50 years of the CPKC Women’s Open — Alena Sharp on Canada’s love for golf
By Addie Parker
The IX: Golf Thursday with Addie Parker, July 25, 2024
Happy Golf Thursday! With all the Olympics buzz, it isn’t easy to concentrate on anything else, but we’re two weeks out from seeing women’s golf tee off in Paris. Across the Atlantic and North America, the LPGA is celebrating 50 years of the Canadian Women’s Open (now CPKC Women’s Open). The land of ice hockey, maple syrup, and some of the world’s best golf fans are gearing up for a full weekend ahead.
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Very few events on the schedule are able to celebrate 50 years, so this special week at CPKC is something to relish. The tour and the players have already showcased the bits of fun during pre-tournament preparation. Lydia Ko kicked things off and showed us that she’s a total pro at ice hockey golf … perhaps they should consider her for the Winter Olympics?
Historically, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) has raised money and awareness for cardiac care and heart health.
“We are thrilled to have this world-class tournament, with the world’s best golfers, back in Calgary, the home of CPKC’s global headquarters,” said Keith Creel, CPKC President and Chief Executive Officer. “This year, our goal is to raise over $2.75 million to support the Alberta Children’s Hospital and the important work being done to help the youngest hearts across Alberta.”
With a star-studded field of 156 of the best players, Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary will be bustling with local crowds ready to see thirteen-time LPGA Tour winner and the winningest golfer in Canadian history, Brooke Henderson.
Alongside Henderson is three-time CPKC Women’s Open champion Lydia Ko, as well as Minjee Lee, Jennifer Kupcho, In Gee Chun, Danielle Kang and Lexi Thompson, to list off a few notable names. See the full field breakdown here.
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Ko says she is excited for the week ahead and marveled about her previous experiences with CPKC and Golf Canada.
“I think Golf Canada and everybody involved has always put in a lot of effort to make this championship what it is,” Ko said. “I think we get to go and play some of the most beautiful and great golf courses all around Canada, and whether it’s hospitality to the volunteers, to our dining and everything, and even the Golf Town trailer they have this week, I think they have continuously elevated this event.”
“It’s definitely think it’s one of the favorite spots for all of us players. Obviously a little unique this year with the Olympics in a couple weeks. All in all, I think this is one of the best stops for us on the LPGA. It’s great that we can celebrate the 50th year. I honestly thought the Canadian Open has been on for longer. Just feels like there is a lot of history.”
This is the first time Earl Grey (what an incredible name for a golf course) will host the Canadian Women’s Open. After a series of renovations and added upgrades, the par 72 course sits at 6,856 yards (players will play 6,709) and will demand the very best out of the top golfers.
Round one is already underway, so follow along with live-scoring and look out for all broadcasting times.
This week in women’s golf
If you have links you wish to share for Golf Thursday, sources for golf news, or want to talk about anything at all, you can email me at addieparker25@theixsports.com! Discussion of any kind is always welcome … I mean it … MESSAGE ME!
LPGA News
What skills matter most at the CPKC Women’s Open?
A look back on 50 years of the LPGA in Canada, a former major championship that’s still beloved
LET News
The R&A has announced today the new official anthem for the AIG Women’s Open
Jana Melichova captures second LET title at the Dutch Open
Epson Tour News
The Epson Tour is on a three-week break and will be back in action in Pendleton, Oregon, for the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic, Aug. 16-18. Here’s the latest:
Lauren Stephenson Wins the 40th Playing of the Twin Bridges Championship
Epson Tour athletes show out at Dana Open
Other News
Laura Davies planned to make historic farewell at St. Andrews, but has now decided not to play
Five at The IX: Canada’s Alena Sharp is home, reflects on 50 years of Canadian Women’s Open
Ahead of the first round at CPKC, Canadian golfer Alena Sharp spoke about what this week and this event means to her, the support of women’s golf in Canada, and how the game continues to grow.
Q: This year is the 20th anniversary of your first start at this event. 2004 was your first start. Just wondering your thoughts on that and if you can reflect on your 20 years of experience here at this great event.
ALENA SHARP: Doesn’t seem like it’s been 20 years. That’s really — wow. I didn’t realize that until you brought it up.
Yeah, my first one I was I think an amateur. Maybe I just turned pro. I know that it was at Legends of Niagara. I remember when they announced my name on the tee and there was a lot of people there from Brantford where I grew up playing. I was just so nervous I sniped it left into the rough and made a par on the hole.
So it got underway.
But, yeah, I mean, wow. I’ve played so many great courses for this event. Just really happy to be here back in Calgary. Last time I was here I had my best finish on the LPGA at Priddis right after the 2016 Olympics.
Yeah, Alberta has been good to me. I won the Canadian Junior here. Yeah, love coming here.
Q. What does the support look like for you this week? I know the Canadian players get such a huge following. Is that one of the reasons you come back to this event every year?
SHARP: I mean, doesn’t matter where we’re playing in the country, I always get great support. It’s special for me this week. My aunt and uncle live here so I get to see them and spend some time with them. Staying for a few days afterwards before I head over to Paris for th Olympics.
So definitely feeling more at home here this week.
Q. The support from the fans, what will that mean in your quest to do well here?
SHARP: I think it’s a different week because the Olympics are coming up and everybody has been congratulating me on making the team. Every Canadian gets a lot of support at the Canadian Open, so it’s been an extra special week with that.
I feel like everybody is cheering for all the Canadians and always feel at home, regardless. Like I said earlier, wherever we are in the country I feel like I’m at home. You don’t get that every week on the tour. We have a lot of support here and the volunteers are amazing.
Q. A lot of impressionable kids out there. I saw a couple that wanted your autograph. Can you speak to what it means in terms of being that role model, seeing the women’s game grow from your time?
SHARP: Yeah, I mean, when I would go out and watch, the Canadian PGA and Lorie [Kane] was there and I got to meet her when I was a young kid. You know, now I’m out on the tour being that role model.
I love it. I love signing the autographs and seeing all the little girls and boys out watching and cheering us on. I think it’s pretty cool to see that, because I was there at win point when I was younger.
So, yeah, I really enjoy — like the 17th hole is great. I wish we had a hole like that every week on tour.
Q. Can you speak to that, maybe perhaps seeing the growth from the women’s side of things, and not only Brooke [Henderson], but the future of Canadian women’s golf?
SHARP: Yeah, Golf Canada has a great program in place. There are so many good juniors and amateurs coming up. I think golf in Canada is in a great spot.
You see — I think there are 17 Canadians in the field this week. That’s pretty amazing. They’re really good and they hit it far. It’s just a different — I think it’s just changed a lot since when I was a kid.
So it’s nice to see that. Hope they have a good week this week. It’s an amazing thing to be able to play in your national Open.
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