Broncos ‘always’ in Sharp’s thoughts

REGINA Throughout the entire week at the CP Women’s Open, Alena Sharp would write the No. 16 on her golf balls.

It was one of the Hamilton native’s ways of paying tribute to the 16 people who died in the April 6 bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team.

Sharp said earlier in the event she felt as though she had 16 angels watching over her at Wascana Country Club.

“I totally was thinking about them all day. Even on the last putt,” Sharp said after her final round.

Thirteen people survived the crash that happened as the Broncos were on their way to a Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League playoff game.

Sharp played this year’s tournament with a golf bag that featured the Broncos’ green and yellow colours and logo. The bag is being given to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital and will be auctioned off at a fundraiser next month.

Sponsor obligations along with trying to learn the course prevented Sharp from making the trip to Humboldt, which is located 21/2 hours north of Regina. The tournament schedule also didn’t allow her to meet any of the survivors.

“I haven’t met them, but they’re always in my thoughts,” Sharp said.

Sharp shot a 1-under 71 Sunday to finish the event at 6-under, while Anne-catherine Tanguay (73) of Quebec City was 4-under.

Sharp has struggled with consistency this season and said it has been a mentally tough year for her.

She said it’s always tougher to play at home, but felt as though she has taken a step in the right direction with this week’s play.

“I’m just battling through some mental demons,” Sharp said.

“I’m happy walking off of this week, I played well under the pressure and have a lot of positives to take to next week.”