CHIP SHOTS: Mother Nature makes her mark at the CP Women’s Open Monday

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Mother Nature performed just a little havoc with the CP Women’s Open Monday.

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That’s okay. Let’s hope she will get the unhealthy climate out of her system.

While the rain held off lengthy sufficient to permit a lot of the members in the LPGA Tour occasion at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club to get their apply rounds accomplished, the Pro-Am needed to be to be halted at 3:30 p.m. due to lightning in the space.

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With the rain coming down exhausting, the course was closed to spectators at 4 p.m. and the remainder of the Pro-Am was cancelled. By all accounts, the Hunt is in nice form and it will likely be a terrific take a look at for the LPGA Tour gamers.

We actually don’t have to pay a lot consideration to rain delays until one takes place after the first golfer hits the fairway at the 6,500-yard format in Round 1 Thursday morning, however the organizers had been compelled to shut the course because of the climate Monday.

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The gamers don’t thoughts the rain as a result of it’s going to soften up the tough greens at the Hunt and may assist to decrease the scoring if the rain continues to fall via the week.

The forecast for the weekend seems to be nice, whereas there’s a 60% likelihood of showers listed for Thursday and Friday.

BACK ON THE SCHEDULE

The CP Women’s Open hasn’t been held since the occasion wrapped up at the Magna Golf Club in Aurora in 2019.

Eighteen of the high 20 gamers on the LPGA Tour cash listing will participate, and there’s a variety of anticipation for a return to Canada. Plenty of that surrounds the presence of Brooke Henderson, however there’s a powerful area, together with defending champion Jin Young Ko.

All 5 main winners from this 12 months’s occasion, which incorporates Henderson, are on the town and might be in the area. Eighty-two of the high 100 gamers are collaborating.

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“We haven’t played in Canada since 2019 and you look around here, it’s Monday and it’s crazy busy around here. It’s great to see,” mentioned Canadian golfer Alena Sharp, who will take part on this occasion for the seventeenth time in his profession.

“The venue is amazing. They have a great build-out and it really is amazing for us. It feels a major for Canadians, I’m not sure what the other players on tour think, but it does feel like a major for us. We always have great crowds. They build it up and it looks like a U.S. Open.”

This is the third time the occasion has been held at the Ottawa Hunt. The CP Women’s Open was right here in 2008 as properly.

THE GOOD OLD HOCKEY GAME

There was no scarcity of hockey speak earlier than the Pro-Am passed off Monday.

Senators common supervisor Pierre Dorion, new ahead Claude Giroux, together with former Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson, Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nick Paul, and legendary Team Canada captain Cassie Campbell-Pascall had been amongst the members.

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Before they hit some balls and teed off, Alfredsson, Campbell-Pascall, Paul and Dorion spent a while on the ranging chatting with TSN’s Lindsay Hamilton about their love for golf and what the CP Women’s Open means to the metropolis.

Alfredsson, a three-handicap and a member at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club, is aware of how a lot individuals on this metropolis love golf and need to help Henderson.

“It’s a phenomenal city. I got to know it through hockey and the fans here but it’s tremendous to see how they support sports,” Alfredsson mentioned. “This event is a perfect example. People here will be able to watch the best ladies in the world and I’m really excited to be here to see them up close. It’s definitely a treat to see them practising and competing.”

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Dorion mentioned he’s trying ahead to watching individuals rally round Henderson.

“It says a lot about the community to see the number of people out here and all the people around coming to see the best women in the world playing golf,” mentioned Dorion. “They’re just tremendous athletes and that’s what people don’t realize, is just how gifted they are athletically.

“To play at this level, you’ve got to be so good and it’s great to see all the support that they get when they’re out here.”

Dorion performed with Giroux and former Senators defenceman Brendan Bell. They had been joined by 2022 British Women’s beginner champion Jess Baker earlier than the rain fell.

THE LAST WORDS

The rain additionally brought about issues for 20 gamers competing for 4 spots throughout qualifying at the Marsh Golf Club in Kanata on Monday. Play resumed at 5:30 p.m. Monday after a two-hour delay. Eventually, Michelle Liu, Vanessa Zhang and Lucy Lin, all from Vancouver, certified, together with American Gianna Clemente … Henderson was gracious with her time throughout a apply spherical Monday by stopping to pose for selfies whereas taking a visit round the course. Henderson, who was on the vary later in the day, performed with Sharp … Asked what her favorite course was, Campbell-Pascall famous it’s the one previously generally known as Devil’s Pulpit in Caledon. “When I was training to be an Olympian I was a beverage cart girl as well,” Campbell-Pascall mentioned. “My dad became a member, but playing Devil’s Pulpit is one of my favourites.” … Organizers will launch the tee occasions and pairings for the first two days of the occasion on Tuesday afternoon.

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