TONTO VERDE, Ariz. – Despite a late surge from the reigning AGA Senior Women’s Player of the Year and some challenges during the final round, Leigh Klasse (+5) emerged atop the field at the 2024 Arizona Senior Women’s Amateur Championship, hosted by Tonto Verde Golf Club.
“The third round was a bit of a struggle. I didn’t putt as well. I had a lot of good opportunities and didn’t make anything and Corey (Weworski) was making just about everything on the front nine,” Klasse said. “It was a little stressful today, but overall, it was good.”
Klasse set the pace with rounds of 73-73 on Monday and Tuesday, making it a two-woman race between her and Corey Weworski, who trailed by three strokes headed into the final round. Klasse watched as Weworski, her playing partner, stormed up the leaderboard by sinking four birdies on the front nine to take the lead late in the championship.
Leigh Klasse hits an approach shot during the final round of the 2024 Arizona Senior Women's Amateur Championship. (Photo by Brandon Genson)
Although Weworski’s impressive run made Klasse a bit nervous, by her own admission, she maintained her composure. Weworski’s front-nine momentum did not carry over to the back nine, opening the door for Klasse to secure the championship with just one bogey down the stretch.
“This is a very tough course and there’s lots of opportunities to do good stuff but there’s also a lot of opportunities to do bad stuff,” Klasse said. “It was more about trying to maintain, get pars and see what happens.”
In addition to Klasse winning overall gross in the Championship Division, Cathy O’Brien (-4 total par to net) earned a Kachina as the Overall Net Champion.