Late Birdie Helps Goodno Secure Second Win of the Season at MGA Women's Senior Match Play

BECKER, Minn. - Sinking a birdie putt from 25 feet late in the round Wednesday at Pebble Creek Golf Club, Linda Goodno pulled out a victory at the 2024 Minnesota Golf Association Women's Senior Amateur Match Play Championship, 1-up, over Lynn Anderson for her second career victory.

“Let's keep it going,” a smiling Goodno said Tuesday following her second state championship win in three weeks. “I know I can play—it's just all about consistency. I have confidence that I can make par and some birdies, and good things will happen.”

Anderson grabbed the early lead Tuesday, taking advantage of a Goodno bogey at the second. Failing to capitalize on multiple chances to even the match, Goodno would draw even with a par from six feet at the sixth.

Getting up-and-down from short of the ninth green, Anderson reclaimed her lead, but Goodno quickly fired back by sticking her approach at the 10th inside of five feet, converting her first birdie of the round to once again even the match.

Goodno took her first lead of the match on the ensuing hole, getting up-and-down to save par, but couldn't get her par putt from six feet to drop at the 13th, then missed another opportunity to regain the lead with a birdie look at the 14th.

Anderson won the 14th with bogey to take her third lead of the match, but Goodno quickly swung momentum in her favor by dropping her birdie chance from 25 feet at the 16th to tie the match.

“Still wondering how that happened, because I haven't made many putts over the last three days,” Goodno said of her late birdie. “That one came at a really good time.”

Reclaiming a slim lead after Anderson's par putt from eight feet slid past the hole at the 17th, Goodno sank one final putt from four feet at the 18th for par to win her first individual state championship.

“I felt good, I was hitting the ball good, and I drove the ball well,” Goodno said. “I had two big, missed opportunities, which got a little frustrating, but my putting was so much better today.

“I have a lot of confidence, even though I played poorly on the back nine yesterday. Still came back with confidence that I can play. Lynn didn't let up all day, so that was fun.”

Goodno captured the first state win of her career earlier this month, teaming up with Alison Hurley to win the MGA Women's Senior Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Burl Oaks Golf Club.

A frustrating finish for Anderson Wednesday results in her third runner up finish at the event since 2017.

“Disappointing—my swing wasn't quite there today, so I was battling that,” Anderson said Wednesday. “Seemed like every shot was in between clubs; I got too much in my head and didn't make the swings I needed to. Scrambling all day long.

“I just need to keep putting myself in position. It's there and it's close—I need to keep practicing and getting reps in.”

The defending MGA Women's Senior Amateur champion Anderson fell to four-ball partner Leigh Klasse at Bent Creek Golf Club in 2017 before coming up short against Betsy Aldrich in 2018 at Faribault Golf Club.

Brenda Williams took a 4-up lead through six holes during her final match against Tracey Donesky Wednesday in the First Flight, holding on for the victory, 2 and 1.

Goodno's four-ball partner Hurley rallied late to edge Sara Martinson, 1-up, to claim top honors in the Second Flight.