Chance of a lifetime

Devon Rizzo has the shot of a lifetime and it might just be coming at the right time for the fourth-year University of Waterloo varsity golfer. 

Rizzo, an engineering student, has been granted an exemption to play in the one-day qualifying event for the 2013 Manulife Financial LPGA Classic. The Warrior golfer is coming off an impressive second place finish at the Eastern Provinces Championship in Kingston, an event well-known for its deep field of recognized amateur women golfers.

“I am thrilled to be a part of such a high profile tournament and the chance to advance and play with some of the greatest golfers in the world is unlike any feeling I’ve had before,” said Rizzo. “I’m truly humbled and look forward to the opportunity.”

Rizzo will compete against 20 to 25 golfers on Monday, July 8 with the top two from the round advancing to the iconic tournament which begins on Thursday, July 10 at Grey Silo Golf Course in Waterloo.  The LPGA has left open two spots for qualification which is to be awarded to local amateurs, giving Rizzo the chance to play with the top golfers in the world.

Grace under pressure

“Devon is a well-rounded, confident golfer and I know she will take this opportunity in stride,” says Warrior coach, Carla Munch.  “I’ve seen her in pressure moments, including her playoff win at last year’s Canadian University Championship, and she knows how to handle those types of situations.  I don’t expect anything different of her on July 8.”

Rizzo, who will be entering her fourth season in the fall, has been nothing short of spectacular since her first season as a Warrior in 2011.  In her rookie season, Rizzo collected three Ontario University Athletics (OUA) individual gold medals in just five events played and led the Warriors to their first ever OUA Championship title.

Rizzo continued her stellar stroke into her second season capturing two more individual gold medals and once again leading her squad to an OUA Championship.  Rizzo jumped out of the gate during the 2012 OUA women’s golf season with three straight individual gold medals to her name. She would go on to medal at each of the six events played at in 2012 including a silver medal performance at the OUA Championship at the very course she hopes to conquer come July 8 - Grey Silo.

“I don’t really have any expectations going into the qualifier, says Rizzo. “I am going to focus on hitting fairways and staying in the moment.  It’s going to be fun and I am honoured to be a part of it.”