Halton Hills Newspapers

Independent & Free Press (Georgetown, ON), 9 Feb 2007, Ssports & Leisure, p. 1

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Lapointe joins Canadian Golf Hall of Fame EAMONN MAHER Staff Writer Another year, another hall-of-fame induction for Georgetown's Mary Ann Lapointe, one of the most successful amateur golfers in North America over the past two decades. The 46-year-old bookkeeper is now one of 61 members in the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame after the official announcement was made Wednesday from its home base at the famed Glen Abbey course in Oakville. Lapointe was notified two weeks ago that she'd received the honour, just over a year after she was named to the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame-- ironically alongside longtime golf columnist and broadcaster Lorne Rubenstein on both occasions. "I'll gladly follow you into any hall of fame, Lorne," joked Lapointe, a four-time Canadian ladies' amateur champ and the only non-American golfer to win the U.S. women's midamateur, as she did in dominating form in 2005. Lapointe was initially only able to tell close family members, namely husband Richard and teenage daughers Kelly and Robin, about the good news of her latest accolade. As is custom for Canadian Golf Hall of Fame inductees, the ceremony will take place at the inductees home course, with the North Halton Golf & Country Club setting aside July 28 to celebrate the accomplishments of one of its life members. "The proudest moment was the first time I won the Canadian Amateur (in North Battleford, Sask. in 1993)," she added. "But (Canadian Golf Hall of Fame induction) would come a close second. Winning the Canadian Am was the only goal I really had. Getting into the Hall of Fame isn't something you strive for, but it is a big one and it's certainly thrilling nonetheless." The Lachine, Que. native has captured the Quebec amateur title six times and the Ontario trophy on five occasions, as well as an astounding dozen mid-amateur victories in this province, which is another record. She continues to represent Canada abroad at team competitions and helped her country place a close second at the World Amateur Championships in 2004. The bad news for Lapointe's opponents-- many of whom could be mistaken for her daughters-- is that she is hitting the ball even better than she did at age 23, the year of her first Ontario Amateur title. "No rest for the weary," she said. "I have a fairly full schedule this season. The Commonwealth Matches are in South Africa in May and there are a few of the regular tour- Georgetown Rebels Spencer Troop looks for an outlet pass despite being double-teamed by Bishop Reding's Al Alilovic, left, and Matt Sewell during Wednesday's 71-48 win for the visiting Rebels. Photo by Graham Paine High school roundup Sr. Rebels win tourney Tuning up for the upcoming Halton AAAA playoffs, the Georgetown Rebels knocked off Burlington's Notre Dame in two straight sets to capture the championship of a senior girls' high school volleyball tournament Saturday at the University of Guelph. The Rebels remain undefeated on the season with a 24-0 overall record and an 8-0 mark in the HSSAA loop. They won all four matches at Guelph capped by a 25-12, 29-27 victory over Notre Dame to secure the gold medals. Meghan Shantz, Emma Schreiber, Laura Haynes and Casey McFadyen were among the standouts for Georgetown. See SR., pg. 4 It may be the dead of winter, but that hasn't stopped Georgetown golfer Mary Ann Lapointe from racking up another award. The women's amateur golfer was named to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Wednesday along with golf writer Lorne Rubenstein. Photo by Eamonn Maher naments like the U.S. Mid-Amateur in the fall." Lapointe doesn't regret that her large trophy collection didn't come as a professional with accompanying prize cheques. Twenty years ago she tested a U.S. mini-circuit that was a stepping stone to the top-flight LPGA Tour and didn't find the lifestyle to her liking. "I'm glad I did it because it keeps me from wondering, `What if?'" Lapointe said when inducted to the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame in the fall of 2005. "I found out it wasn't for me. I found out first-hand that it's a really tough grind." And the secrets to her longevity? Lapointe hasn't practised in a couple of months and won't play a round until she travels to her parents' home in Hilton Head, S.C. later this month to help celebrate her mother's 80th birthday. She does keep a stringent workout routine as part of an agreement she made last year with the Royal Canadian Golf Association's National Amateur Golf Team, but said that taking time away from the sport during the winter months helps prevent burnout. "Last year was a little over the top with everything we had scheduled, so it was a nice time just to take a little bit of a break," she said. "It's been a great career. It's just been a thrill."

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