First Round of the Canadian PGA Women's Championship presented by NIKE Golf Underway

First Round of the Canadian PGA Women's Championship presented by NIKE Golf Underway

August 11, 2009 - The first round of the Canadian PGA Women's Championship presented NIKE Golf is underway at Dundas Valley Golf Club in Dundas, ON. The top International and Canadian female golfers are competing for one of the most prestigious titles in women’s golf in Canada today and tomorrow. The final round occurs Wednesday, August 12th with 89 professionals in the field. Click here to view first round tee times.

Click here for the Updated Clubhouse Leaderboard.

Among the talented field battling for the National title is 2004 past champion and LPGA Tour star Alena Sharp of Hamilton, ON. Sharp has had a consistent year on the LPGA Tour making ten cuts out of 14 events and earning almost $90,000 this year with her best finish a tie for 26th at the Corona Championship in April.

Also competing are Canadian LPGA Tour members Jessica Shepley of Milton, ON, A.J. Eathorne of Penticton, BC and Nancy Harvey of Swift Current, SK. Joining the Canadian professionals are Canada’s National Women’s Amateur Team members Stephanie Sherlock of Barrie, ON, Sue Kim of Langley, BC and National Women’s Development Team member Nicole Vandermade of Brantford, ON.

Other LPGA Tour players that have committed are defending champion Hannah Jun, Beth Bader, Kimberly Williams, Kris Tamulis, Moira Dunn, Sarah-Jane Smith and Ashi Bunch. The field also boasts a number of Duramed Futures Tour members looking to capture the prestigious National title.

This year’s championship marks the first time that Dundas Valley Golf & Curling Club has hosted the Canadian PGA Women’s Championship, although they were host to the 2004 Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship. The National Championship was last contested in Mississauga at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club in 2008 when Hannah Jun of San Diego, CA took home the title.

Dundas Valley Golf Club is a private club offering 27 holes of scenic beauty comprising of an 18-hole course as well as a 9-hole par 3 course. Its lush fairways gently cascade from the western tip of the Niagara Escarpment, a World Biosphere Area, offering golfers breathtaking views. Lush, mature oak, willow and maple trees line this enhanced Canadian classic designed in 1929 by one of history’s most respected course architects, Stanley Thompson, designer of 15 of the top 100 golf courses in Canada including Banff, Jasper and St. Georges.

Tee times, post-round results and a full field list are available through the Canadian PGA website at www.cpga.com  

The event is free for spectators to attend. For directions, please visit Dundas Valley Golf & Curling Club website http://www.dundasvalleygolf.com/  

About Nike Golf Canada:

Based in Thornhill, Ontario, Nike Golf Canada markets, sells and distributes industry leading Nike Golf golf equipment, apparel, balls, footwear, bags and accessories throughout Canada. Nike Golf is passionately dedicated to honouring and respecting the traditions and heritage of the game, and to providing committed golfers with the absolute best equipment in the game. For more information on Nike Golf Canada, visit www.nikegolf.ca.  Editors and journalists seeking editorial information and downloadable images, visit www.nikegolf.com/presscenter.  

About the Canadian PGA:

Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit www.cpga.com  

For more information contact:

Erica Duffy
Communications Coordinator
Canadian PGA
erica@cpga.com  
800.782.5764

Brad Moyer
Manager of Tournaments
Canadian PGA
brad@cpga.com  
800.782.5764 (x227)