Two-Time Champion VanArragon Moves in Front on Day One at MGA Women's Amateur
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – Already one win to her credit this season, two-time champion Kathryn VanArragon came out firing to begin the 2026 Minnesota...
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EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – Holding a three-stroke lead through 36 holes of the Minnesota Golf Association Women’s Amateur at Bearpath Golf and Country Club, Kathryn VanArragon carded a final-round 72 Thursday, cruising to her second win of the season.
Her 10-stroke victory Thursday is the largest margin since Kenzie Neisen won by 12 shots in 2015, while VanArragon becomes just the fourth player in state history to collect three wins at the championship.
“This one means a lot, and I think I have a different perspective on golf than when I was 14,” VanArragon said. “I was so scared playing in the last round of this tournament when I was 14, and even when I was 18. Going into my last season of college golf, I think I play a lot more freely, which has been part of the maturing process for me.
“I was happy with my ability to hit shots that scared me a little bit. Fading it into a tucked pin, drawing into whatever it might’ve been or hitting a driver up a tight fairway. I’m grateful I was confident enough to hit those kinds of shots.”
Missing her chance to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Amateur by three strokes earlier last month, VanArragon now qualifies for the championship Aug. 4-9 at The Honors Course in Ooltewah, Tenn., with 2025 champion and former Tommie co-captain Emma Davies.
“That means everything,” she said.
Playing her opening nine in 1-under, VanArragon’s first big challenge of the round came at the par-4 10th when she would take triple-bogey to drop to 5-under for the tournament while watching her lead slip to four.
But the four-time MGA Player of the Year rebounded with back-to-back birdies from inside of four feet on her next two holes before consecutive pars put her in the clubhouse at 7-under 209, 10 shots clear of the field.
“Going into the round today, there wasn’t anything specific I was trying to do except play confident,” VanArragon said. “Sometimes it can be easy to get a little bit defensive. I played a lot of the same clubs off the tee, and I was happy with the decisions I put myself in.
“You just can’t get too comfortable—it’s a balance you have to strike between having a lead and thinking about maintaining. Things change pretty quickly and it’s a different mindset when you’re tied or down by a shot.”
A 14-year-old VanArragon led by seven going into the 2019 championship at Town and Country before earning a five-stroke victory to become the youngest winner of the event.
In 2023, she sat tied for the 36-hole lead Emma Welch before a late birdie gave her a one-stroke victory at Baker National Golf Course.
Nancy Harris remains the tournament’s winningest player, claiming five titles (1989, 1988, 1985, 1984, 1983), while Kelly (Varty) Burley won four times between 1979 and 1993.
Alissa Herron won three consecutive titles from 1996 to 1998.
Last month, VanArragon defeated Olivia Salonek, 3 and 2, at the MGA Women’s Amateur Match Play Championship at Olympic Hills Golf Club for her first state victory since the MGA Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Pebble Creek Golf Club with partner Emma Welch last season.
Just three back entering the final round Thursday, Petzold’s chances were dashed quickly following an errant tee shot on the opening hole that led to a quadruple-bogey, giving VanArragon a seven-stroke advantage.
But the former Providence Academy standout would play the final eight holes of her front nine in even par before carding her first birdie of the round at the par-4 11th.
A double-bogey at the 11th put Petzold back to 1-over for the championship, but she’s counter by converting her birdie opportunity at the 12th. A bogey at the 17th followed by a double at the last put Petzold in the clubhouse as runner-up at 1-over 219.
“Definitely proud of the week as a whole,” Petzold said after the final round Thursday. “It’s the best I’ve finished at the [MGA Women’s Amateur], so I had a lot of fun. Today wasn’t exactly what you want—rough start, but steady after that. Couple of bumpy holes later in the round.
“A lot of positives—striking the ball really well and putted pretty well. Two very solid rounds, and other than a few holes today, a lot of really steady golf. I’ve been working a lot on my mental game coming into the week and I saw a lot of that paying off the last three days.
A Ms. Minnesota Golf finalist earlier this season, Grace Raich carded a final-round 75 Thursday to earn low-junior honors at the championship, finishing in a tie for third with Elle Higgins, Anna Huettl and Olivia Salonek at 7-over 223.
The 2027 MGA Women’s Amateur will be played at The Jewel Golf Club in Lake City, Minn.
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