 |
|
|
 News Around the Republic of Mexico | August 2005 
Mexico's Violeta Retamoza Takes Lead At Canadian Women's Amateur Golf Championship
 The Canadian Press
| | Violeta Retamoza |
UPDATE: Mexico's Violetta Retamoza has a one-stroke lead at the Royale Cup National Women's Amateur Championship following a 1-over 74 in Wednesday's second round.
Laura Matthews (73) of Essex, Ont., is second, while Stephanie Sherlock (71) of Barrie, Ont., Christina Spence (72) of Port Alberni, B.C., Samantha Richdale (73) of Kelowna, B.C., and Caroline Kin (73) of Port Coquitlam, B.C., are all six strokes back in third. Wind gusts of up to 25km/h caused problems for several golfers.
"The wind was killing me today," said the 22 year-old Retamoza. "I got into a lot of trouble because of the wind and I'm not happy with the way I approached my club selection. It wasn't a bad day, just a little disappointing."
Play continues today and the final round is Friday. "The course played a lot tougher today and a lot of that was the wind," Matthews said. "I'm still happy with how I did overall. I can't complain."
British Columbia captured the team title by 15 strokes over Ontario, snapping an 18-year drought. Alberta was third.
Violeta Retamoza of Mexico opened up the Royale Cup National Women's Amateur Championship conducted by the Royal Canadian Golf Association by carding seven birdies en route to a blistering 69, as the first round play concluded in Squamish, B.C.
Retamoza, a senior at the University of Tennessee, sits at four-under par leading Canadian favorite Laura Matthews of Essex, Ont. by two strokes. Matthews, a four-time runner up and attempting to win her first Canadian championship carded a 35-26--71 two-under on the par 73 course.
In third place, shooting even on the day is Erin Thorn of Bracebridge, Ont. while Anita Gahir of Thornhill, Ont. is in fourth at 74. Four others are tied for fifth position hitting 75 today.
"It felt pretty good all day long," said Retamoza. "My caddie was great and he really knew the course which helped me read the greens on some of the holes. Tomorrow I'm going to do more of the same as I did today. Look for pars on each hole and if I'm in a position to birdie, I'll go for them."
Matthews, a member of the RCGA National Women's Amateur Team program was pleased with her play and remained focused on her game plan tomorrow.
"I hit lots of fairways, lots of greens and it was pretty consistent," said Matthews "I'm happy where I sit right now and I plan to do more of the same tomorrow. It's just the first day of a four round tournament; still a long way to go."
Retamoza's mark of 69 establishes a new course record at the Squamish Valley Golf & Country Club. The old record of 73 was set during the B.C. Provincial Team trials by Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C. in July.
2004 defending champion, Mary Ann Lapointe of Georgetown, Ont. struggled off the tee during her opening round to card a 76, tied for ninth position on the leader board.
"I played ok but it was a struggle," said Lapointe. "My ball striking comes and goes. It's pretty tough to trust when you're not always hitting it down the middle of the fairway. I'll regroup tonight and try it again tomorrow."
The opening pairing to start the championship was a glimpse of the past, present and future of Canadian women's golf. The grouping included Lapointe, a four-time Canadian Amateur Champion Lapointe, Matthews, a four-time runner-up, primed to make a charge this week for her first Canadian title, as well as 16 year-old Maude-Aimée Leblanc of Windsor, Q.C. LeBlanc just came off a runner-up finish at the 2005 Royale National Junior Girls Championship and competed at the BMO Financial Group Canadian Women's Open in Halifax in mid-July.
"I was a little nervous playing with players like them," said LeBlanc, who carded a 75 during the opening round. "Their talk gave me plenty of encouragement."
The veteran Lapointe said she was surprised by that comment saying, "If she was nervous she hides it well. She looked pretty good out there."
In the Florence Harvey Inter-Provincial Championship team play, three provinces are deadlocked for the lead. Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta are all tied for first place shooting 231 for the opening round. Ontario is the 2004 defending champion.
Play continues tomorrow with the second round teeing off at approximately 7:00 am (PDT). Following tomorrow's play the RCGA will crown the Florence Harvey Inter-provincial team champion. The third and fourth rounds are scheduled for Thursday and Friday respectively. |
| |
|
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us