McCauley and Salonek Last Two Standing at MGA Women’s Amateur Match Play Championship

  WAYZATA, Minn. – In search of her first win since the 2023 season when she captured her second Minnesota State Junior Girls’ Championship title at Hastings Golf Club, University of Northern Colorado golfer Olivia Salonek earned a pair of victories Wednesday at Spring Hill Golf Club to advance to the final round of the 2025 Minnesota Golf Association Women’s Amateur Match Play Championship.

 

Defeating fellow Minnesota State Junior Girls’ champion Madi Hicks, 2 and 1, Salonek edged University of St. Thomas’ Kathryn VanArragon, 1-up, to set up a final against University of Minnesota golfer and good friend Reese McCauley.

 

“It was a good day—a lot of golf. I just had to stay in every hole because both girls I played against are really great players,” Salonek said after advancing Wednesday. “Long rounds, but you had to hit good shots and make birdies to win holes.

 

“My short game was really good today. Putting was a little iffy at the beginning of the week, but it was better today. I was also able to get up-and-down and save some pars when needed.”

 

During the semifinal round, VanArragon and Salonek traded blows over the first four holes before VanArragon regained the lead by winning the par-4 eighth.

 

Salonek’s tee shot at the par-3 11th stopped inside of six feet where she’d convert her birdie opportunity to even the match.

 

VanArragon regained the lead with a par at the 14th, but Salonek surged back to win the 15th to pull even once again.

 

With VanArragon in trouble at the 17th, Salonek’s birdie putt was conceded, and she would hang on for the victory, 1-up.

 

“I just need to stay confident and keep myself motivated tomorrow,” Salonek said. “Playing every shot and take it hole-by-hole. I’m going to be happy if she wins, but I’m also going to try to do my absolute best.”

 

A pair of early birdies helped Salonek jump out to the early lead over North Dakota State University’s Hicks during the quarterfinal round before Salonek increased her lead to three by winning the 11th.

 

Hicks battled back by winning three straight holes to tie the match at the 15th, but Salonek closed the door by winning the 16th and 17th to advance, 2-up.

 

Salonek claimed her first state title at the Minnesota Junior PGA Tournament of Champions at Keller Golf Course in 2020 before claiming her first Minnesota State Junior Girls’ Championship at Le Sueur Country Club the following season.

 

The former Roseville High School standout earned a four-stroke victory at the 2023 championship at Hastings Golf Club to become the 21st player in 86 years to win multiple titles.

 

McCauley, who recently completed her freshman season for the Gophers, earned a victory over North Dakota State’s Cora Larson, 4 and 2, before taking down two-time champion Taylor Ledwein, 1-up, to reach the championship match in her first appearance at the event.

 

“Long day, but it went really well,” McCauley said Wednesday. “The first round I was striking the ball really but wasn’t making many putts, so it was a little tough. The second round I think I loosened up a little bit and started to make some more putts.

 

“I’m not terribly tired right now—it’ll probably set in after the tournament. I’m going to keep doing what I have been and play my own game. [Salonek] is a great player, so it’ll be a fun match because she’s a good friend.”

 

McCauley bounced back from an early deficit against Larson to tie the match at the 10th before taking her first lead of the quarterfinal round at the 11th, cruising down the stretch for the victory, 4 and 2.

 

During the afternoon session against Ledwein, McCauley again fell behind early but won four consecutive holes beginning at the sixth to take control of the match.

 

Ledwein found her stride during the back nine, winning three of four holes to even the match at the 14th with a par.

 

Following a brief weather delay, McCauley took advantage of a Ledwein bogey at the 15th and held on for the victory, 1-up, to move one step closer to her third state title.

 

The championship match of the 2025 MGA Women’s Amateur Match Play Championship will begin at 8 a.m. Thursday at Spring Hill Golf Club.