AURORA, Ont. – With the opening-round of the $2.25 million (US) CPKC Women’s Open less than two days away, tournament week at Magna Golf Club continues to showcase the finest in women’s professional golf.

Wednesday, August 21st is Championship Pro-Am Day. The event will see professional golfers take to the course to 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.

BROOKE HENDERSON FEELING GREAT HEADING INTO 2019 CP WOMEN’S OPEN TITLE DEFENSE
Defending champion Brooke Henderson told media Tuesday that she feels great heading into Thursday’s opening round.

“It’s amazing. I played nine holes yesterday and nine this morning and the course is in incredible condition. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun for all of us girls to go out there and probably try to make a lot birdies and shoot low scores,” said Henderson.

Henderson, who earlier this year defended her title at the LOTTE Championship in April and won the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give in June (her ninth LPGA Tour title), is now, at 21, Canada’s winningest golfer on the LPGA or PGA Tour.

She looks to become the first person since Lydia Ko (2012-13) to win back-to-back CPKC Women’s Open titles. If she were to win this week, she would also become the first Canadian to win multiple CPKC Women’s Opens.

“To have won the CPKC Women’s Open last year is probably the highlight of my career so far,” said Henderson. “Just being with all the great fans from the nation and just having so much attention on me and then still being able to perform as well as I did and execute those shots under pressure was really exciting for me.”

Magna Golf Club, Henderson said, has been a pleasure to play. Mike McMahon, the head golf professional at the club, has walked around with Henderson both Tuesday and Monday and has provided her with some tips. She said ball striking will be key this week.

“The fairways are pretty generous and the greens are very large. I think if you can be really precise on approaches with your ball striking you’ll hit it to the right slopes, right quadrants on the green. That’ll be really important to give yourself a good look at birdie,” she said. “It’s in amazing shape. It’s going to be a lot of fun. I do think if the conditions stay as they are right now there will be some low scores. I think that will be fun for fans as well.”

Every year since 2016 Henderson has won twice on the LPGA Tour and has ascended as high as fifth on the Rolex Rankings this year. But still, the CPKC Women’s Open is a highlight on her calendar.

“To win the CPKC Women’s Open last year was incredible. Do I think I’m going to do it again this year? I’m going to give it all I have, my best shot,” she said. “Like I said, I’m going to give it my all, see what I can do, and hopefully post a solid round on Thursday and give the fans something to cheer about.”

Henderson is one of 15 Canadians to play in this year’s CPKC Women’s Open, including Lorie Kane of Charlottetown, PEI – making her record-setting 29th appearance.

12-YEAR-OLD MICHELLE LIU TO MAKE ANTICIPATED CP WOMEN’S OPEN DEBUT
Age is just a number, but this week at the CPKC Women’s Open, it’s an important one.

After finishing as top Canadian at last month’s Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, Michelle Liu, of Vancouver, earned a spot in the CPKC Women’s Open.

At just 12 years old, she is the youngest person to ever tee it up in Canada’s national open.

“I feel like I’m getting pretty famous,” said Liu. “I think it’s a new experience for me, so I would say that’s definitely pretty cool.”

Liu finished the Canadian Women’s Amateur, which took place this year at Red Deer Golf and Country Club, at 1-over par. She finished tied for 12th, one shot better than Team Canada National team member, Brigitte Thibault.

Liu said her big goal this week was to just play well and enjoy herself.

“I definitely do hope for a lot. I know there are a lot of great players here in the field. I think it was 96 out of the top 100 players, so I definitely say (making the cut is) going to be pretty hard,” she said. “I hope for a lot and I expect a little bit less.”

Liu, who is entering grade eight, said she also plays volleyball and basketball when she’s not golfing. Art is one of her hobbies – she has a web comic with a few friends – and she started a foundation called the Hope for Girls Foundation to pay for school supplies for girls in the Northern part of the Guangzhou province in China.

But while she’s fairly busy off the golf course, this week is about what’s happening on the golf course for Liu, who has already teed it up with some LPGA Tour winners including Christina Kim, and practiced alongside her idol, fellow Canadian Brooke Henderson.

“I’m looking forward to being able to play with even more great players, especially in like the environment of a professional golf tournament,” said Liu. “I think it’s definitely going to be a challenge for me and my mental game to be able to focus and like keep my mind on each and every shot.”

PAIRING AND START TIMES – ROUNDS 1&2

Pairings for the first and second rounds of the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open are available here.

CP WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT A SUCCESS
Canada and Canadian Pacific were proud to conduct the second annual CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit on Tuesday, August 20 at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North in Richmond Hill, Ont., as part of the weeklong excitement of the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open.

The CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit brought together like-minded businesswomen from across the country for a day of networking, empowerment and philanthropy. The Summit also raised awareness for the CPKC Women’s Open, with attendees receiving access to the tournament during the week.

The keynote speaker Roberta Bowman, Chief Brand & Communications Officer of the LPGA, and was joined by LPGA Tour Professional Mariah Stackhouse for an athlete Q&A.

Attendees heard from business leaders Maeghan Albiston, Assistant Vice-President of Investor Relations & Pensions at CP, Anne Simard, Chief Mission & Research Officer of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Jennifer Tory, Chief Administrative Officer of RBC.

A new addition to the leadership summit in 2019 was the athlete panel, which featured four accomplished Canadian Olympians — speed-skater Anastasia Bucsis, soccer goalkeeper Karina Leblanc, multi-sport star Georgia Simmerling and two-time ice hockey gold medalist Natalie Spooner.

Rogers Sportsnet Central Co-Anchor Evanka Osmak was the emcee and panel moderator for the event.

For more information about the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit, please visitwww.cpkcwomensopen.com/wls.

BIRDIES FOR HEART
You can help fundraise for an upgraded Cardiac Operating Suite at SickKids by pledging a donation amount or per birdie for 2019 CPKC Women’s Open tournament play. Whenever a LPGA Tour player sinks a birdie on the 17th hole, your chosen dollar amount is donated to SickKids Foundation. For all donations made through Birdies For Heart, spectator support will be matched by CP. To participate, please click here.

AURORA, Ont. – Kelly Tan’s 7-under-par 65 led the way at the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open Monday Qualifier at Scarboro Golf and Country Club.

Tan, of Malaysia, was the medalist Monday by five shots. Tan is a full-time member of the Symetra Tour who has played four times on the LPGA Tour in 2019. She also represented Malaysia at the 2016 Rio Olympics. This will be Tan’s fifth appearance at the CPKC Women’s Open.

Suzuka Yamaguchi of Japan finished in second with a 2-under-par 70. Yamaguchi is 145th on the Race to CME Globe.

Robyn Choi of Australia and Muni He of China finished at 1-under 71 to round out the four golfers earning spots in the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open via final (Monday) qualifying.

Maddie McCrary of the United States and Julieta Granada of Paraguay, a past winner on the LPGA Tour, were awarded sponsor invitations following qualifying.

Casey Ward (72) of Picton, Ont., finished as the low Canadian and was also awarded a sponsor exemption. Ward is an award-winning PGA of Canada member based out of Credit Valley Golf and Country Club.

With the addition of Ward to the field, there will now be 15 Canadians competing at the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open, including defending champion Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. and Lorie Kane of Charlottetown, PEI – who is making her record-setting 29th appearance at the CPKC Women’s Open.

Click here for the full Monday Qualifier leaderboard.

AURORA, Ont. (Golf Canada) –– The final four spots into the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open field will be determined in Monday’s final qualifying event at Scarboro Golf and Country Club.

A total of 36 competitors will challenge for one of four spots into the field for Canada’s Women’s Open Golf Championship. The Final Qualifier features 18 holes of stroke play with the low four competitors receiving an exemption into the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open field. If necessary, a hole-by-hole playoff will be conducted immediately following the conclusion of play.

Click here for pairings, start times and results from Final Qualifying on Monday, August 19. Results will be available as players complete their rounds.

Tournament week for the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open kicks off at Magna Golf Club as the stars of the LPGA Tour return to the Greater Toronto area for the first time in 17 years.

In addition to practice rounds in the morning, also taking place is the Canada Day All-Star Clinic and Pro-Am benefiting Golf Canada Foundation.

The All-Star Clinic will feature TSN’s Rod Black conducting live interviews with LPGA Tour stars including Cheyenne Woods, Brittany Lang, Katherine Kirk, Alena Sharp, and members of Team Canada’s Young Pro program followed by a shotgun start at 12:30 pm. For a complete list of golfers taking part in the Pro-Am, click here.

96 of the top 100 players on the LPGA Tour Money List as well as 17 in-year winners, nine past champions and 15 Canadians to compete August 19-25 at Magna Golf Club in Aurora, Ont.

CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit to kick off tournament week on Tuesday, August 20

2019 CPKC Women’s Open & CP Has Heart to benefit SickKids Foundation

AURORA, Ont. – Golf Canada in partnership with Canadian Pacific (CP) announced today the full field of competitors set to challenge for the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open taking place August 19-25 at Magna Golf Club in Aurora, Ont.

Defending champion Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., will battle one of the strongest fields on the LPGA Tour including 96 of the top 100 players on the 2019 LPGA Tour List and 17 in-year tournament winners. Henderson, currently ranked sixth on the LPGA Tour Money List and eighth on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, has two LPGA Tour wins on the season and her nine career LPGA Tour victories are the most ever by a Canadian on the LPGA or PGA Tour. Her victory in 2018 at The Wascana Country Club in Regina, Sask. made her the first Canadian since Jocelyne Bourassa 45 years prior to win the National Women’s Open.

A stellar field of international stars are lined up to challenge Henderson at Magna including nine of the top 10 players on the LPGA Money List – Jin Young Ko (No. 1), Jeongeun Lee6 (No. 2), Sung Hyun Park (No. 3), Lexi Thompson (No. 4), Minjee Lee (No. 5), Sei Young Kim (No. 7), Ariya Jutanugarn (No. 8) and Nelly Korda (No. 9).

Henderson also headlines a group of nine past champions coming to Aurora including three-time winner Lydia Ko (2012, 2013, 2015) in search of her record fourth title. Other past champions confirmed include Sung Hyun Park (2017), Ariya Jutanugarn (2016), So Yeon Ryu (2014), Suzann Pettersen (2009), Katherine Kirk (2008), Cristie Kerr (2006) and Juli Inkster (1984).

Other global LPGA Tour stars confirmed among the 156-player field include Jessica Korda, Paula Creamer, Daniel Kang, Shanshan Fang, Morgan Pressel, Anna Nordqvist, Carlota Ciganda, Nasa Hataoka, Moriya Jutanugarn, Charley Hull, Angel Yin, Jennifer Kupcho and Maria Fassi.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the world’s best golfers to Magna Golf Club as the CPKC Women’s Open returns to the Greater Toronto Area for the first time in 17 years,” said Tournament Director Ryan Paul. “Our field, with 96 of the top 100 players on the 2019 LPGA Money List including 17 in-year winners, nine past champions and the very best rising talents in Canadian and international golf, is second to none. With Brooke [Henderson] coming in as our defending champion, golf fans will be treated to an incredible golf experience next week in Aurora.”

A full field list of players confirmed to compete in the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open is available online here.

The field of 156 competitors will vie for the US$2.25 million purse with the champion taking home $337,500.

FIFTEEN CANADIANS TO COMPETE AT MAGNA GOLF CLUB….
Led by Canadian sensation and CP Ambassador Brooke Henderson, 15 Canadians are currently confirmed to challenge for the CPKC Women’s Open including LPGA Tour regulars Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Anne-Catharine Tanguay of Quebec City and Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont. Previously confirmed LPGA Tour rookie Jaclyn Lee of Calgary was forced to withdraw with an injury.

Also competing will be Symetra Tour players Maude-Aimee LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Que., Megan Osland of Kelowna, B.C. and Valerie Tanguay of Saint-Hyacinthe, Que. along with Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont.

Recent Pan Am Games mixed team bronze medalists Brigitte Thibault of Rosemère, Que., and Mary Parsons of Delta, B.C. will be joined by National Junior Squad members Emily Zhu of Richmond Hill, Ont. and Céleste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que.

Four-time LPGA Tour winner, CP Ambassador and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Member Lorie Kane will make her record 29th appearance in the National Open.

The youngest player in the field will be 12-year old Michelle Liu of Vancouver who earned an exemption as the low Canadian at the recent Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.

FINAL FOUR EXEMPTIONS MONDAY AT SCARBORO GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB 
On Monday, August 19, the LPGA Tour will conduct an 18-hole stroke play qualifier at Scarboro Golf and Country Club to determine the final four exemptions directly into the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open. A full list of players competing is available online here.

2019 CP WOMEN’S OPEN TICKETS
One of Canada’s premier annual sporting events, the CPKC Women’s Open features miles of front row seating for golf fans to experience Canada’s lone stop on the LPGA Tour and cheer on Canadian sensation and CP Ambassador Brooke Henderson as she defends her national title on home soil.

General admission tickets, starting at just $20 for early week access, provide access to the grounds to get an up-close look at the stars of the LPGA Tour. Tournament rounds for Thursday, Friday and Saturday are just $50; a Sunday final-round ticket is $60; and a weeklong, fully transferable badge is $120.

A specially priced youth ticket (13-17 years old) is also available while juniors aged 12-and-under gain FREE grounds admission all week long.

In addition to general admission tickets, a limited number of upgraded spectator viewing experiences are still available. A full list of ticket packages and pricing is available online atwww.cpkcwomensopen.com/tickets.

CP HAS HEART IN SUPPORT OF SICKKIDS FOUNDATION
Canadian Pacific will continue its history of making a substantial donation to the host community through its CP Has Heart community investment program. In the five years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open, $8.5 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in communities across Canada. This year, the campaign will benefit SickKids Foundation, the primary charity partner for the 2019 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, as well as Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, Ont. For more information on CP Has Heart, visit www.cphasheart.com.

BIRDIES FOR HEART
You can help fundraise for an upgraded Cardiac Operating Suite at SickKids by pledging a donation amount or per birdie for 2019 CPKC Women’s Open tournament play. Whenever a LPGA Tour player sinks a birdie on the 17th hole, your chosen dollar amount is donated to SickKids Foundation. For all donations made through Birdies For Heart, spectator support will be matched by CP. To participate, please click here.

TELEVISION COVERAGE…
Thursday, August 22 – Golf Channel/TSN/RDS – 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Friday, August 23 – Golf Channel/TSN/RDS – 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 24 – Golf Channel/TSN/RDS – 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 25 – Golf Channel/TSN/RDS – 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

* All times local.

CP WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT TO KICK OFF TOURNAMENT WEEK
Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific are proud to host the second annual CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit on Tuesday, August 20 at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North in Richmond Hill, Ont., as part of the weeklong excitement of the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open. The CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit will bring together like-minded businesswomen 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.

Keynote speaker Roberta Bowman, Chief Brand & Communications Officer of the LPGA will be joined by LPGA Tour Professional Mariah Stackhouse for an athlete Q&A. Attendees will hear from business leaders Maeghan Albiston, Assistant Vice-President of Investor Relations & Pensions at CP, Anne Simard, Chief Mission & Research Officer of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Jennifer Tory, Chief Administrative Officer of RBC. A new addition to the leadership summit in 2019 is the athlete panel, which will feature four accomplished Canadian Olympians—speed skater Anastasia Bucsis, soccer goalkeeper Karina Leblanc, multi-sport star Georgia Simmerling and two-time ice hockey gold medalist Natalie Spooner. Rogers Sportsnet Central Co-Anchor Evanka Osmak will act as the emcee and panel moderator for the event.

For more information about the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit, including tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.cpkcwomensopen.com/wls.

AURORA, Ont. – Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific (CP) have announced the names of 13 players who have received exemptions to compete in the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open, set to take place at Magna Golf Club from August 19-25.

Headlining the list of exemptions is Canadian Golf Hall of Fame honoured member and CP Ambassador Lorie Kane. The Charlottetown native will be making a record-setting 29th appearance at the CPKC Women’s Open appearance, besting World Golf Hall of Fame member JoAnne Carner (28) for most all-time appearances at the event.

Joining Kane will be a teenager who made national headlines last month, Vancouver’s Michelle Liu, who finished as the low Canadian at the 2019 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship in July to earn an exemption. Liu will be 12 years, nine months and seven days when she tees off at Magna Golf Club, becoming the youngest player ever to appear at the CPKC Women’s Open. The record was previously held by Canadian star Brooke Henderson, who played as a 14-year-old in 2012.

Symetra Tour professionals Maude-Aimée Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., Megan Osland of Kelowna, B.C., Valerie Tanguay of Saint-Hyacinthe, Que. and Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., have also been extended exemptions. Leblanc, who will be playing her 10^th CPKC Women’s Open, recently finished with a share of runner-up honours at The CDPHP Open. Leblanc’s best performance at the CPKC Women’s Open came in 2016, when she finished T14. Osland, who earlier this year qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open, will be playing in her second CPKC Women’s Open while Tanguay, in her rookie year on the Symetra Tour will compete in her first CPKC Women’s Open. Szeryk, a Symetra Tour rookie and a member of the Team Canada Young Pro Squad, has three top-5 finishes in 2019, including a runner-up performance at the Zimmer Biomet Championship in May. This will be Szeryk’s fourth appearance at the CPKC Women’s Open.

Team Canada National Amateur Squad member Brigitte Thibault of Rosemère, Que., has been given her second exemption to the CPKC Women’s Open, while Mary Parsons of Delta, B.C., will be making first appearance at an LPGA Tour event. Both Thibault and Parsons finished in the top-5 at the 2019 Women’s Porter Cup and recently represented Canada at the 2019 Pan Am Games golf competition in Lima, Peru where the duo (joined by the men’s pair of Austin Connelly and Joey Savoie) helped Team Canada claim a bronze medal in the mixed team competition, Canada’s first-ever medal in golf at the Pan Am Games. Parsons finished fifth in the Pan Am women’s individual competition while Thibault finished T9.

Two of the brightest young players in Canadian golf – both members of Canada’s National Junior Squad – will also be joining the field at Magna Golf Club. Emily Zhu of Richmond Hill, Ont., 15, recently won the 2019 Canadian Junior Girls Championship and has runner-up finishes in 2019 at both the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship and Ontario Women’s Amateur. Céleste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que., the 2018 Canadian Junior Girls champion who placed T2 at this year’s Canadian Junior will make her second consecutive start in the CPKC Women’s Open.

Rounding out the list of announced player exemptions are reigning Canadian Women’s Amateur champion Brianna Navarrosa of San Diego, 2018 Canadian Women’s Amateur Champion Yealimi Noh of San Francisco, a rising star who earned the Marlene Streit Low Amateur at the 2018 CPKC Women’s Open, and LPGA Tour professional Cheyenne Woods of Phoenix, Ariz.

“We are pleased to extend tournament exemptions to each of these deserving athletes and look forward to welcoming them all to Magna Golf Club,” said CPKC Women’s Open Tournament Director Ryan Paul.

“Each of these players brings added depth and a unique personal storyline to our National Women’s Open Championship and we look forward to having them compete at the CPKC Women’s Open.”

A list of early player commitments was announced July 2^nd and included notable names such as defending champion Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., former champions Lydia Ko of New Zealand, So Yeon Ryu of South Korea and Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn, as well as 17of the top 20 players on the LPGA Tour Money List. In all, the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open will feature 95 of the top 100 players from the LPGA Tour Money List. The final field including additional player exemptions (not including four Monday qualifiers), will be announced Wednesday, August 14.

2019 CP WOMEN’S OPEN TICKETS

One of Canada’s premier annual sporting events, the CPKC Women’s Open features miles of front row seating for golf fans to experience Canada’s lone stop on the LPGA Tour and cheer on Canadian sensation and CP Ambassador Brooke Henderson as she defends her national title on home soil.

General admission tickets, starting at just $20 for early week access, provide access to the grounds to get an up-close look at the stars of the LPGA Tour. Tournament rounds for Thursday, Friday and Saturday are just $50; a Sunday final-round ticket is $60; and a weeklong, fully transferable badge is $120.

A specially priced youth ticket (13-17 years old) is also available while juniors aged 12-and-under gain FREE grounds admission all week long.

In addition to general admission tickets, a limited number of upgraded spectator viewing experiences are still available. A full list of ticket packages and pricing is available online at www.cpkcwomensopen.com/tickets.

CP HAS HEART IN SUPPORT OF SICKKIDS FOUNDATION

Canadian Pacific will continue its history of making a substantial donation to the host community through its CP Has Heart community investment program. In the five years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open, $8.5 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in communities across Canada. This year, the campaign will benefit SickKids Foundation, the primary charity partner for the 2019 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, as well as Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, Ont. For more information on CP Has Heart, visit www.cphasheart.com.

BIRDIES FOR HEART

You can help fundraise for an upgraded Cardiac Operating Suite at SickKids by pledging a donation amount or per birdie for 2019 CPKC Women’s Open tournament play. Whenever a LPGA Tour player sinks a birdie on the 17th hole, your chosen dollar amount is donated to SickKids Foundation. For all donations made through Birdies For Heart, spectator support will be matched by CP. To participate, please click here.

CP WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT TO KICK OFF TOURNAMENT WEEK

Canada and Canadian Pacific are proud to conduct the second annual CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit on Tuesday, August 20 at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North in Richmond Hill, Ont., as part of the weeklong excitement of the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open. The CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit will bring together like-minded businesswomen 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.

Keynote speaker Roberta Bowman, Chief Brand & Communications Officer of the LPGA will be joined by LPGA Tour Professional Mariah Stackhouse for an athlete Q&A. Attendees will hear from business leaders Maeghan Albiston, Assistant Vice-President of Investor Relations & Pensions at CP, Anne Simard, Chief Mission & Research Officer of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Jennifer Tory, Chief Administrative Officer of RBC. A new addition to the leadership summit in 2019 is the athlete panel, which will feature four accomplished Canadian Olympians—speed skater Anastasia Bucsis, soccer goalkeeper Karina Leblanc, multi-sport star Georgia Simmerling and two-time ice hockey gold medalist Natalie Spooner. Rogers Sportsnet Central Co-Anchor Evanka Osmak will act as the emcee and panel moderator for the event.

For more information about the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit, including tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.cpkcwomensopen.com/wls.

By: Donna Spencer (Canadian Press)

Michelle Liu signed what could be the first of many autographs Friday after the 12-year-old golfer finished as the top Canadian in the national women’s amateur championship.

Liu earned an exemption into the LPGA Tour’s CP Women’s Open next month in Aurora, Ont., and intends to take advantage of it.

“Probably, yeah, I’m pretty sure,” the Vancouver pre-teen told The Canadian Press from Red Deer Golf and Country Club.

Liu, pronounced LEE-oo, will be the youngest golfer to play in the 47-year history of Canada’s women’s golf championship.

She’ll be 12 years, nine months and six days old when she tees it up in the first round Aug. 22 at Magna Golf Club.

“It feels like I’m onto another level in my golf game,” Liu said. “I really hope I get paired with someone who is like a really good golfer, so I can learn something from them at the Canadian Women’s Open.”

LPGA star Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., holds the record as the youngest to play in the Canadian Open after she qualified as a 14-year-old in 2012 in Vancouver.

Henderson is also the tournament’s defending champion having won it last year in Regina.

“I really look up to Brooke Henderson,” Liu said. “She’s Canadian and she’s such a great golfer.

“It also means a lot to me to play in a professional tournament, especially one that’s local to me on a national basis I guess. I think the Canadian Women’s Open is a benchmark for me because it’s professional.

“It’s not only a professional tournament, but also like a big tournament where lots of well-known players will be playing.”

Liu finished the 72-hole national amateur in a tie for 12th at 1 over par. She carded a 2-over 74 in Friday’s final round.

Among Canadians, her total was one shot better than Brigitte Thibault of Rosemere, Que.

“A lot of my friends are surprised and really supportive too and there was this other girl who came and asked me to sign her little flyer thing,” Liu said.

Brianna Navarrosa of San Diego, Calif., went 10-under to win the amateur, shooting 68 in the final round. She also earned an exemption to compete at the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open.

Liu bogeyed three of her first four holes, but composed herself to shoot 1-under the rest of the round.

“It didn’t start off that well, but I think I managed to keep my score low,” she said. “I just told myself if I can keep my score at three over, that’s still a good score for today.

“I just tried to make pars. Sometimes the ball would go in and I’d make a birdie. I just tried to keep it at three-over and then on the back nine there were some par-fives.

“I was able to hit it close enough that I could chip and putt and birdie both of those par-fives.”

Liu’s parents Jenny and Jian don’t golf, but their daughter took up the sport at age six.

Her older sister Lucy was interested in the sport, so the sisters attended a summer golf camp.

Liu, who turns 13 in November, will start Grade 8 after the CPKC Women’s Open.

She won’t be the youngest to ever play in a national championship on the LPGA Tour.

American Lucy Li qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open as an 11-year-old in 2014.

Li, still an amateur, went 4 under to tie for fifth in Red Deer.

Liu is scheduled to play in the 2009 Canadian Junior Girls Championship in Lethbridge, Alta.

AURORA, Ont.  —  Golf Canada in partnership with Canadian Pacific (CP), is proud to announce that the second annual CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit will take place Tuesday, August 20 at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North in Richmond Hill, Ont. as part of the weeklong excitement of the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open (CPWO).

The CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit will bring together like-minded businesswomen 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.

The business panel of the Summit will consist of three businesswomen at the top of their respective fields. Maeghan Albiston, Assistant Vice-President of Investor Relations & Pensions at CP, Anne Simard, Chief Mission & Research Officer of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Jennifer Tory, Chief Administrative Officer of RBC will all be part of the panel.

“After seeing the success of the inaugural event, I was honoured to be asked to participate in this year’s CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit,” said Albiston. “As an organization whose values hinge on pride and diversity, we at CP see this event as a meaningful way to show our commitment to developing and empowering women in the workplace.”

A new addition to the leadership summit in 2019 is the athlete panel, which will feature four accomplished Canadian Olympians—speed skater Anastasia Bucsis, soccer goalkeeper Karina Leblanc, multi-sport star Georgia Simmerling and two-time ice hockey gold medalist Natalie Spooner. Rogers Sportsnet Central Co-Anchor Evanka Osmak will act as the emcee and panel moderator for the event.

In addition to the business and athlete panel, Roberta Bowman, Chief Brand & Communications Officer of the LPGA will join the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit as the keynote speaker.

Bowman spent 25 years with Duke Energy before retiring in 2012 as Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer. She served on the LPGA Board of Directors from 2012-2017 and joined the organization full-time in 2018 as Chief Brand and Communications Officer. In her role as a member of the LPGA’s executive leadership team, Bowman led the development and implementation of the LPGA’s new marketing campaign – Drive On –  which celebrates the power and potential in each individual, sharing inspiring stories and creating emotional connections with players, fans and sponsors alike.

“I am thrilled for the opportunity to promote diversity in both business and sport by participating in the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit,” said Bowman. “I look forward to bringing together a group of women who are leaders in what they do, and discuss what motivates, challenges, and inspires us to work hard and enhance our careers.”

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

“Continuing the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit is an extension of our efforts to encourage more women and girls to engage with golf and use the CPKC Women’s Open as a platform to bring together like-minded businesswomen in the spirit of networking, idea-sharing and empowerment,” said Mary Beth McKenna, a member of Golf Canada’s championship management team. “All of our speakers are leaders in their industries, and will provide participants with an inspiring experience and wide array of perspectives.”

The CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit begins at 9 am on August 20 at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North and will feature networking opportunities, a question-and-answer session with panelists along with a three-course lunch. The day will conclude with an activity to support the charitable beneficiary of the CPKC Women’s Open, SickKids Foundation.

For more information about the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit, including tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.cpkcwomensopen.com/wls.

Aurora, Ont. – Golf Canada, in partnership with title sponsor Canadian Pacific (CP), has announced that many of the world’s top players have committed to compete in the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open from August 19-25 at Magna Golf Club in Aurora, Ont.

Leading the charge is defending champion and world no. 6 Brooke Henderson of Smith’s Falls, Ont. who made history at Wascana Country Club in Regina last year becoming the first Canadian since Jocelyne Bourassa 45 years earlier to win Canada’s National Women’s Open. Henderson, currently 5^th on the 2019 LPGA Money List has won two LPGA Tour events in 2019 and her nine career LPGA Tour wins are the most for any Canadian professional golfer on the LPGA or PGA TOUR.

The early player commitments to challenge for the $2.25 million USD purse—one of the largest prizes on the LPGA Tour—will include golf’s brightest stars along with rising talents in Canadian golf. Among the early player commitments are 16 of the top 20 players from the 2019 LPGA Official Money list along with seven past CPKC Women’s Open champions.

“Brooke winning the 2018 CPKC Women’s Open in historic fashion was an incredible moment for Canadian golf and there is a tremendous momentum leading into Magna Golf Club as we bring Canada’s National Women’s Open back to the Greater Toronto Area for the first time in nearly 20 years,” said CPKC Women’s Open Tournament Director Ryan Paul. “Our early player commitments are trending towards welcoming one of the strongest fields on the LPGA Tour that will deliver a spectacular world-class event.”

Early Player Commitments:

Henderson is one of seven past CPKC Women’s Open champions confirmed for Magna including Sung Hyun Park (2017), Ariya Jutanugarn (2016), So Yeon Ryu (2014), Katherine Kirk (2008), Cristie Kerr (2006) and three-time winner Lydia Ko (2015, 2013, 2012) who will be chasing a record fourth CPKC Women’s Open title.

Henderson, currently ranked no. 5 on the LPGA Tour Money List, will be among 16 of the current top-20 players on the 2019 LPGA Money List confirmed for Magna including Jeongeun Lee6 (1), Jin Young Ko (2), Lexi Thompson (3), Sung Hyun Park (4) Minjee Lee (6), Nelly Korda (7), Hannah Green (8), Danielle Kang (9), So Yeon Ryu (10), Sei Young Kim (11), Eun Hee Ji (12), Nasa Hataoka (13), Angel Yin (15), Amy Yang (17) and Azahara Munoz (19).

Golf Canada has also extended a tournament exemption to former Canadian Women’s Amateur champion (2017) Jennifer Kupcho of Westminster, Colo., who earlier this year won the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur. The former Wake Forest University standout was the top-ranked amateur in the world prior to turning professional earlier this summer. An exemption into the CPKC Women’s Open (as well as the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship where applicable) will be extended annually to the winner of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

Canadians in the Mix:

Henderson also headlines the early list of Canadians set to compete at Magna Golf Club. She will be joined by Canadian Golf Hall of Fame honoured member and fellow CP ambassador Lorie Kane, a four-time winner on the LPGA Tour. Kane will be competing in Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship for a record 29^th consecutive time. Other Canadians include LPGA Tour members Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont., Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont., Jaclyn Lee of Calgary and Anne-Catherine Tanguay of Quebec City. The six Canucks will be joined by several more Canadian professional and amateur golfers to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

The 156 golfers teeing-it-up at Magna Golf Club will represent one of the strongest fields on the LPGA Tour with more than 90 of the top 100 players on the LPGA Tour Official Money List expected to compete.

The 2019 CPKC Women’s Open will mark only the second time since 2001 (won by golf legend Annika Sorenstam at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham) that Canada’s National Women’s Open has been contested in the Greater Toronto Area.

CP Has Heart Charity Campaign to Benefit the SickKids Foundation:
Canadian Pacific  and Golf Canada are proud to support SickKids Foundation in Toronto as the primary charity partner for the 2019 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open. Funds raised through the CPKC Women’s Open will go towards renovating a Cardiac Operating Suite at SickKids. In addition, CP is also proud to support the tournament host community in 2019 with a donation of $250,000 to Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, Ont. to support paediatric cardiac care. In the five years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open, $8.5 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in Canada.

CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit to Kick of Tournament Week:

Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific will host the second annual CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit on Tuesday, August 20 at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North in Richmond Hill, Ont. as part of the weeklong excitement of the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open. The CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit will bring together like-minded businesswomen 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.

The business panel of the summit will consist of three businesswomen at the top of their respective fields. Maeghan Albiston, Assistant Vice-President of Investor Relations & Pensions at CP, Anne Simard, Chief Mission & Research Officer of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Jennifer Tory, Chief Administrative Officer of RBC will all be part of the panel. A new addition to the leadership summit in 2019 is the athlete panel which will feature four accomplished Canadian Olympians—speed skater Anastasia Bucsis, soccer goalkeeper Karina Leblanc, multi-sport star Georgia Simmerling and two-time ice hockey gold medalist Natalie Spooner. Roberta Bowman, Chief Brand & Communications Officer of the LPGA, will join the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit as the keynote speaker while Rogers Sportsnet Central Co-Anchor Evanka Osmak will act as the emcee and moderator for the event.

For more information about the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit, including tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.cpkcwomensopen.com/wls.

KIDS 12-AND-UNDER GET IN FREE…
Golf Canada and CP 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.

Toronto, Ontario– Golf Canada and Audi Canada announced today a multi-year integrated partnership that will see the luxury automotive brand become the exclusive Premier Automotive Partner for Canada’s National Open Championships—the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open—as well as the Official Automotive Partner of Golf Canada’s National Team Program.

“We are thrilled to welcome Audi Canada as a fully integrated Premier Partner with Golf Canada’s National Open Championships and Team Canada,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Audi is an iconic brand, synonymous for driving excellence and premium craftsmanship. Our robust partnership touches virtually every level of Canadian golf and we look forward to integrating their progressive brand across Golf Canada’s signature properties as well as our community of member clubs and golfers.”

Through the multi-year partnership, Audi will work alongside Golf Canada to drive excellence in Canadian golf. As the Premier Automotive Partner for the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open, Audi will deliver a premium vehicle experience at Canada’s National Men’s and Women’s Open Championships. Audi owners will also be treated to an elevated event experience when they visit the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open, while fans onsite can enter to win hospitality upgrades and exclusive Audi Driving Experiences.

“Audi has been successfully involved in golf globally for more than two decades,” said Giorgio Delucchi, President of Audi Canada. “Technology, design and sportiness are values that characterize every Audi and which also contribute to the special fascination found in golf.”

Audi Canada’s multi-platform investment in Canadian golf will also benefit the athletes, coaches and sport science team that comprise Golf Canada’s National Team Program including the Team Canada Junior, Amateur and Young Pro Squads. Audi Canada’s partnership will also deliver an enhanced experience across Golf Canada’s digital network of web, social and golfer engagement platforms. The partnership will create a deepened community connection between Golf Canada Member Clubs and the Audi Canada dealer network across Canada.

As the National Sport Federation, Golf Canada operates the RBC Canadian Open, June 3-9 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, as well as the CPKC Women’s Open which takes place August 19-25 at the Magna Golf Club in Aurora, Ont.

Canada’s top-ranked golfer and Canada’s iconic railway are partnering for five more years, both on and off the course. Canadian Pacific (CP) has renewed seven-time LPGA tour-winner and twelfth-ranked female golfer in the world, Brooke Henderson to serve as its golf ambassador.

Since signing on with CP in 2017 as a golf ambassador, Henderson has won four more LPGA titles, including her historic win on home soil at the 2018 CPKC Women’s Open. There at the Wascana Country Club in Regina, Sask., she became the first Canadian to win the National Open Championship in 45 years.

Joining the CP family is sister and caddy Brittany Henderson, who will also wear the CP logo as she supports Brooke as a team and family member.

“It is an honor to extend Brooke’s sponsorship until Dec. 31, 2023, and welcome Brittany to the CP family,” said Keith Creel, CP President and Chief Executive Officer. “Brooke remains the perfect ambassador for CP as we continue to grow the game of golf, advocate for healthy living through CP Has Heart, and build on the iconic Canadian brand that is CP. Adding Brittany to the CP family was a natural decision, as railroaders know that precision and excellence requires a strong team.”

CP continues to sponsor Team Canada, a relationship that marked the beginning of Brooke’s relationship with the railway. Both the Hendersons are graduates of the amateur program that supports young golfers as they pursue their professional dreams.

Brooke has also been named a repeat winner of the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as the Canadian Press Female Athlete of the Year. In addition, PostMedia recognized her as their 2018 Summer Female Athlete of the Year and Canadian Sport Awards named her their 2018 Athlete of the Year.

CP renews Canada’s top-ranked golfer @BrookeHenderson for five-years as golf ambassador; Sister and caddy Brittany Henderson joins CP family. https://t.co/lfzF4FjHeL #CPWO @CPWomensOpen @LPGA ⛳ ? pic.twitter.com/0ZXG4atGes

— Canadian Pacific (@CanadianPacific) April 15, 2019

“I am so proud to continue my relationship as an ambassador for CP. As many of my own family members have worked for CP in my hometown of Smiths Falls, it is truly special for me to wear the logo and continue that long history as a member of the CP family. Furthermore, the sincere gesture to add my sister Brittany to the CP family is incredible, as she’s been with me every step of my career. We both look forward to celebrating many more victories with the CP family.”

Already in the CP family is four-time LPGA Tour winner Lorie Kane, who signed on as an ambassador in 2014 when CP took over title sponsorship of the National Open. Kane, who was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2017 and named a recipient of the Order of Canada in 2006, has an established reputation as one of the most personable and consistent players in the game, and has dedicated many efforts off the course to champion support for CP Has Heart.

CP recently named SickKids Foundation as it’s official charity beneficiary of the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open that will be hosted at Magna Golf Club in Aurora, Ontario. Through its CP Has Heart program, CP will once again make a substantial donation to support local paediatric care. Follow along this season as golf ambassadors Brooke and Lorie encourage fundraising efforts to help reach this year’s $1.75M donation target.

In the five years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open, $8.5 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in Canada. This will mark the third time in six years southern Ontario has hosted the CPKC Women’s Open resulting in more than $3.3 million dollars invested in London (2014 – $1.3 million) and Ottawa (2016 – $2 million).