Checking in with Team Canada

Derek Ingram, Team Canada Women’s Head Coach just returned home to Winnipeg from the CN Future Links Pacific in Duncan, B.C., and then the CN Women’s Tour event in Squamish, B.C. Both were excellent events and very well organized.

Unfortunately, day-three of the CN Future Links was rained out. I know many of the top juniors from across Canada who were there were hoping to finish the tournament.Arbutus Ridge is a great golf course; tricky with several demanding holes and a difficult finishing stretch. Our Team Canada Development Team players thoroughly enjoyed the golf course.

Congratulations to Jisoo Keel for winning her first CN Future Links championship. Our other team members also played well and are excited to get the season rolling.

The first CN Women’s Tour event of the year was held at the Squamish Valley Golf Club in scenic Squamish – which was another top notch event. Congratulations to Jessica Shepley of Oakville, Ont. for winning and qualifying for the CN Canadian Women’s Open in Montreal this August. Several of Team Canada members also played well in this event including Jisoo Keel (3rd), Rebecca Lee-Bentham (4th), Augusta James (14th), and Brogan McKinnon (18th) to name a few. With the mountains in the background, it is definitely one of the most beautiful places to play golf we have ever seen.

Exciting news from the U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier last week – Development Team Member Brittany Marchand qualified, as did former National Team Members Jennifer Kirby and Sue Kim. Last year we had several players make it through and it is nice for a few more this year to get that experience.

We are off to Northern Ireland – Royal Portrush for the British Ladies Amateur Championships and England for the Astor Trophy (a major international team match play event). This is going to be an exciting trip for the players and myself. Last year we had some great playing in the British Amateur which made the trip extra special.

On a personal note, it is going to be an awesome winter this year in Winnipeg. NHL hockey is returning to Winnipeg and there is a wicked buzz in the air. The passion level for hockey and the NHL in Winnipeg is at an all time high. I am working on splitting season tickets with 3 friends so we can see about 10 games this year. The city is PUMPED!! Is there a place in the world that needs hockey more than Winnipeg? The return on an NHL franchise to Winnipeg is great for hockey fans across Canada – one more chance to bring a Stanley Cup back home.