She cemented her advantage in a second round on Wednesday, where she was again the only golfer to break par on the Nanaimo course, shooting a bogey-free, five-under 67 to lead the field comfortably.
Thursday’s round of 74 was two shots over par and featured an eventful back nine where Stouffer bogeyed the 12th hole, only to birdie both the 13th and 14th before giving those two shots back via a double bogey on 15.
Despite the setback, Stouffer was in command, besting St. Thomas, Ontario’s Mary-Ann Hayward, who won the Super Senior division (65+ category).
Stouffer said the victory was particularly special since it was the first time her mother has seen her win a Canadian amateur title in person.
Asked whether playing so close to home was potentially a distraction entering the tournament, Stouffer said she thrived on the added support.
“I didn’t put that pressure on myself, even though I’m close by. It was kind of like the best of both worlds thing where I didn’t really feel like I had to win.”
The victory allows Stouffer to compete in several future tournaments, including the LPGA 2026 U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship.
Stouffer spoke highly of the job the Nanaimo Golf Club did in hosting this week’s event.
“I can’t say enough about how great all of the members, volunteers and organizers were. Golf Canada did a great job as well.”
American Corey Weworski shot a four-under 68, the best round of the final day, to finish in third.
A handful of other mid-Island golfers participated.
Parksville’s Josée Deslauriers finished +31 for the tournament, in a share of 21st place.
Nanaimo’s Melanie Midgley shot +40 (T-41st), while Qualicum’s Elaine Phillips and Nanaimo’s Jan Jarvie posted +43 (T-52nd), and Nanoose Bay’s Joan Hinkey was +53 (71st).
Wendy McAdam, Blanka Dunville and Wendy Yates, all from Nanoose Bay, did not make the cut to play Thursday.
A full leaderboard is available here.
Mike Kelly, Golf Canada director, said the tournament went extremely well, which bodes well for Nanaimo Golf Club hosting future major tournaments.
“I think the Nanaimo club rose to the occasion in a big way,” Kelly told NanaimoNewsNOW. “All of the staff that set up the course and the volunteers were amazing. I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews from everybody.”
Kelly said the quality of Nanaimo Golf Club is exceptional, pointing to well-kempt fairways, bunkers and highly challenging greens.
He said drawing top amateur senior female golfers to Nanaimo will certainly have positive spin-off effects for the sport locally.
“A lot of the young people were volunteering doing all kinds of different jobs. I talked to a number of them and it inspires them to work on their game,” Kelly said.
– with files from Alex Rawnsley
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