-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Delaney Conrad of Gowrie putts during Webster County Golf Tournament on Sunday at Fort Dodge Country Club

Delaney Conrad has the even-numbered years down pat at the Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota Webster County golf tournament.

The Gowrie resident and Southeast Valley graduate captured a third women’s open division championship on Sunday, flanking her 2018 and 2020 titles with the ’22 crown.

Meanwhile, Kathy Fortune of Rockwell City made it three golds in a row in the women’s senior bracket. Roxanne Kuhlman of Fort Dodge became the first player in the 43-year history of the event to win in three different categories, adding a women’s super senior victory to her five open and four senior trophies.

Conrad fired a two-under par 70 at Lakeside on Saturday to open up a three-stroke lead on Morgan Byson. The current Minnesota State University team member then shot 77 at the Fort Dodge Country Club, prevailing by four shots over Byson and 11 clear of defending champ Kelsey Felch.

“This weekend was great,” said Conrad, who had her overall career low county tourney score. “I had some ups and downs (on Sunday) but was overall really happy with my play and had a strong finish. These were some great rounds for me, and it’s so enjoyable to come back and play well in this tournament.

“I look forward to taking this energy and momentum with me for my junior season of college golf (in Mankato). I always have fun in this event because of how encouraging other women are (in the field).”

Felch was in search of her record eighth women’s open crown. She carded an 80-78–158 for third. Samantha Kuhn, the 2019 winner, was fourth at 77-82–159.

Byson, a 2018 Manson Northwest Webster graduate and a former state golf participant, had rounds of 73 and 78.

Fortune, who works on her uncle’s acreage in Lehigh, turned in a 78 on Saturday and a 75 on Sunday for her fourth senior gold overall. Three-time county titleist Peg Christensen (83-83–166) was second.

“My putter was working well for me,” said Fortune, an IGA mainstay who also came out on top here in 2015. “I enjoy the competition here and there is a great group of ladies (who are entered every year). I’m not going for records or anything; this is fun. But I’m also a competitor, so once (the tournament) starts, I have a drive to win.”

Fortune most recently captured the first flight in the women’s “Forever 39” match play event in Pella, prevailing last month in a six-hole playoff.

Kuhlman shot 82 and 85 to become the inaugural women’s super senior champ. It was a fitting coronation for the long-time Fort Dodger, who is also the first in county history to reach double-digit victories in the 43rd event.

“I did OK on (Saturday) and the front nine (Sunday), then kind of fell apart on the back (at the FDCC),” Kuhlman said. “It’s all about both physical and mental stamina, and when it’s hot and the wind picks up, the round and the (36 holes in 24 hours) becomes harder to complete.

“This is such an enjoyable group to be around, though (Kuhlman was paired with Conrad and Kuhn). I can’t keep up with them (off the tee), but they’re very positive and supportive. I also had a friend from Des Moines come up and spend time with me (on the course), which I really appreciated. I don’t have the full-tournament capacity I once had; I mostly play in league like the Lakeside (Tuesday nine-hole weekly competition). But I did my best.”

WOMEN’S OPEN

1. Delaney Conrad 70-77–147

2. Morgan Byson 73-78–151

3. Kelsey Felch 80-78–158

4. Samantha Kuhn 77-82–159

5. Krystal Licht 87-86–173

6. Jolene Hays 89-96–185

WOMEN’S SENIOR

1. Kathy Fortune 78-75–153

2. Peg Christensen 83-83–166

3. Deann Faiferlick 93-95–188

WOMEN’S SUPER SENIOR

1. Roxanne Kuhlman 82-85–167