Jisoo Keel Wins CN Canadian Open

Coquitlams Jisoo Keel a member of Team Canada, carded a final round even-par 72 to capture the season-opening event on the 2012 CN Canadian Women’s Tour at Richmond Country Club in Richmond, B.C.

Keel converted three birdies on her last five holes of the day, including a 20-foot birdie putt on No. 18 to seal the victory with a two-day total of 1-under 143.

Keel, 16, bested Vancouver’s So Yeon Park and Renee Skidmore of Everett, Wash. by a single stroke for the win as the pair finished at even-par 144.

With the victory, Keel earned an exemption into the 2012 CN Canadian Women’s Open which will be held at The Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam, B.C. from August 20-26. She also took home top amateur honors as well.

Keel stated “It’s an absolute victory for me because the CN Canadian Women’s Open is right in my hometown this year. It’s just 10 minutes from my high school”.

Keel, who plays out of The Vancouver Golf Club, is excited for the opportunity to compete on a course she is already very familiar with.“It’s one of the best courses I’ve ever played on. Conditions are always great,” Keel said.

Team Canada’s Augusta James of Bath, Ont. finished tied for fourth at 1-over 145 alongside Calgary’s Nicole Zhang, also an amateur.

Team Canada’s Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., earned a tie for seventh at 2-over 146, while Team Canada graduates Sara Maude Juneau of Fossambault, Que. and Sue Kim of Langley, B.C. tied for 11th at 3-over 147.

Jessica Shepley of Oakville, Ont., last season’s Jocelyne Bourassa Player of the Year Award winner on the CN Canadian Women’s Tour, tied for 19th at 5-over 149.

The next CN Canadian Women’s Tour stop takes place June 11-13 at Club de golf Beloeil in Beloeil, Que., while the final Tour event is scheduled for June 25-27 at Legends on the Niagara in Niagara, Ont.

The player with the most points at the end of the season earns the Jocelyne Bourassa Player of the Year Award.

In addition, the top two competitors on the season-ending Order of Merit not otherwise exempt also earn entry into the 2012 CN Canadian Women’s Open.
More information about the CN Canadian Women’s Tour, including a full listing of competitors and post-round results is available on the CN

Canadian Women’s Tour website at www.cncanadianwomenstour.com.