Golf Canada – Development Squad’s Mary Parsons pours in eight birdies in round two to sit T2

OTTAWA, Ont. – Ellie Szeryk, from London, Ont., carded a 1-under-par 71 for the second consecutive day to hold a one-shot lead in the second round of the Canadian Junior Girls Championship at Camelot Golf and Country Club. 

Play was suspended for the day at 6:30 p.m. due to dangerous weather after being originally halted at 4:28 p.m. 65 golfers were unable to finish their second round. 

Team Canada Development Squad’s Mary Parsons from Delta, B.C. and 54-hole leader Susan Xiao of Surrey, B.C., are one stroke back of Szeryk in a tie for second at 1 under par. 

Szeryk, 15, had three birdies in Tuesday’s second round, and only one blemish on her card, a double-bogey on No. 11. She took advantage of her length off the tee and had wedges in her hand on several holes.

“I had a lot of good wedges and made some clutch putts for par,” said Szeryk. “And I think my ball-striking was pretty good overall today.”

Heading into the weekend the 2017 Ontario Junior Girls Champion will try to remain calm as she attempts to follow in her older sister Maddie’s footsteps. The elder Szeryk won the 2013 Canadian Junior Girls Championship at Cherry Downs Country Club in Pickering, Ont. 

“I’m going to try not to put too much pressure on myself, because when I put too much pressure on myself I overthink it a little bit,” added Szeryk. “I’ll just keep my head down and keep working.”

Parsons had eight birdies in round two, but was plagued by inconsistency, recording 5 bogeys and a double-bogey to card a 1-under-par 71. 

“I had eight birdies today so almost half the holes were under par,” said Parsons. “My bad holes were because of approach shots from the fairways. Some tightening up of irons and I should be good to go for tomorrow.”

The 18-year-old is playing in her last junior tournament, but she’s not going to let the weight of that affect her over the final 36 holes. 

“Everyone is going to have to shoot a good score out here, and I don’t want to be the person standing in my own way,” added Parsons. “I think knowing I have the shots for this course and the amount of birdies that I made today is a confidence booster.”

Xiao led the way after 18 holes at 2 under par. She carded a 1-over-par 73 in round two, with missed opportunities preventing her from going lower.

“My green reading was just off by a little bit,” said Xiao. “I missed so many putts by a little bit or a lip out. I need to practice my green reading on the practice green.”

New Zealand’s Momoka Kobori is in fourth at 1 over par after a 1-under-par 71 in round two. 

Parsons’ Development Squad teammate Monet Chun from Richmond Hill, Ont., had the low round of the day Wednesday, posting a 2-under-par 70, moving into a tie for fifth at 2 over par alongside fellow Development Squad golfer Hannah Lee.

Team Ontario ended British Columbia’s two-year winning streak in the inter-provincial team competition with a two-day total of 1-over-par 289, three strokes better than B.C. Ontario last won the inter-provincial team competition in 2012 at River Spirit Country Club.

Click here to view the full leaderboard for the 2017 Canadian Junior Girls Championship.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos are available for download here. (Credit: Golf Canada)

2017 CANADIAN JUNIOR GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

1. Ellie Szeryk, *71-71-142 -2
2. Susan Xiao, *70-73-143 -12.
2. Mary Parsons, *72-71-143 -1
4. Momoka Kobori, *74-71-145 +1
5. Hannah Lee, *73-73-146 +2
5. Alisha Lau, *72-74-146 +2
5. Monet Chun, *76-70-146 +2
5. Jasmine Ly, *72-74-146 +2
5. Phoebe Yue, *75-35-110 +2
5. Cassidy Laidlaw, *74-36-110 +2
5. Kate (Dahye) Choi, *74-36-110 +2

2017 CANADIAN JUVENILE GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

1. Ellie Szeryk, *71-71-142 -2
2. Susan Xiao, *70-73-143 -1
3. Monet Chun, *76-70-146 +2
3. Jasmine Ly, *72-74-146 +2
5. Emily Zhu, *72-75-147 +3

2017 CANADIAN JUNIOR GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP – INTER-PROVINCIAL TEAM COMPETITION

1. Ont. Ellie Szeryk, Sarah Beqaj, Emily Zhu, *143-146-289 +1
2. B.C. Alisha Lau, Esther Subin Lee, Hannah Lee, *145-147-292 +4
3. Que. Céleste Dao, Brigitte Thibault, Sarah-Eve Rheaume, *151-149-300 +12
4. Alta. Kehler Koss, Annabelle Ackroyd, Tillie Claggett, *165-153-318 +30
5. Man. Camryn Roadley, Bobbi Uhl, Kate Gregoire, *160-163-323 +35
6. N.B. Laura Jones, Sarah Holt, Laura Wesselius, *173-166-339 +51
7. N.S. Meghan McLean, Heather McLean, Haley Baker, *165-177-342 +54
8. Sask. Chloe Sies, Hannah MacNeil, Alexandra Schmidt, *178-174-352 +64
9. N.L. Taylor Cormier, Paige Hickey, *198-208-406 +118

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Golf Canada annually conducts more than 20 championships nation-wide which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by RBC, Canadian Pacific, Sport Canada, Acura, Titleist and FootJoy. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/competitions.

GOLF CANADA – LOVE THE GAME. GROW THE GAME.
​Golf Canada is the National Sports Federation and governing body for golf in Canada representing 305,000 golfers and 1,400 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s mission is to grow participation, excellence and passion in the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. By investing in the growth of the sport and introducing more participants of all ages to the game, our goal is to be relevant to and respected by all Canadian golf enthusiasts from coast to coast. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca

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