Smiths Falls rolls out the red carpet
SMITH S FALLS• Bus loads of schoolchildren clad in red and white lined the paths of a local park in Brooke Henderson’s hometown on Friday to celebrate the star Canadian golfer and her breakout season, which has seen her win her first LPGA major, surge in the world rankings and make an Olympic appearance.
Waving miniature Canadian flags, the kids strained to catch a glimpse of — or maybe even score a highfive from — the 18- year- old Smiths Falls star as the town held a party in her honour.
“To have everyone out, wearing red and white, there are a ton of people and it’s really cool. It’s an exciting day,” said Henderson. “It means a lot to me that the town would do this for me and everybody would come out. I love coming back home.”
Schools made schedule accommodations so kids could be there to properly welcome home Henderson and her sister Brittany, also a pro who now caddies for Brooke.
“She’s been a huge role model f or us,” said Lisa Drummond, a teacher at Lombardy Public School, where Henderson went as a youngster. “She’s so positive and has such a positive attitude. She’s easy to love.”
Mayor Shawn Pankow said Henderson is an example for anyone who lives in the community of about 9,000, which has had its struggles in recent years with unemployment.
“We’ve had our challenges, but that is becoming part of our past. Brooke typifies the example of what hard work, dedication and commitment, combined with natural talent, can do,” said Pankow. “She’s a real rallying point.”
Henderson’s season got off to a fine start when she notched eight top-10 finishes in her first nine events. She’s missed only one cut this year and has won twice, including the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, her first victory in a major. She also defended her title at the Cambia Portland Classic and has risen to No. 3 in the world.
“It’s been a huge learning curve,” she said of her season. “There’s been a ton of things I’ve learned about myself on and off the course. It looks good for the future because I’ve learned a lot, and I think I’ve gained a lot, too.”
Brittany said she was happy to be recognized alongside her sister.
“Sort of surreal actually,” she said. “It’s kind of weird to see that everyone is here for Brooke and for me. It’s such a surreal feeling that people come out and support and it shows much they really care.”
The last two weeks, when the LPGA Tour was on Canadian soil, Henderson tied for 14th at the CP Women’s Open and tied for 39th at the Manulife LPGA Classic. She’ ll now head to France for next week’s Evian Championship, the final major of the season.