News and notes from Priddis Green Golf and Country Club for Thursday, August 25th
Weather delay forces suspension of Thursday’s opening-round with 54 golfers still to finish
Friday is Red & White Day at the CPKC Women’s Open
CALGARY – A two-hour and fifty-minute weather delay Thursday forced the suspension of opening-round play at the 2016 CPKC Women’s Open.
Thundershowers hit Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club late Thursday morning with 78 players in the afternoon wave yet to begin their opening round. Play would resume mid-afternoon with Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow firing a 6-under 66 to take the early clubhouse lead. Meadow, who finished T31 at last week’s Olympic golf competition, felt she carried over some momentum from her incredible experience at the Olympics.
“I think Rio was a huge adrenaline rush for everyone that was there,” said Meadow. “I know all of us had a fantastic experience. I played pretty good in the second round there, too. I think I definitely took some confidence and am rolling it into this week.”
Defending champion Lydia Ko continued her impressive play at the CPKC Women’s Open with an opening-round 5-under 67 to sit a shot off the lead. The 19-year old New Zealand native with 14 LPGA victory has won three of the past four iterations of the championship. The Olympic golf silver medalist has found a comfort zone competing for Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship.
“I’ve felt such a warm welcome whenever I come to Canada, and obviously because I think I’ve played well here, that I think that grows a little bit more,” said Ko, winner of the event in 2012, 2013 and 2015. “But the fans have been great. I said Canada reminds me a lot like home in New Zealand, and when you can relate back to places where you can relax and you love being there, I think that’s just another great part of that tournament.”
For Ko, even more impressive than her own quick start was the loyal support of the local gallery following a nearly three-hour delay.
“Even after the delays, the fans still come out to watch me play,” commented Ko. “I don’t know if I was in their shoes if I would be able to come out three hours later, but for them to be so interested and so excited to see us here, I think it’s really cool to see that.”
Alena Sharp of Hamilton finished her round of 4-under 68 just as play was called for the day to sit as the early round low Canadian. Maude-Aimee LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Que. shot a 3-under 69, while Jessica Wallace of Langley, B.C., and Toronto’s Rebecca Lee-Bentham shot matching rounds of 2-under 70. Seven of the 16 Canadians competing at Priddis will complete their opening round on Friday morning.
The horn was blown at 8:23 pm MDT at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club with 54 golfers yet to complete their opening-round. Play will resume at 7:15 am MDT with second-round action to follow.
CANADIAN SCORES – ROUND ONE
Alena Sharp – 68 (-4)
Maude-Aimee LeBlanc – 69 (-3)
Jessica Wallace – 70 (-2)
Rebecca Lee Bentham – 70 (-2)
Jennifer Ha – 72 (E)
Brittany Marchand – 73 (+1)
Lorie Kane – 73 (+1)
Naomi Ko * – 74 (+2)
– (Did not complete opening round) –
Brooke Henderson
Sara Maude Juneau
Jennifer Kirby
Jaclyn Lee *
Samantha Richdale
Maddie Szeryk *
Anne-Catherine Tanguay
Brigitte Thibault *
* Denotes Amateur
FRIDAY IS RED & WHITE DAY AT THE CP WOMEN’S OPEN
Friday, August 25 is Red & White Day at the CPKC Women’s Open. Players, spectators and media are encouraged to wear red and white to show their national pride in support of the 16 Canadians playing in Canada’s National Open Championship.
PAIRING AND START TIMES
Pairings for the first and second rounds of the 2016 CPKC Women’s Open are available here.
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