Isabelle Beisiegel of Sainte Hilaire, Que., and Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que, have received exemptions into the CN Canadian Women’s Open, to be played at Hillsdale Golf and Country Club in Mirabel, Que., Aug. 25-28.
Beisiegel has a pair of top-10 finishes on the LPGA Futures Tour in 2011, including a recent tie for fifth. She also finished top-10 on the 2011 CN Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit.
LeBlanc, a recent graduate of Golf’s Canada’s national amateur program, will be competing in her home province for the first time as a professional. She is a former three-time Quebec Amateur and two-time Quebec champion who helped Purdue win the 2010 NCAA Division I Team Championship.
A pair of non-exempt Canadian LPGA Tour players – Lisa Meldrum of Montreal and Adrienne White of Red Deer, Alta., – were also extended tournament exemptions to compete at Hillsdale.
Meldrum, a former Canadian Junior champion and three-time Canadian Women’s Amateur champion will be competing in her seventh CN Canadian Women’s Open and first in her home province, while White, who is competing in the event for the third time in her career.
Also extended exemptions to compete were Team Canada members Augusta James of Bath, Ont., and Nicole Vandermade of Brantford, Ont.
James’ 2011 season includes a victory at the 2011 Ontario Women’s Amateur, medalist honours at the 2011 U.S. Public Links qualifier and a tie for seventh on the 2011 CN Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit.
James and Vandermade join previously exempt Team Canada members Rebecca Lee Bentham of Toronto, Jessica Wallace of Langley, B.C., and 15-year old Jisoo Keel of Coquitlam, B.C.
Earlier this year, six players earned tournament exemptions by way of the CN Canadian Women’s Tour including event winners Jessica Shepley of Oakville, Ont., Katy Harris and Jessica Wallace of Langley, B.C., as well as Order of Merit exemption recipients Kirby Dreher of Fort St. John, B.C., Danielle Mills of Pointe-Claire, Que., and Keel.
Earlier this year, teenage sensation Alexis Thompson as well as Team Canada graduate and former Quebec Amateur champion Sara-Maude Juneau of Fossambault, Que. Juneau will compete in her home province for the first time as a professional.
Rounding out the list of 2011 exemptions is American Laura Bavaird of Dearborn, Mich., winner of the 2010 PGA of Canada Women’s Championship.
A final list of players will be available on Tuesday, the deadline for registration.
(Thumbnail: Lisa Meldrum)
