Shelly Stouffer BMO Financial Group Canadian Women’s Tour Hi everyone, Tuesday was a great day, the day I won my first BMO Financial Group Canadian Women's Tour Event at Swan-e-set Bay in Pitt Meadows, BC. It was a 36 hole event that ended up being 42 holes for two of us. After the first round Marina Marselli was leading at 4-under par, and there were three other players under par, Kareen Qually, Liz Early, and Jennifer Wyatt. I was tied for 5th place with 5 players including Alena Sharp at even par 72. Playing in the second to last group was great, I was paired with Jennifer Wyatt and Lindsay Caljouw. I didn't start the day out great, but grinded it out and made a lot of putts coming down the stretch. After a double bogey on the 7th hole I was 8 shots behind the leader Marselli, who seemed out of reach. The double bogey gave me a little charge and then there was no looking back. I immediately bounced back with a birdie on the 8th hole, and continued with four more birdies on 10, 12, 13, and 14. The 15th hole is a tough par 4 with a creek running across the fairway, after 2 long iron shots I was left with a 50 yard pitch. I made a 10 footer to save par. There was a leader board after that hole, and I saw that I was in third place, 2 shots back. I mentioned to Jason Gilbert, my caddy, that it would be nice to make a couple more birdies coming in and he thought that one would do. As it turned out, Alena Sharp made a bogey on the 18th, she posted 2 under par, and was the leader in the clubhouse. I parred out and also finished the at 2 under par, meanwhile Marselli was making a few mistakes coming in. She was 4 over par on the back nine and also finished at 2 under par. As I was being interviewed after the round, I found out that there would be a playoff, so I went off to the putting green to practice some putts and keep my mind off the situation. The three of us played the 18th twice, Sharp made a bogey the second time around, Marselli and I both parred. We played the 18th one more time both pars, Marselli had a great birdie opportunity from about 15 feet, her putt just slid by so off to #10, a par 5. My approach shot ended up about 15 feet and Marselli's was just outside that. Her putt just missed, now I have an opportunity to win, but I couldn't close the deal. The next hole we played was the par 5, 14th, we both played up to the green and were almost the same distance away from the stick. Marselli putted first and missed, as did I. The hard 15th hole was next, Marselli put her ball safely in the fairway and I followed. She hit her approach shot first, which ended up over the back of the green, and I proceeded to hit my ball into the front right bunker. It was my turn to hit, I blasted the ball to 2 feet, now the pressure was back on Marselli. She hit her shot about 10 feet past the hole, failed to make her par putt and made a bogey. A two-footer to win, I knocked it in and it was all over. The play-off ended with my only greenside sand save of the tournament. After the tournament I was able to celebrate with my family, who were all nervously watching the grueling playoff. My parents, sister, Sandra, and brother, Stevie, were all there, along with Ward's parents and sister, Margot, plus my good friend and caddy for the tournament, Jason Gilbert. Jason and I worked very well together for the tournament, and it was definitely a team effort. Thanks Jay, I couldn't have done it without you. The only other person that I wish could have been there to celebrate the victory was Ward, but he was out of town. After it was all over I called Ward and he was very excited about the victory and wished he could have been there. Ward and the rest of my family have all been very supportive of my golf career over the past 6 years, which makes this victory that much sweeter. I would like to thank everyone for their congratulations, I appreciate your support too. After I holed the winning putt, Sylvie Schetagne handed me a phone and I talked with Jocelyn Bourassa. She was being updated throughout the playoff and she and Libby Skinner were pulling for me from across the country. Jocelyn and Libby ran the Tour prior to this year, I miss them, and I appreciate congratulations and the words of encouragement. I would also like to thank Titleist and Bob Rawlings for the help with my equipment, I play the 690-CB irons, and they are the best irons that I have played, along with the Pro-V1 golf ball. I also recently got a new putter from David Whitlam of Gauge Design Golf, it is definitely working, if you want to check out his putters, go to www.gaugedesigngolf.com Lastly, I would like to thank Fairwinds Golf and Country Club in Nanoose Bay for being able to practice and play while I make a run for the LPGA Tour. My next big event is the BMO Event in Winnipeg at Elmhurst G & CC, June 6-8, then the BMO Event in Peterborough follows that June 20-22. I will keep you posted on the results, if you want to receive the result directly from the RCGA, go directly to www.rcga.org/english/Links/emaillist.asp. Thanks, Shelly Stouffer