Ontario's Lauren Saretsky Walks Away With Top Honours At Canadian Women’s Amateur
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2021-07-30
BY GORD MONTGOMERY - Inside Golf
SPRUCE GROVE, AB. — Saying she preferred to be the chaser rather than the 'chasee', Ontario’s Lauren Saretsky earned top honours at the 2021 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, held at the pristine Edmonton Petroleum Golf & Country Club.
In a multi-player tie for third after the opening day of the 54-hole event, and trailing by a single shot entering the final round, Saretsky slowly, but surely, climbed the leaderboard. She opened with a 1-under 71 and followed that with rounds of 74-71 and a closing 18 of 2-under 70 to earn the win by two shots over Nicole Gal, another Ontario golfer. Angela Arora of Surrey, B.C., was the top Western Canadian, finishing in a tie for third with Quebec’s Céleste Dao at plus-2.
Speaking to Inside Golf after the award ceremony and asked about coming across the country to compete in this major event, given the pandemic and past travel restrictions and varying safety protocols, the winner said this event was high on her list to attend.
“I had a tough 2020 season because of COVID and it was kind of a stressful year because I was supposed to kind of look through universities and things like that. My main goal was to play as many tournaments as I can this year because right now it’s kind of tough to get to the States because of COVID. I was just coming in optimistic. My game’s in a good spot, I’ve been working super hard, and I was just waiting for this day to come."
As how the host site set up for her, Saretsky said the Petroleum Club fit her eye, and her game, to a tee. Plus, she noted, two practice tours of the facility didn’t do her any harm either.
“The course fits my game really well. My big advantage is my driver and the course is long and on a lot of the holes you can use your driver on the par fours and par fives. So, I was able to get on a lot of par fives in two. That was a big advantage for me and I kind of knew I could play well and shoot low.”
When questioned about holding the lead coming down the home stretch and whether she likes being in that position or chasing down the leaders, Saretsky said, “The chaser,” pointing out she had been incorrectly informed about her lead on the penultimate hole of the day.
“I didn’t even know I was leading. I kind of found out on the 17th green. Someone said by four, but that was wrong (it was two at that time, where it stayed). I just kind of put it in cruise control and stayed in my own lane.”
That she did, and she wrapped up the championship with a great two-putt par on the final hole, narrowly missing about a 50-foot downhill, breaking putt for birdie. She simply tapped in for par, and the win. About that end, she said, “I just thought two-putt for par. Nothing crazy. I made so many putts today. The first three days my putting was really off but I discussed it with my coach. I putted a lot here getting to know the speeds and the breaks and that really helped me.”
As for where this win leads her, there are a few avenues, or maybe fairways, that will likely open up to the new women’s amateur champ.
“This means a lot to me. I’ve been waiting for this day my whole life,” Saretsky commented, although she’s actually only been competing for five years. “It’s a big win. I don’t know about pro but that’s a goal of mine and I’ll see where this takes me. Hopefully, maybe university. Hopefully this tournament will help me get to talk to more universities. I had a rough year last year so it was kind of quiet, so hopefully this tournament gets me a few more offers …. but yeah, pro is in the thoughts.”
In accepting the award as Canada’s top female amateur golfer of 2021, Saretsky noted this win was important to her for a very special reason. She dedicated the win to her grandfather who has cancer and who, she noted, has always been one of her biggest supporters. And with this win and what lays ahead for Saretsky, he’s sure to continue cheering her on as the 2021 Canadian Women’s Amateur Champion travels down the golfing roadway eagerly awaiting what’s to come.
See complete scoring HERE.