Area Amateurs Show Well
The Dundas Valley Golf Club played host to the two day Canadian PGA Women’s Championship presented by Nike Golf with Oakville’s Jessica Shepley finishing two rounds at -9 to take the title in a strong field of professional and amateur players from North America.
Oakville's Jessica Shepley is the 2009 CPGA Women's Champion
Shepley’s amateur career began on the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) circuit. She recorded a runner-up finish at the 2000 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, then won both the 2001 Ontario Junior ladies’ Golf Match Play Championship in addition to the 2001 Ontario Ladies’ Amateur. At the University of Tennessee, Shepley earned 13 top-10 finishes and was a two-time Southeastern Conference First Team selection. She turned professional in 2005.
Other notable finishes included Alena Sharp of Hamilton at -2 while amateur, Stephanie Sherlock of Barrie finished at -4 to finish as high low amateur. Sharp has had a very consistent year on the LPGA Tour making 10 of 14 cuts and earning close to $90,000 with her best finish being a tie for 26th at the Corona Championship in April
Well known, long time LPGA players AJ Eathorne of Penticton, BC and Nancy Harvey of Swift Current, Saskatchewan both finished at even par.
Brantford's Jennifer Jaszek
Finishing the two days at +3 were Burlington’s Salimah Mussani, Brantford’s Jennifer Jaszek, along with two amateurs from the area, Megan Chapman of Thornbury and Brogan McKinnon of Mississauga. Nicole Vandermade, another amateur from Brantford finished the two days at +5.
Last year’s winner, Hannah Jun of San Diego CA finished at +1 for a 23rd place tie.
Shepley finished Day One at -6, one stroke ahead of Lanie Cahill of Brockville and two strokes ahead of Clarissa Childs of Columbia, South Carolina. She was able to maintain her lead throughout the second round to win the Cup. Childs ended up one stroke back in second at -8.
This year’s championship marks the first time that Dundas Valley Golf and Curling Club has hosted the Canadian PGA Championship, though they played host to the 2004 Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship.
