Anderson Claims MGA Women's Senior Amateur for First Win in Five Seasons

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  WINONA, Minn. – Stepping away from competitive golf while dealing with injuries and family matters in recent years, there was one word that came to mind following Lynn Anderson’s victory Tuesday at the 2023 Minnesota Golf Association Women’s Senior Amateur Championship at The Bridges.

Comeback.

Anderson won four consecutive MGA Women’s Senior Amateur Four-Ball titles with partner Leigh Klasse from 2015 to 2018 before making just three appearances at state championships from 2019 to 2021.

“It feels like a new chapter,” Anderson said following her first win in five seasons Tuesday. “Being out emotionally, mentally, and physically for four years—it’s a long time. Your competitors are only getting better and playing year-round, but I guess it was my time.

“It’s been a while, but I know it’s in there. It feels good and I'm going to build from here. It makes me excited to want to work on my game again.”

Opening the championship with a 10-over 81 Monday, Anderson carded a final-round 78 Tuesday, claiming medalist honors at 17-over 159 for a two-stroke victory over Barb Miller and Christine Dean.

Anderson battled two frozen shoulders for two seasons before tending to her ailing mother, who passed away in April.

“I couldn’t move my arms and couldn’t even walk on a treadmill,” she said. “After two years, finally the pain went away. I played in about six tournaments that next summer, but I got so stiff. I showed up, but I sort of bunted it around the course.

“Last summer I was hitting the ball better and then all winter I was working out—getting stronger and moving better. But before my mom passed away, I was consumed with taking care of her for the past two seasons, too.”

Following her opening-round 81 Monday at The Bridges, Anderson entered Tuesday’s final round one shot off the lead, but quickly took the outright lead thanks to her birdie from 20 feet at the fourth.

Playing her first six holes in 1-under, Anderson’s lead quickly vanished as struggles with her putter set in mid-round.

“I missed a couple of putts and then the doubts set it and you’re not as confident,” said Anderson. “I’m usually a really good putter, so I was really trying to feel good about it and not overthink my stroke.”

Anderson recaptured the outright lead at the 11th and extended her lead with a birdie at the par-4 13th, sinking a 15-footer.

She would play her final five holes in 3-over to post a final-round 78 to earn her eighth state championship victory.

“My game plan both days was to stay positive and my mantra when I didn’t hit a good shot was, ‘it’s good enough,’” Anderson said. “I felt really good and knew I was hitting the ball well. I was hitting the ball well yesterday, but my putter let me down.”

Anderson’s first state win came in 2007 at the Minnesota Women’s Public Golf Association Amateur Match Play Championship at Phalen Park Golf Course.

During her four-year run of wins at the MGA Women’s Senior Amateur Four-Ball Championship with Klasse, Anderson also claimed the 2016 Minnesota Women’s State Open at Indian Hills Golf Club.

Her most recent individual win came in 2017, when she won the Northland Invitational at Northland Country Club.

Miller, winner of the MGA Women's Senior Amateur Four-Ball Championship with Cathy White in June at Owatonna Country Club, battled back from an early double-bogey during her front nine Tuesday, sinking her birdie putt at the ninth to move within one shot of the lead.

But she would play her final nine holes in 5-over to post a 9-over 80 to earn a share of second at 161.

“I wish I could take a couple holes back,” Miller said Tuesday. “A double-bogey just got me off sync. I just couldn’t get myself to throw the ball up to the hole. I knew the greens were sticking, but I’m one to chip and let it roll up. I was playing too conservatively, and it was killing me.

“The last time I played a competitive round on this course was when I played for Winona State University my senior year at a small school state championship. Our team took first and I took first.”

With her runner-up finish Tuesday, Miller now moves 47.5 points ahead of Klasse to potentially claim MGA Senior Women’s Player of the Year honors.

“I’d be shocked to win,” Miller said. “I played in three events, but to go [first-second-second] does help. I’d be honored and it’s something I never thought I’d do. I’ve played in MGA events since I was 19-years-old. I’ve played with these women for so many years, it’s just so fun to come out and play. We’re like a family—we’re intertwined and know each other’s lives.”

Dean, who claimed the 2022 MGA Women’s Senior Amateur Four-Ball Championship with Adele Peterson at Whitefish Golf Club, carded an 11-over 82 during Monday’s opening round to enter the final 18 holes two shots back of the lead.

Playing her opening nine in 4-over Tuesday, Dean played the first seven holes of her inward nine in 5-over before sinking her birdie opportunity at the par-4 17th.

A par at the last put Dean in the clubhouse with a share of second, carding a final-round 79 for the second lowest score of the championship.

Carding back-to-back rounds of 13-over 84, Molly Baker claimed a four-stroke victory over Luanne Cortesi in the First Flight Tuesday.

Mary Backhaus edged Kathy Hubert-Wyss by one stroke Tuesday, carding a 43-over 185 to earn medalist honors in the Second Flight.

Lori Bremer followed her opening-round 94 with a final-round 95 to finish on top of the leaderboard by eight strokes in the Third Flight.

In the Fourth Flight, a final-round 98 helped Cindy Kunkel to a one-stroke victory over Doreen Eddy, carding 57-over 199.

Nancy Groth and Sue Olafson each finished the 36-hole championship in a share of the lead in the Fifth Flight, carding a 69-over 211 before Groth was declared the winner following a scorecard playoff.

In the 65-and-over Master Net Division, both Barbara Patrow and MGA rules official and volunteer Kathryn Sartain finished at 14-over 156. Patrow emerged victorious from a scorecard playoff.