CN Canadian Women's Open Welcomes Canadians

RCGA Release

Coming off one of the most impressive amateur seasons in Canadian golf history, National Development Team member Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont. earned an exemption after claiming the Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur and Royale Cup Canadian Junior Girls Championships as well as both Ontario Women’s Amateur and Ontario Junior Girls titles.
 
Several other Team Canada members have been extended exemptions to compete alongside Kirby including National Amateur Team members Stephanie Sherlock of Barrie, Ont. and Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que. as well as National Development Team member Nicole Vandermade of Brantford, Ont. 

Also competing at Priddis will be former National Amateur Team member Kira Meixner of Richmond, B.C., who will beplaying in the Open for the first time as a professional. Team Canada’s Sue Kim of Langley, B.C., will also compete at Priddis after earning her spot through the CN Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit.
 
2009 Jocelyne Bourassa player of the year Ashli Bunch of Morristown, TN tops the list of competitors to earn exemptions through the CN Canadian Women’s Tour.  Bunch, a 10-year LPGA Tour veteran, claimed back-to-back CN Canadian Women’s Tour titles after winning the final two events held at the Cutten Club in Guelph, Ont., and the Hillsdale Golf & Country Club in Mirabel, Que. The 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open will mark Bunch’s third time competing in Canada’s only LPGA TOUR stop.
 
Taya Battistella of Bend, OR will also compete in the event thanks to the CN Canadian Women’s Tour title she claimed at the season-opening event in North Vancouver.  Amber Prange of Noblesville, IN; Sara Brown of Tucson, AZ; Ashley Sholer of Hamilton, Ont.; and Team Canada’s Sue Kim round out the list of 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Tour competitors heading to the Open after finishing 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th respectively on the Tour’s Order of Merit.
 
Jessica Shepley of Oakville, Ont. heads to Calgary fresh off winning the 2009 Canadian PGA Women’s Championship and will be joined by 2008 Canadian PGA Women’s champion Hannah Jun.  Also set to compete is LPGA Tour veteran A.J. Eathorne who will be making her 11th straight appearance at Canada’s national women’s Open championship.
 
Rounding out the list of exempt players are 2009 NCAA individual champion and National Player of the Year Maria Hernandez who recently finished tied for 34th at this years US Women’s Open and Amanda Blumenhurst, three-time NCAA Player of the Year and 2008 US Women’s Amateur champion.
 
“With less than two weeks to go until the CN Canadian Women’s Open, we are pleased to extend tournament exemptions to this talented group of competitors,” said Sean Van Kesteren, Tournament Director of the CN Canadian Women’s Open.  Players like A.J. Eathorne and Jessica Shepley will enhance our veteran Canadian presence while extending exemptions to our top young amateur players will give golf fans a glimpse of the tremendous talents of our Team Canada athletes.”
 
Four additional spots into the field will be determined on Monday, August 31st as players will tee it up in the CN Canadian Women’s Open Monday Qualifier at Calgary Elks Lodge & Golf Club in Calgary.
 
The players announced today will join the field at Priddis Greens that includes previously announced LPGA Tour stars Lorena Ochoa, Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie, Yani Tseng, Morgan Pressel, Natalie Gulbis and defending champion Katherine Hull as well as Canadian favourites Lorie Kane and Alena Sharp.
 
The final field of confirmed players for the 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open will be available after 5:00 pm on Friday, August 28, 2009.
 
The 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open will take place August 31-September 6 at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club.  The Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation has been designated as the community charity for the CN Miracle Match program.
 
Tickets for the 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open can be purchased online at www.cncanadianwomensopen.com or by calling 1-866-571-LPGA.
 
ABOUT THE 2009 CN CANADIAN WOMEN’S OPEN
 Stars of the LPGA Tour will be featured at the US$2.75 million CN Canadian Women’s Open from August 31 to September 6 at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club in Calgary, Alta. The CN Canadian Women’s Open is proudly sponsored by the Canadian National Railway Company along with event partners CVS Controls Ltd., TaylorMade adidas Golf, Corona Extra, The Globe and Mail, CE Franklin Ltd., Calgary Sport Tourism Authority, Safeway, Mexico Tourism, CBC, The Glenlivet, Bell, Reader’s Digest and local media partners Calgary Herald, Corus Entertainment and Global Calgary. For updated corporate hospitality, sponsorship opportunities, daily tickets, and volunteer information visit www.cncanadianwomensopen.com.