Marie Josée Rouleau Scorches the Field in First Round of Women's Championship

Defending Champion Marie Josée Rouleau Scorches the Field at the CPGA Women’s Championship

THORNHILL, ON (July 31, 2007) – Marie-Josée Rouleau of St. Lambert, Québec has emerged as the first round leader and low club professional at the 2007 Canadian PGA Women’s Championship presented by Aquafina at the Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto in Thornhill, Ontario.

After a sweltering round in 31 degree weather, Marie Josée Rouleau shot a five-under 67, and leads by one shot over Seema Sadeker of Stouffville, Ontario.

“I haven’t played in a competitive tournament since last October in England, so it was nice to get back into it. I try to stay focused and in the tournament mode by thinking and telling myself that I played in a competitive event just recently and that thought gets me right back in the zone even though I haven’t played in a while,” Rouleau says of her adjustment back into game.

Rouleau, who now works as a CPGA Associate Professional at Rosemere Golf Club in Rosemere, Québec, carded seven birdies (including four consecutive birdies on her first four holes), nine pars, and two bogeys. “The first four holes, I felt very confident with my game. I had a really long birdie on three. I hit the green far left, and sunk a 30 foot putt for birdie. The course sets up so well; it is very challenging in that you really have to think about where you want to land the ball. The greens are small, and the course is all about placement of your ball for your next shot”.

This is Rouleau’s third year in a row playing in the CPGA Women’s Championship. In 2005, Rouleau placed second and last year, the Quebec native won the Championship in an exciting fashion in a three-hole playoff against Jessica Shepley of Oakville, Ontario at the Oshawa Golf & CC. “This championship is always a great tournament; the CPGA has organized a great venue, and created a perfect atmosphere that gives it a true championship feel,” says Rouleau, “the tournament will only get bigger and better year after year”.

Seema Sadekar of Soufville, Ontario carded a 68 with an eagle, five birdies, nine pars and three bogeys. “This course is in amazing condition, the greens were perfect, and the whole course just seems to be in mint condition”. Sadekar just turned pro a few weeks ago where she received the first cheque of her career after shooting a 76-72 on the CN Tour at the River Spirit Golf Club in Calgary, Alberta. “My game was really solid today; it’s funny though because the strongest part of my game today was my putting, which is usually the opposite”. Sadekar’s eagle on the par-5 second hole helped kick start her round. She hit her five wood into the green and got a “lucky bounce” off the edge of the bunker that landed about two feet from the cup.

“I really enjoy coming home to play this tournament,” says Sadekar who is competing in the championship for the fourth time, “it is always a great event and it is nice to come back and see some old friends”. Sadekar has one more semester left at UNLV, and she is residing with her sister in Las Vegas, Nevada playing out of Dragon Ridge.

Low amateur of the day was Mandi Dupuis of Tecumseth, Ontario carding a 76 with one birdie, 12 pars and five bogeys. This is the first year that the 21 year old has participated in the championship, “I wasn’t going to play in the Canadian Women’s Amateur tournament this week, so when I got invited by the CPGA, I definitely wanted to take them up on the offer”.

“I was very consistent today; my putter was working for me, and saved me on some holes. The conditions were great out there, it is a beautiful course” says Dupuis. When asked what the future holds for her game, she replied that she wasn’t entirely sure. “I have one more year of school left, I am down at Detroit Mercy on a golf scholarship, and then will decide my route for golf, I might take a year off, or I might go compete professionally, I’m still uncertain as of now”.

Of other note, host club professional Mary-Jane Hall drained a hole-in-one on the 18th hole at the Simmlands Pro-Am at the Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto Monday July 30th. This is the first year that Simmlands has hosted the Pro-Am at the Canadian PGA Women’s Championship, and it was a great success with team captain Corina Kelepouris’ group scoring a combined 61.

The final round of the championship will take place tomorrow, with tee times starting at 8:00AM with the last group departing at 10:10AM. For pairings and results please visit www.cpga.com

The Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto is North America’s only remaining private golf club established by women for women. Founded in 1924 by Ada Mackenzie, Ladies’ was designed by renowned course architect Stanley Thompson.

Past champions of the tournament include Lori Kane, who won the championship at the Ladies’ Golf Club in 1999, and recorded four other CPGA championship wins as well in ’96,’97,’98,& ’01, Nancy Harvey (’94,’95 & ’00) and Alena Sharp (’04).

The 36-hole stroke play championship will be contested on Tuesday and Wednesday at The Ladies’ Golf Club. The total purse is $30,000 with $5,000 awarded to the champion.

Weather: 31 degrees, partly cloudy, feels like 36 degrees

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For more information contact:

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

Brad Moyer
Manager of Events and Employment
Canadian PGA
brad@cpga.com
800.782.5764 (x227)

About the CPGA:

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