Another 3-peat for Kraft

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Dustin Jensen / For The Sun Laura Kraft wrapped up her third straight North Dakota State Women’s Stroke Play Tournament championship on Tuesday at Hillcrest Golf Course.

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Laura Kraft has made winning in threes a habit during her stellar career.

The former three-time North Dakota Class A high school state champion handily collected her third straight North Dakota Women’s State Stroke Play Tournament title on Tuesday at Hillcrest.

Kraft, who will begin her sophomore season at the University of Missouri next month, pulled away from the field with her second straight round of 74 to win by eight strokes over Bismarck’s Theresa Burns.

Kraft’s day included three birdies, two on the front nine, as she finished with a two-round total of 148.

“It was a matter of keeping steady and going out there and trying to play the best I can,” Kraft said. “I was pretty consistent with the driver, until the end of the round. … My putter felt a little better (than Monday) too.”

Kraft, who had her dad Dean caddying during the tournament, had won the previous two state stroke play events at Grand Forks Country Club (2010) and Heart River in Dickinson last year, adding only further to her extensive career list of accomplishments.

She isn’t the type to gloat about her many achievements, although they are quite impressive.

“I’m thankful for all the fun tournaments I’ve gotten to play in and the chance to compete against so many good players,” she said. “If I ever think about (the wins) it does make me smile.”

Katie Nelson of Bismarck finished one shot behind Burns for second, 156-157.

Flight 1 winner LeeAnn Townsend had the second-best score of all players finishing with a 177 including two sub-80 rounds. She was the only player other than Kraft to do that.

Sierra Bennion, the top returner on the JHS team, was third (87-86—173).

Mary Johnson, another Oxbow member, won Flight 2 with a total of 170. Jamestown’s Theresa Haag was second (85-91—176).

Maria LeFevre, a current Blue Jay, won the third flight.

She had hoped to break 90, but fell just short. LeFevre still finished six shots up on Ardean Ouellette, 186-192.

“I didn’t putt that good, but my drives were pretty good,” she said. “I’ve been working on that a lot this summer.”

LeFevre will be a junior for the JHS golf team this fall. She’s been heeding the advice of her high school coach — Dean Kraft — and playing a lot of tournament golf this summer.

“I’m trying to improve as much as I can,” she said.

Karen Olson of Jamestown and Greta Lynn Paulsen tied for the top spot in Flight 4. Both shot 191s.

North Dakota Women’s State Stroke Play Tournament

At Hillcrest Golf Course, Par 72

Championship flight

1, Laura Kraft 74-74—148; 2, Theresa Burns, Bismarck, 76-80—156; 3, Katie Nelson, Bismarck 77-80 —157; 4, Annie Nelson, Bismarck, 83-80—163; 5, McKenzie McMillan, Bismarck, 88-76—164; 6, Lindsay Reede, Mandan, 87-89—176; 7T, Bonnie Rolle, Minot, 87-91—178; T7, Alexandra Liedholm 95-83—178.

Flight 1

1, LeeAnn Townsend, Oxbow, 76-79—155; 2, Rachel Jahner, Dickinson, 83-74—157; 3T, Sierra Bennion Jamestown 87-86—173; T3, Kayla Barke, Williston, 87-86—173; 5, Ann Williams, Fargo, 89-87—176; 6, Mary Adams, Grand Forks, 86-94—180; 7, Diane Knote, Dickinson, 91-91—182; 8, Marilyn Collins, Jamestown, 88-95—183; 9, Barb Johnson, Fargo, 93-91—184.

Flight 2

1, Mary Johnson, Oxbow, 84-86—170; 2, Theresa Haag, Jamestown, 85-91—176; 3, Margaret Kuntz, Bismarck, 92-86—178; 4, Amy Bushaw, Grand Forks, 90-92—182; 5, Christy Beck, Dickinson, 93-90—183; 6, Lisa Hart, Bismarck, 92-98—190; 7, Diana Somervilla, Minot, 93-98—191; 8, Cheryl Wood, Oxbow, 103-92—195; 9, Annette Beattie, Jamestown, 103-94—197.

Flight 3

1, Maria LeFevre, Jamestown, 95-91—186; 2T, Ardean Ouellette, Dickinson, 101-91—192; 2T, Norine Maier, Dickinson, 93-99—192; 4, Shelley Kappes, Oxbow, 99-96—195; 5T, Joyce Heinrich, Jamestown, 94-103—197; 5T, Gail Ingwalson, Grand Forks, 99-98 —197; 7, Evelyn Burgard, Jamestown, 103-98—201; 8, Eunice Milne, Jamestown, 98-107—205.

Flight 4

1, Greta Lynn Paulsen, Mandan, 95-96—191; 2, Karen Olson, Jamestown, 93-98—191; 3, Betty Ament, Jamestown, 102-97—199; 4, Reggie Johnson, Minot, 100-108—208; 5, Alan Knittel, Minot, 108-108—216; 6, Ann Geiszler, Jamestown, 106-116—222; 7, Marj Mack, Bismarck, 99-124—223; 8, Georgette Dorval, Dickinson, 114-116—230; 9, Carol Henke, Jamestown, 115-119—234.

Sun sports editor Dave Selvig can be reached at (701) 952-8460 or by e-mail at dselvig@jamestownsun.com

Tags: sports, golf