News and notes from Priddis Green Golf and Country Club for Tuesday, August 24th
CALGARY – WDefending champion Lydia Ko will be chasing history this week at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club as the 19-year old sensation will look to claim her fourth CPKC Women’s Open title in five years.
Ko, who last week claimed the Olympic silver medal in Rio de Janeiro, won her first Canadian Women’s Open title in 2012 as a 15-year old amateur at The Vancouver Golf Club and then defended her title a year later—again as an amateur—at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton. She would return to The Vancouver Golf Club in 2015, and with her victory there, would tie Meg Mallon (2000, 2002, 2004) and Pat Bradley (1980, 1985, 1986) for most Canadian Women’s Open titles.
A 14-time winner on the LPGA Tour, Ko acknowledges the special relationship she shares with Canadian golf fans since winning her first Canadian title in 2012.
“I think the first year I played the Canadian Open was in 2012, and ever since then the crowds have been phenomenal,” said Ko. “On that last day, that last hole, I thought it was just an army of people, and that was something I’d never experienced before. Everybody has been so sweet and welcoming. Even last year was great to go back to a course that I’d won at before, and especially because it was the first time — it was my first LPGA win.”
Canada’s own teenage sensation, 18-year-old Brooke Henderson of Smiths Fall, Ont., will lead the charge of competitors looking to challenge Ko for Canada’s National Women’s Open title. Currently the no. 3 ranked player in the world, the three-time LPGA Tour winner thrives on the pressure of competing in front of the home crowd.
“The CPKC Women’s Open is our national championship,” said Henderson. “Having Canadians and people from all over the world kind of celebrate this national championship is really cool. Even this morning, I teed off at 8:00 in a pro-am on Wednesday, and there were people following me right from the start. My gallery kind of grew throughout the day, and as I finished my round, that was probably the longest autograph session that I’ve ever had just with pictures and people supporting me. It’s always really nice to have that support and know that the whole country is behind me, and not only Canada but around the world.”
A field of 156 of the world’s best players including 16 Canadians will challenge for the 2016 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open title beginning Thursday morning at 7:10am MDT off the 1st and 10th tee at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club.
PAIRING AND START TIMES – ROUND 1&2:
Pairings for the first and second rounds of the 2016 CPKC Women’s Open are available here.
LORIE KANE INDUCTED INTO CANADIAN GOLF HALL OF FAME
Lorie Kane was officially inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Tuesday evening. Click here for a transcript of her press conference.
PLAYER INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTS, AUDIO FILES AND VIDEO
Interview transcripts, audio MP3 files, as well as downloadable royalty-free images and broadcast quality videos for all media interviews and scrums will be available online here.
BROADCAST SCHEDULE
| Thursday, August 25 | Golf Channel & TSN2 | 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. |
| RDS2 | 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. | |
| Friday, August 26 | Golf Channel & TSN2 | 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. |
| RDS2 | 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. | |
| Saturday, August 27 | Golf Channel & TSN3 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. |
| RDS Info | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. | |
| Sunday, August 28 | Golf Channel & TSN3 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. |
| RDS2 (Tape delay) | 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. |
Note: All times listed are in MDT. Times are approximate and are subject to change without notice.
2016 MEDIA GUIDE
Media can download the 2016 CPKC Women’s Open Media Guide for complete statistics, records and historical information.
MEDIA CREDENTIALS
Media are reminded that the media information package for the 2016 CPKC Women’s Open, including tournament information and Media Centre Temporary Gate Pass(es), has been sent. Individuals who have not yet received their packages, or those wishing to apply for media credentials, must contact Terry Lenyk at tlenyk@golfcanada.ca.
FREE ADMISSION FOR JUNIORS AND FIRST RESPONDERS
Golf Canada and CP are proud to offer free admission to the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open to any spectator aged 17-and-under. The free junior pass is available here.
Parents of juniors can take advantage of discounted tickets by using the promotional code JUNIOR and clicking here.
As a small token of appreciation for all the valued work they do in the communities they serve, we’ve also extended a complimentary invitation to the CPKC Women’s Open to all Southern Alberta First Responders and their families.
Tickets…
| Juniors – 17 & Under | Free |
| First Responders | Free |
| Early Week (Mon-Wed) | $10.50 |
| Anyday Grounds (Thurs-Sun) | $31.50 |
| Weekly (Mon-Sun) | $78.75 |
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.
ABOUT THE 2016 CP WOMEN’S OPEN
The stars of the LPGA Tour will challenge for the CPKC Women’s Open from August 22-28, 2016 at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club in Priddis, Alta. The CPKC 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, Artisan Wines, Coca-Cola, Tourism Calgary, Telus 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 a low-cost provider that 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 Federation and governing body for golf in Canada representing close to 305,000 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) 416-434-5525
(e) dpino@golfcanada.ca
Martin Cej
Assistant Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications
Canadian Pacific
(p) 403-319-7298
(e) martin_cej@cpr.ca