Helm Finds Her First Major Win

Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club - Walking off the 17th green at Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club, Kaitlyn Helm achieved a feat not many can add to their resume. The incoming sophomore at Washington State University earned her first Kachina, a longtime goal, in her debut appearance at the Arizona Women's Match Play Championship. 

“I don't think I had a reason for playing this year rather than others, but I'm so glad I did," Helm said. "This is a great golf course, and I'm so excited to get my first kachina doll, and to just go all in, in match play.”

Helm, along with the remainder of the field, spent her first three days in pod-style match play, taking on the other three members of her pod head-to-head each day. Winning her first and second match and tying her third, Helm ended with 2.5 points, tying for second overall in the Open Championship Field. 

After three days in pod play, Helm took on another challenge Sunday morning, a possible 36-hole day of match play, which proved an easy task. Helm took on Samantha Postillion in the morning round, a local in AZ GOLF women's events, and fought her way to a 4 & 3 win.

The Phoenix native continued her dominance over the course in her final afternoon round, carding a 4-under-par through 17 holes, staying cool, calm, and collected.

RESULTS | PHOTOS

“I think my mind was just staying in the moment," Helm said. "I think there were really no nerves going into it, I was just focused on hitting good shots and putts, and they did go in, which was nice."

In the final matchup, Helm's new opponent was a close neighbor, Ashley Shaw. Shaw and Helm are both from Litchfield Park, and have faced each other in tournaments before.

"Honestly I’m just going to take this feeling of just winning with me," Helm said. "College match play and college tournaments in general are just so difficult, so just taking this motivation and this ego boost going into these tournaments.”

Robin Krapfl took home the Senior Division  trophy, and Sherri Broderick, a Wickenburg native, won the Field Division.

About AZ GOLF

Founded in 1923, AZ GOLF is a nonprofit dedicated to serving and advancing the game of golf in Arizona. We engage our community through championships and tournaments, player development, education, and outreach while providing official USGA Handicap Indexes to golfers statewide. With more than 550 member clubs and golfers of all ages and abilities, we are committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive golf community and ensuring the game’s long-term growth and sustainability.