 2007 CN WOMEN'S CANADIAN OPEN
Edmonton, Alberta
Photographs:
Karen J. Christoforo
Lorena Ochoa WINS AGAIN!!!
With such wonderful golfing throughout the spring, summer and fall here in New England, traveling outside of the northeast is a rare occurrence for us here at Tee Time. When we got an invitation to attend the mid-August CN Canadian Women’s Open in Alberta, Canada last year, we immediately began research on the internet to see where the Province was located and what golfing opportunities were available there for us.
We flew into Edmonton International Airport, located in the middle of the Province of Alberta and only a 30-minute cab ride from the heart of Edmonton, a beautiful, clean, and well-kept city. We checked into the charming Westin Hotel, located in the heart of the city. At 7:00pm we walked two blocks to the Hardware Grill to meet our hosts and other journalists for a welcome reception and late dinner. The Hardware Grill, an elegant restaurant that once housed the City of Edmonton’s most recognized hardware store, offered superb service and cuisine.
Back at the hotel, we discovered that many LPGA golf professionals, in town for the CN Canadian Women’s Open, were staying at our hotel. Early Sunday morning, after breakfast in the hotel restaurant, we had the opportunity to chat with a few of the players during breakfast.
Paul, our driver, took our media group to the Royal Mayfair Golf Club for the final round of the CN Canadian Women’s Open. Lorena Ochoa was leading by four strokes as the final round began. After checking into the media tent to pick up our media credentials, we meandered around the course, following a few of our favorite players and friends: Julie Inkster, Meg Mallon, Becky Iverson, Laura Davies and of course the leaders, Paula Creamer and Lorena Ochoa.
After a few hours of walking, we parked ourselves at the par-3 16th green, inside the Edmonton Tourism Hospitality Suite. When the final twosome of Creamer and Ochoa finished on the 16th, we followed them down the home stretch. The two young women took long proud strides as they walked up the 18th fairway to the green. A tremendous hooting and hollering ovation erupted from the thousands of fans encircling the eighteenth green. Creamer came within two strokes of catching Ochoa but was unsuccessful in the end as Ochoa did not falter. After sinking her final putt, Lorena smiled that bashful little smile to the crowd before proceeding to the scoring tent to post her victory.
The number one player in the world continued her domination of the LPGA Tour scoring a final round of 2-under 69 to win the 2007 CN Canadian Women’s Open by three strokes. With the win, Ochoa captured the $337,500 champion’s share of the purse, raising her LPGA Tour earnings this year alone to over $2.6 million. To the thrill of the promoters, the CN Canadian Women’s Open broke all attendance records.
In the media tent immediately following the presentation, Lorena spoke to the dozens of journalists on hand. When asked if she was concerned when Creamer got within two shots of the lead, Lorena responded in her modest manner. “I knew she was a player who could come from behind because she had a hot start and made a few birdies at the beginning. I knew she was capable of winning, so I was just going to try to be careful not to think too much on her game, just try to do my own way. I think I controlled very good what was happening out there, and I’m happy for that.”
Her triumph in Canada followed her victory at the Ricoh Women’s British Open in Saint Andrews, Scotland, the previous week. Ochoa is the first champion of a professional women‘s golf tournament at Saint Andrews. The CN Canadian Women’s Open victory was her fifth win of the season and 14th of her impressive five year career. With much admiration, we witnessed the talented young Mexican accept the trophy and prize check.
BELOW ARE A FEW PHOTO'S OF THE CN CANADIAN OPEN IN 2007 EDMONTON, ALBERTA |
2007 CN CANADIAN WOMEN'S OPEN 
