Leszczynski makes it three in a row, wins fourth career Iowa Women’s Senior Amateur title
Laura Leszczynski (above), of Saint Mary’s, wins her third consecutive and fourth career Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur Championship, this time at Prairie Links Golf Club in Waverly. Leszczynski, who had claimed a seven-stroke lead after the first day, beat Dubuque’s Rose Kubesheski in a one-hole playoff to clinch her title. Both competitors finished at (+16) 160.
“The squirrel in me showed up (in the final round),” Leszczynski said. “It was a restless night. I was so excited to play. (In round one) I forced myself to stay focused on one shot at a time. Staying dry. Swinging in a rain suit Keeping my grips dry. That’s it.”
Leszczynski began her final round with a front-nine 46 while Kubesheski fired a 38, putting the two neck-to-neck. Leszczynski mustered out a back-nine 40 to force a playoff en route to her win.
“After nine holes, I stopped myself,” Leszczynski said. “I tried to slow down my pace physically and mentally. Deep breathes and get myself refocused. I put my mental blinders on. My biggest takeaway from victory is knowing I need to be good to me while out there. Stay positive, let thing go and look at only the shot in front of me. Believe in me and tell myself I got this. I was inspired by a good friend, who had just shot 68 a week ago.”
Not far behind was a three-way tie for third at (+17) 161 between Altoona’s Geri Huser, Ankeny’s Jennifer Corkrean, and Des Moines’ Kelly Grimes. Corkrean won the Super Senior Division and was only one stroke away from joining the Senior Division leaders at the top. Grimes took home the Net Division title with a net score of (+3) 147.