Delia Kahle's decade-plus pursuit of a Kentucky Women's Senior Amateur title is over. The Seneca Golf Course member closed with a 73 on Tuesday at Griffin Gate Golf Club to finish at 148 (+4), winning wire-to-wire and holding off Audubon Country Club's Susan Stewart by two strokes.

"I told my husband today that he could come see me play, and he came. I'm so proud that he came," Kahle said. "I'm on cloud nine right now. I'm pinching myself, it hasn't hit me yet. There are a lot of really good golfers out there, and I feel fortunate and lucky to make it this far. Thank you to the Kentucky Golf Association."

Kahle carried a one-stroke lead into the final round after an opening 75, with Laurie Goodlett, Melynda Riley and Karen Barth tied for second at 76. Stewart, the five-time defending champion, sat two back in fifth at 77.

Stewart played consistent golf on the front nine to keep herself within striking distance, and the plan worked, both players turned in 38. Stewart then eagled the 10th, and a Kahle bogey on the 12th pulled the two level. Kahle answered with back-to-back birdies, while Stewart bogeyed the 14th, opening a two-shot cushion Kahle would not relinquish.

"I like the back nine better for some reason. I feel like I hit it better on the back nine," Kahle said. "This is one of my favorite courses in Lexington. I love this golf course, and hitting those back-to-back birdies, I felt like this could be good for me. I know Susan is a great player, but today was my day."

The margin held until the 18th, where Kahle drove the ball farther than she said she ever had, leaving herself just 55 yards into the green.

"My husband pointed at me, and I think I had it. I just kind of soaked it in and thought maybe I might have this game," Kahle said. "I know he believed in me. I was really shocked I was able to reach that far off the tee, 55 yards from the green. It was amazing."

Stewart finished runner-up at 150 (+6), with Juniper Hill Ladies' Carolyn Paul third at 152 (+8), Woodson Bend Resort's Karen Barth fourth at 153 (+9) and Indian Hills Country Club's Melynda Riley fifth at 156 (+12).

Asked what capturing the title, a dream she has chased since first entering the championship in 2011, means to her, Kahle pointed to something bigger than the trophy.

"As an Asian golfer here in Kentucky, not many of us are playing. I wish I could inspire more to come out and play," Kahle said. "Golf is for anybody who loves to play, and I'm happy to have this. I'm really happy and thrilled. My husband and son support me, my husband lets me practice late in the evenings. Thank you to my family. This is it. We got it."

Beyond the overall title, five divisions crowned their own gross and net champions:

Division Winners

• Freshman Gross: Laurie Goodlett (Juniper Hill Ladies)
• Freshman Net: Darla Baker (Rolling Hills Country Club)
• Sophomore Gross: Melynda Riley (Indian Hills Country Club)
• Sophomore Net: Carmie Sucher (Griffin Gate Golf Club)
• Junior Gross: Joyce Abbott (Keene Trace Golf Club) and Cindy Summers (Indian Hills Country Club), co-medalists
• Junior Net: Judy Halasek (Juniper Hill Ladies)
• Senior Gross: Karen Barth (Woodson Bend Resort)
• Senior Net: Coleen Sydor (Play Golf Lexington)
• Super-Senior Gross: Mary Lagrew (Griffin Gate Golf Club)
• Super-Senior Net: Charlotte Nelson (Juniper Hill Ladies)

Juniper Hill Ladies repeated as team champions, going back-to-back after also winning the title in 2025. The club posted a two-round total of +34, with The Woodford Club taking runner-up at +67. Seneca Golf Course took third at +82, followed by Rolling Hills Country Club at +89 and host Griffin Gate Golf Club at +110.

The KGA thanks Griffin Gate Golf Club for hosting the 47th Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Kentucky Women's Senior Amateur, along with our title sponsor Clark's Pump-N-Shop. Thank you also to Sterling Cut Glass, the KGA's Official Awards Provider for Major Championships, and Tournament Solutions, the KGA's Official Tee Gift Provider for Major Championships, as well as the volunteers, staff and all the players who made this championship possible.

The complete final leaderboard is available at https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/5713537. 

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.