2008 Canadian Women&aposs Amateur Champion Stacey Keating writes: Well what a week this one has been! After a spending a few days in New York being a tourist and taking up the opportunity of playing Winged Foot we arrived in Canada for the Canadian Amateur. I was really looking forward to getting a rest after the hectic pace of New York. The Amateur was played at Elmhurst Golf Club in Winnipeg. The first round was played in some difficult conditions with rain delays throughout. So after finishing our rounds a little later than we would have liked I came in with a 1-over 73. I was actually quite happy with this as I was 4 over through 5 holes, and really happy to hold things together. On the next day I was excited to get out there, I was hitting off in the morning which meant less chance of rain and wind. I played quite steadily in the second round, keeping it to one bogey and four birdies which was nice to come in at 3 under and to be only one off the pace at the half way mark and even better to be playing in the last group! Day 3- Well I couldn’t really get anything going with the flat stick, I found a lot of the pins positions in some really tough spots and was reading far too much break. I finished up the day at 1-over 73. After my day on the greens I was quite happy to take my 73 and run! There were no low numbers in the clubhouse which helped me out a little. I was going into the last round tied for the lead! Very excited! I felt really good on the morning of the last round, not too nervous, just very excited to be in contention. Things went just how I would have liked on the front nine, no bogeys and birdies on the par 5 s. After 9 holes I was three strokes in the lead. Feeling pretty good at this stage just trying not to get too far ahead of myself. Unfortunately I dropped a shot early on the back 9, but got a birdie back on the next par 3 (which was nice as I had made bogey on that hole all week.) Then I saw that a girl in the group in front of me has drawn level with me, so I was now tied for the lead after being three ahead which made me a little nervous but I just kept telling myself, pars from here on in will do. Then I heard the girl in front had dropped two or three shots and that was quite comforting to know. I made another birdie followed by another bogey. I parred the 17th, and once again I didn t know how many shots I had up my sleeve. The 18th is a reachable par 5. I hit a good drive with around 210m left. I was considering laying up, but I hadn&apost done it all week so why start now? That wouldn t be much fun! I hit my 4 wood to the front edge of the green and at this stage I thought I think I may have won but I pulled myself together as I knew I still had to get the ball in the hole! I had about a 12m putt. I left it 4m short (yes that s right, don t ask me how) Then I holed the next one for a nice birdie to finish! The feeling of winning this tournament was crazy, but when you find out that you have been given a start in the LPGA Canadian Women’s Open the excitement levels go off the charts! So I have now extended my trip for another week and a half and I am playing my first LPGA event! I have dreams about this stuff! Yahooo! Yipppeee! I must hurry up and get off cloud nine as I have to start the US Women’s Amateur on August 4. We have just arrived in Oregon after three long flights and I&aposm ready for sleep.