Australia’s Stacey Keating prevails at Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship

Winnipeg, Man.(August 1, 2008) - Stacey Keating of Victoria, Aus., locked up her first international championship claiming the 2008 Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship on Friday at the Elmhurst Golf & Country Club in Winnipeg, Man.

Keating shot an impressive 3-under par, finishing with a four day total score of 285 to defeat defending champion and national amateur team member Stephanie Sherlock of Barrie, Ont., by three strokes. Sherlock claimed second place with her even par 288, while Alejandra Llaneza of Mexico City, Mexico rounded out the tournaments top three at one-over, 289.

“This is the biggest event I’ve ever won and it feels amazing,” said the exuberant Australian. “I thought about playing it safe and just laying it up on 18 but I decided that wouldn’t be much fun, and it ended up working out for me.”

Following her win Keating made quick adjustments to her travel plans to accommodate the addition of the 2008 CN Canadian Women’s Open into her playing schedule. Keating’s victory earned her an exemption into Canada’s only LPGA event to be held August 11-17 at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club in Ottawa, Ont.

With the win, Keating becomes the 24th international competitor to win the championship and the first Australian to win the event in 27 years, since Jane Lock claimed the title in 1981.

National amateur team member Sue Kim of Langley, B.C. came out strong on the last day of play, remaining even with Keating for most of the back nine but faltered off the tee and bogeyed the 14th forcing her to settle for fourth place with a score of 290.

Kim will compete next in the Royale Cup Canadian Junior Girls’ Championship held at St. Charles Country Club in Winnipeg, Man.

“I am a bit disappointed with the way I ended things today,” said Kim. “I think I let the pressure get to me a bit more than usual but I’ll take what I learned here and be ready for St. Charles next week.”

Kim shares the fourth place spot with fellow national teammate Maude Aimee LeBlanc of Ascot Corner, Que., who made an impressive late run on the final day to match Sue Kim at 290, 2-over par.

LeBlanc was followed closely by her national team mates Rebecca Lee-Bentham of North York, Ont., and Kira Meixner of Richmond, B.C. who both shot 293 to finish in a three-way tie for seventh place, while Sara Maude Juneau of Fossambault, Que., claimed 13th place.

Kirby Dreher of Fort St. John, B.C. shot the low round of the day carding 67 and finishing in sixth place.

In the Mid-Amateur division (25-39 yrs.), Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mary Anne Lapointe of Georgetown, Ont., took home the title topping defending champion Jackie Little of Port Alberni, B.C. with a total score of 295.

Lapointe also captured the Mid-Master division (40+ yrs.) edging second place Little by six strokes while Terril Samuel of Etobicoke, Ont., finished in third at 310.