OAKVILLE, ONT. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada has unveiled its new Junior Ticket designs for the RBC Canadian Open taking place July 23-29 at Glen Abbey Golf Club and the CP Women’s Open taking place August 20-26 at Wascana Country Club in Regina.

The designs were selected from entries received from local elementary school classes in Oakville and across Saskatchewan who signed on to participate in the second annual Junior Ticket Design Contests for each event.

When the pencil crayons were put away, Sarah Suozzi, a grade 6 student from St. Luke Catholic Elementary School in Oakville, will have her design dawn the Junior Tickets for the 2018 RBC Canadian Open. Austin Marshall, a grade 5 student from Tompkins School in Tompkins, Sask., will have his drawing featured on the 2018 CP Women’s Open Junior Tickets.

Suozzi will win a pizza party for her class and a Golf in Schools kit, as well as RBC Canadian Open tickets for her family. Marshall’s class will receive a pizza party, while he wins a life size ticket and tickets for his family to attend the CP Women’s Open.

“I’d like to thank and congratulate all students who took part in our Junior Ticket design contests,” said Bill Paul, Chief Championships Officer for Golf Canada. “We were ecstatic with the creativity and quality of all entries we received.”

Let’s hear it for our #RBCCO & #CPWO Junior Ticket design winners – congrats Sarah and Austin! ?⛳️

Read ➡️ https://t.co/XzUFkyfmUE pic.twitter.com/vsSZJFOR9P

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) March 29, 2018

The winning illustrations were selected out of more than 100 entries received. Ten finalists were identified by the tournament’s marketing team and then Golf Canada staff voted the winners. The final 10 selections were also shared via Twitter and Instagram.

The contest reinforced Golf Canada’s commitment to conducting events for fans of all ages.

“Family and junior engagement is very important to golf in Canada as well as our championships,” Paul added. “We’re proud to be considered among the most fan-friendly events on both the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour. We pride ourselves on making sure the entire family can enjoy themselves onsite. It’s about bringing everyone together to celebrate community and Canadian golf.”

Last year, nearly 20,000 free RBC Canadian Open and 7,500 CP Women’s Open Junior Tickets were printed and distributed. Free Junior Tickets were also available online for download and printing.

Complimentary Junior Tickets, applicable to kids 17-and-under, are ideal giveaways for sports teams, schools, golf tournaments and summer camps.

Free RBC Canadian Open Junior Tickets are available for download by clicking here, while CP Women’s Open Free Junior Tickets can be downloaded here. They can also be ordered through Golf Canada’s sales department at 1-855-985-5000.

Information regarding tickets, volunteer opportunities and corporate hospitality for the 2018 RBC Canadian Open or CP Women’s Open can be found at www.cpwomensopen.com or www.rbccanadianopen.com.

– Steam Whistle partners with Golf Canada to enhance the experience at Canada’s National Open Championships and on courses across the country –

Toronto, Ontario (Golf Canada) – The Good Beer Folks at Steam Whistle, Canada’s Premium Pilsner, have announced a new partnership to become the Official Beer of Golf Canada, the RBC Canadian Open and the CP Women’s Open.

Through the multi-year partnership, Steam Whistle will work alongside Golf Canada to encourage more enthusiasts to enjoy a cold Steam Whistle Pilsner during a round of golf with friends and at Canada’s National Men’s and Women’s Open Championships. The agreement represents Steam Whistle’s largest partnership in their history, a significant milestone for the independent Canadian brewer.

“We are thrilled to be the Official Beer of Golf Canada and align our brand with a sport that delivers a deep social, charitable, entertainment and environmental impact to communities nationwide,” said Cam Heaps, Chief Executive Officer of Steam Whistle Brewing. “The RBC Canadian Open and the CP Women’s Open are iconic events that Canadian golf enthusiasts are extremely passionate about. As an independent Canadian brewery, we are excited to become part of the experience and for our world-class Pilsner to be enjoyed on more of Canada’s world-class golf courses.”

Spectators at the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open will have the opportunity to engage with Steam Whistle ambassadors—known as The Good Beer Folks—and enjoy Canada’s Premium Pilsner served from one of Steam Whistle’s fleet of Vintage Vehicles on the course.

“We are thrilled to have Steam Whistle as Golf Canada’s Official Beer Partner,” said Laurence Applebaum, Chief Executive Officer of Golf Canada. “Steam Whistle’s unwavering commitment to quality craftsmanship and proud Canadian identity are well positioned as the perfect beer to enjoy at our National Open Championships and after a round of golf at one of Canada’s 2,300 incredible courses.”

The Steam Whistle story began in the spring of 1998, when three friends—Greg Taylor, Cam Heaps, and Greg Cromwell—were on a canoe trip in Ontario. The trio had been colleagues at one of Canada’s premier microbreweries producing quality beer in the late 1980’s and 90’s before it was bought out by a national brewer and closed down. As they sat around the campfire, the self-named “Three Fired Guys” dreamed of one day running their own brewery and making a Pilsner that would compete with the best in the world. Over the past 18 years Steam Whistle has grown to become one of Canada’s leading premium beers enjoyed coast to coast.

As the National Sport Federation, Golf Canada operates the RBC Canadian Open, set to run July 23-29, 2018 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario, as well as the CP Women’s Open which takes place August 20-26, 2018 at Wascana Country Club in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Canadian Pacific (CP) and Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation have announced 10-year-old Benjamin Fizzard of Regina as the Saskatchewan child ambassador for the 2018 CP Women’s Open taking place at the Wascana Country Club, in Regina, August 20-26, 2018.

“CP was thrilled with the outcome of last month’s Radiothon in partnership with the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, which raised $618,060 to support children who are overcoming heart problems,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO. “We look forward to connecting with our Saskatchewan-based CP family, our customers and stakeholders this summer in Regina at the CP Women’s Open, and will proudly continue our fundraising efforts until then.”

Benjamin has triumphed over heart challenges, including sudden cardiac arrest while playing tag at school. The announcement coincides with the official kick-off of the CP Has Heart fundraising campaign that begins today and runs until August 26.

“Even after the unimaginable heart complications that Benjamin has endured, he has made a remarkable comeback and we are so proud to have him represent Saskatchewan kids at the 2018 CP Women’s Open in Regina,” said Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. “People across Saskatchewan are once again coming together and contributing through the CP Has Heart matching program, allowing Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation to receive DOUBLE the financial support to help kids like Benjamin who experience heart health complications. The generosity of donations speaks loudly that Saskatchewan folks truly do have heart.” Benjamin has triumphed over heart challenges, including sudden cardiac arrest while playing tag at school. The announcement coincides with the official kick-off of the CP Has Heart fundraising campaign that begins today and runs until August 26.

The CP Has Heart campaign will raise funds for a dedicated Pediatric Cardiology space, called the “Frog Pod”, in the new Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital which is set to open next year. With a nature theme running throughout the hospital, the “Frog Pod” will be specifically used to treat pediatric cardiology patients right here in Saskatchewan. With a specialized provincial team of pediatric cardiologists, the “Frog Pod” includes echocardiography exam rooms, a pulmonary function technology lab, an exercise challenge room, a regular exam room and a staff echo cardiology reading room.

CP will be matching donations made here from now through to the end of the CP Women’s Open tournament on August 26, 2018. Through the CP Has Heart campaign, CP will also match funds from community fundraisers up to $95,000 as well as offer a $225,000 match towards major gifts and provide incentive for Saskatchewan residents to join Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation’s monthly giving program, called Sunshine Makers Club.

Please visit pattisonchildrenshasheart.ca, which launches today, for information on the “Frog Pod”, our new ambassador, and to learn more about how to support pediatric cardiology in Saskatchewan.

ORLANDO, Fla., – The LPGA’s 2018 advertising campaign made its debut this week on Golf Channel ahead of the season-opening Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic, with the campaign’s emphasis on ‘A Global Tour Like No Other’ and the accessibility and personality of its players.

The 2018 edition of the LPGA’s campaign was created by Austin-based ad agency Divot Group and the spots will be rolled out during telecasts on Golf Channel over the first several tournaments of the 2018 LPGA Tour season, starting with this week’s event at the Ocean Club Golf Course in Paradise Island, Bahamas.

The playful, light-hearted ad series aims to showcase the diverse nationalities of LPGA Tour players while emphasizing their approachability and personality.

One spot (Language) highlights the challenges of playing all round the world, such as the potential pitfalls of language applications, but ultimately concludes: “winning translates in any language”.

Another spot (Global Launch) features Canada’s own Brooke Henderson and states: “…to be the best in the world, you have to beat the best in the world”

And yet another (Next Wave) focuses on the “movement” happening in women’s golf with the “next wave” of competition making it tougher than ever to win on the LPGA Tour.

“Two distinct themes have emerged on the LPGA Tour: its truly global nature and the approachability and accessibility of its players,” said LPGA Chief Commercial Officer Jon Podany. “The LPGA is uniquely golf’s global tour with players representing 32 countries, tournaments in 14 countries and TV distributed to more than 170 countries.

“The best players in the world come to play on the LPGA and the competition is better than ever. This campaign brings that to life, as well as showcases the diverse personalities of our players.”

One more spot was created called Frequent Flyer, in which players joke about who has racked up the most frequent flyer miles.

The 2018 season continues to feature players from across the globe with representatives from 32 nations. Last season produced 22 different winners from eight countries while five players from four different countries occupied the top spot in the Rolex Rankings during 2017.

Further eye-catching elements last year were the depth and quality of competition. The 2017 Tour went 15 events before having a repeat winner, tied for the longest streak in LPGA history, and a record 12 players ended the season with a scoring average below 70 – the previous best was five players set in 2016.

In addition to the LPGA’s Golf Channel telecasts, the 2018 ad spots will be featured through the LPGA’s international television partners, on LPGA.com, and via the LPGA’s social media channels, including YouTube, Twitter and Facebook beginning on Thursday, January 25.

It is with great sadness and the highest regard that Golf Canada mourns the loss of former CP CEO Hunter Harrison who passed away suddenly on December 16, 2017.

“On behalf of the entire Canadian golf community as well as our partners at CP and the LPGA Tour we are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Hunter Harrison and extend our most sincere condolences to his wife Jeannie and all of his family, friends and colleagues,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “We are proud to celebrate and remember Hunter as a champion for women’s golf, high performance and junior golf during his career as the greatest railroader and one of the greatest supporters of Canadian golf during his long history with CP and other railroads. His leadership, passion for excellence and vision to support so many facets of the game had an immeasurable impact on Canadian golf.”

Under Mr. Harrison’s leadership with CP and other railroads prior, the CP Women’s Open evolved into one of the premier events on the LPGA Tour which has contributed millions to children’s charities in the event’s host communities dating back to 2006.

His legacy as an extensive partner and friend to Golf Canada also touched high performance initiatives including Golf Canada’s National Team program, the (former) Canadian Women’s Tour and national amateur competitions as well grassroots golf through the Future Links national junior golf program.

Hunter Harrison was legendary railroader who will be ceaselessly remembered for his leadership, friendship, generosity and enormous contributions to the game of golf in Canada.

What others are saying:

CP family mourns loss of legendary railroader and former CEO, Mr. E. Hunter Harrison https://t.co/RmI4d9V5R4

— Canadian Pacific (@CanadianPacific) December 16, 2017

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Hunter Harrison, longtime supporter and friend of the LPGA and women’s golf. Hunter was instrumental in the expansion and growth of the Canadian Women’s Open. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. We will miss him! pic.twitter.com/vNkcD7q67S

— LPGA (@LPGA) December 17, 2017

VERY hard to read about Hunter Harrison passing. HUGE supporter of women’s golf & someone that truly lifted the @LPGA – RIP to our friend & partner!!
CSX Corp. Chief Executive Hunter Harrison died Saturday, a day after the surprise announcement that he was placed on medical leave

— Michael Whan (@LPGACommish) December 16, 2017

Deeply saddened over Hunter Harrison’s passing earlier today. An inspirational friend to the @LPGA, golf in Canada & someone who was never too busy for me. #RIP Sir. You will be missed ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/loSE2pVJpW

— Rick Young (@RickSCOREGolf) December 16, 2017

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., – The LPGA continues its upward momentum with record prize money and three new events in 2018, setting the stage for another season to remember for the world’s best female golfers.

The 2018 LPGA schedule features 34 events across 14 countries, with a record $68.75 million in prize money.

“Perhaps the most important aspect of our schedule is the consistency — continuing to deliver strong playing opportunities both in North America and around the world, while growing overall purse levels every year,” said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan. “There is simply no better Tour opportunity in the world, when it comes to purses, global TV coverage or strength of field. It’s an exciting time in women’s golf, with the best players from every corner of the globe competing against each other in virtually every event.”

Saskatchewan will host a it’s first LPGA Tour event in 2018, as the CP Women’s Open will be contested August 20-26 at Wascana Country Club in Regina.

Through its CP Has Heart campaign, Canadian Pacific (CP) will once again make a substantial donation to the host community by supporting pediatric cardiology at the new Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, which is currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2019. In the four years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CP Women’s Open, $6.5 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in Canada.

After a three-year recruiting process, Wascana Country Club finally earned its opportunity to host the stars of the LPGA Tour after originally submitting a bid back in 2014. The club is one of only four private golf courses in a province that counts 206 total facilities.

The LPGA lost two events for 2018 – the Lorena Ochoa Match Play in Mexico and the Manulife LPGA Classic in Canada.

The LPGA replaced them with three new tournaments. One will be held in the Los Angeles area on April 19-22 and another at Lake Merced in San Francisco a week later. The other addition is a tournament in Shanghai. That will be played Oct. 18-21 as part of a seven-tournament swing through Asia.

Canada’s Brooke Henderson will have to wait a year to defend her New Zealand Women’s Open title, as the event will take a hiatus for 2018 and move to spring 2019, making a logical pair with the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open.

The LPGA Tour expects to have more than 400 hours of U.S. broadcast coverage on Golf Channel and network TV in 2018, with more than 450 hours available in 175 countries around the world. With domestic TV ratings that continue to climb annually, up 19% in 2017, the 2018 season is sure to continue to entertain and inspire golf fans around the globe. Golf Channel will once again broadcast the CP Women’s Open.

Tickets and corporate hospitality opportunities are now available for the 2018 CP Women’s Open by visiting www.cpwomensopen.com.

Here’s a look at the 2018 LPGA Schedule as of Dec. 13, 2018. 
(bold = majors; italics = new event; ** = unofficial money)

The success of the 2017 CP Women’s Open continued this past week as the LPGA Tournament Owners Association (TOA) presented Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific (CP) with a Gold Driver Award for Best Charity / Community Engagement among all LPGA Tour events.

The annual TOA Gold Driver Awards were hosted in conjunction with the LPGA’s season-ending CME Group Tour Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Fla. The TOA was formally established in 1990 and is composed of owned and operated LPGA Tour events.

As part of their sponsorship of the event, Canadian Pacific through its CP Has Heart campaign, raised $2 million in support for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) to help fund a renovated catheterization lab and interventional suite.

“This award is the result of a total team effort and we share it with our friends at CHEO and countless community supporters, as well as CP’s staff, event partners and our CP golf ambassadors Brooke Henderson and Lorie Kane,” said Keith Creel, CP President and Chief Executive Officer. “CP supports heart health because it is an issue that touches so many Canadians. Together with our partners at Golf Canada and everyone involved with the CP Women’s Open, we are proud to leave a lasting charitable legacy in Ottawa through CP Has Heart in support of CHEO’s incredible work.”

The total charity contribution was the result of several fundraising activities tied to the CP Has Heart campaign. Through CP Birdies for Heart, CP contributed $5,000 for each birdie made by a player on the 15th hole at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club during tournament play with a total of 45 birdies representing a $225,000 donation. CP also matched all donations made online at cheoheart.com from April 1 to the end of the tournament.

In the four years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CP Women’s Open, $6.5 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in Canada.

“It is incredibly rewarding to see the CP Has Heart campaign honoured by the LPGA Tournament Owners with a Gold Driver Award for Best Charity/Community Engagement,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Thanks to tremendous fan, player and partner support, the 2017 CP Women’s Open was a resounding success and it is most deserving that CP’s community impact has been recognized with this meaningful award.”

The 2017 CP Women’s Open saw rookie sensation Sung Hyun Park card a final-round 64 to capture Canada’s National Open Golf Championship just weeks after earning her U.S. Women’s Open title.  Park went on to share Rolex Player of the Year honours with fellow Korean So Yeon Ryu, making her the first player since Nancy Lopez in 1978 to win both Player and Rookie of the Year honours in the same season.

The 2018 CP Women’s Open will mark the first time the province of Saskatchewan will host a major LPGA Tour event when the world’s best players challenge Regina’s Wascana Country Club August 20-26, 2018. Through the CP Has Heart campaign, CP will once again make a substantial donation to the host community by supporting pediatric cardiology at the new Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, which is currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2019.

Information regarding tickets and corporate hospitality for the 2018 CP Women’s Open can be found at www.cpwomensopen.com.

NAPLES, Fla., – Sung Hyun Park and So Yeon Ryu, the 2017 and 2014 CP Women’s Open champions, have became the first LPGA golfers in history to share the Rolex Player
of the Year Award at the conclusion of Sunday’s CME Group Tour Championship.

Entering this week’s 2017 LPGA season finale, Ryu held a three-point lead over Shanshan Feng and a five-point lead over Park in what had been a tightly contested race all season. Ryu’s T30 finish combined with Park’s T6 result on Sunday at the CME Group Tour Championship put the duo even atop the standings at 162 points.

Park is the first player to win the Rolex Rookie of the Year and Rolex Player of the Year awards in the same year since Nancy Lopez achieved the feat in 1978.

“It’s a great, great honor to be walking the same path as a great player as Nancy Lopez,” Park said. “After accepting this award, I will continue to try hard and work hard at my game.”

It can be argued that Park has completed the most successful rookie year in LPGA history. She clinched the 2017 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Award in October, spearheaded by her first LPGA, and major championship, victory at the U.S. Women’s Open in July followed by her win at the CP Women’s Open six weeks later. All told, she carded 11 top-6 finishes in 23 events and ends the year as the second ranked player in the world.

Arriving to the LPGA from the KLPGA Tour, where Park won seven times in 2016 and had climbed to No. 10 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings by year’s end, Park’s rise in women’s golf was the worst kept secret from afar. After top- six finishes at three LPGA major championships in 2016 (T2 at The Evian Championship, T3 at the U.S. Women’s Open, T6 at the ANA Inspiration), none of her newfound LPGA peers held Park to the standard expectation of an ordinary rookie.

Park was also in contention for the CME Group Tour Championship and Race to the CME Globe titles and the Vare Trophy as she led this weekend’s tournament by three shots after 36 holes, and briefly led on the front nine on Sunday. Her bogey-free, final round 3-under par 69 enabled her to stay on the first page of the leaderboard and clinch the prestigious honor.

“I didn’t quite expect to receive the award,” Park said. “David (Jones), my caddie, told me that there is a chance I could accept the (Rolex) Player the Year Award. When it was decided and I did find out … I was very happy.”

Ryu, the 2012 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year recipient, enjoyed a year that included her second major championship, at the ANA Inspiration in March, her fifth LPGA triumph at the Walmart NW Championship Presented by P&G in June, two runner-ups and a pair of third-place finishes. A gritty Ryu endured through a shoulder injury and built up enough of a tolerance for pain to shoot 4-under on the final 36 holes this weekend.

The Rolex Co-Players of the Year finished the year first and second in the LPGA Money Title rankings. Park won her first career LPGA Money Title, amassing $2,335,883, while Ryu earned $1,981,593. Canada’s Brooke Henderson ranked 6th with $1,504,869 in earnings.

NAPLES, FLA – Korea’s Sung Hyun Park received her trophy as the LPGA Tour’s top rookie of 2017 at a ceremony in Florida on Thursday.

Park was presented with the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year trophy during the LPGA ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort. It was held after the opening-round of the LPGA’s season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.

Park actually clinched the points race for the top rookie honors in mid-October. She had opened a 1,413-615 lead over Angel Yin of the United States with five tournaments remaining. Rookies earn 150 points for each victory, which is doubled for majors and the CME Group Tour Championship. Yin was only scheduled to play four more events at the time and wouldn’t have been able to catch Park.

The 24-year-old former Korea LPGA star won the U.S. Women’s Open for her first LPGA win and her first major in July, and she followed up with a win at the CP Women’s Open in August.

She became the first rookie to reach No. 1 in the world rankings last week, but her reign lasted just one week, as Feng Shanshan of China soon brought her down to No. 2.

Heading into CME Group Tour Championship, Park was leading the LPGA in money and was in second place in scoring average. She was also in third in the Player of the Year points race, within striking distance of the current leader, Ryu So-yeon of South Korea.

No rookie has won the money title, scoring title, Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in the same year since Nancy Lopez in 1978.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Sung Hyun Park of South Korea has become the first LPGA Tour rookie to reach No. 1 in the world.

Park replaced So Yeon Ryu atop the women’s world ranking Monday without playing last week. Ryu lost the No. 1 ranking after 19 weeks when she failed to finish in a tie for sixth at the Toto Japan Classic.

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., was the top Canadian on this week’s rankings list at No. 13.

The 24-year-old Park won 10 times on the Korean LPGA Tour. Park won the CP Women’s Open, the U.S. Women’s Open and already has clinched LPGA rookie of the year. She has a chance to become the first player since Nancy Lopez to win rookie of the year and player of the year in the same season.

Park is playing in China before next week’s season-ending CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Florida.