Shepley outlasted fellow Futures Tour member Joy Trotter of Chino Hills, Calif., to win a four-hole playoff at Squamish Valley Golf Club. The reigning 2010 Jocelyn Bourassa Player of the Year carded four birdies to move into a share of the lead after Trotter bogeyed her last two holes.
“I’ve been working really hard lately and it’s been a huge goal of mine to come up here and start the season with a win at this event,” said Shepley, 28, who earned $10,000 (Canadian) and an exemption into the LPGA’s 2011 CN Canadian Women’s Open, set for Aug. 22-28 in Mirabel, Quebec.
“The exemption sets up the year so nicely for me and it means a lot,” Shepley added. “To play in your country’s national championship is always an honor.”
This week’s tournament was the first of three CN Canadian Women’s Tour events on the 2011 schedule. Players earn points toward the CN Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit. The top two players on the Order of Merit not already exempt after the final event will be awarded direct entry into the LPGA’s 2011 CN Canadian Women’s Open.
Other LPGA and LPGA Futures Tour members finishing in the top 10 were: tied for fourth at 1-under 143 – Ryann O’Toole (73) of San Clemente, Calif.; T6 at even-par 144 – Danielle Mills (69) of Pointe-Claire, Quebec; Lisa Mannu (71) of St. Thomas, Ontario; Mo Martin (71) of Altadena, Calif.; Seema Sadekar (71) of Toronto, Ontario; and Amy Eneroth (73) of Colbert, Wash.
Topics: On Other Tours, Shepley, Jessica
