Lorelle Weavers of the Niagara College women's golf team has won the 2014 PING CCAA Golf women's individual national championship. The three day event was held at the Club du golf Lorette just outside Quebec City.
After shooting back-to-back rounds of 77, Weavers carried a two stroke lead into the third and final day of the championship. Severe weather on Friday morning however, forced the cancellation of the final round resulting in Weavers 36-hole score (154) winning the event.
"It's a surreal feeling that definitely hasn't hit me yet" said Weavers in an interview after the event. "I wish I could have played today to finish it out, but it's still an amazing and exciting feeling to be a National Champion."
Weavers shot a four-over (77) on Wednesday and trailed Oceane Jacques of Champlain St. Lawrence by one stroke after the opening round. Strong winds and rain caused problems for many golfers on day two of the event, but Weavers maintained her high level of play, finishing her round with seven straight pars to card her second consecutive 77.
Champlain St. Lawrence's Noémie Ouellette finished in second place at +10 (156), while Jacques finished in a tie for third with Carolyn Lee of UBC Okanagan at +12.
"I haven't played in this big a tournament in a while and before my opening shot I was nervous" added Weavers. "My opening hole was a par five, and I had a strong drive. After that shot I breathed, and focused on enjoying the experience and taking it one shot, one hole, and one round at a time."
Weavers has enjoyed an outstanding 2014 season. Heading into the national championship, the Burlington native had won all three invitational tournaments she entered, including the Durham Lords Invitational, the Fanshawe Invitational, and the Niagara Knights Fall Classic. She also captured a silver medal at the OCAA Championship, and on Tuesday, October 14th was named a CCAA All-Canadian.
The All-Canadian selection marks the third consecutive year, and eighth time in Niagara College history, that a Knights' student-athlete has earned the accolade.
"We are very proud of everything Lorelle has accomplished this year" said Niagara College's director of athletics and recreation Matthew Davies. "She truly exemplifies the characteristics that our Knights Family prides itself in through her commitment to excellence on the golf course and in the classroom. On behalf of Niagara College, we would like to congratulate Lorelle on winning a National Championship."
Weavers is a graduate of Burlington's Lester B. Pearson High School, and is currently enrolled in year one of the Niagara College professional golf management program. She is in her third year of post-secondary athletics competition, having spent the previous two seasons competing in Division One of the NCAA as a member of the Chicago State University Cougars.
During her time in the NCAA Weavers was named a conference all-star, conference all-academic, and conference golfer of the week.
"Lorelle represents everything I want our program to be. She is fierce in competition, kind and friendly to her fellow competitors, and she works hard and prepares well" added Niagara College golf team head coach Cameron Thin.
Weavers'2014 season also included a personal best low round of 70 (two-under) at the Fanshawe Invitational on September 20th. She finished the event 14 strokes better than her nearest female competitor, and five strokes better than the lowest men's score of the day. Weavers has also been selected as Niagara College's athlete of the week on three occasions.
"Lorelle is an outstanding player" said Niagara College's intercollegiate coordinator Ray Sarkis. "Our intercollegiate program has had success in the women's division in the past with former OCAA Champion Danielle Dunlop. But Lorelle's consistency and outstanding play this season puts her in a class of her own."
Weavers has two years of athletic eligibility remaining and will spend the off-season further developing her game with Coach Thin.
"I've never been professionally fitted for clubs and the prize for the Championship win is a set of Ping G30 irons. I'm going to get them fitted, and spend some time this winter working on certain aspects of my game" said Weavers. "The goal next year is to defend the National Championship, and earn All-Canadian honours."
For more information please contact:
Matthew Davies
Niagara College, Director of Athletics and Recreation
905-735-2211 ex: 7288
mdavies@niagaracollege.ca
