John Chidley-Hill/ Canadian Press
VANCOUVER – Brooke Rivers says she’s just focused on playing golf at this week’s CPKC Women’s Open. But she still stopped to sign an autograph for a young girl as she crossed over from her front nine to the back nine.
That quick pause in her round came as she was one of the early leaders on Thursday morning at the Canadian women’s golf championship. The 18-year-old Rivers, a collegiate player set to start her first full year of university this fall, finished her round at 1-under 71 to sit in a tie for 13th.
Rivers’s round had the lowest score of any amateur at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club.
“I think it’s very similar to any other tournament,” said Rivers after her first-ever round of professional golf. “I’m just trying to do the best that I can, and this is to me like any other tournament.
“So I’m staying in the moment. Not too many nerves. I’m just here to play golf.”
That said, Rivers doesn’t get asked for many autographs at amateur tournaments.
“Yeah, a little bit different,” Rivers said with a laugh. “It’s fun just to kind of inspire the younger generation.”
Rivers, from Brampton, Ont., started at No. 10 and had two birdies in her first five holes before firing an eagle on the par-5 No. 15.
“In the practice round I wasn’t close enough to go for the green on 15, but today I was full send going for the green and ended up in a good place,” she said, grinning. “Short-sided myself, but hit a perfect chip and went in.”
Although she had four bogeys after the eagle, Rivers recovered with a birdie on the par-5 No. 7 to finish the round on a high note.
“I’m missing my first week of college to be here,” said Rivers, who will play for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons starting this fall. “Worth it, but it’s just about golf. It’s not about the tournament or who is in it.
“I’m here to play golf and hit the shots that I want to hit.”
Rivers is one of 15 Canadians in the field at the Women’s Open. Ten of those players are amateurs, as Golf Canada works to develop a new generation of professional golfers.
Kevin Blue, the national governing body’s chief sport officer, said that it was important to give more amateurs an opportunity to play in their first professional event because it would help them better visualize their development targets.
“It allows them to understand viscerally and emotionally how their games measure up to a field like this, which is featuring the vast, vast majority of the top 100 players in the world,” said Blue. “We obviously hope that they’ll play well and make cuts and do those things, but primarily, the objective this week is for our players to learn as much as possible about areas where there’s still gaps between them and a world-ranked player.”
Hamilton’s Alena Sharp was the low Canadian on Thursday, shooting a 3-under 69 to sit in a group tied for third.
“It’s amazing to see all the young kids here. I get older, they get younger it seems like,” said the 42-year-old Sharp. “They have a lot of talent and Golf Canada has done a great job with the program and giving these girls opportunities to play in events like this.
“It’s a huge experience builder for them. It’s great to see them all here.”
Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., was tied for 31st at 1-over 73, Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., was 3-over 75, and amateur Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C., was 4-over.
Epson Tour player Sarah-Eve Rheaume of Quebec City and amateurs Ellie Szeryk of London, Luna Lu of Burnaby, B.C., and Toronto’s Vanessa Borovilos were grouped at 5-over 77. Like Rivers, Ellie Szeryk was happy to be playing in her first-ever professional event.
“It was a little frustrating with the greens. I’m just not used to how the LPGA plays them,” said Ellie Szeryk, the younger sister of Tour professional Maddie Szeryk. “I’m used to the balls slowly rolling out like two, three yards and they’re rolling out quite a bit more but you can’t leave them short because they stick.
“So that was a pretty big adjustment, but it was cool.”
Brigitte Thibault of Rosemere, Que., was 6-over 78 and amateur Victoria Liu of Vancouver was 7-over 79. Amateurs Katie Cranston of Oakville, Ont., and Lauren Zaretsky of Thornhill, Ont., were 8-over 80.
Amateurs Yeji Kwon of Port Coquitlam, B.C., Victoria’s Sonja Tang, and Angela Arora of Surrey were grouped at 9-over 81.
John Chidley-Hill/ Canadian Press
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Yuka Saso had a big second nine to shoot a 6-under 66 and take the first-round lead Thursday in the CPKC Women’s Open, while Canadian star Brooke Henderson struggled while playing in glasses for the first time on the LPGA Tour.
Even par at the turn at tree-lined _ and mosquito-infested _ Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club, Saso birdied Nos. 1-4 and 6-7, playing her second nine in 6-under 30. The 22-year-old Japanese player won the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open for her lone LPGA Tour title.
“I don’t know what happened the back nine,” Saso said. “I started hitting some good second shots and having short putts for birdies, giving myself a lot of chances.”
Henderson, the 2018 winner at Wascana in Regina, Saskatchewan, opened with a 75. Playing in the afternoon, she had four bogeys and a birdie.
“I just wasn’t sharp today,” Henderson said. “Hopefully, just go out tomorrow morning early, get off to a quick start, make more birdies.”
She has long worn worn glasses off the course, but hadn’t played in them.
“At least I could see my ball in the bush, which was kind of a good thing, I guess,” Henderson said.
Saso tried to be patient with the mosquitoes.
“The bug spray helped a lot,” she said. “The wind, too.”
Linn Grant was second after an afternoon 67. The 24-year-old Swede rebounded from a bogey on the par-5 11th with birdies on the next four holes. She won the Dana Open in July in Ohio for her first LPGA Tour title.
“I didn’t feel very confident with my swing going out,” Grant said. “But I managed to kind of find something. You know, golf is golf. You got to just kind of go with what you have.”
Canadian Alena Sharp was at 69 with Rose Zhang, 2019 winner Jin Young Ko, Weiwei Zhang, Sei Young Kim and Danielle Kang.
“To be honest, the start was a little shaky,” Sharp said. “I was a little nervous. You got to kind of put your blinders on out here. Fairways are narrow.”
The 20-year-old Zhang won the Mizuho Americas Open in June at Liberty National in her first professional start.
“You can never be too comfortable, especially on this golf course,” Zhang said. “Every day the conditions are going to be changing.”
Nelly Korda topped the group at 70.
“It’s really tight off the tee,” Korda said. “Really small greens. And a side of a lot of mosquitoes.”
Canadian amateur Brooke Rivers had a 71. The 18-year-old will be a freshman at Wake Forest.
“I’m feeling good.” Rivers said. “Stuck to the plan and hit some good shots.”
Three-time winner Lydia Ko shot a 72. She won at Vancouver Golf Club in 2012 and 2015. Race to CME Globe leader Lilia Vu also had a 72.
Lexi Thompson opened with a 76. She’s No. 157 in the Race to CME Globe and in danger of losing her LPGA card without having to use a one-time career money exemption.
Defending champion Paula Reto shot 78.
Canadian sisters Maddie and Ellie Szeryk were paired together, with Maddie shooting a 73 and Ellie a 77.
Shaughnessy was originally set to host the event in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed it by three years.
Opening Round pairings and tee times available
Thursday’s opening ceremonies set for 6:45 a.m. PT on the 1st Tee
Download the Golf Canada App for your full CPKC Women’s Open Tournament Experience; Media Guide & Player Performance Guide available.
THREE-TIME CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN CHAMPION LYDIA KO ON RETURNING TO VANCOUVER…
“I had my first LPGA win in Vancouver, and I think it’s where everything kind of started. Who knows, if I didn’t win or play that event maybe I might have not got the opportunities along the way. Yeah, it’s always going to be a very special place for me. I said maybe like if I win like a fourth time I would be like an honorary Canadian by then.”
ROSE ZHANG ON COMPETING ON THE LPGA TOUR…
“There are no words to describe how blessed and thankful I am to be able to be on this stage and playing the sport that I love. If anything, it makes me want to go out there and not only do my best on the golf course, but even off the golf course. Making sure that I’m doing everything that I can to become my best self. Be someone that other people can look up to and feel encouraged to play this game. That’s all I really want. I realized that the LPGA Tour, being on this platform and seeing so many other veterans do the same thing, it really humbles me and wants me to become better.”
STACY LEWIS ON PLAYING SHAUGHNESSY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB THIS WEEK…
“I think it’s a good golf course. I think it’s a little bit tricky. Some of the lengths of holes are playing for the firmness of greens, I think you’ll see the officials hopefully move some of the holes up just to -some of the greens just aren’t made for 5s and 6-irons. They’re made for a little bit shorter clubs. Hopefully officials will adjust there a little bit and make it a little bit more playable, because it’s just one of those courses you can hit a good shot and it hits on a downslope and goes over the back. It’s going to be a great test. Nothing crazy under par is going to win this thing. You look back at the history here, it was single digits under par. I think you’ll see more of the same.”
GABRIELA RUFFELS ON BEING A SPONSOR INVITE AND RETURNING TO VANCOUVER…
“Yeah, it’s great. I was super excited to get the invite. I know this is one of the bigger events on the LPGA schedule, so I was super excited when I found out that I was going to come here. I was here a couple months ago for my U.S. Women’s Open qualifier actually, which I got through, I qualified, so I have good memories from Vancouver and it’s nice to be back.”
GOLF CANADA CEO LAURENCE APPLEBAUM ON THE 2023 CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN …
“It’s an incredible golf province, incredible golf locale, one of the special ones in our country. The 2023 CPKC Women’s Open will be our greatest commercial success in the history of the Canadian Women’s Open. For us to have a title sponsor like CPKC, a new elite partner like BDO and our other vast partnerships, everyone from Audi to Levelwear, we will have our greatest commercial success. And as many of you know, as the National Sport Federation we take everything we do and drive it back into our performance program, participation program, and our membership services, so we’re thrilled that we could have such an amazing result here in Shaughnessy.”
PAIRINGS AND TEE TIMES FOR OPENING ROUND OF CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN
Click here for pairings and tee times for the opening round of the CPKC Women’s Open on Thursday, August 24.
BROADCAST TIMES
Round 1
Thursday, August 24 TSN, RDS, Golf Channel 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PT
Round 2
Friday, August 25 TSN, RDS, Golf Channel 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PT
Round 3
Saturday, August 26 TSN, RDS, Golf Channel 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. PT
Round 4
Sunday, August 27 TSN, RDS, Golf Channel 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. PT
CPKC HAS HEART CAMPAIGN TO BENEFIT BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION…
CPKC and Golf Canada are proud to support the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation as the primary charitable beneficiary for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open. Among the charitable engagements tournament week will be the Birdies for Heart hole on no. 16 at Shaughnessy with a $5,000 donation made for every birdie made on the hole during the four rounds of the competition. In addition, CPKC is also proud to support a community beneficiary in Royal Inland Hospital Foundation in support of cardiac care. In nine years of title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open, more than $16 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in the event’s host communities.
MOBILE APP EXPERIENCE…
Experience the CPKC Women’s Open like never before by downloading the Golf Canada Mobile App on your iOS or Android device. Essential features include a live map, leaderboard & pairings, tickets, breaking news, and special events. Plus, use the Golf Canada Mobile App to enhance your experience while playing! Find golf courses, track your game, set up matches against friends, access GPS yardages and more. Click here to download.
FIELD FOR THE 2023 CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN…
Click here for the full current list of competitors competing in the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open, August 22-27 at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver.
Tickets for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open are available here. Children aged 12-and-under get free admission with a ticketed adult.
ABOUT THE CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN
The stars of the LPGA Tour will challenge for the CPKC Women’s Open from August 22-27, 2023, at the Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver, B.C. Through its CPKC Has Heart program, title sponsor CPKC will once again make a substantial donation to the host community of Canada’s National Open Golf Championship by supporting the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation. The 2023 CPKC Women’s Open is proudly sponsored by CPKC, BDO, Audi, RBC, theScore, Levelwear, Transitions, Titleist, FootJoy, Journie Rewards, Hilton, Sleeman Clear 2.0, Think Turkey, The Keg, Johnsonville, Cayman Islands, Masi, Celebrity Cruises, STALK&BARREL, Matt & Steve’s, Coca-Cola, Rolex and is supported by Sport Hosting Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia, and the Government of Canada.
For information visit www.cpkcwomensopen.com.
Opening Round pairings and tee times now available
Download the Golf Canada App for your full CPKC Women’s Open Tournament Experience
CHAMPIONSHIP PRO-AM DAY AT CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN
Wednesday, August 23 is Championship Pro-Am Day at the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open. The event will see professional golfers entertain a field of amateurs as part of the LPGA Tour’s ‘Nine and Nine’ Pro-Am format, where amateur participants will play nine holes each with a pair of LPGA Tour professionals. Click here for pairings and start times for Wednesday’s Championship Pro-Am.
BROOKE HENDERSON ON PLAYING IN THE CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN…
“Yeah, this week is a big deal. It’s the highlight of my year pretty much every year. It’s exciting to get to be so close to so many fans, and regardless of where we are in the country, the fans and the crowds come out to watch. Just to feel that kind of love and support, it’s really special. I try to do my best and try to sign a bunch of autographs and take pictures, but also trying to make sure that I give the right amount of time for myself to really prepare and get the right amount of rest so I can go out and perform on Thursday through Sunday. Winning this championship back in 2018 is definitely the highlight of my career, so I would love to be able to do that again someday.”
PAULA RETO REFLECTING ON LAST YEAR’S WIN AND DEFENDING HER TITLE…
“It was such a dream for me to win. Every tournament I go into I’m thinking about that moment, all the good stuff that happened and everything that worked out. We strive for that and I still strive for that every day. But just knowing I can do it and able to do it here in Canada was amazing. And then I know it’s probably the hardest thing to defend your title, but I’m enjoying everybody here, the atmosphere, and just that stuff makes me a little bit more calmer, a little bit more easy and having to play. But such great vibes, and I’m so lucky to have won and I really want to do it again.
Reto is trying to become the third player in tournament history to successfully defend the championship and would join Lydia Ko (2012 & 2013) and Pat Bradley (1985 & 1986).
TWO-TIME MAJOR WINNER LILIA VU ON BEING THE WORLD NO. 1 RANKED GOLFER…
“I don’t know if I’ll ever feel like I deserve that, but I know I’ve put in a lot of work, and I found that my game works best when I’m having fun and just doing my thing and not thinking too much about it. Just playing one shot at a time and knowing that I can win.”
PAIRINGS AND TEE TIMES FOR OPENING ROUND OF CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN
Click here for pairings and tee times for the opening round of the CPKC Women’s Open on Thursday, August 24.
CPKC HAS HEART CAMPAIGN TO BENEFIT BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION…
CPKC and Golf Canada are proud to support the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation as the primary charitable beneficiary for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open. Among the charitable engagements tournament week will be the Birdies for Heart hole on no. 16 at Shaughnessy with a $5,000 donation made for every birdie made on the hole during the four rounds of the competition. In addition, CPKC is also proud to support a community beneficiary in Royal Inland Hospital Foundation in support of cardiac care. In nine years of title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open, more than $16 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in the event’s host communities.
CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN – MEDIA GUIDE & PLAYER PERFORMANCE GUIDE
Below are links to the CPKC Women’s Open Media Guide as well as the all-time Player Performance Guide:
2023 CPKC Women’s Open Media Guide
CPKC Women’s Open – All-Time Player Performance Guide
MOBILE APP EXPERIENCE…
Experience the CPKC Women’s Open like never before by downloading the Golf Canada Mobile App on your iOS or Android device. Essential features include a live map, leaderboard & pairings, tickets, breaking news, and special events. Plus, use the Golf Canada Mobile App to enhance your experience while playing! Find golf courses, track your game, set up matches against friends, access GPS yardages and more. Click here to download.
FIELD FOR THE 2023 CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN…
Click here for the full current list of competitors competing in the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open, August 22-27 at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver.
Tickets for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open are available here. Children aged 12-and-under get free admission with a ticketed adult.
ABOUT THE CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN
The stars of the LPGA Tour will challenge for the CPKC Women’s Open from August 22-27, 2023, at the Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver, B.C. Through its CPKC Has Heart program, title sponsor CPKC will once again make a substantial donation to the host community of Canada’s National Open Golf Championship by supporting the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation. The 2023 CPKC Women’s Open is proudly sponsored by CPKC, BDO, Audi, RBC, theScore, Levelwear, Transitions, Titleist, FootJoy, Journie Rewards, Hilton, Sleeman Clear 2.0, Think Turkey, The Keg, Johnsonville, Cayman Islands, Masi, Celebrity Cruises, STALK&BARREL, Matt & Steve’s, Coca-Cola, Rolex and is supported by Sport Hosting Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia, and the Government of Canada.
For information visit www.cpkcwomensopen.com.
Download the Golf Canada App for your full CPKC Women’s Open Tournament Experience; Media Guide & Player Performance Guide available.
FOUR PLAYERS EARN FINAL SPOTS INTO CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN…
The full field of 156 golfers competing for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open is now set after the final four spots were secured during Monday’s final qualifier at Point Grey Golf & Country Club. 14-year-old Alice Ziyi Zhao (Irvine, Calif.) shot a 3-under, 69 to finish in the top spot. Joining her are Kum-Kang Park (Seoul, Republic of Korea) who shot a 2-under, 70 along with Luna Lu (Surrey, B.C.) and Magdalena Simmermacher (Buenos Aires, Argentina) who both shot rounds of 1-under, 71 to qualify. With Lu’s qualification there will be 15 Canadians competing for the National Open Championship this week at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club.
For the final results from Monday’s final qualifier, please click here.
CPKC WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT SET FOR TUESDAY
Golf Canada and CPKC will host the sixth annual CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit on Tuesday, August 22 at nearby Marine Drive Golf Club as part of the weeklong excitement of the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open. The CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit will bring together like-minded businesspeople from across the country for a day of networking, empowerment, and philanthropy. The Summit will also raise awareness for the CPKC Women’s Open, with attendees receiving access to the tournament during the week and participating in clinics.
GOLF CANADA TO HOST CLINIC FOR INDIGENOUS YOUTH WITH SPECIAL GUEST ROSE ZHANG
Golf Canada has connected with its First Tee network in the Vancouver area to provide children with a unique opportunity to join a golf clinic with LPGA Tour global rising star Rose Zhang. The clinic will take place at nearby Musqueam Golf and Learning Centre from 10:00am to 12:30pm with Zhang joining the group from 10:45 to 11:45am to showcase her game and answer questions from the group. Participants will then break up into three groups to develop their golf and life skills through First Tee – Golf Canada’s youth development program providing accessible and welcoming introductions to golf, along with life-enhancing experiences through the sport. First Tee – BC has been delivering programming to youth at the Musqueam Golf and Learning Centre since 2021, as well as golf courses, schools, and community centres across the province.
CPKC HAS HEART CAMPAIGN TO BENEFIT BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION…
CPKC and Golf Canada are proud to support the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation as the primary charitable beneficiary for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open. Among the charitable engagements tournament week will be the Birdies for Heart hole on no. 16 at Shaughnessy with a $5,000 donation made for every birdie made on the hole during the four rounds of the competition. In addition, CPKC is also proud to support a community beneficiary in Royal Inland Hospital Foundation in support of cardiac care. In nine years of title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open, more than $16 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in the event’s host communities.
MOBILE APP EXPERIENCE…
Experience the CPKC Women’s Open like never before by downloading the Golf Canada Mobile App on your iOS or Android device. Essential features include a live map, leaderboard & pairings, tickets, breaking news, and special events. Plus, use the Golf Canada Mobile App to enhance your experience while playing! Find golf courses, track your game, set up matches against friends, access GPS yardages and more. Click here to download.
FIELD FOR THE 2023 CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN…
Click here for the full current list of competitors competing in the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open, August 22-27 at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver.
Tickets for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open are available here. Children aged 12-and-under get free admission with a ticketed adult.
ABOUT THE CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN
The stars of the LPGA Tour will challenge for the CPKC Women’s Open from August 22-27, 2023, at the Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver, B.C. Through its CPKC Has Heart program, title sponsor CPKC will once again make a substantial donation to the host community of Canada’s National Open Golf Championship by supporting the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation. The 2023 CPKC Women’s Open is proudly sponsored by CPKC, BDO, Audi, RBC, theScore, Levelwear, Transitions, Titleist, FootJoy, Journie Rewards, Hilton, Sleeman Clear 2.0, Think Turkey, The Keg, Johnsonville, Cayman Islands, Masi, Celebrity Cruises, STALK&BARREL, Matt & Steve’s, Coca-Cola, Rolex and is supported by Sport Hosting Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia, and the Government of Canada.
For information visit www.cpkcwomensopen.com.
42 players to compete Monday in Final Qualifier at Point Grey Golf & Country Club for the final four spots into the field of the CPKC Women’s Open
Tournament week kicks off Monday, August 21 at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club with Celebrity Pro-Am in support of the Golf Canada Foundation
Four additional Canadians earn exemption into Canada’s National Open Championship
Download the Golf Canada App for your full CPKC Women’s Open Tournament Experience; Media Guide & Player Performance Guide available.
CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN FINAL QUALIFIER SET FOR MONDAY…
A field of 42 golfers will be competing for the final four spots in the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open during Monday’s final qualifier being held at Point Grey Golf & Country Club with a 10:00 a.m. PT start. For tee times in Monday’s Final Qualifier, please click here.
FOUR CANADIAN AMATEURS EARN EXEMPTIONS INTO FIELD…
Canadian amateurs Vanessa Borovilos (Toronto, Ont.), Yeji Kwon (Port Coquitlam, B.C.), Ellie Szeryk (London, Ont.) and Sonja Tang (Vancouver, B.C.) have earned tournament exemptions, boosting the number of Canadians competing in the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open to 14.
2023 JUNIOR SKILLS CHALLENGE NATIONAL EVENT CONCLUDED SUNDAY
24 of Canada’s most skilled junior golfers competed in the 14th edition of Junior Skills Challenge on Sunday at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club. The juniors competed in a three-part skills challenge consisting of putting, chipping, and driving across six divisions. The event is the culmination of more than 1,300 Junior Skills Challenge participants competing at 100 qualifying events across Canada. For full results click here.
CELEBRITY PRO-AM IN SUPPORT OF GOLF CANADA FOUNDATION…
Tournament week at the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open kicks off Monday with the Golf Canada Foundation Celebrity Pro-Am. 18 groups will tee off in a shotgun format beginning at 12:30 p.m. PT. The field will consist of professionals, amateurs and celebrities with funds being raised for the Golf Canada Foundation.
CPKC WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT SET FOR TUESDAY
Golf Canada and CPKC will host the sixth annual CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit on Tuesday, August 22 at nearby Marine Drive Golf Club as part of the weeklong excitement of the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open. The CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit will bring together like-minded businesspeople from across the country for a day of networking, empowerment, and philanthropy. The Summit will also raise awareness for the CPKC Women’s Open, with attendees receiving access to the tournament during the week and participating in clinics.
GOLF CANADA TO HOST CLINIC FOR INDIGENOUS YOUTH WITH SPECIAL GUEST ROSE ZHANG
Golf Canada has connected with its First Tee network in the Vancouver area to provide children with a unique opportunity to join a golf clinic with LPGA Tour global rising star Rose Zhang. The clinic will take place at nearby Musqueam Golf and Learning Centre from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PT with Zhang joining the group from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. PT to showcase her game and answer questions from the group. Participants will then break up into three groups to develop their golf and life skills through First Tee – Golf Canada’s youth development program providing accessible and welcoming introductions to golf, along with life-enhancing experiences through the sport. First Tee – BC has been delivering programming to youth at the Musqueam Golf and Learning Centre since 2021, as well as golf courses, schools, and community centres across the province.
CPKC HAS HEART CAMPAIGN TO BENEFIT BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION…
CPKC and Golf Canada are proud to support the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation as the primary charitable beneficiary for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open. Among the charitable engagements tournament week will be the Birdies for Heart hole on no. 16 at Shaughnessy with a $5,000 donation made for every birdie made on the hole during the four rounds of the competition. In addition, CPKC is also proud to support a community beneficiary in Royal Inland Hospital Foundation in support of cardiac care. In nine years of title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open, more than $16 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in the event’s host communities.
MOBILE APP EXPERIENCE…
Experience the CPKC Women’s Open like never before by downloading the Golf Canada Mobile App on your iOS or Android device. Essential features include a live map, leaderboard & pairings, tickets, breaking news, and special events. Plus, use the Golf Canada Mobile App to enhance your experience while playing! Find golf courses, track your game, set up matches against friends, access GPS yardages and more. Click here to download.
FIELD FOR THE 2023 CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN…
Click here for the full current list of competitors competing in the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open, August 22-27 at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver.
Tickets for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open are available here. Children aged 12-and-under get free admission with a ticketed adult.
ABOUT THE CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN
The stars of the LPGA Tour will challenge for the CPKC Women’s Open from August 22-27, 2023, at the Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver, B.C. Through its CPKC Has Heart program, title sponsor CPKC will once again make a substantial donation to the host community of Canada’s National Open Golf Championship by supporting the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation. The 2023 CPKC Women’s Open is proudly sponsored by CPKC, BDO, Audi, RBC, theScore, Levelwear, Transitions, Titleist, FootJoy, Journie Rewards, Hilton, Sleeman Clear 2.0, Think Turkey, The Keg, Johnsonville, Cayman Islands, Masi, Celebrity Cruises, STALK&BARREL, Matt & Steve’s, Coca-Cola, Rolex and is supported by Sport Hosting Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia, and the Government of Canada.
For information visit www.cpkcwomensopen.com.
Vancouver, B.C. – Golf Canada in partnership with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) announced today the final field of competitors set to challenge for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open taking place August 22-27 at the Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver, B.C.
Defending champion Paula Reto leads a stellar field of competitors that includes nine of the top-10 and 22 of the top-25 players on the Race to CME Globe standings. The field will also include 16 of the LPGA Tour’s in-year winners and all 2023 Major winners including two-time major champion and new world no. 1 Lilia Vu.
Nine of the top-10 players on the Rolex World Ranking will compete in Vancouver including Canadian sensation and CPKC ambassador Brooke Henderson (World no. 10) along with fellow top-10 world-ranked stars Lilia Vu (no. 1), Nelly Korda (no. 2), Jin Young Ko, (no. 3), Celine Boutier (no. 4), Ruoning Yin (no. 5), Lydia Ko (no. 6), Hyo-Joo Kim (no. 7) and Allisen Corpuz (no. 8). Other international fan-favourites set to compete include world no. 11 Minjee Lee, world no. 19 Linn Grant, world no. 15 Nasa Hataoka, world no. 21 Lexi Thompson, and world no. 31 Rose Zhang.
Henderson, the 25-year-old 13-time LPGA Tour winner will lead a 10-player Canadian contingent including Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont. and Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont. along with Team Canada professionals Brigitte Thibault of Rosemere, Que., and Sarah-Eve Rhéaume of Quebec City. The group will be joined by five Team Canada amateurs including 2023 Canadian Women’s Amateur champion Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C., Katie Cranston of Oakville, Ont., Lauren Zaretsky of Thornhill, Ont., Brooke Rivers of Brampton, Ont., and Angela Arora of Surrey, B.C.
Vancouver resident and Shaughnessy member Victoria Liu will compete at her home golf club on a tournament exemption.
The field for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open will include 16 in-year winners including all 2023 LPGA Tour Major winners as well as eight past CPKC Women’s Open champions – Paula Reto (2022), Jin Young Ko (2019), Brooke Henderson (2018), Sung Hyun Park (2017), Ariya Jutanugarn (2016), Lydia Ko (2012, 2013 & 2015), So Yeon Ryu (2014) and Cristie Kerr (2006).
Originally scheduled to host the CPKC Women’s Open in 2020 but cancelled due to the global pandemic, the A.V. McCann designed Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club becomes the only golf club in the past 20 years to host both of Canada’s National Women’s and Men’s Open Championships. Shaughnessy is also one of only six Canadian golf clubs to host the CPKC Women’s Open, RBC Canadian Open, Canadian Women’s Amateur and Canadian Men’s Amateur Championships.
“The field is set, and after a three-year delay we are extremely proud to the welcome the world’s best players back to Vancouver and Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club for the 49th playing of the CPKC Women’s Open,” said Ryan Paul, Tournament Director of the CPKC Women’s Open. “Canadian golf fans and event enthusiasts from across British Columbia are in for a showcase of world class golf and a festival experience as we celebrate the return of the LPGA Tour to the incredible city of Vancouver.”
The remaining four exemptions into the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open will be awarded later this week and the final four qualifier spots will be announced on Monday, August 21 following the Monday Qualifier set for Point Grey Golf & Country Club.
A full field list of players confirmed to compete in the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open is available online here.
The field of 156 competitors will vie for the $2.5 million USD purse with the champion taking home $375,000.
Tickets for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open at Shaughnessy Golf and Country are available here – children 12-and-under get FREE admission all week long.
CPKC HAS HEART CAMPAIGN TO BENEFIT BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION…
CPKC and Golf Canada are proud to support the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation as the primary charitable beneficiary for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open. Among the charitable engagements tournament week will be the Birdies for Heart hole on no. 16 at Shaughnessy with a $5,000 donation made for every birdie made on the hole during the four rounds of the competition. In addition, CPKC is also proud to support a community beneficiary in Royal Inland Hospital Foundation in support of cardiac care. In nine years of title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open, more than $16 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in the event’s host communities.
CPKC WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT RETURNS TO KICK OFF TOURNAMENT WEEK…
Golf Canada and CPKC will host the sixth annual CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit on Tuesday, August 22 at nearby Marine Drive Golf Club as part of the weeklong excitement of the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open. The CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit will bring together like-minded businesspeople from across the country for a day of networking, empowerment, and philanthropy. The Summit will also raise awareness for the CPKC Women’s Open, with attendees receiving access to the tournament during the week and participating in clinics.
“THE RINK” FAN EXPERIENCE RETURNS…
Golf Canada is pleased to announce that the fan-favourite Rink hole spectator experience will return following a successful debut last year in Ottawa. The energetic hockey-themed hole, complete with fan-pounding rink boards, volunteers dressed as referees and a surrounding hospitality experience will be situated on par-3 17th hole at Shaughnessy.
CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN BROADCAST…
The 2023 CPKC Women’s Open will feature four days of domestic and international television broadcast coverage including Canadian broadcast partner TSN as well as international coverage on GOLF channel.
KIDS 12-AND-UNDER GET IN FREE…
Golf Canada and CPKC are committed to offering a fan friendly, family event with the CPKC Women’s Open. To introduce more juniors to the sport, children aged 12-and-under get FREE admission to the CPKC Women’s Open for the entire week.
GOLF CANADA MOBILE APP EXPERIENCE…
Spectators at Shaughnessy will experience the CPKC Women’s Open like never before by downloading the Golf Canada Mobile App on their iOS or Android device. Essential tournament features include a live map, leaderboard and pairings, tickets, breaking news, and unique events. Golf enthusiasts can also use the Golf Canada Mobile App to enhance their everyday golf experience while playing! Find golf courses, track your game, set up matches, follow friends, access GPS yardages and more. Click here to download.
ABOUT THE CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN
The stars of the LPGA Tour will challenge for the CPKC Women’s Open from August 22-27, 2023, at the Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver, B.C. Through its CPKC Has Heart program, title sponsor CPKC will once again make a substantial donation to the host community of Canada’s National Open Golf Championship by supporting the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation. The 2023 CPKC Women’s Open is proudly sponsored by CPKC, BDO, Audi, RBC, theScore, Levelwear, Transitions, Titleist, FootJoy, Journie Rewards, Hilton, Sleeman Clear 2.0, Think Turkey, The Keg, Johnsonville, Cayman Islands, Masi, Celebrity Cruises, STALK&BARREL, Matt & Steve’s, Coca-Cola, Rolex and is supported by Sport Hosting Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia, and the Government of Canada.
For information Click here.
ABOUT CPKC
With its global headquarters in Calgary, Alta., Canada, CPKC is the first and only single-line transnational railway linking Canada, the United States and México, with unrivaled access to major ports from Vancouver to Atlantic Canada to the Gulf of México to Lázaro Cárdenas, México. Stretching approximately 20,000 route miles and employing 20,000 railroaders, CPKC provides North American customers unparalleled rail service and network reach to key markets across the continent. CPKC is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpkcr.com to learn more about the rail advantages of CPKC.
Team Canada athletes will join international amateurs and professionals among the list of 11 exempt players to challenge for the 49th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship
Vancouver (August 14, 2023) – Golf Canada, in partnership with the title sponsor CPKC, announced today the names of 11 players that have earned tournament exemptions into the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open, August 22-27, at the Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver.
Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont. headlines the list of seven Canadians who have earned exemptions into the 2023 championship. The two-time Olympian and long-time LPGA Tour member will make her 18th appearance at the National Open Championship where she posted a career-best 4th place finish in 2016. Sharp, who earned the exemption for winning the 2023 PGA of Canada Women’s Championship, is ranked 13th on the 2023 Epson Tour points list in a season that features a victory at the Champions Fore Change Invitational and two other top-10 finishes.
Also accepting invitations are Team Canada professionals — Brigitte Thibault of Rosemere, Que., and Sarah-Eve Rhéaume of Quebec City — who will be making their fourth, and second respective starts in Canada’s National Open Championship. Thibault is currently the top-ranked Canadian on the Women’s All-Pro Tour while Rhéaume is competing in her rookie year on the Epson Tour.
The group will be joined by four Team Canada amateurs, led by 17-year Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C., who will compete in her first CPKC Women’s Open after earning an exemption through the 2023 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. Also accepting exemptions are fellow Team Canada athletes Katie Cranston, 19, of Oakville, Ont., and 19-year-old Lauren Zaretsky of Thornhill, Ont., making their second CPKC Women’s Open start along with 18-year-old Brooke Rivers of Brampton, Ont., who will make her first-ever start in the event.
Vancouver resident and Shaughnessy member Victoria Liu has also accepted an exemption to compete at her home golf club.
Rounding out the list of current exemptions are a trio of international talents including 2023 British Women’s Amateur champion Chiara Horder of Germany, American rising star amateur Gianna Clemente and Australian Gabriella Ruffels who currently sits no. 1 on the 2023 Epson Tour money list.
“Together with CPKC we are very proud to welcome this exceptional group of Canadian and international athletes to Vancouver for the CPKC Women’s Open,” said Tournament Director Ryan Paul. “Extending playing opportunities through tournament exemptions is an important component of the CPKC Women’s Open and we are very pleased that these talented amateur and professional players can join us at Shaughnessy for the 49th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship.”
The final five tournament exemptions into the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open have yet to be announced. Additionally, four playing spots will also be awarded through the Final Qualifier on Monday, August 21 at nearby Point Grey Golf & Country Club in Vancouver.
The group will join two Canadian LPGA Tour players at Shaughnessy including 13-time LPGA Tour winner Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., and Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont.
A stellar field for the 49th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship will also include defending champion Paula Reto and world no. 1 Lilia Vu, along with global stars Nelly Korda, Minjee Lee, Jennifer Kupcho, In Gee Chun, Danielle Kang, Lexi Thompson, Jin Young Ko, Megan Khang, Sei Young Kim, Stacy Lewis, and Paula Creamer. Other fan favourites include 20-year-old sensation Rose Zhang and Lydia Ko who will be looking for her record fourth CPKC Women’s Open title.
The final field for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open will be released on Tuesday, August 15 after 5:00pm ET.
Tickets for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open at Shaughnessy Golf and Country are available here – children 12-and-under get FREE admission all week long.
CPKC HAS HEART CAMPAIGN TO BENEFIT BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION…
CPKC and Golf Canada are proud to support the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation as the primary charitable beneficiary for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open. Among the charitable engagements tournament week will be the Birdies for Heart hole on no. 16 at Shaughnessy with a $5,000 donation made for every birdie made on the hole during the four rounds of the competition. In addition, CPKC is also proud to support a community beneficiary in Royal Inland Hospital Foundation in support of cardiac care. In nine years of title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open, more than $16 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in the event’s host communities.
CPKC WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT RETURNS TO KICK OFF TOURNAMENT WEEK…
Golf Canada and CPKC will host the sixth annual CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit on Tuesday, August 22 at nearby Marine Drive Golf Club as part of the weeklong excitement of the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open. The CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit will bring together like-minded businesspeople from across the country for a day of networking, empowerment, and philanthropy. The Summit will also raise awareness for the CPKC Women’s Open, with attendees receiving access to the tournament during the week and participating in clinics.
“THE RINK” FAN EXPERIENCE RETURNS…
Golf Canada is pleased to announce that the fan-favourite Rink hole spectator experience will return following a successful debut last year in Ottawa. The energetic hockey-themed hole, complete with fan-pounding rink boards, volunteers dressed as referees and a surrounding hospitality experience will be situated on par-3 17th hole at Shaughnessy.
CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN BROADCAST…
The 2023 CPKC Women’s Open will feature four days of domestic and international television broadcast coverage including Canadian broadcast partner TSN as well as international coverage on GOLF channel.
KIDS 12-AND-UNDER GET IN FREE…
Golf Canada and CPKC are committed to offering a fan friendly, family event with the CPKC Women’s Open. To introduce more juniors to the sport, children aged 12-and-under get FREE admission to the CPKC Women’s Open for the entire week.
GOLF CANADA MOBILE APP EXPERIENCE…
Spectators at Shaughnessy will experience the CPKC Women’s Open like never before by downloading the Golf Canada Mobile App on their iOS or Android device. Essential tournament features include a live map, leaderboard and pairings, tickets, breaking news, and unique events. Golf enthusiasts can also use the Golf Canada Mobile App to enhance their everyday golf experience while playing! Find golf courses, track your game, set up matches, follow friends, access GPS yardages and more. Click here to download.
ABOUT THE CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN
The stars of the LPGA Tour will challenge for the CPKC Women’s Open from August 22-27, 2023, at the Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver, B.C. Through its CPKC Has Heart program, title sponsor CPKC will once again make a substantial donation to the host community of Canada’s National Open Golf Championship by supporting the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation. The 2023 CPKC Women’s Open is proudly sponsored by CPKC, BDO, Audi, RBC, theScore, Levelwear, Transitions, Titleist, FootJoy, Journie Rewards, Hilton, Sleeman Clear 2.0, Think Turkey, The Keg, Johnsonville, Cayman Islands, Masi, Celebrity Cruises, STALK&BARREL, Matt & Steve’s, Coca-Cola, Rolex and is supported by Sport Hosting Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia, and the Government of Canada.
For information visit www.cpkcwomensopen.com.
ABOUT CPKC
With its global headquarters in Calgary, Alta., Canada, CPKC is the first and only single-line transnational railway linking Canada, the United States and México, with unrivaled access to major ports from Vancouver to Atlantic Canada to the Gulf of México to Lázaro Cárdenas, México. Stretching approximately 20,000 route miles and employing 20,000 railroaders, CPKC provides North American customers unparalleled rail service and network reach to key markets across the continent. CPKC is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpkcr.com to learn more about the rail advantages of CPKC.
World No. 1 Jin Young Ko, Rising Star Rose Zhang & Canadian Sensation Brooke Henderson Headline Early Commitments to 2023 CPKC Women’s Open
Vancouver, B.C. (July 10, 2023) – Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Golf Canada and the LPGA Tour today announced a new agreement for CPKC to extend its title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open for up to four more years.
Since becoming title sponsor of the CPKC Women’s Open in November of 2013, CPKC has worked closely with Golf Canada to enhance Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship including the overall experience for players and fans. CPKC has also established a meaningful charitable legacy through CPKC Has Heart, which has helped raise more than $17.3M for heart health initiatives in the event’s host communities.
“We are excited to extend our partnership with Golf Canada as title sponsor of the CPKC Women’s Open and proud of the significant contributions this event has made to heart health in communities across Canada,” said Keith Creel, CPKC President and Chief Executive Officer. “The success of this tournament and the community benefits it brings have only grown in the last 10 years. We look forward to continuing that success in the years to come.”
In addition to being title sponsor of the CPKC Women’s Open, CPKC is extending its role as a premier partner of Golf Canada’s National Team Program (Team Canada) which supports Canadian emerging golf talents in their path to the LPGA Tour and PGA Tour. CPKC also proudly supports 13-time LPGA Tour winner Brooke Henderson along with Canadian golf legend Lorie Kane as CPKC Ambassadors. CPKC will also continue its support of the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit as part of its multi-faceted support for Canadian women’s golf.
As part of CPKC’s title sponsorship extension, the prize purse for the CPKC Women’s Open will increase to $2.5M US, beginning with the 2023 event, August 22-27 at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver.
“CPKC has made an incredible impact in supporting Canadian golf excellence and leaving a meaningful legacy in our host communities, and we are extremely honoured for their continued partnership.” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “CPKC is a major supporter of women’s golf globally, and under the leadership of Keith Creel, their commitment to delivering a world-class experience for players, caddies, fans and charitable beneficiaries, has bolstered the status of Canada’s National Women’s Open to one of the premier events on the LPGA Tour.”
The new agreement keeps CPKC as the title sponsor for the 2025 and 2026 tournaments. The agreement contains an option to maintain the title sponsorship in 2027 and 2028. Additional terms of the partnership were not disclosed.
Early Field Commitments for 2023 CPKC Women’s Open….
Golf Canada and CPKC have also announced that many of the world’s top players have committed to compete in the 49th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship later this summer at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club.
The list of early commitments features 9 of the current top-10 players on the 2023 Race to the CME Globe Standings, 9 of the current top-10 on the Rolex Rankings and 20 of the top-25 on the 2023 LPGA Tour Money List. Leading the field is Jin Young Ko, currently ranked no. 1 in the world and no. 3 on the current Race to the CME Globe Standings. The 2019 CPKC Women’s Open champion has won twice this season including the HSBC Women’s World Championship and the Cognizant Founders Cup.
Thirteen-time LPGA Tour winner and the winningest golfer in Canadian history Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., will join Ko in leading a field of early commitments including: Lydia Ko, Minjee Lee, Jennifer Kupcho, In Gee Chun, Danielle Kang, Lexi Thompson, Nelly Korda, Megan Khang, Sei Young Kim, Linn Grant, Stacy Lewis, and Paula Creamer.
Defending champion Paula Reto (2022) is among eight past CPKC Women’s Open champions competing for Canada’s National Open Championship including: Jin Young Ko (2019), Brooke Henderson (2018), Sung Hyun Park (2017), Ariya Jutanugarn (2016), Britney Lincicome (2011), Cristie Kerr (2006) and three-time winner Lydia Ko (2015, 2013, 2012) who will be chasing a record fourth CPKC Women’s Open title.
Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club will welcome 14 LPGA Tour in-year winners, including 2023 Major winners: Lilia Vu (The Chevron Championship), Ruoning Yin (KPMG Women’s PGA Championship), Allisen Corpuz (U.S. Women’s Open). Other in-year winners include Brooke Henderson, Grace Kim Jin Young Ko, Celine Boutier, Hannah Green, Pajaree Anannarukarn, Rose Zhang, Ashleigh Buhai, Patty Tavanatanakit, Ariya Jutanugarn, Moriya Jutanugarn.
Rising star Rose Zhang, who won in her first professional start at the Mizuho Americas Open last month, will draw one of the largest crowds on course. Zhang turned pro in May after a successful collegiate career and was the no. 1 ranked amateur in the world for a record 141 weeks. Since turning professional, Rose has finished in the Top 10 of all three events she has played including the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship & US Women’s Open.
Henderson, a CPKC Ambassador who made history at the Wascana Country Club in Regina in 2018 becoming the first Canadian since the late Jocelyne Bourassa 45 years earlier to win Canada’s National Women’s Open, will be joined by fellow Canadians Maude-Aimee Leblanc, Maddie Szeryk, Alena Sharp, Sarah-Eve Rheaume, Selena Costabile and Victoria Liu (Shaughnessy member and Glencoe Invitational winner), as well as a collection of talented Canadian athletes expected to receive tournament exemptions in the coming weeks to compete in Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship.
The 156-player field will be competing at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club for the first time in tournament history. This marks the first time the province of British Columbia has hosted the CPKC Women’s Open since 2015. Shaughnessy also becomes the only Canadian golf club to host both the Women’s and Men’s National Open Championships in the last twenty years.
The 2023 edition of the CPKC Women’s Open will be a celebrated return of the LPGA Tour to British Columbia after Shaughnessy way originally tapped to host the 2020 (then 2021) events cancelled due to the pandemic. The Vancouver golf community is ready for the return with a full roster of 1,200 volunteers confirmed for the event, strong advance ticket sales and one of the largest corporate build footprints in event history with a record number of public viewing and hospitality built on nine holes.
“Together with our friends at CPKC, we are very excited to treat golf fans to the much-anticipated return of the CPKC Women’s Open to Vancouver,” said Tournament Director Ryan Paul. “Golf fans in this community have gotten behind our National Open Championship and major professional golf in a significant way and with a strengthening field, engaging fan activities and digital enhancements to the tournament experience, we can’t wait to host a can’t miss summer celebration.”
CPKC HAS HEART CAMPAIGN TO BENEFIT BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION…
CPKC and Golf Canada are proud to support the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation as the primary charitable beneficiary for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open. Among the charitable engagements tournament week will be the Birdies for Heart hole on no. 16 at Shaughnessy with a $5,000 donation made for every birdie made on the hole during the four rounds of the competition. In addition, CPKC is also proud to support a community beneficiary in Royal Inland Hospital Foundation in support of cardiac care. In nine years of title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open, more than $16 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in the event’s host communities.
CPKC WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT RETURNS TO KICK OFF TOURNAMENT WEEK…
Golf Canada and CPKC will host the sixth annual CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit on Tuesday, August 22 at nearby Marine Drive Golf Club as part of the weeklong excitement of the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open. The CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit will bring together like-minded businesspeople from across the country for a day of networking, empowerment, and philanthropy. The Summit will also raise awareness for the CPKC Women’s Open, with attendees receiving access to the tournament during the week and participating in clinics.
“THE RINK” FAN EXPERIENCE RETURNS…
Golf Canada is pleased to announce that the fan-favourite Rink hole spectator experience will return following a successful debut last year in Ottawa. The energetic hockey-themed hole, complete with fan-pounding rink boards, volunteers dressed as referees and a surrounding hospitality experience will be situated on par-3 17th hole at Shaughnessy.
CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN BROADCAST…
The 2023 CPKC Women’s Open will feature four days of domestic and international television broadcast coverage including Canadian broadcast partner TSN as well as international coverage on GOLF channel.
KIDS 12-AND-UNDER GET IN FREE…
Golf Canada and CPKC are committed to offering a fan friendly, family event with the CPKC Women’s Open. To introduce more juniors to the sport, children aged 12-and-under get FREE admission to the CPKC Women’s Open for the entire week.
GOLF CANADA MOBILE APP EXPERIENCE…
Spectators at Shaughnessy will experience the CPKC Women’s Open like never before by downloading the Golf Canada Mobile App on their iOS or Android device. Essential features include a live map, mobile ordering, leaderboard and pairings, tickets, breaking news, and unique events. Golf enthusiasts can also use the Golf Canada Mobile App to enhance their everyday golf experience while playing! Find golf courses, track your game, set up matches against friends, access GPS yardages and more. Click here to download.
ABOUT THE CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN
The stars of the LPGA Tour will challenge for the CPKC Women’s Open from August 22-27, 2023, at the Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver, B.C. Through its CPKC Has Heart program, title sponsor CPKC will once again make a substantial donation to the host community of Canada’s National Open Golf Championship by supporting the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation. The 2023 CPKC Women’s Open is proudly sponsored by CPKC, BDO, Audi, RBC, theScore, Levelwear, Transitions, Titleist, FootJoy, Journie Rewards, Hilton, Sleeman Clear 2.0, Think Turkey, The Keg, Johnsonville, Cayman Islands, Masi, Celebrity Cruises, STALK&BARREL, Matt & Steve’s, Coca-Cola, Rolex and is supported by Sport Hosting Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia, and the Government of Canada.
For information visit www.cpkcwomensopen.com.
ABOUT CPKC
With its global headquarters in Calgary, Alta., Canada, CPKC is the first and only single-line transnational railway linking Canada, the United States and México, with unrivaled access to major ports from Vancouver to Atlantic Canada to the Gulf of México to Lázaro Cárdenas, México. Stretching approximately 20,000 route miles and employing 20,000 railroaders, CPKC provides North American customers unparalleled rail service and network reach to key markets across the continent. CPKC is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpkcr.com to learn more about the rail advantages of CPKC.
ABOUT GOLF CANADA
Golf Canada is the National Sports Federation and governing body for golf in Canada representing more than 319,000 golfers and 1,435 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s mission is to increase Canadian participation and excellence in golf. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.
Doug Ferguson/ Associated Press
Rose Zhang dominated amateur golf like no other female in the modern game. Now the Stanford star is ready to take on the best.
Zhang announced Friday she is turning pro, ending an amateur career in which the 20-year-old sophomore set the Stanford record with 12 wins — one more than Tiger Woods — in only 20 tournaments.
She won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, followed that with her second straight NCAA titles and was No. 1 in the amateur world ranking for 141 weeks, another record.
She will have no shortage of opportunities — the remaining four majors, including the U.S. Women’s Open and the Women’s British Open — have given her special exemptions.
The Women’s Open is at Pebble Beach, the most iconic of U.S. Open venues, for the first time. While no longer an amateur, Zhang is the first player to get a special invitation to the U.S. Women’s Open without having LPGA status since Michelle Wie West.
“This is a big moment for our sport, and I’m very appreciative of the USGA for the opportunity to be part of it,” Zhang said.
Even rarer is getting an invitation to the Women’s British.
“Rose Zhang is an incredibly talented golfer who has already written her name into the history books as an amateur golfer,” said Martin Slumbers, the CEO of the R&A. “It is very rare that we grant a special exemption for the AIG Women’s Open but we believe that Rose’s exceptional achievements to date warrant her inclusion in the field at Walton Heath.”
Zhang will make her debut next week in the Mizuho Americas Open, a new tournament hosted by Michelle Wie West at Liberty National in New Jersey.
“Rose is one of the greatest amateur golfers in the history of the sport – male or female – and we are thrilled to welcome her into our field,” said Jerry Rizzieri, the president and CEO of Mizuho Securities USA.
It was an example of the hype that Zhang brings with her to the professional game. But then, she has been facing expectations ever since she won the U.S. Women’s Amateur and the U.S. Girls Junior. She was the eighth player to win both, but the first to win the Women’s Amateur (at age 17) before the Junior.
Along with the two NCAA titles — Stanford won the team title last year — the final piece of an incomparable career was the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, already among the elite amateur events because it is held at the home of the Masters.
She also will player the Kroger Queen City Championship in Cincinnati, an event run by Excel Sports, the management agency with whom she signed.
Zhang grew up in Irvine, California, and spent two years at Stanford. Her 12 career titles — the last won was the NCAA — broke the record previously held by Tiger Woods, Patrick Rodgers and Maverick McNealy. She tied the Pac-12 record set by Lorena Ochoa at Arizona.
Zhang first reached No. 1 in the women’s amateur ranking in September 2020. She broke Lydia Ko’s record of 130 consecutive weeks at No. 1, and overall record (141 weeks) that was set by Leona Maguire.
Along with the two Opens, the KPMG Women’s PGA at Baltusrol and the Amundi Evian Championship in France, Zhang has accepted invitations to play the Dana Open near Toledo, Ohio, and the CPKC Women’s Open. She could qualify for other LPGA events by finishing in the top 10.
While turning pro, Zhang said she would finish her degree at Stanford.
