Szeryk and Rivers join Team Canada teammates, Lauren Kim and Anna Huang in earning exemptions through She Plays Golf Championship Series
Pitt Meadows B.C. – Team Canada athletes Ellie Szeryk and Brooke Rivers earned exemptions into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open after finishing atop the leaderboard at the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open at Pitt Meadows Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C. as part of the She Plays Golf Championship Series.
Szeryk of London, Ont. held the lead in all three rounds, initially sharing the lead with Virginie Ding of Hong Kong following Thursday’s opening round at 4-under. Szeryk followed that with a 6-under 66 on Friday to take the solo lead into Saturday. She finished the tournament at 6-under (68-66-76) to win the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open.
The win at Pitt Meadows is Szeryk’s second title in the past nine months, having won the individual championship at the Jim West Challenge in San Marcos, Texas last October.
With the win Szeryk has earned an exemption into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, Alta., July 23-28. It will mark the third start in tournament history for the 22-year-old having previously played in 2018 and 2023.
Rivers, of Brampton, Ont. finished the tournament at 2-under (72-69-73) to finish in second and also earn an exemption to compete at Earl Grey. The 19-year-old will be making her second consecutive start at the CPKC Women’s Open after competing last year at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club.
The GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open saw a field of 51 golfers (amateur and professional) with five members of the Team Canada program competing in Pitt Meadows. The tournament was the second of three as part of the She Plays Golf Championship Series.
Team Canada athletes Lauren Kim (a) and Anna Huang (a) finished first and second respectively at the Peloton Glencoe Invitational in Calgary, Alta. last weekend, which was the first tournament in the She Plays Golf Championship Series. The ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada from July 2-5 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont. is the final stop in the three-tournament series for this season.
She Plays Golf is a citywide celebration of women’s golf anchored in each host market by a $60,000 CAD professional golf championship contested over 54-holes for a field of 60 professionals and elite amateurs. The tournaments are played with a cut after 36-holes and each championship sees players compete for WAGR points and two qualifying spots into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open. The She Plays Golf Championship Series marks the rebirth of a professional women’s golf tour in Canada.
Players earn points for their finishes in the She Plays Golf Championship Series towards a series-long standings. The golfer with the most points following the final championship will also earn qualification into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open, if not otherwise qualified and will be supported by Golf Canada’s Q School bursary program if they enter LPGA Q School in the fall.
She Plays Golf Festivals feature inclusive programming for women and girls, addressing gaps in the participation pathway and introducing new women and girls to the game in a safe, fun, and judgment-free environment. Festival activities take place at golf courses across the host city during the same week as the She Plays Golf Championship Series event with activities including introductory “Try Golf” events for women and girls new to golf, professional development for women in coaching, networking socials for women in business and leadership, and more.
For the final standings from the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open, please click here.
For more information on She Plays Golf Festivals and Championship Series and to register, please click here.