Arivia and Annika DeBoer compete for host golf course

The Minnewaska Golf Course hosted the MGA Women’s Amateur Championship last Monday through Wednesday with 77 of the best women’s amateur golfers in the state competing, including two from Minnewaska Area, sisters Arivia and Annika DeBoer, along with this year’s Minnesota high school state Class A and AA champions.

The tournament consisted of 54 holes of stroke play for the Patty Berg Memorial Trophy.  The winner of the tournament receives an exemption into the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, set for Aug. 5-11 at Southern Hills CC in Tulsa, OK.

Winning the tourney was Emma Welch (shown watching her shot at bottom of page) with a 6-over score of 222 on rounds of 73, 75 and 74, while Kathryn VanArragon was second, three strokes back. First and second-day leader, Madison Hicks (Brackett’s Crossing CC), shot an 80 the final day to finish third with a 227.  Last year’s champion was VanArragon (Bunker Hills GC), who had a one-under 218.  Twenty of the players in the tourney had “plus” USGA Handicaps, including Emma Welch with a + 4.3.

Arivia and Annika, pictured together on this page, were paired together for the final round.  Arivia, who will be a senior this year, tied for 43rd with a 256 on rounds of 81, 90 and 85 while Annika DeBoer, who will be a sophomore, tied for 52nd with a 261 score on rounds of 88, 84 and 89.  Annika was the youngest golfer in the tourney at just over 15 years of age.  The 77 golfers were whittled down to the top 60 after the first two days.  The two-day cutoff was 180, and Arivia and Annika finished well below that score to earn a berth in the final day of competition.

Serving as Minnewaska golf club officials were Justin Buysse, club president; Brady Scott, golf course superintendent; and Casey Vangsness, general manager, head golf professional.  For more information, check out  mngolf.org

Check out more photos in our Waterama Photo Gallery!