Acharya Claims First State Win at Rain-Shortened MGA Women's Mid-Amateur

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  EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – Following her round of 2-over 74 to open the 23^rd Minnesota Golf Association Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Bearpath Golf and Country Club Tuesday, Jasi Acharya was declared the winner after heavy rain washed out the final round Wednesday to collect her first state victory.
 
Following three runner-up finishes over the past season, Acharya earned a one-stroke victory over six-time champion Leigh Klasse at the rain-shortened event Wednesday.
 
“I’m very excited to be named the 2019 [MGA Women’s Mid-Amateur] champion,” Acharya said Wednesday. “I was somewhat surprised at the decision, being that we were all warmed up and ready to head out, but looking at the course, I completely understand the choice made.
 
“Obviously I would have loved to play, but a win is a win. Being so close in other state tournaments over the past year-plus, this feels really satisfying to get a win. I can thank the 18^th-hole flagstick [Tuesday] as it caught my ball from about 30 feet for bogey.”
 
Playing in her first state championship a year ago at the MGA Women’s Mid-Amateur at The Legends Club, Acharya fell to Olivia Herrick in a playoff. Acharya opened the 2019 season with a loss to University of Minnesota golfer Grace Kellar in extra holes at the MGA Women’s Match Play Championship.
 
Finishing 36 holes in a tie with Kate Smith at the Women’s State Open in late July, Acharya watched as Smith drilled a lengthy birdie putt on the first playoff hole to be denied of her first victory yet again.
 
“I’m excited to play in more events next season and continue competing,” said Acharya, a former professional and Big Sky Conference champion while playing collegiate golf at the University of Montana. “Even though it’s not my career now, I still love the feeling and nerves of being in contention. The more I can continue to put myself in these positions, hopefully the more I can capitalize.”
 
Carding rounds of 3-over 75 Tuesday, Klasse and MGA Women’s Senior Match Play champion Betsy Aldrich finished in a tie for second.