LEXINGTON, KY. – Delia Kahle posted a 3-over 75 at Griffin Gate Golf Club on Monday to take the first-round lead at the 47th Clark's Pump-N-Shop Kentucky Women's Senior Amateur. It's a title she has chased since 2011, and after Monday's round, she is one step closer, though a full 18 holes still stand between her and the trophy.

Kahle, of Seneca Golf Course, holds a one-stroke lead over a trio tied for second at 4-over 76: Laurie Goodlett of Juniper Hill Ladies, Melynda Riley of Indian Hills Country Club and Karen Barth of Woodson Bend Resort.

A strong drive on the 10th hole, her opening tee shot of the day, set the tone. She credited her driver as the biggest strength in her round, along with a putter that came around after a slower start to the week, though a few three-putts kept her from an even lower score.

"I had a great drive. And I love this course. It's beautiful," Kahle said. "That was my dream of playing here, and my dream came true. Golf is not perfect. You try to do better every time."

Defending champion Susan Stewart sits fifth at 5-over 77, four strokes back of Kahle after the opening round. The Audubon Country Club member and Kentucky Golf Hall of Famer, who has won the last five Women's Senior Amateur titles, will need to make up ground in Tuesday's final round if she is going to make it six in a row. Kahle has played alongside Stewart for five years running and called it a privilege.

"Susan is a great player, and I feel privileged being playing with her every year for five years," she said. "Someday I would like to win this competition."

Looking ahead to the final round, Kahle said she needs to sharpen her irons and avoid the kind of mistake that cost her strokes on the sixth hole Monday, where she went out of bounds off the tee.

"Tomorrow I have to be more focused with my swing, and hopefully my irons. I need to iron out my irons," she said. "But everybody makes mistakes. I want to get better tomorrow, and I'd like to win that beautiful trophy."

Kahle, who took up golf at age 50, has chased the title since entering the championship in 2011.

"It's been a dream of mine since 2011, and if it happens, it's icing. But if it doesn't, there's another year," she said. "Golf is not the end of the world. But if I win, that would be a blessing."

Joyce Abbott of Keene Trace Golf Club and Carolyn Paul of Juniper Hill Ladies are tied for sixth at 7-over 79, while Charlotte Logsdon of Eagle's Nest Country Club sits eighth at 8-over 80. Both Abbott and Logsdon are past champions of the event.

In the team competition, where each club's three lowest player’s scores are combined, Juniper Hill Ladies leads after Round 1 at 21-over. The Woodford Club sits second at 32-over, followed by Seneca Golf Course at 36-over, Rolling Hills Country Club at 45-over and host club Griffin Gate Golf Club at 52-over to round out the top-5 of the team competition standings.

The field returns to Griffin Gate Golf Club on Tuesday for the final round, with the overall champion and division titles in gross and net to be decided. Full leaderboard results are available by clicking here, and you can view all the photos from Round 1 by clicking here.

About the KGA

The Kentucky Golf Association (KGA) is the official governing body for amateur golf in the Commonwealth, as recognized by the United States Golf Association (USGA). Established in 1911, the KGA is a full-service organization representing more than 120 member golf courses across Kentucky.

Led by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of course representatives from throughout the state, the KGA plays a vital role in promoting, supporting, and growing the game of golf in Kentucky. It is also a founding member of Golf House Kentucky, the umbrella organization for Kentucky’s Family of Golf Organizations.

As an Allied Golf Association of the USGA, the KGA is responsible for a wide range of services, including managing the World Handicap System, conducting course ratings, providing expertise on the Rules of Golf, running competitive tournaments and USGA qualifiers, and enhancing the visibility and branding of golf throughout the Commonwealth.