Round 1 of the 104th annual Ontario Women’s Amateur and Mid-Amateur Championships kicked off with a ceremonial tee shot by 95 year old Betty Ingram Wonnacott in front of a good crowd on a cool beautiful morning from Black Bear Ridge Golf Course. Wonnacott is still an active golfer and has had quite the career, proving golf is a sport for life.
After the tournament got off to such a good start, both the weather and the play by the women heated up the opening round. After battling some fair but tight fairways and challenging greens, Hailey McLaughlin (Granite GC) rode a 6 hole birdie train to a -3 (69) and took the early lead at the Women’s Amateur Championship. on the Mid-Amateur side, Sarah Dunning (Westmount G&CC) came in with a solid +1 (73) to take a lead of her own.
McLaughlin was pleased about her play today. “I felt very confident and had a little luck at times.” said McLaughlin after her round. “My short game was strong and allowed me to continue making birdies in that 6 hole stretch while making a few long putts and also a chip in from off the green. I knew if I got those shots on line I’d be alright.”
Hot on her heels for the Women’s Amateur is Brigitte Thibault (Public Player) who shot a -1 (71) and sitting 4 strokes back in a third place four-way tie at +1 (73) are Sarah Dunning (Westmount G & CC), Emily Zhu (National Pines Golf Club), Jasmine Ly (Kingsville Golf & Country) and Delana Basanisi (Rattlesnake Point GC).
In the Mid-Amateur category, Julia Hodgson (Donalda Club) sits one stroke back at +2 (72) and sitting in third is Hall of Famer Mary Ann Hayward (St. Thomas Golf & Country) at +4 (76). Home course favourite Jessie Mercer (Black Bear Ridge Golf Club) sits another stroke back at +5 (77) after a solid round.
Day 2 continues tomorrow at the immaculate host club with tee times starting again at 7:30am. Spectators are always welcome.
For the official tournament website for this years pairings and results, CLICK HERE
For pictures of the tournament CLICK HERE
About the Women’s Amateur Championship
First played in 1904, the Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship is being contested for the 104th time in 2019. The event features the best female golfers from across Ontario in a 72-hole stroke play format, with the field cut to the low 54 golfers and ties after 36 holes. Past winners include 1968 LPGA Championship winner Sandra Post (1964), LPGA player Alena Sharp (1989), Team Canada members Jennifer Kirby (2009, 2010), Augusta James (2011), Brittany Marchand (2012) and Brooke Henderson(2014). World, Canadian and Ontario Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Stewart Streit holds the record for the most titles with 11 (’51, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’68, ’69, ’70, ’72, ’74, ’76, and ’77).
About the Women’s Mid Amateur Championship
Open to female golfers aged 25 and over, the Women’s Mid-Amateur event was first contested in 1989. Past champions of the event include Samuel (1991, 2000 and 2010), Borthwick (1992 and1993) and Hayward, who has won the event a record 14 times. The event consists of 54 holes of stroke play competition with the field cut after 36 holes.
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