth and ninth holes to build a commanding 5-up lead.

Dropping an 8-footer for birdie at the 12th, VanArragon had the match well in hand, but Salonek fought back late with back-to-back birdies of her own, winning three straight holes to cut into the deficit and keep the match alive.

But a missed birdie chance at the 16th by Salonek sealed VanArragon’s victory, 3 and 2.

“Olivia doesn’t make a lot of mistakes, so I knew I’d have to play good golf and steady golf,” the six-time MGA Player of the Year said after the final match Wednesday, “That was my main goal.”

The soon-to-be senior for the Tommies fired the only sub-par round during Monday’s stroke-play qualifier, a 1-under 71, to earn the championship’s No. 2 seed behind defending champion Reese McCauley.

But VanArragon was tasked with facing three current and future Tommie golfers during her path to the championship match against Salonek Wednesday.

Jumping out to the early lead Tuesday, VanArragon won her opening match against Tommie commit Kieley Hanson during Tuesday’s opening match, 3 and 2, before slipping past Tommie sophomore Genevieve Birkeland with a birdie on the first playoff hole.

Facing fellow Tommie captain Emma Davies in the semifinals, VanArragon used a strong back nine to pull away, 5 and 4, to reach the finals for a second time.

“[Davies] was one of my co-captains and one of my best friends,” VanArragon said of her opponent during Wednesday’s semifinal round. “We had a lot of fun—it was competitive but a fun match. She offered to caddie [in the finals] and this is her home course, so I took her up on that without thinking.”

Falling during the finals to McCauley last season at Spring Hill Golf Club, Salonek was turned away for a second straight season Wednesday but said she will take only positives away from the championship this week.

“Tried my best and I know that I have the skill to be at the top in tournaments like this,” Salonek said Wednesday. “I work hard to perform well, and I know a lot of people who would be happy to be in the position I’m in, so I’m just grateful to be here.”

“I worked hard leading up to this event and I thought I played really well. Played well during stroke play and then I was able to make a lot of birdies in match play. Kathryn played incredible—I think she was trying to shoot the course record today. Losing holes to someone making birdies is why she deserves to be the champion.”

Seeded fourth for the championship, Salonek opened with a victory over Abby Stendahl, 3 and 2, before cruising during her quarterfinal match against 2023 champion Hannah Boraas, 6 and 5.

Taking the early lead against two-time champion Taylor Ledwein during the semifinals, a steady Salonek played 16 holes in 3-under to advance to the finals for a second consecutive season, 3 and 2.

A graduate of Roseville High School, Salonek earned her first state win at the 2020 Minnesota Junior PGA ‘Sota Series Players Tour Tournament of Champions at Keller Golf Course, followed by a pair of Minnesota State Junior Girls’ Championships in 2021 and 2023.

She earned MGA Junior Girls’ Player of the Year honors in 2021.

Salonek began her collegiate career at the University of Iowa before transferring to the University of Northern Colorado for her sophomore season where she played 15 rounds at six events for the Bears during the 2024-25 season, carding her best finish at the ‘Mo’ Morial by finishing 19th before placing 27th at the Big Sky Conference Championship.

This season, Salonek helped the Bears finish inside the top-5 on four occasions, while posting her best performance of the season, a tie for 21st, at the Lady Clerico Invitational in Oklahoma.

The 2027 MGA Women’s Amateur Match Play Championship will be played at Rush Creek Golf Club.