Jackie Roberts-Amos remembers sharply the details of the day she learned about her daughter Aurora’s broken heart. She had been sent to CHEO for a fetal ultrasound 24 weeks into her pregnancy. Ultrasounds were nothing new to Jackie; she already had two young boys at home, a three-and-a-half-year-old and a two-year-old. But this one would be different. 

She and her husband, Rob, were seated in a stark room, waiting and wondering. And waiting.  

“Dr. Jane Lougheed came into the room, along with a nurse and a social worker,” Jackie recalls. “Nobody brings in a team to give you good news. I just remember looking around for something to brace myself physically. There weren’t any arms on the chair, so I remember grabbing the bottom of my chair to steady myself.” 

What followed was a blur. The cardiologist had two diagrams and began with, “This is a normal heart… and this, is your daughter’s heart.”  

“Until that moment, I didn’t know that something could be so fundamentally wrong with someone’s heart and that they could survive! We felt helpless. I did everything right during my pregnancy and could not protect my baby from this.”  

Aurora was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect called truncus arteriosus type 1. The baby has one large artery, instead of the usual two arteries, for blood flowing in and out of the heart. These babies also have a single truncal valve instead of two valves to control this blood flow. For Aurora, the wall separating the two ventricles never completely closed, leaving a large hole between the two chambers.  

The only option: open heart surgery.  

“But Aurora has always been feisty,” Jackie says with a smile, recalling when Aurora was in her belly. “After months of hearing the rumbling noises of Aurora moving around, her brothers Liam and Connor were disappointed to learn they were going to have a human sister, and not the baby dragon they had been hoping for,” she says with a laugh.  

So, the CHEO team got to work. “It was incredible,” Jackie recalls. “Dr. Lougheed laid out the path.” Aurora would be born at the Ottawa Hospital General Campus and be transported to CHEO, where Dr. Gyandeeo Maharajh would fix her tiny heart.  

“Having a plan gave me something to hold on to, to feel a little less lost in the overwhelm,” Jackie says. “Having CHEO meant we didn’t have to move to Toronto, and I could still protect my boys and spend time with them.” 

At two weeks of age, Aurora had her first surgery. She would spend most of her first five months at CHEO, except for a short ten days at home, before being readmitted to CHEO for a life-threatening blood infection that required specialized IV antibiotics.  

Aurora bounced back and grew into an active kid who loves sports. Limitations weren’t in her playbook. Aurora has had a lot of cardiac catheterizations, a procedure in which a thin, flexible tube is guided through a blood vessel to the heart to diagnose or treat the heart. These tweaks allow more time for her between surgeries. The very nature of her heart condition is not something that is ever truly fixed. She outgrows her previous repairs and new ones need to happen.  

She would need another open-heart surgery in 2017. Jackie saw it coming as she noticed Aurora slowing down on the ice while playing hockey, becoming winded and short of breath. They would once again entrust their daughter to Dr. Maharajh, who is beloved by the family.  

“We love how he is a man of precision and science, but a spiritual person as well,” Jackie says. “We know there is someone protective in there. It is like he has his own special superpowers. You can tell he is not your average person, but he is so humble and unassuming. He cares and you can feel it.” 

Jackie remembers sitting in the cardiology family room while Aurora underwent an 11-hour surgery. “The thing about that room is,” Jackie begins, “The walls are covered with photos of families who have been through it. Those pictures are so reassuring when you’re waiting for that update, waiting for it to be over; they give you hope that it’s going to be OK for you, too.” 

Aurora will need at least one more surgery. Jackie and Rob will sit in that room again. 

But for now, at age 12 Aurora is thriving. She is a self-described ‘sporty’ kid. Raven haired, with clear blue eyes, she knows what she wants. She stretches herself between school, sports, drawing and being whisked away through the magic of her Harry Potter books. She is a natural athlete and is excited to be the ambassador for the CP Has Heart campaign. She figures it is the perfect segue into learning how to play golf from the absolute best! “I’ve only ever played mini golf,” she says, laughing. “But I want to learn!” 

“She’s got this quiet strength and determination,” her mother says. “She focuses on what she needs to do and just goes for it!” All of this happens under the watchful eyes of big brothers Liam and Konnor, now 16 and 14. “Most of the time they treat her like one of the guys,” Jackie laughs. “But then suddenly they become protective of her. They are being cautious with masks and things like that to keep her safe from COVID-19.” 

That protection extends to the CHEO family, too. “Dr. Lougheed, the technicians, nurses, the people who book the appointments. Everyone,” Jackie says. “Aurora was never ‘just a patient’ or ‘some procedure’ that you do and move on. We are eternally grateful for that.” 

What does CHEO mean to Aurora? “For me, my team takes such good care of me, and I appreciate them all so much. But for our community, CHEO means help for kids. No matter what, we get the specialized care we need, in a place that’s meant just for us.” 

Calgary – Canadian Pacific (CP) today announced that it would again partner with the CHEO Foundation, a pediatric health-care and research centre in Ottawa, as the primary charity partner for the 2022 CPKC Women’s Open, with a goal of raising more than $2.2 million in funding to support the need for vital diagnostic equipment.

In recognition of Heart Month, CP and CHEO Foundation are pleased to hold a month-long public matching fundraising campaign. From Feb. 1 to 28, Canadian Pacific will match all cardiac donations up to a total of $25,000. Visit cheofoundation.com to help make a difference for CHEO’s cardiology patients.

“CP is excited to bring the world’s best golfers back to Ottawa, and proud to support the CHEO Foundation again in 2022,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO. “One in every 100 babies born in Canada each year has a congenital heart defect. Through their dedicated work, the specialists at CHEO help children who need cardiac care live their best lives. Funds raised through this campaign will help to upgrade and replace vital diagnostic equipment they rely on.”

The CP Has Heart program earned the CPKC Women’s Open recognition from the LPGA Tournament Owners Association, winning the Gold Driver Awards for Best Charity & Community Engagement among all LPGA Tour events in 2017 and 2019. CP has helped raise $13.5 million to support children’s heart health in Canada during the nine years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open. This year will mark the fourth time since CP became title sponsor (2014) that Ontario has hosted the CPKC Women’s Open, and the second for Ottawa. During those events, more than $5.5 million dollars was raised for children’s heart health in London (2014 – $1.3 million), Ottawa (2017 – $2 million) and Toronto (2019 – $2.2 million).

“We are thrilled that the CPKC Women’s Open is coming back to Ottawa this summer,” said Barbara Stead-Coyle, President and CEO, CHEO Foundation. “Crucial funds raised through CP Has Heart will help us to upgrade ageing equipment so that CHEO’s Cardiology Team can better diagnose and treat heart conditions and abnormalities that affect children and youth in our community. We are looking forward to an exciting event and seeing the positive impact it will have for so many cardiology patients and families.”

“I cannot say enough about the incredible work that CP has done through CP Has Heart and their continuous vision to create a lasting legacy in the host community of the CPKC Women’s Open,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “CP has been an outstanding partner and it is exciting to welcome the CHEO Foundation back to our National Women’s Open Championship. Tournament week at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club will deliver a fantastic showcase of world-class LPGA Tour golf and charitable giving in support of the Foundation.”

The 2022 edition of the CPKC Women’s Open will be held August 22-28 and will mark the championship’s fifth visit to the nation’s capital, as well as the fourth visit to the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. Canadian star Brooke Henderson from nearby Smiths Falls, Ont. will be a power draw
once again as the ten-time LPGA Tour winner is an honorary member of Ottawa Hunt.

Calgary, AB – Canadian Pacific (CP) is proud to announce that fundraising efforts over the past two years for the CPKC Women’s Open (CPWO) have helped raise more than $2.8 million to support important equipment purchases and research at BC Children’s Hospital, along with an additional $557,000 for Kamloops Royal Inland Hospital.

“CP is honored to support BC Children’s Hospital in their critical efforts to improve cardiac care for children,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO. “For two years in a row, due to the pandemic, we have not been able to hold the CPKC Women’s Open, but that has not diminished the incredible generosity of the community. We are grateful for the community’s ongoing participation and support, and look forward to bringing the CPWO back once it is safe to do so.”

The funds will go toward cardiac ultrasound machines, research supporting the catheterization program and two graduate students who will conduct full-time pediatric cardiac research. 

“When we set out on our quest to transform cardiac care for kids in BC, we knew we couldn’t do it alone. That is why we are so grateful for the support of partners like Canadian Pacific,” said Malcolm Berry, President and CEO of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. “We want to extend a huge thank you to CP for being with us every step of the way. From securing innovative equipment to advancing ground-breaking research and training, this partnership has helped us take significant steps forward to ensure that heart disease doesn’t stop children from living full, healthy lives.” 

“Every day at the Heart Centre, we see first-hand the transformative impact of CP’s longstanding support of children facing health challenges because of their heart condition,” said Dr. Shubhayan Sanatani, Head, Division of Cardiology at BC Children’s Hospital. “Many of the strides we’ve made have become possible through CP’s generosity. Thank you, CP, for helping us transform cardiac care for kids in BC.” 

CP also raised more than $557,000 to support its community partner Kamloops Royal Inland Hospital Foundation. These funds will support a renovation and equipment for a new cardiac department at the hospital. 

“The Royal Inland Hospital Foundation is honoured to be the community partner of CP and would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for helping to raise over $557,000,” said Heidi Coleman Royal Inland Hospital Foundation CEO. “Through the matching initiatives they have provided us, we were able to double our impact at Royal Inland Hospital. Through CP’s contribution, we will enhance cardiac care within the Thompson Cariboo Health Service Area.”

Since assuming title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open, CP has helped raise more than $16.85 million to support children’s heart health in Canada. 

“CP’s continued commitment to a make a difference and leave a meaningful legacy in the name of the CPKC Women’s Open has been extraordinary,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “We are so proud to witness first-hand the special impact of CP on the lives of countless Canadians, and we are thrilled that the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Royal Inland Hospital, and the Vancouver community at large will benefit from their incredible generosity.”

The 2022 CPKC Women’s Open will be played in Ottawa at the Ottawa Hunt Club from August 22 – 28, 2022.

Hosted by TSN’s Lindsay Hamilton, the virtual Summit features dynamic speakers across sport and business including PGD Global executives the Sadekar sisters, LPGA Tour athletes Cheyenne Woods and Lydia Ko, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, and more.

Canadian Pacific has triple-matched donations made during the summit in support of the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Championship will mark the fourth occasion the vaunted club will host the stars of the LPGA Tour; Canada’s Women’s Open returns to Ottawa for the fifth time

Through Canadian Pacific’s community investment program, CP Has Heart, the event will once again be making a significant contribution to pediatric cardiac care in the host community

OTTAWA (Golf Canada)– The stars of the LPGA Tour will once again head to the nation’s capital as Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific (CP) have announced the 2022 CPKC Women’s Open will return to the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club.

The 2022 edition of the CP Women’s Open will be held August 22-28 and will mark the championship’s fifth visit to the nation’s capital, as well as the fourth visit to Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club, which previously hosted in 1994, 2008 and 2017. Canadian star Brooke Henderson from nearby Smiths Falls, Ont. will be a power draw once again as the nine-time LPGA Tour winner is an honorary member of Ottawa Hunt.

“We are extremely thrilled and enthusiastic for the return of the CPKC Women’s Open to Ottawa and the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club in 2022,” said Laurence Applebaum, Golf Canada’s CEO. “The CPKC Women’s Open always receives terrific community support, but when we’re in Ottawa that backing is intensified. With our 2017 event in Ottawa for Canada’s 150 celebration and the excitement around Brooke competing so close to home, we set records for attendance, volunteer enrollment and left a meaningful charitable contribution. I’m certain the community will embrace all facets of the event when the stars of the LPGA Tour return to Ottawa.”

Through its CP Has Heart campaign, CP will once again be making a significant charitable donation to the host community. In the first six years of CP’s title sponsorship of the event, more than $10.7 million has been raised in support of children’s heart health across Canada.

CP’s community investment program has proven itself an award-winning initiative, earning the CPKC Women’s Open Gold Driver Awards for Best Charity & Community Engagement among all LPGA Tour events in 2017 and 2019.

“Through terrific events like the CPKC Women’s Open we’re able to shine a spotlight on local heart charities that make a big impact in their communities,” said CP President and CEO, Keith Creel. “Together, with all involved with the event, including our CP Golf Ambassadors Brooke Henderson and Lorie Kane, we look forward to raising money for a worthy cause and leaving a lasting charitable legacy in Ottawa through CP Has Heart.”

The announcement of Ottawa as the 2022 host city is the core of a partnership between the City of Ottawa, Ottawa Tourism and Golf Canada.

“It is great news that Golf Canada and CP have decided to return to Ottawa in 2022 for the CPKC Women’s Open at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club,” said City of Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson. “The tournament was a major success in 2017, attracting a record number of fans and putting Ottawa on the map as a fantastic golf destination. We look forward to, once again, welcoming the best talent from across the world for this exciting event in 2022.”

“Ottawa Tourism looks forward to welcoming the CPKC Women’s Open back to Canada’s Capital in 2022 and to hosting the stars of the LPGA once more at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club,” said Ottawa Tourism President and CEO, Michael Crockatt. “We thank Golf Canada for choosing to return to Ottawa for this prestigious event which will build on the success of the 2017 CPKC Women’s Open. We will show off the best of our city to the athletes and spectators and are honoured to bring this exciting event once more to the passionate golf community in Ottawa”.

More than 50,000 people attended the event in 2017, where Sung Hyun Park earned a two-shot victory at Ottawa Hunt as part of an amazing season that saw her capture several LPGA Tour awards, including Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year, Rolex Player of the Year and the Season Money Title.

The Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club has welcomed numerous notable championships since its incorporation in 1908, including the three CPKC Women’s Open Championships in 1994, 2008 and 2017; the 1932 Canadian Open; and three Canadian Amateur Championships in 1937, 1960 and 1970.

The 18-hole championship course that will challenge the world’s best women golfers in 2022 was originally crafted by famed architect Willie Park and redesigned by international course designer, Dr. Michael Hurdzan prior to the 2017 event.

Gino Picciano, President of the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club Board of Directors recalls how the club and the community embraced the tournament in 2017 and anticipates it doing so once again in 2022.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to host the prestigious CPKC Women’s Open again in 2022 and welcome the top players in the world, including our own honorary member Brooke Henderson,” said Picciano. “Hosting the world-class event provides us with another opportunity to showcase our club as a challenging test and one of the premiere golf experiences in all of Canada.”

For CPKC Women’s Open Tournament Director Ryan Paul, a return to the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club is reason for excitement given the event’s past success in the nation’s capital.

“The City of Ottawa and Ottawa Hunt have hosted some of the most memorable and successful CPKC Women’s Opens in history,” said Paul. “The response from LPGA Tour players as well as golf fans, volunteers and community supporters has always been tremendous and with two years of runway, we have the opportunity make the return of our National Open to Ottawa in 2022 very special.”

The CPKC Women’s Open consistently draws one of the strongest fields in women’s golf vying for the largest purse (US $2.35 million) on the LPGA Tour aside from the five majors and CME Group Tour Championship.

Due to continued travel and border restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 CPKC Women’s Open at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver was postponed until 2021. Shaughnessy and the province of British Columbia will now host the event August 23-29, 2021.

First conducted in 1973, Canada’s Women’s Open Championship has allowed the brightest stars of the LPGA Tour to shine on Canadian soil and has inspired the nation’s next generation of female golfers.

Information regarding tickets, volunteer opportunities and corporate hospitality for the 2021 and 2022 CPKC Women’s Opens will be available online at www.cpkcwomensopen.com at a later date.

Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific confirm that Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club will host the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open; Province of British Columbia and Sport Hosting Vancouver confirm their support.

CP extends title sponsorship of CPKC Women’s Open an additional year through 2024.

CP’s charitable activities over the past two years help raise more than $2M for BC Children’s Hospital as well as Royal Inland Hospital

 2021 CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit will be hosted as a virtual experience focused on audience empowerment and world-class guest speakers. 

VANCOUVER – Due to logistical challenges and continued border restrictions related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Golf Canada, title sponsor Canadian Pacific (CP), and the LPGA Tour have announced that the 2021 CPKC Women’s Open, scheduled for August 23-29, 2021, at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver, has been cancelled.

Golf Canada had been working with local, provincial, and federal government health officials towards a comprehensive health operation plan for the tournament. With a decision timeline established, Golf Canada engaged a number of stakeholders to navigate the impact of current provincial restrictions as well as federal quarantine measures in effect, given the number of players and event personnel required to cross the border for the event.

Despite the disappointment of cancelling the 2020 and 2021 events, Golf Canada and CP have confirmed that Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club will pivot to host the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open, August 21-27, 2023. Both the Province of British Columbia and Sport Hosting Vancouver have already confirmed their commitment to support Canada’s National Women’s Open Golf Championship in its return to British Columbia.

CP also confirmed that they have extended their partnership with Golf Canada an additional year through 2024 which includes title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open.

“Together with CP, the LPGA Tour, and our friends at Shaughnessy, we share in the deep disappointment of the players, volunteers, partners, and golf fans with the cancellation of the 2021 CPKC Women’s Open,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Even with our extensive health and safety plan, we continued to face a number of significant logistical challenges that led to this unfortunate decision for a second year. As we focus on moving forward, I want the thank Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club and the Musqueam First Nation as well as the Province of British Columbia and Sport Hosting Vancouver for their swift decision to get behind the event coming back in 2023 and we know that it will be an incredible showcase when we bring the world’s best golfers back to Vancouver. I also want to thank CEO Keith Creel and the entire team at CP for their continued partnership and meaningful support of Canadian golf.”

“CP is committed to leaving a positive impact on the communities that host the CPKC Women’s Open, and we look forward to bringing the tournament back to Vancouver in 2023,” said Keith Creel, CP President and Chief Executive Officer. “We now set our sights on bringing the world’s best golfers to Ottawa in 2022 and continue our giving legacy in that community.”

CP’s various charitable activities over the past two years have helped BC Children’s Hospital and Royal Inland Hospital raise over $2 million through different matching programs. BC Children’s Hospital, the primary partner, will use the funds for a fleet of new cardiac ultrasound machines, research, and support for a catheterization program and two new fellowships. Royal Inland Hospital, the community partner in Kamloops, will use the funds to redevelop and vastly improve the cardiac department of the hospital. CP continues to work with these charity partners to raise even more funds.

Among the contributing factors to the 2021 cancellation was the continued uncertainty around international travel restrictions and quarantine requirements that made it most difficult to move forward with the Canadian event.

“We are so grateful to CP and Golf Canada for their continued support of the CPKC Women’s Open and the LPGA Tour,” said Ricki Lasky, Chief Tournament Business Officer for the LPGA. “While we share in this disappointment, we have no doubt that Shaughnessy, CP and Golf Canada will provide our players with an amazing experience when we are together in 2023, and we look forward to working with these partners for years to come.”

The 2023 CPKC Women’s Open at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club will mark the sixth time the province of British Columbia has hosted Canada’s Women’s Open Championship, with the last time being in 2015 at The Vancouver Golf Club, where Lydia Ko won her third CPKC Women’s Open title.

For Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club Board of Directors and membership, pivoting to host the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open allows the club and its host volunteer committee to refocus on what is sure to be celebration of golf when the LPGA Tour returns to Vancouver.

“While we are disappointed to be postponing the CPKC Women’s Open once again due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will refocus our efforts and look forward to working with the Musqueam First Nation, Golf Canada, CP, the City of Vancouver, our fantastic group of volunteers, and other partners in preparation of hosting the best players in the world at Shaughnessy in 2023,” said Brian Mossop, General Manager and C.O.O. at Shaughnessy.

The rescheduled return of the LPGA Tour to Vancouver in 2023 will be proudly supported by both the Province of British Columbia as well as Sport Hosting Vancouver. With a global audience reach of over 500 million households across 170 international markets, both bodies are getting behind one of Canada’s signature sports entertainment properties as part of their revitalized tourism platform moving forward.

“I recognize how devastating it must have been for organizers to once again have to cancel the 2021 CPKC Women’s Open due to the continuation of Federal travel restrictions,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “However, with the majority of adults vaccinated and COVID-19 case counts steadily declining, I feel more optimistic than ever about B.C.’s restart plan and our ability to welcome the world back to our province once again. I would like to thank the entire CPKC Women’s open community for your unwavering commitment to the power of sport.”

“As a host destination we are thrilled for the opportunity to re-secure and host the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open,” said Michelle Collens, Director, Sport Hosting Vancouver. “Major events like the CPKC Women’s Open will be a critical part of our tourism and economic rebuild, making this great news for our future event portfolio, welcoming back international visitors and fans to Vancouver.”

With the 2021 event officially cancelled, tournament officials with Golf Canada and CP will turn their focus to the 2022 CPKC Women’s Open, which was previously confirmed to be hosted at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club August 22-28, 2022.

The fourth annual CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit, which was scheduled to take place on August 24 as part of CPKC Women’s Open tournament week, will be replaced by a digital experience focused on audience empowerment and inspiring guest speakers. Full details including a schedule and guest speakers will be released in the coming weeks. The Summit, which is a celebration of business leaders, influencers, and community champions, will continue to be part of the CPKC Women’s Open in 2022 and beyond.

Golf Canada, CP and the LPGA Tour would like to thank golf fans across the nation in addition to the many corporate partners, ticket, and hospitality purchasers, as well as the countless volunteers for their continued support through this unprecedented time

– Third annual business summit to inspire empowerment will be held online Tuesday, September 1, with complimentary admission –

– Panelists include CP Ambassadors Brooke Henderson and Lorie Kane; Olympians Marnie McBean and Perdita Felicien; as well as executive and educator, Candy Ho and CP executive Pam Arpin –

OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada) — Golf Canada in partnership with Canadian Pacific (CP) has announced the third annual CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit will take place virtually on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, with complimentary access.

The intent of the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit is to bring together like-minded female business leaders for an opportunity to network, as well as inspire empowerment and philanthropy among women. This year’s Summit will feature four sessions, running from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT, and will be hosted by TSN anchor Lindsay Hamilton.

The CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit will also help raise funds for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, the primary charity partner of the 2021 CPKC Women’s Open, with online donations supporting the health and wellness of children at the BC Children’s Hospital.

The opening-session of the Summit will discuss leadership in sport and will be led by Canadian rower, Marnie McBean, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and Chef de Mission of the 2020 Canadian Olympic Team at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The second session will be themed around leadership during uncertain times and will feature Candy Ho, CEO of The Cape on Bowen Community Development and a board member of Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC and Yukon along with Pam Arpin, Assistant Vice President, Customer and Corporate Services with Canadian Pacific who was named 2019 League of Railway Woman of the Year.

Perdita Felicien, a retired Canadian hurdler and world champion turned TV broadcaster and personality, will head up the third session touching on overcoming challenges and adversity.

The final session will touch on the growth and state of women’s golf and will feature emcee Lindsay Hamilton interviewing LPGA golfers and CP ambassadors Lorie Kane and Brooke Henderson.

Kane is a 4-time LPGA Tour winner who received the Order of Canada in 2006. She is an honoured member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame (2016) and was recently named as an inductee into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (2020-2021).

Henderson, a 9-time LPGA Tour champion and winner of the 2018 CPKC Women’s Open, became the second youngest player in LPGA history to win a major championship at the 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. She also represented Canada at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio where she finished T7.

“I am very excited to participate in the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit to share, hear and learn from some amazing female leaders,” said Pam Arpin, Assistant Vice-President Customer and Corporate Services, Canadian Pacific. “This is also a great opportunity to raise funds for a commendable cause and help to leave a lasting legacy for the hospital, children and families who need it.”

For Golf Canada, hosting the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit aligns with the organization’s commitment to developing a more inclusive culture in Canadian golf.

“The CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit is an important event to provide a forum to discuss meaningful topics that can offer change within sport and the workplace,” said Mary Beth McKenna, a member of Golf Canada’s championship management team. “Our speakers are true leaders, both in their respective industries and as women’s empowerment advocates. While we can’t gather in person this year due to circumstances around the pandemic, we are excited to bring speakers together virtually who will provide participants with an inspiring experience and wide array of perspectives.”

The CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit typically takes place in conjunction with CPKC Women’s Open tournament week. In late June, Golf Canada, CP and the LPGA jointly announced the 2020 CPKC Women’s Open would be postponed until 2021 due to continued travel and border restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2021 CPKC Women’s Open will be held August 23-29, at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver. Information about the 2021 CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit will be announced in the coming months.

More information about the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit, is available online at www.cpkcwomensopen.com/wls. 

VANCOUVER – Due to continued travel and border restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the LPGA Tour, together with Golf Canada and title-sponsor Canadian Pacific (CP), have announced that the CPKC Women’s Open at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver has been postponed until 2021.

Golf Canada and CP have continued to monitor guidelines set by federal, provincial and municipal authorities intended to prevent the community spread of the virus. Physical factors including restrictions on international travel and mandatory quarantine along with limitations on group gatherings in the province of British Columbia ultimately forced the event’s postponement at Shaughnessy until 2021.

“The CPKC Women’s Open is a signature event for Golf in Canada and on the LPGA Tour and we share in the disappointment of our fans, players, volunteers and partners,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “The health of everyone who comes together for the event is our top priority and together with our partners at CP and the LPGA Tour, we can now look ahead to hosting an exceptional CPKC Women’s Open next year in the world-class city of Vancouver. I also applaud the swift and supportive response from our friends at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club as well as the Province of British Columbia and Sport Hosting Vancouver who continue to be tremendous hosts and partners in welcoming the LPGA Tour back in 2021.”

As title sponsor of the CPKC Women’s Open, CP is committed to raising charitable dollars in the event’s host community through the CP Has Heart campaign in support of children’s heart health. BC Children’s Hospital Foundation had previously been named primary charity partner for the 2020 CPKC Women’s Open and will continue on in the same capacity in 2021.

“We are disappointed we are unable to run the event in Vancouver this year as planned. There is no doubt that the 2021 CPKC Women’s Open will be a remarkable event both on the course and in terms of leaving a positive impact on the community,” said Keith Creel, CP President and Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to welcoming the world’s best golfers to Vancouver next year.”

The 2021 CPKC Women’s Open at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club will mark the sixth time the province of British Columbia has hosted Canada’s Women’s Open Championship, with the last time being 2015 at The Vancouver Golf Club, where Lydia Ko won her third CPKC Women’s Open title.

“The CPKC Women’s Open is truly a world-class event and a favorite stop for all of us at the LPGA Tour,” said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan. “I understand this was a tough decision for everyone involved, but given the restrictions faced, there was simply nothing else that could be done that would have enabled us to run the event in 2020. It is disappointing to miss Canada’s national championship and I know I speak for all LPGA Tour players and staff when I say we look forward to being back in Vancouver next year.”

The 2020 event was originally set for August 31-September 6. The Board of Directors and membership at Shaughnessy quickly decided to shift their focus to welcoming the stars of the LPGA Tour back next August 23-29, 2021.

“Shaughnessy understands the need to postpone this year’s event in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic – we will continue to work with our fantastic group of volunteers and partners in preparation of hosting the best players in the world in 2021,” said Brian Mossop, General Manager and C.O.O. at Shaughnessy.

The rescheduled return of the LPGA Tour will be proudly supported by both the Province of British Columbia as well as Sport Hosting Vancouver. With a global audience reach of over 500 million households across 170 international markets, both bodies are getting behind one of Canada’s signature sports entertainment properties as part of their tourism platform for 2021.

“While we share the disappointment that this year’s CPKC Women’s Open in Vancouver is postponed, we know this is the right thing to do to keep players, fans and communities safe,” said Lisa Beare, B.C.’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “We look forward to welcoming the LPGA Tour next year and invite all involved to explore more of Super, Natural British Columbia after the tournament.”

“Sport Hosting Vancouver is proud to support Golf Canada through our partners at Tourism Vancouver, the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Hotel Destination Association,” said Michelle Collens, Senior Manager, Sport Hosting Vancouver. “We look forward to continuing to work with all partners over the next year to ensure the 2021 CPKC Women’s Open is a highlight on the calendar, including initiatives to foster sport development and support the economic and social objectives of our destination.”

The third annual CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit, which was scheduled to take place on September 1 as part of CPKC Women’s Open tournament week, will be replaced in 2020 by a digital experience focused on audience empowerment and inspiring guest speakers. Full details including a schedule and guest speakers will be released in the coming weeks. The Summit, which is a celebration of business leaders, influencers and community champions, will continue to be part of the CPKC Women’s Open in 2021 and beyond.

Golf Canada, CP and the LPGA Tour would like to thank golf fans across the nation in addition to the many corporate partners, ticket and hospitality purchasers, as well as the countless volunteers for their continued support through this unprecedented time.

Corporate hospitality buyers will be contacted by their Golf Canada sales representative over the coming days to plan forward for 2021. Individual ticket purchases made via Ticketmaster will have the opportunity to be refunded within the next 30 days or be carried over to the 2021 event. Volunteers will be contacted by Golf Canada staff and will be able to choose between deferring their volunteer registration to 2021 or receiving a refund.

The LPGA Tour has announced that in a continued effort to minimize risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, it has suspended all events through July 18 and has revised the balance of the 2020 LPGA Tour schedule, which is expected to begin July 31-August 2 at the LPGA Drive On Championship.

The 2020 CPKC Women’s Open at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver remains on the revised LPGA Tour schedule, set for August 31 – September 6. Together, with our partners at CP and the LPGA Tour, Golf Canada will continue to monitor the recommendations and guidelines of government and health experts to assess any related impact to the event.

Golf Canada will provide updates including any onsite precautionary protocols or safety measures being implemented. The health and safety of our athletes, volunteers and everyone who supports the CPKC Women’s Open – and our community as a whole – will always come first.

In an effort to minimize the risk of COVID-19 and reduce athlete travel, the LPGA Tour is suspending all pre-tournament qualifying for the remainder of 2020, including the CPKC Women’s Open Qualifier which was scheduled for Monday, August 31^st at Point Grey Golf & Country Club. 

Canadian Pacific is donating $1 million to four North American charities working on the front lines to help people impacted by COVID-19. In Canada, CP will donate C$350,000 to The Frontline Fund and C$250,000 to Food Banks Canada. In the U.S., CP will donate US$250,000 to Feeding America and up to US$150,000 in matching funds to the American Red Cross.

“Our CP family is honored to help frontline workers and volunteers as they courageously work day and night to keep up with unprecedented need,” said Keith Creel, CP President and Chief Executive Officer. “By providing food to North Americans who are in need and critical supplies and support to frontline service providers, these charities are making a difference. We hope our donations will assist these organizations in reaching those who are most vulnerable and keeping more people safe. Our thoughts, prayers and sincere gratitude are with each and every person who is out there working in the service of others.”

CP has been inspired by support shown to its own frontline workers as they continue to perform critical work across North America throughout the crisis. The company is committed to doing its part to help people struggling with the economic impacts of COVID-19 in the more than 1,100 communities it serves and beyond.

“The way communities in North America and around the world have come together is remarkable,” Creel said. “Through our community investment program CP Has Heart, we remain committed to giving back to communities across our network and are incredibly proud to be supporting the extraordinary response to COVID-19.”

This announcement comes the day before Giving Tuesday’s special #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving and unity on May 5 in support of the many charities participating in the emergency response across North America and around the world.