Claudia Pilot can be happy shooting par, especially when it's good enough to win.

Pilot, representing Austin Country Club, shot a two-day total of 73-71--144 to win her third straight Minnesota Golf Association Women's Mid-Amateur Championship Tuesday and Wednesday at Dahlgreen Golf Club in Chaska. Her lead grew from three to eight over the final round as a 1-under-par 71 carried Pilot to the title.

"My game is trying to hit fairways, hit greens and get par," Pilot said. "Every once in a while I'll roll in a birdie putt.

"I'm a pretty consistent player. In my book par is good."

Pilot bogeyed the first hole Wednesday morning but did not allow another over the final 17. Fifteen pars and two birdies later, Pilot had wrapped up her third straight title.

"I was hitting my approaches really well today," Pilot said. "My irons were awesome.

"I just really came through with a great round today."

Inspired by Hilary Lunke's victory at the U.S. Women's Open earlier this month, Pilot said she's worked hardest on her short game to play to her potential on the Minnesota amateur links. Lunke, 24, of Edina, knocked Pilot, 46, out of state match play competition two years ago.

"She's a good friend of mine and I have a lot of respect for her," Pilot said. "It couldn't happen to a nicer person."

Pilot was the overall women's medalist when Minnesota hosted and won the USGA State Team Championships two summers ago, and Wednesday's win at Chaska almost assured her a spot on this year's team. The victory also added points to Pilot's state ranking, which results at the end of the season in the women's Player of the Year award. Pilot has won the last two titles and three since 1999.

"That's definitely my goal every year," she said. "After winning it three times, and nobody's ever done that, once you achieve that, that's the best you can be."

Pilot had an eight-stroke edge on this week's runner up. Brenda Williams of Island View Golf Club, a former Mid-Am champ, shot 76-76--152 and won a one-hole playoff for second place.

"It's just been such a great summer of golf for me," Pilot added.

Her next tournament will be Saturday and Sunday at the Minnesota Women's Public State Amateur Championship at Hiawatha in Minneapolis.