Deadline of December 6 for Canadian golf community to submit nominations for Community Leader Award & Future Leader Award to recognize individuals’ impact through golf.
October 24, 2024 – Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation are pleased to announce that nominations for the 2024 Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards are now being accepted through to Friday, December 6.
The inaugural Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards were launched in the summer of 2022 and the Canadian golf community is invited to submit nominations for one of two signature recognitions – the Community Leader Award as well as the Future Leader Award.
The Lorie Kane Community Leader Award celebrates individuals over the age of 19 with a demonstrated ability to lead community initiatives; who have contributed a measurable impact through volunteerism or charity; or have showcased excellence in their involvement with, or support of youth programs such as First Tee – Canada or other junior golf activities.
The recipient of the Lorie Kane Community Leader Award will receive a $5,000 donation from the Golf Canada Foundation to advance a golf program or golf-related initiative of their choice.
To recognize youth who are making an impact in their community, the Lorie Kane Future Leader Award will honour an individual 19 years of age or younger who embodies community leadership; has a history of sportsmanship or demonstrated activities to make the game more inclusive; or an individual who has used golf to create a meaningful impact in their community.
The recipient of the Lorie Kane Future Leader Award will be awarded a $5,000 donation towards their post-secondary education.
The Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards were named to honour the Canadian golf icon for a longstanding commitment to advancing the sport, charitable work and giving back to the game that defined her Hall of Fame career. Kane is a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Canada Sports Hall of Fame as well as a recipient of the Order of Canada.
“On behalf of Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation, we are pleased to begin accepting nominations from the Canadian golf community for the 2024 Lorie Kane Community Spirt Awards,” said Golf Canada President David McCarthy. “Lorie Kane is a Canadian golf icon who has given back so much to numerous communities across Canada through her charitable work. She is a role model to many and has made significant contributions to the continued growth of our sport. We look forward to recognizing individuals who share a similar commitment with their positive contributions to the game in their communities.”
In 2022, Fareen Samij of Burlington, Ont. and Bob Beauchemin of Brampton, Ont. were named the inaugural co-recipients of the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards.
A five-time Canadian Women’s Long Drive champion and former golf touring professional, Samij is a respected entrepreneur, speaker, and author who founded the Smashing the Grass Ceiling golf program to engage women and young girls to connect and be inspired on the golf course.
Beauchemin, a PGA of Canada professional and Head Teaching Professional at Oakdale Golf and Country Club, was nominated for his efforts to advance junior golf including First Tee Canada, as well as his mentorship to countless golf industry professionals through the Humber College Professional Golf Management Program.
In 2023, Simeon Pompey of Montréal, Que. and Rosie Allen of Corner Brook, Nfld. were named the 2023 recipients of the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards.
Pompey earned the 2023 Lorie Kane Community Leader Award for his long-time support of First Tee which led him to be at the heart of the program’s success in Montréal since the launch of First Tee – Premier départ Quebec in 2021. He has also played a key role in the launch of golf programming in the Indigenous community of Kahnawake, on the south shore of Montréal.
Allen was the recipient of the 2023 Lorie Kane Future Leader Award. She played an instrumental leadership role in helping to develop the First Tee – Canada program at her home course, Blomidon Golf Club in Corner Brook, Nfld. Allen has devoted her time to First Tee programming as well as helping to plan and run events for her club’s junior girls’ program.
The Canadian golf community is invited to submit individual nominations for the 2024 Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards through an online nomination form. The nomination period will close at 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, December 6.
Click here to nominate an individual for the Lorie Kane Community Leader Award.
Click here to nominate an individual for the Lorie Kane Future Leader Award.
At the conclusion of the nomination period, all Lorie Kane Community Spirit Award submissions will be compiled and evaluated by a selection committee that includes representatives from Golf Canada, the Golf Canada Foundation, Honoured Members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, industry representatives and the Golf Journalists Association of Canada.
Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada have launched a new online coaching module, “Introducing Golf to Individuals with Disabilities.”
The development and roll-out of the new coaching module is part of a shared commitment from both organizations to promote a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment across Canadian golf.
As part of this commitment, the PGA of Canada and Golf Canada are also collaborated with EDGA (formerly the European Disabled Golf Association) to provide coach training that will demystify adaptive golf.
The “Introducing Golf to Individuals with Disabilities” module will assist PGA of Canada golf instructors and other trained individuals, coaches, and health practitioners in creating inclusive programs that welcome individuals with disabilities into introductory golf experiences. The coaching module will guide instructors in designing adaptive programs, modifying golf equipment and activities to meet participants’ needs, and communicating effectively and respectfully with and about individuals with disabilities.
The module is designed for golf instructors and coaches, healthcare professionals, community leaders, parents, volunteers, and golfers.
“Through this coach training module, Golf and Canada and our partners at the PGA of Canada are eager to increase support for golfers of all abilities and make our sport more inclusive for all Canadians,” said Laura Wilson, Director of Inclusion Programs and Safe Sport for Golf Canada. “The contents of the module have been thoughtfully constructed with objectives and learning outcomes to help provide coach training towards an inclusive golf experience for individuals with disabilities.”
The goal of the module is directed three-fold towards golf instructors, healthcare professionals and volunteers: To increase the inclusivity and adaptiveness of golf programs for individuals with disabilities; utilize adaptive golf opportunities for rehabilitation activities; and provide an introductory pathway for individuals to support at introductory golf clinics and first involvement programs for participant with disabilities.
Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada wish to recognize the Government of Canada and their support in providing funding for the coaching module through the Community Sport for All Initiative which seeks to remove barriers and increase sport participation rates for underrepresented groups. Its key objective is to support community sport initiatives for equity-deserving groups, particularly Black, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQI+, and newcomers to increase participation and retention in sport.
The module content was written by Katherine Hale, Golf Canada’s Manager of Inclusion Programs, and a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competency. It was produced in partnership with the PGA of Canada, whose teaching and coaching programs are widely respected around the world.
The “Introducing Golf to Individuals with Disabilities” coaching module can be accessed by clicking here.
St Andrews, Scotland & Oakville, Ont. – The R&A announced new participation figures that show an increase of more than three million adult golfers playing the sport.
According to new research undertaken for the governing body, there are now 42.7 million on-course golfers (9 and 18-hole) in R&A affiliated markets (outside the USA and Mexico).
The research figures for 2023 indicate a growth of 3.1 million on-course golfers since 2022. The growth trend began before the onset of Covid-19 and is now accelerating faster than the 2020-2022 pandemic period when there was an average of 2.5 million new on-course golfers per annum. The sport continues to increase in popularity, now up 44% from 29.6 million on-course players in 2016.
The new data is provided by national federations in The R&A’s affiliated markets in Asia, Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Oceania.
The research also shows that 62.3 million adults (outside the USA and Mexico) consume the sport in some format, an increase of 1.1 million since 2022. It is just the second time an estimate has been made beyond on-course activity to include alternative-only formats, such as pitch & putt, indoor simulator golf and driving range use.
“Golf’s popularity continues to grow with a significant increase in the number of people playing the sport both on and off the course,” said Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A. “There are now 13 million more golfers playing on the course since 2016 in R&A affiliated markets, while there are also millions of others enjoying alternative formats of golf, such as driving ranges, adventure golf and simulator golf, which are vital to the growth of the sport.
“New golfer participation programmes with appealing propositions, promotion and imagery are important for encouraging more people into the sport and retaining them in greater numbers. This is why we continue to work collaboratively with our affiliated national federations and stakeholders to build on this momentum and ensure golf continues to thrive.”
The top five on-course adult golfer markets overall reported are in:
- Japan (11.4 million)
- Republic of Korea (8.7 million)
- Canada (6.3 million)
- England (4.2 million)
- Germany (2.4 million)
Asia is the leading region for people engaging with golf among R&A affiliated regions, with total adult engagement in golf of 26.2 million. Europe is next highest with 19.7 million adults having some form of golf engagement.
The number of adult registered golfers (those members of a golf club within their national association or affiliated through a direct subscription) increased from 8 million in 2022 to 8.2 million in 2023, with an overall growth of 10% since 2020. Registered women golfers have grown from 1.5 million in 2020 to 1.6 million in 2023.
There was a decrease in those adults who only played formats other than 9 or 18-hole golf – 21.6 million in 2022 to 19.6 million in 2023 – but this is likely to positively reflect on those moving instead to full-length on-course golf. The percentage of golfers only using alternative formats that are women did grow from 47% in 2022 to 52% in 2023, specifically in key golfing markets.
Golf Canada is now accepting nominations for its 2024 National Facility Awards for Junior Golf, presented by HUMI.
This award program was created with the intention of celebrating and recognizing facilities across Canada who are making outstanding contributions to junior golf in their communities. Our hope is that these awards will shine a spotlight on the extraordinary support of junior golf by these facilities and set a positive example for others to follow.
Please consider nominating your facility based on the six categories below:
Junior Golf Opportunity Award
Awarded to a facility that provides exceptional access and membership opportunities for junior golfers. Special consideration is given to facilities with strong non-family sponsored junior programs and facilities with fundraising programs to help athletes compete at provincial, national, and international competitions.
2023 Winner: Sawmill Golf Club (Fenwick, Ontario)
Competitive Junior Program of the Year
Awarded to a facility or academy program with many junior athletes competing in provincial and national championships and earning strong results in those championships.
2023 Winner: Royal Ottawa Golf Club (Gatineau, Quebec)
Grassroots Junior Program of the Year
Awarded to a facility or academy program that is excelling at creating new junior golfers through local programming.
2023 Winner: Deep River Golf Club (Deep River, Ontario)
Tournament Host of the Year
Awarded to a facility that gives back to junior golf by embracing the opportunity to host junior competitions. The facility creates an excellent tournament experience for players and involves the local community through volunteers and fundraising support.
2023 Winner: South Muskoka Curling & Golf Club (Bracebridge, Ontario)
First Tee – Canada Program Location of the Year
Awarded to a First Tee – Canada Program Location that demonstrates excellent enrolment in First Tee – Canada programming and makes a significant impact on growing participation among new juniors within its community.
2023 Winner: Fraserview Golf Course (Vancouver, British Columbia)
Youth on Course Program Location of the Year
Awarded to the facility that provides the largest number of Youth on Course green fee subsidies to junior golfers in the calendar year.
2023 Winner: Shaganappi Point Golf Course (Calgary, Alberta)
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Click the button below to nominate a facility for an award for 2024.
National Facility Awards for Junior Golf
Nominations are set to close Friday, November 15, 2024 and we will announce the 2024 Awards Winners at the Golf Canada Annual General Meeting in early 2025.
If you have any questions regarding the awards or nomination process, please feel free to email NFAJG@golfcanada.ca.
Former Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club Partnership Executive to lead
Golf Canada’s integrated Commercial Business
(September 10, 2024) – Golf Canada announced today that sports business leader Mark Palmer has joined the organization as its new Chief Commercial Officer, beginning September 23, 2024.
Palmer joins Golf Canada from the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club where he spent more than 20 years helping to drive the team’s commercial growth, most recently as Director, Partnership Development.
Palmer will join Golf Canada’s Executive Team as a key contributor in leading and managing all areas of revenue generation for the organization including oversight of partnerships, sponsorship, and all revenue-related functions of the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open as well Amateur Championships, BDO National Golf League, She Plays Golf, and First Tee – Canada. He will also support the development of innovative business opportunities and additional revenue streams including new events and facilities for Golf Canada’s new headquarters at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.
“Mark is an accomplished and dynamic revenue driver with a proven track record of transforming corporate partnerships into substantial top-line growth and we are exceptionally pleased to welcome him to Golf Canada to help drive the organization to an elevated level of commercial success,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Mark is an innovative leader who brings a depth of related industry experience, a network of deep-rooted relationships and a proven track record of sustained top-line revenue growth to help drive the momentum of our talented commercial team.”
Palmer has led initiatives that helped catapult the Blue Jays sponsorship revenue, pushing the team to top five in Major League Baseball’s rankings. He supported the team in monetizing a comprehensive stadium renovation during the previous two years and successfully negotiated numerous sponsorship deals with premium Canadian and international brands. Prior to partnership development, Palmer was successful in driving substantial premium hospitality and group sales ticket revenue, leading a team that rose as high as third in group ticket sales across all MLB teams at the time.
“I am honoured to join Golf Canada as Chief Commercial Officer, working with a talented team passionate about growing the game in Canada,” said Palmer. “Together, we will drive new commercial opportunities, partnerships, and innovations to elevate the sport, while building on Golf Canada’s legacy and ensuring golf continues to thrive in Canada.”
Palmer honed his executive commercial expertise across several team roles during his tenure including Corporate Partnerships, Ticket Sales and Premium Hospitality. Adept at leveraging analytics, market research and creative thinking to exceed business objectives, Palmer also brings expertise in strategic negotiation, innovative program development, and maximizing sponsorship value.
Adding a depth of professional association and volunteer experience, Palmer sits on the Board of Directors for the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada (SMCC), Variety – The Children’s Charity of Ontario, and is a current member and former Chair of the Canadian Marketing Association’s (CMA) Sponsorship Council.
Palmer graduated from the University of Windsor with a BA in Communication Studies, before earning a Post-Graduate Diploma in Sports and Event Marketing from George Brown College. He also holds certification in Negotiation, Business Strategy, and DNA of Top Performers through the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. In 2022 Palmer was granted Charter Marketer Designation by the CMA
An avid and enthusiastic golfer, Palmer resides in Toronto with his partner, Kathryn and their five children.
Golf Canada is deeply saddened by the loss of Past President (1997) and Honorary Life Governor Frederick Alvin (Al) Macatavish, who passed away peacefully on August 29, 2024, at the Selkirk District Health Centre in Selkirk, Man., at the age of 84.
Macatavish had a long history of dedicated service to golf, both in Manitoba and on the national and international stages.
He had been a member of Elmhurst Golf and Country Club since 1964 and served on the club’s Board of Directors from 1967 to 1979, including a term as President from 1976 to 1977.
Provincially, he was Elmhurst’s representative to Golf Manitoba from 1978 to 1979 and served on the Board of Directors from 1980 to 1988, including a term as President in 1985 and Past President from 1986 to 1988. He was the non-playing captain for Manitoba’s 1983 junior men’s team and the 1985 Willingdon Cup team.
Al was a past member of Golf Canada’s Board of Directors serving the association for many years in various capacities, including the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Selection Committee and a term as President in 1997. He was appointed an Honorary Life Governor in 2000.
He served as Canada’s delegate to the World Golf Council from 1997 to 2000 and was a rules official at international events on four continents, as well as at numerous events across Canada and in Manitoba.
He was inducted into the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and Museum on September 25, 2006.
Al will be missed by many, as both he and his wife Cathy made significant contributions to Golf Canada, the former Canadian Ladies Golf Association, Golf Manitoba, Elmhurst Golf and Country Club, and the golfing community at large. Both Al and Cathy were also very supportive of the Golf Canada Foundation and its growth for many years.
Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held at a later date.
Oakville, Ont. – Golf Canada is pleased to announce that Ryan Paul of Ancaster, Ont. has been appointed Tournament Director of the RBC Canadian Open.
Paul has served the past seven years with Golf Canada as Tournament Director of the CPKC Women’s Open, Canada’s lone stop on the LPGA Tour. During Paul’s tenure as CPKC Women’s Open Tournament Director, the National Open Championship has been hosted in four provinces and has become a signature women’s sporting event in Canada, having earned back-to-back LPGA Tournament of the Year honours in 2022 and 2023. In addition, the tournament has won a number of awards including, Best Sponsor Activation (2023, 2022 and 2019), Best Charity and Community Engagement (2022, 2019 and 2017), Best Volunteer Appreciation (2023) and has seen the largest build on the LPGA Tour (2023, 2022).
A member of Golf Canada’s Senior Leadership Team, Paul has led Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship to record levels of commercial and operational success since taking over as Tournament Director in 2017. Last month’s CPKC Women’s Open – hosted for the first time ever at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, Alta. set a new tournament record with 73,290 fans attending the event.
“Ryan Paul has done a tremendous job in growing every aspect of the CPKC Women’s Open and he will now take that stellar record into continuing to grow the RBC Canadian Open and maintain the amazing trajectory of this award-winning PGA TOUR event,” said Laurence Applebaum, Chief Executive Officer, Golf Canada. “Ryan comes from a lineage of great tournament directors with his father Bill occupying a similar role for many years. Ryan is just the right leader and growth mindset to be the ideal new leader of this great national championship.”
A collaborative and experienced golf industry leader, Paul has been a key contributor to Golf Canada’s professional championships team and the success of Canada’s National Open Championships dating back to 2007. Prior to being named Tournament Director of the CPKC Women’s Open, Paul worked as Golf Canada’s Manager, Professional Championships and Assistant Tournament Director, supporting both of Canada’s National Open Championships – the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open.
Paul honed his executive management skills with Wasserman from 2011-2016 as an account manager on the agency’s key golf accounts for RBC, CN, Shaw, Manulife, and CPKC where he managed operations, experiential activities, and player relations.
For Paul, taking on the leadership position of Canada’s lone stop on the PGA TOUR begins a new chapter stewarding a signature Canadian sporting event that has long been a part of his life.
“I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to take on the role of Tournament Director for the RBC Canadian Open. The RBC Canadian Open has always been a big part of my life having grown up with it and is one I am very passionate about. For Golf Canada and RBC to have the confidence in me to play a lead role in our National Men’s Open Championship is truly an honour. I am excited to dive right into preparations for the 2025 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. The RBC Canadian Open is a world-class event and I look forward to continuing to build upon the growth and success it has achieved,” said Ryan Paul, Tournament Director, RBC Canadian Open. “I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to CPKC, the LPGA Tour’s players, caddies, staff and key stakeholders for an incredible seven years working to elevate the CPKC Women’s Open and women’s golf in Canada. I am beyond proud of what we’ve collectively accomplished highlighted by back-to-back Tournament of the Year honours. I look forward to remaining part of the CPKC Women’s Open team in a supporting role and watching the tournament continue to succeed.”
Paul takes over the role of RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director from Bryan Crawford who left Golf Canada in June to become Commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League.
Paul and his wife Samantha are parents to three young children.
The 2025 RBC Canadian Open will be conducted June 3-8 for the first time ever at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont. The 2025 CPKC Women’s Open will be played August 18-24 at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont.
Golf Canada has already begun the search for a new CPKC Women’s Open Tournament Director.
Golf Canada and Matt & Steve’s are thrilled to announce a three-year extension of their partnership, ensuring Matt & Steve’s continues as the Official Caesar Partner of Golf Canada, the CPKC Women’s Open and the RBC Canadian Open through 2027.
Building on the successful collaboration that began in 2022, Matt & Steve’s will continue to offer a selection of their popular ready-to-drink Caesars, Extreme Beans, and pickled garnish products at Golf Canada’s premier events. Spectators will also continue to enjoy the vibrant and popular Matt & Steve’s Caesar Deck as part of the Fare Way food and beverage experience.
“We are excited to extend our partnership with Matt & Steve’s, bringing their unique and flavorful products to enhance the fan experience at the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open,” said Craig Sharp, Sr. Director, Partnerships, Golf Canada. “Matt & Steve’s has been an integral part of our championships, and we look forward to continuing to build a lively and enjoyable atmosphere for our spectators with their innovative offerings.”
The extension of this partnership underscores the commitment of both Golf Canada and Matt & Steve’s to deliver exceptional experiences for golf fans and to celebrate the sport across the country. With this renewed collaboration, fans can look forward to more exciting activations and delicious offerings at Canada’s most prestigious golf events.
“Building on the incredible success of the last three years, we are thrilled to extend our partnership with Golf Canada. We look forward to continuing to bring the Matt & Steve’s Caesar Deck experience to golf fans across Canada. See you on the Caesar Deck in 2025!” said Steve McVicker, Co-Founder/CBO of Matt & Steve’s.
Matt & Steve’s are operating their infamous Caesar Deck at the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open in Calgary, Alta. where the iconic Caesar was invented, July 25 – 28.
Calgary, Alta. – Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation are proud to officially announce the creation of the Jocelyne Bourassa Legacy Fund, honouring the legacy of Canadian Golf Hall of Famer and trailblazer Jocelyne Bourassa. In a fitting tribute to the inaugural winner of the CPKC Women’s Open.
The Jocelyne Bourassa Legacy Fund was created with two clear objectives: First, to increase the number of women in the high-performance coaching profession by providing full tuition grants to successful applicants of the year long Women in Coaching Program led by Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada. Secondly, to provide education grants for women athletes who are part of Golf Canada’s Team Canada Program.
“The Bourassa Legacy Education Grant will be critical in supporting our best women amateurs by allowing them to focus on their pursuit of the LPGA Tour while knowing they will be supported when they choose to continue their education in the future,” said Emily Phoenix, Director of High Performance, Golf Canada. “Additionally, the support for the Women in Coaching Program will increase opportunities for women in high-performance coaching and impact the next generation of Canadian golfers.”
The fund is part of Golf Canada’s high-performance strategic plan to help 30 Canadians reach the LPGA and PGA TOUR by 2032. The modern path to the LPGA Tour often requires the best amateurs to turn professional before graduating from college – only 20 per cent of the current top 50 women on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings graduated from university. The creation of the educational grants will support high performance players as they face the difficult decision of when to turn professional.
Team Canada member, Brooke Rivers of Brampton, Ont. will be the first eligible recipient of the Bourassa Legacy Education Grant. Rivers recently turned professional following one-year of collegiate golf at Wake Forest University. In her freshman year, Rivers notched two Top 15 finishes and reached her best ranking of no. 141 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings. In her professional debut, Rivers finished as runner-up at the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open as part of the She Plays Golf Championship series, earning an exemption in the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open. As a Bourassa Legacy Education Grant recipient, Rivers would be supported to finish her education in the future.
The financial objective of the Bourassa Fund is to raise $1 million. One year after a soft launch the Fund is closing in on 50 per cent of its fundraising goal. Jocelyne Bourassa Legacy Fund committee members include Joelle Efford (Chair, Jocelyne Bourassa Legacy Fund and Sr. Director Development, Golf Canada Foundation), Diane Dunlop-Hebert (Golf Canada Past President and Honorary Life Governor), Chris Greatrex (former LPGA and PGA of Canada professional), Debbie Savoy-Morel (Professional Emeritus and Ambassador, Club de Golf Le Mirage), Mary-Lee Cobick (Sr. Vice President, LPGA Foundation and Professionals), Libby Skinner (trusted colleague of Jocelyne) and Liz Hoffman (Golf Canada Past President, Honorary Life Governor and Golf Canada Foundation Board member).
Jocelyne Bourassa won the first LPGA Tour Canadian event in 1973 formally known as La Canadienne, now the CPKC Women’s Open. Bourassa served as the executive director of the du Maurier Classic, one of the LPGA’s four major championships. She was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1972 and was inducted into the Quebec Golf Hall of Fame in 1995, Golf Canada’s Hall of Fame in 1996 and into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. Bourassa passed away on August 3, 2021, at the age of 74.
For more information on the Jocelyne Bourassa Legacy Fund, please contact Joelle Efford at jefford@golfcanada.ca. To make a donation to the Jocelyne Bourassa Legacy Fund, please click here.
Golf Canada and Golf Town are proud to announce a multi-year extension of their partnership that will see Canada’s largest golf specialty retailer remain an official partner of the CPKC Women’s Open.
This year, Golf Town is excited to build on its existing activations, with the debut of its state-of-the-art Players Tour Truck on-site near the practice area at Earl Grey. The tour truck will provide access to elevated professional fittings and club services and help to consolidate LPGA Tour player equipment needs during tournament week. Click here for more information.
“At Golf Town, from day one, we have been committed to promoting equality in our sport of golf,” said Frederick Lecoq, Chief Marketing Officer at Golf Town. “By introducing our Players Tour Truck at the CPKC Women’s Open, we are taking a significant step in providing female athletes with the expertise and resources to help them perform their best on Canada’s greatest stage.”
As part of the renewed agreement, Golf Town will once again feature the popular Brooke Brigade initiative. Since 2017, the Brooke Brigade initiative has united junior golfers across the country who share a passion for the sport along with supporting Canada’s winningest golfer, Brooke Henderson.
This year at the CPKC Women’s Open at Earl Grey Golf Club, two Brooke Brigade viewing zones will be available for junior fans. They will offer front row viewing options on the 10th and 16th greens and provide t-shirts, snacks and drinks for junior participants who come to support Brooke in Calgary.
Golf Town will also return as the presenting sponsor of Autograph Alley, located at the 18th green at Earl Grey, providing a space along the ropes where youth fans can get autographs from their favourite LPGA Tour stars.
“We are excited to welcome the new Players Tour Truck experience to this year’s event and applaud Golf Town’s impactful commitment to deliver a premium player equipment and servicing experience that will be easily accessible for the field of athletes competing for Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship.” said Laurence Applebaum, Chief Executive Officer, Golf Canada. “We are also excited that our extended partnership continues to provide more viewing options for junior enthusiasts with the Brooke Brigade areas and Autograph Alley which will continue to bring the world’s best LPGA Tour stars closer to young golf fans at the CPKC Women’s Open.”
In addition, as part of the introduction of the Golf Town Players Tour Truck, any guest to the CPKC Women’s Open can receive a free custom fitting at their local Golf Town by presenting their event ticket.
The 50th playing of the CPKC Women’s Open takes place July 23-28 at the Earl Grey Golf and Country Club in Calgary, Alta. For more information or to purchase tickets, please click here.
