Chien takes centre stage on day one at Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship
Golf Canada
KITCHENER, Ont. – American, Leigh Chien, birdied early and often en route to a seven-under par 66 and four-stroke lead in the opening round of the 2022 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.
Scoring conditions were at a premium for the morning wave at Westmount Golf & Country Club and Chien wasted no time pouncing on the opportunity. The 16-year-old rolled in five birdies over her opening eight holes and never looked back, as she continued to distance herself from the pack with an additional three birdies on the back nine. Her lone blunder came on the par-4 No. 15.
“I feel pretty good going into tomorrow,” said Chien. “I just tried to make as many birdies as possible and as few mistakes as possible and I was able to do that [today]. Westmount is really nice; the conditions are great [and] the greens are really smooth. I think that really helped me shoot low.”
Team Canada’s Monet Chun paced the rest of the pack with a three-under par 70 for sole possession of second place, The Richmond Hill, Ont. native carded three birdies and an eagle for the low-Canadian score of the day.
“Putting myself in a good position early is ideal, because it’s such a long four rounds,” said Chun. “Continuing what I’m doing; hitting lots of greens, lots of fairways and making as many putts as possible,” said the 18-year-old on what she thinks it will take to win the tournament.
Five other Canadians ended round one inside the top-10, including Team Canada member Céleste Dao. Dao, who plays her college golf at the University of Georgia, got off to blistering hot start, making three birdies through five. The middle part of the Quebec native’s round caused her headaches, as she fell back to even par with a stretch of bogeys. The 21-year-old bounced back brilliantly, however, with a birdie on her 17th hole to get back into the red numbers.
The highlight of the day – and quite possibly the tournament – belonged to Élizabeth Labbé. Labbé, the runner-up at this year’s Canadian University/College Championship, carved an iron into the 149-yard par-3 No. 17 at Westmount and watched her ball drop for a hole-in-one. The ace helped the UBC Thunderbird to a round of two-over par 75. She sits T23 heading into the second round.
Team British Columbia leads the interprovincial team championship by one stroke over Team Québec. B.C., made up of Ha Young Chang, Leah John and Yan Jun (Victoria) Liu, fired a combined two-under par on the day. Team Ontario (+10), Team Alberta (+13) and Team Manitoba (+19) follow in third, fourth and fifth place, respectively.
Canadian and international amateurs set to compete at 108th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship
Golf Canada
KITCHENER, Ont. – The 108th installment of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, gets underway this week at Westmount Golf & Country Club in Kitchener, Ont. from July 19-22.
The championship, which was first held in 1901, is one of the longest standing amateur events in the world. The inaugural tournament at Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Que., featured only three players. Fast forward over a century later and 140 players will look to etch their name into the Duchess of Connaughton Gold Cup in 2022.
“Golf Canada is excited for the return of not only a marquee event in Canadian golf history, but also one of the premier amateur events in the world,” says Tournament Director, Mary Beth McKenna. “We’re confident Westmount Golf & Country Club will offer a challenging yet fair test for the players as they showcase their talents on an elite golf course.”
Practice rounds are scheduled for July 18, before the official 72-hole stroke play competition begins on July 19. Play is scheduled to wrap up on July 22, followed by an awards ceremony and champions reception. The field will be cut to the low 70 players (including ties) after 36 holes.
For the first time since 2019, the tournament will welcome the return of international players following complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ten players from the United States, two from Mexico and one from Australia are slated to tee it up north of the border this week, including Katherine Muzi and Bentley Cotton, ranked No. 127 and 250 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings, respectively.
Also being re-introduced this year is the inter-provincial team competition. The inter-provincial championship will be played in conjunction with the first 36 holes of the competition, with three-player teams vying for the team title. Team Ontario – composed of Sarah Dunning, Emily Zhu and Tiana Cruz – are the reigning champions from 2019. Dunning and Zhu are both in the field in Kitchener this week.
Four members of Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad are pencilled into the draw at Westmount: Brooke Rivers (Brampton, Ont.); Céleste Dao (Notre-Dame-de-Ile-Perrot, Que.); Monet Chun (Richmond Hill, Ont.); and Sarah-Eve Rhéaume (Québec City, Que.).
The National Junior Squad will also be well-represented at the 18-hole championship course west of Toronto, with seven members of the team slated to compete: Angela Arora (Surrey, B.C.); Anne-Léa Lavoie (Québec, Que.); Emily Zhu (Richmond Hill, Ont.); Lauren Kim (Surrey, B.C.); Luna Lu (Burnaby, B.C.); Martina Yu (Coquitlam, B.C.); and Yeji Kwon (Coquitlam, B.C.).
Red Deer, Alta.’s Eileen Park is the youngest player in the field at the age of 13; Katherine Hou and Sophia Xu are also only 13 years old, but Park’s date of birth is the latest of the three. Rhonda Orr, out of Winnipeg Man., is the oldest competitor in the field at 60. There are four members of Westmount Golf & Country Club teeing it up this week: Sarah Dunning, Angela Lee, Madeline MacMillan and Laura McIntosh.
New to this year’s tournament is a purse payout. To align with the modernized Rules of Amateur Status, players at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship will now compete for a purse of $8,000 CAD. Amateur golfers may accept prize money up to a maximum of $1,200 CAD, and payouts will be awarded to the top-10 finishers and ties.
Westmount Golf & Country Club was designed by world-renown architect Stanley Thompson and opened in 1931. Since then, it has played hosts to a number of national and provincial championships, notably the 1957 Canadian Open, 1969 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship and 2009 Canadian Junior Boys Championship. Known for its undulating fairways and sloping greens, the championship course is set up to play fast and firm as it tests an elite field of amateur golfers this week. Westmount last hosted the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship in 1965.
“We are very excited to host 108th Canadian Women’s Amateur at Westmount this coming week,” said General Manager, Brad Duench. “Our Tournament Committee has worked very hard leading up to this week and I know our membership will be out to support these accomplished athletes. [I] do sense we have a buzz in the community about the event and we are excited to welcome everyone to Westmount this week,” he added.
The Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship was last played in 2021 at Edmonton Petroleum Golf and Country Club in Spruce Grove, Alta. Team Canada National Junior Squad member Lauren Zaretsky was crowned champion, finishing at two-under par to win by as many strokes.
The last time Canadians won in back-to-back years was in 2013 & 2014, when Brooke Henderson and Augusta James captured the national titles.
Along with the championship’s storied history comes its coveted cast of competitors. Marlene Stewart Streit, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, sits atop the class with 11 victories and five runner-up finishes at the national event. Since then, the tournament has proved to be a breading ground for some of golf’s brightest young stars. Ariya Jutanugarn (2012), Brooke Henderson (2013), Jennifer Kupcho (2017) and Yealimi Noh (2018) are previous winners who now find themselves competing on the LPGA Tour.
The winner of the championship will earn an exemption into the 2022 CP Women’s Open, August 22-28, at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club, as well as the 2022 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, August 8-14, at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wisc.
More information about the 2022 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship can be found here.
Lauren Zaretsky wins 107th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship
107th Canadian Women's Amateur Champion Lauren Zaretsky of Thornhill, Ont. (Andrew Penner/Golf Canada)
Golf Canada
SPRUCE GROVE, Alta. – Lauren Zaretsky of Thornhill, Ont., shot a final-round 70 on Friday to win the 107th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship at Edmonton Petroleum Golf and Country Club in Spruce Grove, Alta., as the only player in red numbers.
She finished two strokes ahead of recent Canadian Junior Girls Champion Nicole Gal of Oakville, Ont., in second at even par.
“It feels amazing,” said Zaretsky. “I’ve been dreaming to win a Golf Canada event my whole entire life. So, it means the world to me just to be able to do it here in 2021.”
Zaretsky, who plays out of the Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto & Maple Downs Golf & Country Club, credited a combination of her putting and driving for her final-round 70 and said her plan going into the round was to stay focused and commit to every shot.
With the win, Zaretsky receives an exemption into the 2021 U.S. Women’s Amateur held Aug. 2-8 at Westchester Country Club and the 2022 CP Women’s Open at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club.
“I’m really excited for the CP Women’s Open,” said Zaretsky. “That’s something that I’ve been watching since I started golf five years ago.”
Zaretsky also adds her name to a notable list of Canadian Women’s Amateur Champions including LPGA Tour players Jennifer Kupcho (2017), Brooke Henderson (2013), and Ariya Jutanugarn (2012).
Fifty-four-hole leader Céleste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que., and Team Canada National Junior Squad member Angela Arora of Surrey, B.C., finished tied for third at 2 over.
Round Three ✅
Céleste Dao leads the Canadian Women's Amateur Championship at 1-under after the third round at @EPGCC ⛳️ #CDNWAm
Team Canada National Amateur Squad members had a strong showing with Mary Parsons of Delta, B.C., finishing in 10th at 5 over, Noémie Paré of Victoriaville, Que., tied for 8th at 4 over and Sara-Eve Rhéaume of Quebec City tied for 5th at 3 over.
The National Junior Squad members in the field found success as well, as Gal finished runner-up and Arora behind her in the tie for third while Jennifer Gu of West Vancouver, B.C., finished right behind them in the tie for fifth at 3-over.
Canada’s top amateur golfers set to compete at 107th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship
Edmonton Petroleum Golf and Country Club
Golf Canada
SPRUCE GROVE, ALTA. – The Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship is set for July 27-30 at the Edmonton Petroleum Golf and Country Club in Spruce Grove, Alta., for the 107th installment of the event.
The 72-hole tournament returns for the first time since 2019, after the pandemic caused the cancellation of Golf Canada’s 2020 competitive season.
The 110-player field features three of the Team Canada National Amateur Squad members; Mary Parsons (Delta, B.C.), Noemie Pare (Victoriaville, Que.), and Sara-Eve Rheaume (Quebec City, Que.).
More than half of the top 50 Canadians on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) are in the field with 27, including 2018 and 2019 Canadian Junior Girls Champions Celeste Dao (Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que.) and Emily Zhu (Richmond Hill, Ont.), respectively.
“We are very excited to see the return of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship,” said tournament director Dan Hyatt. “The course is in phenomenal shape and will be a tough test for Canada’s best amateur golfers.”
The winner will receive an exemption into the 2022 CP Women’s Open, as well as the 2021 U.S. Women’s Amateur
Edmonton Petroleum Golf and Country Club was established in 1993 and features a Mark McCumber design. It is a par-72 with a maximum yardage of 6,244 yards with tree-lined fairways and large bodies of water.
“Edmonton Petroleum Golf and Country Club is very happy to be able to host the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship,” said general manager Scott Hippe. “We are looking forward to hosting Canada’s up-and-coming stars and showcasing our course layout in elite tournament play.”
The Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship is a 72-hole stroke play event, with a 36-hole cut for the low 70 players and ties. In the event of a tie at the end of four rounds, there will be a hole-by-hole playoff immediately following completion of 72-holes.
The practice round will be conducted on July 26.
Previous winners of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship include Jennifer Kupcho of the United States (2017), Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. (2013), and Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand (2012). All three golfers are currently ranked inside the top-25 of the Women’s World Golf Rankings.
Click here for the full field and tournament information.
NOTABLES
Mary Parsons
The 22-year-old from Delta, B.C., is in her third year as a part of the National Team, having previously been a part of the National Amateur Squad in 2020, and the Junior Squad in 2017. In 2019, Parsons won the Lady Boliermaker in the NCAA, and in 2018 Parsons won the B.C. Women’s Amateur Championship. She finished fifth at the 2019 Pan American Games and was a quarterfinalist at the 2020 Women’s Western Championship. Parsons has been a member of the Indiana University Women’s Golf Team since the 2017-18 season.
Noémie Paré
The 23-year-old from Victoriaville, Que., is in her second year as a part of the National Amateur Squad. Paré finished inside the top-10 in seven events in 2020, including wins at both the Palm Beach Collegiate Invitational and the Québec Women’s Amateur Championship, and runner-up finishes at both the Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship and the Atlantic Collegiate Invitational. Paré was a member of the Barry University Women’s Golf Team from the 2016-17 season until she graduated in 2020.
Sarah-Eve Rhéaume
The 21-year-old from Quebec City is in her second year as a part of the National Amateur Squad. In 2019, Rhéaume won the Quebec Women’s Amateur Championship. In 2020, Rhéaume finished fifth at both the Alberta Ladies Amateur Championship and the Quebec Women’s Amateur Championship, and sixth at the Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship. Rhéaume has been a member of the Furman University Women’s Golf Team since the 2018-19 season.
FAST FACTS
Current LPGA Tour golfer Maria Fassi of Mexico shot a 5-under 65 in the third round of the 2016 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, matching the women’s competitive course record at Ken-Wo Golf Club.
10-time LPGA Tour winner Brooke Henderson won the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship in 2013 at the age of 15.
Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Stewart Streit won the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship 11 times and was the runner-up five times.
Golf Canada’s 2020 National Amateur Championships cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
(Chuck Russell/ Golf Canada)
Golf Canada
OAKVILLE, ONT. (Golf Canada) – Due to continued health concerns as well as government restrictions on travel and group gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, Golf Canada has cancelled all of its amateur golf competitions for the duration of the 2020 season.
The National Sport Federation had previously announced the cancellation or postponement of a number of its junior and amateur competitions scheduled through mid-June.
“National amateur competitions have been a proud focus throughout our 125-year history and while we share in the disappointment of competitors, our host clubs and event volunteers, the most important consideration is the health and safety of the people who come together at our championships,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Ongoing travel restrictions—both international and across some provincial borders—in addition to continued restrictions on larger group gatherings and limitations on player training were significant contributors to this decision. We are also sensitive to the needs of our host clubs to ensure a safe and healthy environment for their staff and members.”
The 107th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, one of the top-ranked women’s amateur events in the world that attracts many international athletes, was scheduled to begin in five weeks at The Royal Montreal Golf Club from July 21-24. In addition, the 116th Canadian Men’s Amateur which features a 264-player field was scheduled to take place at The Glencoe Golf & Country Club in Calgary, Alta. from August 3-6 – marking the 125th anniversary of this storied championship. The cancellations will mark the first time since the second World War where these two national championships will not be conducted.
Golf Canada has also announced that the National Orders of Merit will not be awarded in 2020. The purpose of the points-based rankings is to identify and give recognition top-performing male and female amateur and junior golfers across Canada who have achieved success in the golf season. The decision to not award the Orders of Merit was made recognizing the varying access Canadian golfers will have to domestic and international competitions, and the resulting difficulty in running an equitable ranking system. Golf Canada will look to resume the Orders of Merit on September 1st, 2020 for the 2021 rankings. For more information, please visit the National Orders of Merit page by clicking here.
Golf Canada and Golf Ontario previously announced the cancellation of the 7th annual World Junior Girls Championship, scheduled for September 30 – October 3, 2020 at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.
Golf Canada annually conducts more than 20 championships nation-wide which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf referees, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by RBC, Canadian Pacific, Sport Canada, Levelwear, Titleist and FootJoy. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/competitions.
Golf Canada announces 2020 and 2021 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship host venues
Bronze plaque on entrance gate
Golf Canada
Some of Canada’s finest golf facilities will play host to another storied championship over the next two years.
After the completion of a bid application process for member clubs in Quebec and Ontario, Golf Canada announced today the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship would be played at Royal Montreal Golf Club in 2020 and Westmount Golf and Country Club in 2021.
Tournament Director Dan Hyatt said the organizing committee and Golf Canada couldn’t have asked for a better scenario to unfold for its championship, an ‘A’ ranked event on the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking.
After a great track record of clubs the last few years, being able to bring the event to some of Canada’s best clubs is a real win, he says.
“We’ve been very lucky with the venues we’ve had recently, since they’ve embraced the women’s game really well. We couldn’t have asked for two better clubs to come to the table with such storied histories,” said Hyatt. “The event has become a ‘must-play’ for top internationals along with our top Canadians, and hopefully this will produce a runway of being able to continue to get great clubs with great history to play host.”
107th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship
Royal Montreal Golf Club’s Blue Course will host the 107th playing of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship in 2020.
The Blue Course last hosted the RBC Canadian Open in 2014 and the very first Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship in 1901.
“It’s nice to go back to the place where it all began,” said Dan Hyatt. “The history and the facts speak for itself: Royal Montreal is a premium, top-notch club that will surely test the players.
“We’ve had some great conversations with the leadership there and it’s going to be an absolute privilege to bring the Canadian Women’s Amateur to one of this country’s most historic venues,” continued Hyatt.
The club, which is the oldest golf club in North America, first hosted the Canadian Open in 1904. It went on to host Canada’s national open nine more times – including 2014. Of note, Royal Montreal was the site of the last Canadian Open won by a Canadian when in 1954 Pat Fletcher, who served as the club’s head professional for nearly 20 years, captured the title.
Royal Montreal also welcomed the world in 2007 when it hosted the Presidents Cup.
“The Royal Montreal Golf Club is delighted to host a national golf championship again,” said General Manager Mike Kenney. “Having hosted the inaugural Women’s Amateur Championship in 1901, the membership is excited to have the best women’s amateur golfers test their skills on the Blue Course.
“Planning is well underway, and we look forward to welcoming all the players, coaches, family and friends to Royal Montreal in July 2020.”
Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship
In 2021, the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship will be contested at Westmount Golf and Country Club in Kitchener, Ont.
Westmount, the home of famous amateur and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Gary Cowan, is no stranger to hosting some of the biggest events in Canadian golf. The club has hosted the 1957 Canadian Open, the 1990 CP Women’s Open, the 1969 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, and most recently the 2009 Canadian Junior Boys Championship in the past.
“Westmount has a long history of supporting amateur golf and we are honoured to be able to continue that tradition by hosting this prestigious event for top female amateurs from around the world,” said club president Virginia Marshall. “I am confident that the competitors will find our Stanley Thompson course both beautiful and challenging.”
Opened in 1931, Westmount, with its gently rolling terrain and unrivalled setting, has been constantly ranked as one of Canada’s best courses.
It will prove to be a formidable test for the best female amateurs in the world in 2021.
“It’s hard to beat,” said Dan Hyatt of Westmount. “It’s just such a fun track to play. There is never a dull moment there and it’s been a top-15 club consistently over the last decade or so. Plus, they are doing a lot of good things for the women’s game there.”
The 2019 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship wrapped up in July at Red Deer Golf and Country Club with American Brianna Navarrosa winning by one shot. Now Golf Canada looks ahead, with confidence and excitement, at the next two years.
“We can’t thank both Royal Montreal and Westmount enough for putting in bids to host our championship,” said Hyatt. “Having these caliber of clubs involved will only make it a stronger event for everybody moving forward.”
Brianna Navarrosa wins 106th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship
Justin Naro/ Golf Canada
Golf Canada
RED DEER, Alta – Brianna Navarrosa of San Diego, Calif., shot 4 under 68, overcoming a four-stroke deficit to capture the 106th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship held at Red Deer Golf & Country Club on Friday.
Michelle Liu of Vancouver finished as the low Canadian of the tournament, becoming the youngest player ever to earn an exemption to the CP Women’s Open. Liu carded a final round of 2 over, finishing at 1 over on the tournament in a tie for 12th.
Liu will be aged 12 years, nine months and six days when the 2019 CP Women’s Open tees off on August 22 at Magna Golf club in Aurora, Ont.
“I’m very proud of myself, especially being able to play with so many well-known professional players,” said Liu. “I started off today not very well – at three over through four holes and I was like ‘oh, this may not happen.’ I managed to get back and get my scoring under control.”
Navarrosa won the championship with a tap-in par putt on the par-4 No. 18. Jennifer Chang (Cary, N.C.) was one stroke behind Navarrosa – narrowly missing a 15-foot birdie putt to force a playoff.
This is Navarrosa’s second tournament win of the season, having claimed the Buick Shanshan Feng AJGA Girls Invitational in February. By claiming the Duchess of Connaught Gold Cup, the 17-year-old earns exemptions into the 2019 CP Women’s Open and the 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship.
“Going into today I was really hoping just to get a top three and stay consistent throughout the whole day,” said Navarrosa. “Of course I wanted to win. I wasn’t nervous going into the back nine, I was hyped to sink some putts. This will be my first LPGA event. I just want to have a good experience. If things don’t work out well, it’s ok. Just being there is an honour.”
Chang finished at 9 under par after firing 2 under 70 on Friday.
The 54-hole leader, Andrea Lee of Hermosa Beach, Calif., shot 3 over on Friday and finished in third place.
Alyaa Abdulghany (Newport Beach, Calif.) made a charge up the leaderboard to finish fourth. Abdulghany entered the final round at even-par and her round of 7 under 65 was the lowest round of the tournament.
Andrea Lee leads heading into final round of Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship
Justin Naro/ Golf Canada
Golf Canada
RED DEER, Alta. – Andrea Lee (Hermosa Beach, Calif.) shot 3-under-par 69 at Red Deer Golf & Country Club on Thursday and heads into the final round of the 106th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship with a three-stroke lead.
Lee held a share of the lead after the opening round, but fell to second after 36 holes. The No. 2-ranked golfer on the World Amateur Golf Ranking sunk four birdies in the third round, moving herself to 10 under for the tournament.
“I played really solid today and had a good front nine,” said Lee. “On the back, I just stayed really patient. I made nine straight pars and played steady golf. It’s a really tough field and a lot of top amateurs are out here competing, so it’s always fun and exciting to be out here.”
After roaring into the lead with a first round of 6 under 66, Lee was quiet in round two, shooting 1 under. The USGA has committed to send at least two players to both the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championship since 2017, and Lee’s play at the 2019 edition of the competition is a direct result of that commitment.
Round two leader Jennifer Chang (Cary, N.C.) shot even-par, leaving her at 7 under for the tournament.
Brianna Navarrosa (San Diego, Calif.) remained in third place, four back of Lee, with a round of 2 under.
The low round of the day belonged to Therese Warner of Kennwick, Wash. Warner shot 4 under 68, moving into fourth position at 5 under for the tournament.
The low Canadian heading into the final round is 12-year-old Michelle Liu of Vancouver. Liu was bogey-free in round two, but carded 1 over on Thursday, sitting in a tie for sixth.
The final round of competition will see the first groups tee off at 7:30 a.m. from holes No. 1 and No. 10.
The 2019 Canadian Women’s Amateur individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship and the 2019 CP Women’s Open at Magna Golf Club from August 19-25. Should the winner be a non-Canadian, the low Canadian will also earn an exemption to the 2019 CP Women’s Open.
Jennifer Chang leads after 36 holes at Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship
Justin Naro/ Golf Canada
Golf Canada
RED DEER, Alta. – Jennifer Chang of Cary, N.C., vaulted herself into the lead in the second round of the 106th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship held at Red Deer Golf & Country Club in Red Deer, Alta.
Chang moved atop the leaderboard with a round of 5 under 67, the lowest score in the second round and her second consecutive round in the 60s. The No. 13-ranked player on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Chang was bogey-free on Wednesday, leaving her at 8 under for the tournament.
“I thought I played pretty well [yesterday] at 3 under and today I really took it up a notch,” said Chang. “The wind blows pretty hard, so I’m just going to do the same thing each and every day and take it one shot at a time.”
Andrea Lee (Hermosa Beach, Calif.) sits in second place, one stroke behind Chang. The No. 2-ranked golfer on the World Amateur Golf Ranking made back-to-back birdies on the par-5 No. 4 and the par-3 No. 5, finishing the second round at 1 under.
Brianna Navarrosa of San Diego, Calif., sits in third at 4 under, having shot even-par in the second round.
After sharing the first-round lead with Lee, Zoe Campos (Valencia, Calif.) carded a round of three over, falling into a tie for fourth with Min A Yoon (Republic of Korea) and Emilee Hoffman (Folsom, Calif.), five shots back of Chang.
Michelle Liu is the low Canadian after 36 holes. The 12-year-old Vancouver product fired a bogey-free round, sinking two birdies to bring her score to 2 under, good for a tie for seventh position.
Seventy-two players have advanced to the final two rounds of the championship. The first groups will tee off Thursday at 7:30 a.m. from holes No. 1 and No. 10.
Team Ontario won the Inter-Provincial team competition, with Emily Zhu (Richmond Hill, Ont.), Sarah Dunning (Waterloo, Ont.) and Tiana Cruz (Richmond Hill, Ont.) combining for a score of 18 over. Team British Columbia finished in second, two shots back.
This is Ontario’s first time winning the Inter-Provincial competition since 2014 and their 39th time claiming the team championship since it was inaugurated in 1947.
Play was suspended for 71 minutes, resuming at 4:30 p.m., due to inclement weather.
The 2019 Canadian Women’s Amateur individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship and the 2019 CP Women’s Open at Magna Golf Club from August 19-25. Should the winner be a non-Canadian, the low Canadian will also earn an exemption to the 2019 CP Women’s Open.
Americans Lee and Campos share early lead at Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship
Zoe Campos (Justin Naro/ Golf Canada)
Golf Canada
RED DEER, Alta. – World No. 2 Andrea Lee (Hermosa Beach, Calf.) and Zoe Campos (Valencia, Calf.) share the lead after the first round of the 106th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship held at Red Deer Golf & Country Club in Red Deer, Alta.
Both Campos and Lee fired opening rounds of 6 under 66.
Campos played nearly flawless golf in the opening round, making seven birdies. Her lone bogey came on her very last hole – the par-4 No. 9 (she started on the back nine). Campos is no stranger to competing in Canada, as she finished third at the 2018 World Junior Girls Championship at Camelot Golf & Country Club in Cumerland, Ont.
“I thought I played well, everything was pretty much on point,” said Campos. “The course is really tough. The greens are really hard, and you have to manage where you land them. The fairways are really narrow, so you have to be accurate on everything.”
Lee, currently the No. 2-ranked player on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, finished her round strong with three birdies on her final four holes.
Sarah-Ève Rheaume is the low Canadian after the first round at 4 under. The Quebec City product made three birdies on both the front nine and the back nine, and sits in a tie for third heading into the second round.
Ty Akabane (Danville, Calif.) and Brianna Navarrosa (San Diego, Calif.) are tied with Rheaume at 4 under.
Team Québec, consisting of Brigitte Thibault (Rosemère, Que.), Annie Lacombe (Laval, Que.) and Sasha Laoun (Montreal), leads the inter-provincial team competition at 4 over. British Columbia, the two-time defending champions, sit a stroke back.
The 2019 Canadian Women’s Amateur individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship and the 2019 CP Women’s Open at Magna Golf Club from August 19-25. Should the winner be a non-Canadian, the low Canadian will also earn an exemption to the 2019 CP Women’s Open.
