19-year old teen sensation and world no. 1 will try to win her record fourth title in five appearances at Canada’s National Women’s Open Golf Championship
Support the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and Pediatric Cardiac Care & Research through the CP Has Heart Campaign
Free admission for juniors aged 17 & under
Calgary, Alta. (Golf Canada) – She’s only 19 years old but this August 22-28 at the Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club in Calgary, Lydia Ko will be looking to make history when she defends her title at the 2016 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.
A 12-time winner on the LPGA Tour and the no. 1 ranked player on the Rolex Women’s World Ranking, Ko will try to claim her record fourth Canadian Women’s Open title when she leads the stars of the LPGA Tour back to Calgary.
The New Zealand teen sensation won her first Canadian Women’s Open title in 2012 as a 15-year old amateur at The Vancouver Golf Club to become the youngest player (15 years, four months, three days) ever to win on the LPGA Tour. She would defend her title a year later—again as an amateur—with a victory in Edmonton at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club. Last August, she returned to The Vancouver Golf Club to claim her third title in four years—along with the $337,500 USD winner’s prize—and tie the record for most wins at the Canadian Women’s Open shared by Pat Bradley (1980, 1985, 1986) and Meg Mallon (2000, 2002, 2004).
As the defending champion, Ko feels a great sense of pride competing in front of Canadian crowds that have embraced her as a three-time winner of Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship.
“I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of success in Canada both as an amateur in 2012 and 2013 and then again last year back at The Vancouver Golf Club,” said Ko, whose impressive 2016 season already includes a pair of victories and six top-10 finishes. “Any time you win a LPGA Tour event, especially a national championship like the CPKC Women’s Open, it’s a huge accomplishment. The fans, volunteers and sponsors have made me feel so welcomed and I am proud to be returning to try and defend the title.”
“What can you say about Lydia Ko that hasn’t already been said—world-class talent, fierce competitor and an amazing global ambassador for golf,” said CPKC Women’s Open Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “She’s become a special part of our event’s history winning three times in four starts. Together with our partners at CP, we are proud to welcome Lydia back to Canada as our defending champion and I know she’ll once again be a fan-favourite.”
CP Has Heart Charity Campaign:
Now in its third year, the CP Has Heart charity campaign is committed to raising funds in support of children’s heart health in the host community of the CPKC Women’s Open. The 2016 event is proud to have the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation as the host charity with a goal to raise more than $1.2M for heart health in the name of Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship. Between April 1 and August 28, 2016, CP will match all donations made towards pediatric cardiac care and research. CP will also donate $5,000 for every birdie made by a player on the 18th hole at Priddis Greens during the championship. A special bleacher – the 18th Green CP Fan Zone – will offer spectators a premium seating area for a $20 donation upgrade that CP will match. Since 2014, CP Has Heart has committed more than $6M to heart health, including $2.3 million raised in support of children’s heart health in the first two years of CP’s title sponsorship of the event.
Stars of the LPGA Tour Return to Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club…
The 44th playing of Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship will return to the formidable venue which had previously hosted in 1999 and 2009. The 2009 edition of Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship saw Norway’s Suzann Petersen card a final-round one-under par 70 and tournament-total 269 (15-under) to claim the title. Among those in the five-way tie for second that year was World Golf Hall of Fame member Karrie Webb, who claimed victory in 1999 when Priddis Greens hosted the LPGA Tour for the first time.
Hall of Fame calls CP Ambassador Lorie Kane…
LPGA Tour legend and CP Ambassador Lorie Kane will have her career deservedly acknowledged in 2016 with induction into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame during the week of this year’s CPKC Women’s Open. The four-time LPGA Tour winner and Order of Canada recipient will have her Hall of Fame induction ceremony take place in Calgary during tournament week as part of the CPKC Women’s Open Pro-Am Draw Party on August 23rd.
Canadian Pacific and WestJet Honour Moms’ Unconditional Love In Video…
Canadian Pacific along with CPKC Women’s Open partner WestJet released a mother’s day video earlier this month celebrating Canadian golf idols, Lorie Kane and Brooke Henderson, and the love they have for their mothers. Journey to the LPGA: #LoveMom witnesses the unconditional love between mother and daughter and inspires the golfers to thank and recognize the one person who’s been with them every step of the way to the top – mom. Click here to watch the video.
Kids 17-and-under Get in Free…
Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific are committed to offering a fan friendly, family event with the CPKC Women’s Open. In an effort to introduce more juniors to the sport, children aged 17-and-under get FREE admission to the CPKC Women’s Open for the entire week. Click here to download a FREE Junior Pass
Tickets…
Juniors – 17 & Under Free
Early Week (Mon-Wed) $10.50
Anyday Grounds (Thurs-Sun) $31.50
Weekly (Mon-Sun) $78.50
First conducted in 1973, Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship has allowed the brightest stars of the LPGA Tour to shine on Canadian soil and inspire the nation’s next generation of female golfers.
Additional information regarding tickets, volunteer opportunities and corporate hospitality for the 2016 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open can be found at www.cpkcwomensopen.com.
ABOUT THE 2016 CANADIAN PACIFIC WOMEN’S OPEN
The stars of the LPGA Tour will challenge for the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open from August 22-28, 2016 at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club in Priddis, Alta. The Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, Canada’s National Women’s Open Golf Championship, is proudly sponsored by Canadian Pacific, RBC, WestJet, Molson Canadian 67, TaylorMade adidas Golf, AutoCanada, Corby Distilleries Ltd., Delta Calgary South, Coca-Cola and CVS Controls Ltd. For information on volunteer opportunities, tickets or corporate hospitality, visit www.CPwomensopen.com, or call 1-866-571-5742.
ABOUT CP HAS HEART
At CP, we know that a railroad may serve as the arteries of a nation, but at its heart is community. That’s why, through CP Has Heart, we’ve already committed more than $6 million dollars to help improve the heart health of men, women and children across North America. And along the way, we’re showing heart whenever we can. Find out more on www.cpr.ca or @CPhasHeart.
ABOUT CANADIAN PACIFIC
Canadian Pacific (TSX:CP)(NYSE:CP) is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to eight major ports, including Vancouver and Montreal, providing North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit www.cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of Canadian Pacific.
GOLF CANADA – LOVE THE GAME. GROW THE GAME.
Golf Canada is the National Sports Organization and governing body for golf in Canada representing close to 310,000 golfers at more than 1,400 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s mission is to grow participation, excellence and passion in the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. By investing in the growth of the sport and introducing more participants of all ages to the game, our goal is to be relevant to and respected by all Canadian golf enthusiasts from coast to coast. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dan Pino
Director, Corporate Communications
Golf Canada
(p) 1-800-263-0009 ext. 406
(c) 416-434-5525
(e) dpino@golfcanada.ca
Jeremy Berry
Director Media Relations
Canadian Pacific
(p) (403)319-6227
(e) jeremy_berry@cpr.ca