OTTAWA – Ariya Jutanugarn has won the last two times she’s stepped onto Canadian soil. This week, she’s hoping to make it three-for-three at Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club.

Last year, Jutanugarn capped her five-win season with a four-stroke win at the 2016 CP Women’s Open at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club in Calgary. And in June 2017, she won the Manulife LPGA Classic in Kitchener, draining a 25-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to beat In Gee Chun and Lexi Thompson.

“I love everything here,” said Jutanugarn, who also had success here as an amateur, winning the 2012 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. “All the spectators, they’re so nice. They come support us and not only the tournament days. Even practice rounds they come out and give us full support. I feel like (it’s) my second home.”

Since the Thailand native’s victory in June, a nagging shoulder injury dating back to 2013 has been bothering the young player. She was forced to withdraw from one event and missed the cut at three of her last five starts. However, Jutanugarn comes into Ottawa off two weeks of rest and rehab and is ready to defend her title.

Jutanugarn will tee off on No. 10 on Thursday at 1:42 p.m. with Angel Yin, who sank the clinching putt for the USA at last week’s Solheim Cup, and 2017 U.S. Women’s Open champion Sung Hyun Park.

Lydia Ko already has her name on the CP Women’s Open trophy three times, twice as an amateur in 2012 and 2013 and then as a professional in 2015. This week in Ottawa, she would love nothing more than to add a fourth title and second as a professional to that tally.

“I’ve been working hard with my team to be a bit more consistent,” said Ko, who is looking for her first title of 2017. “I think consistency is so important on Tour because you’re playing week in and week out, and to have that consistency is going to help to, I guess, build confidence too. I love playing in Canada, so hopefully I’ll be able to have a good result this week.”

Ko actually almost became a Canadian rather than a New Zealander as a young child. Ko was born in the Republic of

Korea, and her parents contemplated both countries before ultimately deciding to become Kiwis.

“I feel like there are a lot of similarities between New Zealand and Canada,” said Ko. “The people are great, super nice.

The towns and the cities remind me a lot of New Zealand. So, I know I’m going to a different country, but it feels like home almost. The Canadians have really taken me in as one of their own.”

Ko will tee off on No. 1 on Thursday at 8:27 a.m. with 2010 CPWO champion Michelle Wie and 2017 LPGA rookie Nelly Korda.

This week marks Katherine Kirk’s first visit to the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club since 2008, when she won the CP Women’s Open for her first LPGA victory. You might think that all the excitement would make this a can’t-forget moment. But with a sheepish grin, Kirk admits that it’s all a blur.

“I remember a little bit of Thursday’s round and a little of Sunday’s round, but Friday, Saturday, not so much,” said Kirk, who trailed Yani Tseng by six strokes going into Sunday’s final round. “If you asked me what I shot, I don’t think I could tell you. Actually, I’d have to look it up.”

For the record, Kirk shot a final-round 69 to win by one stroke over Se Ri Pak and two strokes over Tseng. Of course, many people here at Ottawa Hunt still remember the Australian for her 2008 success.

“I’ve had a few volunteers come up to me and say, hey, we met you at the volunteer tent back in ‘08 and you signed a hat for us,” said Kirk, who captured the third win of her LPGA career at July’s Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic. “Or people would come up to me, hey, hopefully you can repeat from ‘08. So obviously there are a lot of folks that have come back or either volunteered or they’re going to come out and watch the tournament this week.”

Kirk will tee off on No. 10 on Thursday at 1:20 p.m. with Paula Creamer and Inbee Park.

In windy conditions during the second round of the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur and Senior Championship at Humber Valley Resort, in Little Rapids, N.L., Jackie Little of Procter, B.C., posted a 3-over-par 75 for the second consecutive day to lead the Senior division by one stroke.

Little, 59, got off to a rocky start and was 3 over par after four holes. She had prepared for the forecasted rain by wearing contacts but after taking them off on No. 5 she promptly turned her day around with birdies on No. 6 and 7. A double-bogey on 16 was her only blemish the rest of the round.

“I was starting to think oh boy this isn’t going well,” said a smiling Little. “But I took my contacts out because they were bugging me and figured if it rains too bad. Then I made two birdies right away so I guess I did the right thing.”

Little is no stranger to being in contention at this championship. She won the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship back-to-back years in 2008 and 2009. Her game plan isn’t going change as she tries to capture a third title tomorrow.

“Tomorrow I’m going to try and stay steady,” added Little. “I’ll see what weather and wind we have tomorrow and just play it hole-by-hole.”

After starting the day in a tie for fifth, Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mary Ann Hayward matched the lowest score of the day in the Senior division with a 2-over-par 74 to take sole possession of second after 36 holes.

“I had lots of looks, I just didn’t make many putts,” said Hayward. “I’ve been playing well for the last couple weeks. You just need to be patient. Tomorrow I’ll just be plugging along hoping some putts will drop.”

Tomorrow, the 57-year-old will look to add a fourth Canadian Women’s Senior Championship to her trophy case to match her four Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship victories.

First-round leader Marie-Thérèse Torti (Candiac, Que.) is in third place at 9 over par.

2016 Canadian Women’s Senior Champion Judith Kyrinis (Thornhill, Ont.) matched Hayward’s 2-over-par 74, moving into a tie for fourth with Australia’s Sue Wooster. Wooster is leading the 40-and-over Mid-Master competition by one stroke.

On the strength of Kyrinis and Hayward’s matching rounds of 74, Ontario won their fourth consecutive inter-provincial team championship at 18 over par. First round leader Quebec fell into a tie for second with British Columbia at 22 over par.

Diane Dolan from Gatineau, Que. – the 18-hole leader in the 60-and-over Super Senior division – held on to win the 36-hole competition by carding a 7-over-par 79 in round two. Dolan won the division by four strokes over defending Super Senior champion Holly Horwood of Vancouver, B.C.

“I’m thrilled to win,” said Dolan. “I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to come to this event because of the season I’ve been having so it’s great to have some success here.”

Lauren Greenlief of Ashburn, Va., continues to lead in the Mid-Amateur competition at 3-under-par after carding a 1-over-par 73 in round two. The University of Virginia graduate has an eleven-shot lead over Winnipeg’s Bri-Ann Tokariwski who posted a 3-over-par 75 in round two.

“Any time you get to play in a national championship of course you take it,” said Greenlief. “Tomorrow I’m going to stick to my game plan I have for every hole and just be patient.”

Click here for more information on the Canadian Women’s Mid-Am and Senior Championship including tomorrow’s tee times and pairings.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Click here to download photos from round two of the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur and Senior Championship. (Credit: Golf Canada)

Click here for full scoring.

CANADIAN WOMEN’S MID-AMATEUR AND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – SENIOR DIVISION

1. Jackie Little, Procter, BC, *75-75-150 +6
2. Mary Ann Hayward, St. Thomas, ON, *77-74-151 +7
3. Marie-Thérèse Torti, Candiac, QC, *73-80-153 +9
4. Judith Kyrinis, Thornhill, ON, *81-74-155 +11
4. Sue Wooster, Australia, *79-76-155 +11
6. Leanne Richardson, Indian Mountain, NB, *80-76-156 +12
6. Lin Culver, Palm Coast, FL, *78-78-156 +12
6. Diane Dolan, Gatineau, QC, *77-79-156 +12
6. Terrill Samuel, Etobicoke, ON, *75-81-156 +12
10. Marlène Desbiens, Clermont, QC, *76-82-158 +14

CANADIAN WOMEN’S MID-AMATEUR AND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – MID-AMATEUR DIVISION

1. Lauren Greenlief, Ashburn, VA, *68-73-141 -3
2. Bri-Ann Tokariwski, Winnipeg, MB, *77-75-152 +8
3. Sue Wooster, Australia, *79-76-155 +11
4. Leanne Richardson, Indian Mountain, NB, *80-76-156 +12
4. Terrill Samuel, Etobicoke, ON, *75-81-156 +12

CANADIAN WOMEN’S MID-AMATEUR AND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – MID-MASTER DIVISION

1. Sue Wooster, Australia, *79-76-155 +11
2. Leanne Richardson, Indian Mountain, NB, *80-76-156 +12
2. Terrill Samuel, Etobicoke, ON, *75-81-156 +12
4. Barbara Flaman, Sherwood Park, AB, *84-81-165 +21
5. Judy Dotten, New Liskeard, ON, *88-78-166 +22

CANADIAN WOMEN’S MID-AMATEUR AND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – SUPER SENIOR – COMPLETE

1. Diane Dolan, Gatineau, QC, *77-79-156 +12
2. Holly Horwood, Vancouver, BC, *80-80-160 +16
3. Joey Bush, St. Thomas, ON, *82-80-162 +18
4. Ivy Steinberg, Stouffville, ON, *87-78-165 +21
5. Karen Pultz, Surrey, BC, *86-80-166 +22

CANADIAN WOMEN’S MID-AMATEUR AND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – INTER-PROVINCIAL TEAM COMPETITION – COMPLETE

1. ON – Judith Kyrinis, Mary Ann Hayward, Marion Reid, *158-148-306 +18
2. BC – Karen Pultz, Holly Horwood, Jackie Little, *155-155-310 +22
2. QUE – Marie-Thérèse Torti, Hélène Chartrand, Marlène Desbiens, *149-161-310 +22
4. AB – Kim Carrington, Lynn Kuehn, Joan Wilson, *157-163-320 +32
5. NB – Leanne Richardson, Kathy Grebenc, Paula Napke-Flanagan, *166-159-325 +37
6. MB – Rhonda Orr, Matty Leung, Kimberly Ross, *163-175-338 +50
7. SK – Jo-Anne Schiller, Tammy Bezaire , Sue Skinner, *176-165-341 +53
8. NS – Debbie Arsenault, Susan Tumblin, Joanie McCarville, *177-165-342 +54
9. PEI – Sherry White, Susan Allen, Brenda Ann McIlwaine, *180-165-345 +57
10. NL – Judy Gillam, Janet Mills, Gale Roberts, *192-168-360 +72

Ten Canadians will be among the record 362 participants vying for their LPGA Tour card when the first stage of LPGA Tour Qualifying School takes place at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., from Aug. 24-27.

The format is 72-holes of stroke play with a cut after 54 holes. The Top-90 and ties from the week will advancing to the second stage of LPGA Qualifying at Plantation Golf & Country Club in Venice, Fla., from Oct. 16-22.

Canadians in the field

• Caroline Ciot, Brossard, Que.
• Selena Costabile, Thornhill, Ont.
• Josee Doyon, St-Georges, Que.
• Krista Fenniak, Fort McMurray, Alta.
• Karyn Lee Ping (a), Brampton, Ont.
• Muriel Mcintyre, Penticton, B.C.
• Jamie Oleksiew, Surrey, B.C.
• Sabrina Sapone, Montreal, Que.
• Vivian Tsui, Markham, Ont.
• Anna Young, Saskatoon, Sask.

The Final Stage of LPGA Qualifying School is Nov. 27 – Dec. 3 at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla. The top 20 finishers at Final Stage of LPGA Qualifying School earn LPGA Tour membership.

Click here to view the full field.

Golf Canada and Golf Town have announced the partnership in which Golf Town will become the official Golf Retailer of Future Links – Canada’s national junior golf program as well as the 2017 Professional Championships; The RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open.

Future Links, driven by Acura, is a joint grassroots initiative of Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada and the provincial golf associations which offers a full suite of junior golf programs for boys and girls ages 6 to 18 – from beginnings to those with more experience or greater playing ability. The program is structured to focus on three core areas– facility programming, community outreach, and in-school programming.

In 2017, Golf Canada has also integrated the popular Golf in Schools program under the Future Links suite of junior golf activities. With more than 400,000 children currently learning golf at nearly 3,400 schools (elementary, intermediate, and high schools) as part of the Canadian Physical Education curriculum, Future Links, driven by Acura is supporting quality junior golf experience from in-schools to on-course at clubs across Canada.

As the official golf retailer of Canada’s national junior golf program, Golf Town has implemented a fundraising initiative at Golf Town locations across the country in support of Golf in Schools adoptions. This initiative will allow consumers at Golf Town retail locations to donate towards the adoption of a school in their local area. This adoption will equip a local school with a Golf in Schools kit, that can be incorporated into the Physical Education curriculum to introduce elementary, intermediate or high school students to the game of golf.

“Golf Town has been a tremendous partner since aligning their respected brand with Canada’s national junior golf program as well as our 2017 Professional Championships. We are thrilled with their deepened commitment to the growth of the game as a whole,” said Chief Sport Officer, Jeff Thompson. We are proud that Golf Town will continue to drive the Golf in Schools program forward and introduce hundreds of children to the game.”

“Growing the game, contributing to the community, and encouraging our associates to get behind an initiative we strongly believe in is what inspires us, so when the opportunity to partner with Golf Canada on an in-store fundraising campaign for Golf in Schools came up, we were more than excited to get on board,” said Chad McKinnon, President at Golf Town. “We’re grateful to have wonderful customers believe in growing the game in their communities just as much as we do, and their generosity shows. We look forward to continuing our support and growing the game with Future Links as a proud partner.”

In addition, Golf Town will be introducing their Brooke Brigade Viewing Zones at the CP Women’s Open August 21 – 27 at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club. These exclusive areas throughout the championship grounds will allow Golf Town juniors, known as “Brooke’s Brigade,” to watch their hometown hero, Brooke Henderson, compete in Canada’s National Women’s Open. Juniors will be outfitted in Golf Town Brooke Brigade t-shirts and will even enjoy some surprise and delights in The Golf Town Brooke Brigade Viewing Zones.

“We are extremely excited to have Golf Town as the official golf retailer of our Professional Championships,” said Bill Paul, Chief Championship Officer.  “Golf Town’s investment in the Professional Championships further enhances its commitment within the golf marketplace in Canada.”

“We are very excited to be a part of the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open as the official retailer of both championships. Through our commitment to Future Links, we hope we can inspire young Canadians to pick up a club and get out on the course to have some fun with their friends and family. Who knows, maybe someday we may see the same junior golfers competing in one of these premium events and inspiring the next generation of golf to do the same,” said Chad McKinnon.

For more information, please visit www.golftown.com

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Billy Payne is retiring as chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters after 11 years of substantial change that included the club inviting female members and supporting the game’s growth with two international amateur tournaments.

Payne officially retires Oct. 16 when the club opens for a new season.

He will be succeeded by Fred Ridley, a former USGA president and U.S. Amateur champion who heads the Masters competition committee. Ridley will be the first chairman who played in the Masters.

Payne was invited to join Augusta National in 1997, one year after he concluded his long-shot bid to bring the Olympics to Atlanta. He was appointed chairman nine years later, and he worked to move the club into modern times without losing sight of its traditions.

Charles Fitzsimmons shot a 6-under-par 65 to lead the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship after round one at Wascana Country Club on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old from London, Ont., who started on the back nine, stayed bogey-free on the day and carded four of his six birdies in his final six holes of the day.

“I hit the ball really, really well and I was able to make some putts,” he said, after walking off the ninth green. “When I got into some trouble I was fortunate to be in a good enough spot to recover and even made a couple birdies doing so. So, that’s always a bonus.”

Daniel Brown, from Grand Folks, B.C., shot a 5-under-par 66 to sit alone in second, one stroke back of Fitzsimmons. The 34-year-old jumped to the top of the leaderboard after he hit a nine-iron from 150 yards out on the 12th hole to hole out for an eagle.

“I just hit a half-nine-iron and it took one bounce up and spun a little bit to the left and just went right into the hole. Making an eagle always helps and after that I told myself to just hit fairways and keep it in play, hit the greens and you’re bound to make another putt.”

Brown made his fifth and final birdie of the day on the following hole and limited himself to two bogeys on the day, both on the front nine.

Kevin Carrigan from Victoria, B.C., Kevin Fawcett from Toronto, Ont., and Steven Diack from Coquitlam, B.C., shot matching 4-under-par 67’s to sit at T3. All three played consistent golf through the day. Diack carded one bogey on his scorecard while Carrigan and Fawcett recorded two.

Brad Phelps and defending champion Garrett Rank are three strokes off the leader after they both finished at 3 under par. Rank, who has won the event in each of the last three years, registered seven birdies throughout the day but struggled on the first and 10th hole where he tallied a double-bogey on each, his only two holes over par.

Phelps, a 52-year-old from Saskatoon, Sask., leads the over-40 Mid-Master division by one stroke. Chris Henri from Beaconsfield, Que., sits in second at 2 under par, and Todd Fanning from Winnipeg, Man., holds onto third after his 1-under par 70.

Defending champion Team Ontario leads the inter-provincial competition largely due to Fitzsimmons’ low-round of the day. Fellow teammates Dave Bunker (Brampton, Ont.) and David Lang (Toronto, Ont.) have Ontario at the top of the leaderboard by one stroke at 3 under par.

“It’s a really cool part of this tournament,” said Fitzsimmons. “In golf there isn’t a lot of opportunity to play as a team, so getting to play in that format here is a little bit extra special. We won last year and we would love to defend but just being in contention is an honour and a joy so it will be fun to go out there and play for it tomorrow.”

Teams Manitoba and Saskatchewan are tied in second at 2 under par.

Bunker, who won this event three years in a row from 2008-2010, shot a 3-over-par 74 and sits T42.

In addition to the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur title, the 2017 champion will receive an exemption into the 2018 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

For full results click here.

No, no mistake. If this week at the CP Women’s Open at Ottawa Hunt, and for golf in general in Canada, belongs to Brooke Henderson, even though the field features 92 of the top 100 players in the world, it also belongs to her big sister Brittany.

Five years older than the gifted 19-year-old superstar, Brittany is also very much at the forefront as caddie.

Brit, who spent her junior years playing in Quebec by the way, put her competitive career aside for the last three years to support her younger sister in the big league, with admirable results.

Together they won three times on the LPGA Tour, including a first Grand Slam title at the LPGA Championship in 2016, before winning the Meijer Classic this year and finishing second at the US Open earlier this summer.

So Brooke has no worries about covering any costs with the million ($ 1,038,689 to be precise) already in the bank, not to mention the even more lucrative sponsorship deals.

LIKE JOCELYNE BOURASSA BEFORE HER…

It is a unique and special week that begins for Brooke and Brittany.

With all due respect to Lexi Thompson, Cristie Kerr, Michelle Wie, Lydia Ko, number 1 So Yeon Ryu (with $ 1,733,008) and all the other LPGA stars, this Open belongs to Brooke.

In addition to being a member of the Ottawa Hunt, she was born and raised in nearby Smiths Falls, Ontario.

The current scenario brings me back to Jocelyne Bourassa at the Canadian Open of 1973, “La Canadienne”, which she won at the Montréal Municipal Club (today Maisonneuve Park) on home soil and to the immense happiness of this writer.

Jocelyne had offered me the privilege to caddie for her and no, before anyone else can rightly say, Jocelyne’s caddie was not nearly as pretty as Brittany.

Like today, the spotlight was not shining on the stars of the day – Judy Rankin, Sandra Haynie, JoAnne Carner, Kathy Whitworth – but rather on the local darling of Shawinigan South.

The victory was a huge deal, but so was the support of the public.

At one point, the fans were crowding their young champion so much that it seemed like all of Montréal and Québec were swinging the clubs along with her.

WORDS OF ADVICE

It’s obviously Brooke who will be hitting the ball, but here are some suggestions for Brittany by her side.

* Ask my friend Bill Paul, the director of the Open, to make sure that the best four marshals are assigned to Brooke’s pairing, not so much for security, but to make sure she has breathing room.

In Montreal, I had recruited the Calabro brothers. I can assure you that it became very quiet when they shouted “Attention! La petite Bourassa is teeing off”!

* With all the pressure on her, Brooke’s clubs will feel very heavy at first, hence the importance of staying relaxed and thinking positive thoughts.

* Patience is essential. Even if it takes a little time to get things going, remember that the Open is a four-day event, not four holes.

Brooke has so much talent that she cannot help but get fired up. There’s nothing better than a sequence of birdies to transform the pressure into a huge wave of support and love.

* But above all, the sisters must remember to really enjoy this week; that is the key to everything.

This is my wish for you both, Brooke and Brittany, that you will have the opportunity to talk about this week 44 years later, just like I can with Jocelyne.

Have fun!

Candiac, Que., native Marie-Thérèse Torti fired a 1-over-par 73 in round one of the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship at Humber Valley Resort to hold a two-stroke lead over Jackie Little of Procter, B.C., and Terrill Samuel from Etobicoke, Ont.

Torti had two birdies in windy conditions during the opening round, including one on the par-5 18th hole. She credited her putting with keeping her momentum going throughout the day.

“I saved a great par putt on hole No. 13 and was able to make a nice birdie putt coming in,” said Torti. “I tried to play smart out there with the wind and I was really happy with my round.”

The 54-year-old came to Humber Valley riding the momentum of a win at the Quebec Senior Amateur Championship at Dufferin Heights Country Club last month.

“Dufferin Heights is very similar to Humber Valley with lots of hills and elevation,” added Torti. “So, I felt very comfortable coming here to play this tournament.”

Little – who won this event in 2007 and 2008 – battled the wind to fire a 3-over-par 75 in round one and grab a share of second with Samuel.

“I was hitting the ball really solid, and that really helps in the wind,” said Little. “I had a couple three putts but being in the fairway all round made my day a lot easier.”

At 59 years old, Little is thrilled to be in contention to chase down another Canadian Women’s Senior Championship.

“I’m getting close to 60 so my time is running out,” smiled Little. “It would be a great thrill for me to get another one under my belt.”

Samuel – the 2015 Canadian Women’s Senior champion – matched Little’s score of 3-under-par 75 on the strength of three birdies. She is leading the 40-and-over Mid-Master competition by 4 strokes over Australia’s Sue Wooster, who posted an opening round 7-over-par 79.

Clermont, Que., native Marlène Desbiens posted a 4-over-par 76 to sit in solo fourth in the senior division. Canadian Golf Hall of Fame honoured member Mary Ann Hayward (St. Thomas, Ont.) is tied for fifth with Diane Dolan (Gatineau, Que.) at 5 over par.

Dolan is leading the 60-and-over Super Senior division by three strokes over defending Super Senior champion Holly Horwood of Vancouver, B.C.

On the strength of Torti and Dolan’s strong starts, Quebec is leading the inter-provincial team competition at 5 over par. British Columbia is in second at 11 over par and Alberta is third at 13 over par.

Lauren Greenlief of Ashburn, Va., fired the low round of the day with a 4-under-par 68 to lead the 25-and-over Mid-Amateur competition by seven shots over Samuel.

Greenlief is coming off a T15 finish at the 2017 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship at Cutten Fields in Guelph, Ont.

Click here for more information on the Canadian Women’s Mid-Am and Senior Championship including tomorrow’s tee times.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Click here to download photos from round one of the Canadian Women’s Mid-Am and Senior Championship. (Credit: Golf Canada)

Click here for full scoring.

2017 CANADIAN WOMEN’S MID-AM AND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – SENIOR DIVISION

1. Marie-Thérèse Torti, Candiac, QC, *36-37-73 +1
2. Terrill Samuel, Etobicoke, ON, *37-38-75 +3
2. Jackie Little, Procter, BC, *39-36-75 +3
4. Marlène Desbiens, Clermont, QC, *37-39-76 +4
5. Diane Dolan, Gatineau, QC, *40-37-77 +5
5. Mary Ann Hayward, St. Thomas, ON, *40-37-77 +5
7. Lin Culver, Palm Coast, FL, *41-37-78 +6
7. Kim Carrington, Calgary, AB, *41-37-78 +6
9. Josée Deslauriers, Parksville, BC, *42-37-79 +7
9. Sue Wooster, Australia, *41-38-79 +7
9. Lynn Kuehn, Lacombe, AB, *40-39-79 +7
9. Rhonda Orr, Winnipeg, MB, *42-37-79 +7

2017 CANADIAN WOMEN’S MID-AM AND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – MID-AMATEUR DIVISION

1. Lauren Greenlief, Ashburn, VA, *35-33-68 -4
2. Terrill Samuel, Etobicoke, ON, *37-38-75 +3
3. Bri-Ann Tokariwski, Winnipeg, MB, *39-38-77 +5
4. Sue Wooster, Australia, *41-38-79 +7
5. Leanne Richardson, Indian Mountain, NB, *42-38-80 +8

2017 CANADIAN WOMEN’S MID-AM AND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – MID-MASTER DIVISION

1. Terrill Samuel, Etobicoke, ON, *37-38-75 +3
2. Sue Wooster, Australia, *41-38-79 +7
3. Leanne Richardson, Indian Mountain, NB, *42-38-80 +8
4. Barbara Flaman, Sherwood Park, AB, *45-39-84 +12
5. Kelly Koselek, Toronto, ON, *45-41-86 +14
5. Karen Kloske, Lake Cowichan, BC, *44-42-86 +14
5. Sandra Mumford, Dartmouth, NS, *43-43-86 +14

2017 CANADIAN WOMEN’S MID-AM AND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – SUPER SENIOR DIVISION

1. Diane Dolan, Gatineau, QC, *40-37-77 +5
2. Holly Horwood, Vancouver, BC, *41-39-80 +8
3. Joey Bush, St. Thomas, ON, *42-40-82 +10

2017 CANADIAN WOMEN’S MID-AM AND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – INTER-PROVINCIAL TEAM COMPETITION

1. QC – Marie-Thérèse Torti, Hélène Chartrand, Marlène Desbiens, *73-76-149 +5
2. BC – Karen Pultz, Holly Horwood, Jackie Little, *80-75-155 +11
3. AB – Kim Carrington, Lynn Kuehn, Joan Wilson, *81-76-157 +13
4. ON – Judith Kyrinis, Mary Ann Hayward, Marion Reid, *82-76-158 +14
5. MB – Rhonda Orr, Matty Leung, Kimberly Ross, *87-76-163 +19
6. NB – Leanne Richardson, Kathy Grebenc, Paula Napke-Flanagan, *87-79-166 +22
7. SK – Jo-Anne Schiller, Tammy Bezaire , Sue Skinner, *90-86-176 +32
8. NS – Debbie Arsenault, Susan Tumblin, Joanie McCarville, *90-87-177 +33
9. PEI – Sherry White, Susan Allen, Brenda Ann McIlwaine, *94-86-180 +36
10. NL – Judy Gillam, Janet Mills, Gale Roberts, *98-94-192 +48

With four LPGA Tour titles, including one major victory under her belt, Smiths Falls, Ont., native Brooke Henderson is recognized for her success across the country and beyond.

While she is grateful for that widespread recognition, the 19-year-old says nothing can top the excitement of competing at home.

Having played a number of junior and amateur golf tournaments in the nation’s capital, Henderson has yet to compete in the Ottawa area as a professional.

Since turning professional in December of 2014, the closest she has competed is in the Waterloo Region for the Manulife LPGA Classic which is about a five hour drive from Ottawa.

However, that will change next week when she tees off at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club for the CP Women’s Open.

“I’ve played a few times now in Canada as a professional but never in the Ottawa area, so that’s going to be huge and I feel that the crowds are going to be amazing; I’m really excited for that,” she said during the CP Women’s Open media day in June.

“I think it’s great to have it at the Ottawa Hunt because I recently became a member here.  I would love to play well here and give the crowd something to cheer about.”

Despite never competing at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club, Henderson is quick to point out a special memory that came as a spectator many years ago.

“I remember coming here in 2008 and watching the entire field.  I watched Morgan Pressel who I really looked up to and at the end of the fourth hole she walked up and said ‘hey Brooke’ and I was thinking ‘what she knew my name?’ and I was so excited because I met her a month before just in passing and to have her remember my name and that impact it had on me was truly amazing.  And after her round, she handed me her glove and a signed golf ball,” recalled the now 19-year-old Canadian golf star.

“What I learned that day is you have so much of an impact on the younger generation and people of all ages; and so for me this year, I really want to be able to give a lot of time to the media and the fans – and especially, to the young kids to inspire them to play the game,” she added.

Someone else who inspired aspiring young golfers in Canada is four-time LPGA Tour winner, Lorie Kane – and she is quick to acknowledge Henderson’s current influence.

“Brooke has accomplished so much and she’s only 19, so she’s just getting started,” said Kane. “A lot of young kids across the country definitely look up to her success and she’s a great role model for them,” said Kane about Henderson, who won the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in 2016 to become first Canadian to win a women’s major in 48 years.

“She’s definitely handled her success really well and that says a lot about her as well as the people around her,” added Kane.

Having signed on with CP as an ambassador earlier this year, Henderson has a few nice words in return for the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member and longtime CP ambassador.

“To be with Lorie, who paved the way for Canadian women’s golf all across the board, it’s amazing to be in her family and her team,” Henderson said.

Joining Kane and Henderson at the CP Women’s Open next week will be the LPGA’s finest including current world No. 1, Ryu So-yeon, three-time champion, Lydia Ko and defending champion, Ariya Jutanugarn – to name just a few.

While the former world No. 2 from Smith Falls, Ont., acknowledges there’s pressure associated with being the hometown favourite at the CP Women’s Open, she also recognizes that pressure is also a privilege.

“Of course there will be pressure, but it can be fun too because you have everyone in your corner cheering for you and every shot means a lot of them, too. So, hopefully, I can perform to the best of my ability and put on a good show and get everybody on my side,” she said.

With only one Canadian – Jocelyne Bourassa in 1973 – capturing the national championship in its 44-year history, Henderson says she places special emphasis on winning the tournament.

“This tournament is like my fifth major on the LPGA TOUR. This is the event that I would love to win the most over my career.  Whether it happens this year or in the future it’s the number one event on my bucket list,” she added.

When asked about her chances of capturing the title this year in her homecoming tournament, Henderson says she is ready and capable.

“Going into any tournament the goal of any player is to win it; and I definitely feel that I have a good chance to win here,” she replied. “It’s just about being able to play my game and also getting a few breaks along the way.”

When you see players wearing yellow ribbons at this week’s CP Women’s Open at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club, think “DCJ.”

Those are the initials of Dawn Coe-Jones, one of Canada’s most outstanding golfers who died of bone cancer last November at the age of 56. The ribbons are to honour her memory and to remind us all of the toll this terrible disease takes.

Born in Lake Cowichan, B.C., Coe-Jones won the B.C. Junior Championship in 1978 and 1979 and then the B.C. Amateur in 1982. In 1983, she defended her provincial amateur title and capped off the season by winning the Canadian Amateur Championship. After being named an NCAA All-American at Lamar University in Texas, Coe-Jones headed to the LPGA Tour where she won three times, including the 1995 Tournament of Champions.

Despite smaller purses during her heyday, Coe-Jones remains the top Canadian money-winner at the CP Women’s Open. She finished, either solo or tied, as the top Canadian 13 times. Her best finish was third in 1993. Her golfing genes live on in her son, Jimmy, who played in the Canadian Amateur earlier this month.

Last October, the inaugural Dawn Coe-Jones Golf Classic was held in Florida to raise funds for sarcoma research. “Dawn touched so many people,” recalled fellow B.C. native Gail Graham, a fellow Lamar alumna who played with Coe-Jones on the LPGA Tour. “She was always the one who worried about others.”

That month, the Legends Tour (the official senior tour of the LPGA) honoured her with the Colleen Walker Spirit Award, given to the player who best exemplifies Walker’s spirit, courage and love of the game. The award is named for Walker, a former LPGA Tour player who died of cancer in 2012.

Coe-Jones’s legacy is also being carried on by the current generation of outstanding Canadians, many of whom are participating in this week’s championship.

The homegrown contingent is led by 19-year-old Brooke Henderson, already a four-time winner in only her second full season on the LPGA Tour, including the 2016 KPMG PGA Championship. Henderson, who was born in nearby Smiths Falls, Ont., now calls the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club her home club, so she has local knowledge on her side as well as talent.

Also vying to be the first Canadian to win our national women’s Open since Jocelyne Bourassa in 1973 will be Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont. Sharp, who represented Canada in the 2016 Olympics, is coming off a top-five finish at last year’s CP Women’s Open.

Charlottetown’s Lorie Kane, like her longtime friend and competitor Coe-Jones, is an honoured member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. She will be teeing it up this week in her record-setting 27th CP Women’s Open start.

Other Canadian pros in the field include Jennifer Ha of Calgary, Augusta James of Bath, Ont., Maude-Aimee LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Que., Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont., Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C., and Anne-Catherine Tanguay of Quebec City. Team Canada Amateur Squad members Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C., Jaclyn Lee of Calgary, Grace St. Germain of Ottawa and Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., are also competing this week.

No doubt all of them have derived inspiration from the successes, both professional and personal, of Dawn Coe-Jones.

So when you notice those yellow ribbons this week, take a moment to remember DCJ and her legacy not only to golf, but to cancer research.