Coquitlam, B.C. (Golf Canada) – The strongest field in women’s golf will be joined by the strongest team in golf broadcasting as part of live coverage of the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, which will bring fans around the world into the action at The Vancouver Golf Club.

Compelling storylines, led by 17-year-old Brooke Henderson who last week became the first Canadian winner of an LPGA event since 2001, will entertain the up to 175 million households worldwide, in up to 160 countries that have the ability to tune-in.

Led by Terry Gannon and Hall of Famer Judy Rankin, the Golf Channel team will bring their first-class, insightful, and informed coverage to fans starting Thursday, August 20 at 3 p.m. PT.

“We are thrilled to partner with Golf Channel in delivering the excitement of the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open and the LPGA Tour to television audiences across the globe,” said Scott Simmons, CEO of Golf Canada. “Together with our partners at Canadian Pacific and the LPGA Tour, we look forward to working with the world’s most watched golf broadcasters to elevate the profile of the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open and showcase our championship to hundreds of millions of golf enthusiasts.”

In a special arrangement for 2015, TSN and RDS partner with Golf Channel to deliver additional domestic reach of the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open. TSN will air full-round, encore coverage of the first three rounds.  TSN will then air live, simulcast coverage of the Golf Channel broadcast of the final round on Sunday, August 23 beginning at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET.  TSN’s Rod Black joins Golf Channel’s team as host of the coverage, conducting in-studio interviews and delivering frequent updates on the Canadians in the field.  RDS will air daily French-language coverage of all four rounds, hosted by Michel Lacroix and Carlo Blanchard.

The Canadian Pacific Women’s Open features the LPGA Tour’s best golfers – including two-time champion Lydia Ko, top-ranked golfer Inbee Park and defending champion So Yeon Ryu.

Broadcast Schedule
See below for the broadcast schedule for the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open. The schedule is subject to change.

Thursday, Aug. 20 – First Round Coverage
•    Golf Channel: 3:00pm – 6:00pm PST / 6:00pm – 9:00pm EST
•    TSN2: 8:00pm – 11:00pm PST / 11:00pm – 2:00am EST
•    RDS2: 3:00pm – 6:00pm PST / 6:00pm – 9:00pm EST

Friday, Aug. 21 – Second Round Coverage
•    Golf Channel: 3:00pm – 6:00pm PST / 6:00pm – 9:00pm EST
•    TSN2: 8:00pm – 11:00pm PST / 11:00pm – 2:00am EST
•    RDS2: 3:00pm – 6:00pm PST / 6:00pm – 9:00pm EST

Saturday, Aug. 22 – Third Round Coverage
•    Golf Channel: 4:00pm – 7:00pm PST / 7:00pm – 10:00pm EST
•    TSN2: 8:00pm – 11:00pm PST / 11:00pm – 2:00am EST
•    RDS2: 4:00pm – 7:00pm PST / 7:00pm – 10:00pm EST

Sunday, Aug. 23 – Fourth Round Coverage
•    Golf Channel: 4:00pm – 7:00pm PST / 7:00pm – 10:00pm EST
•    TSN2: 4:00pm – 7:00pm PST / 7:00pm – 10:00pm EST
•    RDS2: 8:00pm –11:00pm PST / 11:00pm – 2:00am EST

Coquitlam, B.C. (Golf Canada) – So Yeon Ryu will look to defend her crown at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open this week at The Vancouver Golf Club.

“It always feels special coming back as a defending champion,” Ryu said. “Canadian fans are always really friendly and humble. So I really enjoyed being here. Especially this is really close to Koreatown, so I feel even more comfortable.”

While Ryu is the defending champion her 2014 title was captured at London Hunt and Country Club in London, Ont. Her last time in Vancouver, when the event was here in 2012, she missed the cut.

“Actually, three years ago I didn’t really play well at this golf course,” Ryu admitted. “This golf course feels very different the front nine and back nine. The front nine is very hilly, the greens severe. I do like the back nine more than the front nine. But I think the key point is I would say iron shots because we need to put in like safest positions so like there is no three-putt. So, I would say iron accuracy and of course putting is always every week 365 days that’s key.”

Ryu is more confident in her game and situation this time around and will be looking to capture her first win of the 2015 season after tallying seven top-10 finishes.

“Actually, three years ago I had a lot of problems with my swing,” Ryu explained. “Also it was my rookie year, and I was kind of homesick about at this time because it was about halfway through the season. Right now it feels like home and I’m in the LPGA. I don’t have any home sickness anymore. So for sure I can be playing better than I did last year or three years ago.”

Challenging Ryu will be a top notch field which includes the winner from the last time the Tour was in Vancouver – Rolex Rankings No. 2 Lydia Ko, who won as a 15-year-old amateur, and the runner-up at this event that year Rolex Rankings No. 1 Inbee Park, who is coming off a victory at the RICOH Women’s British Open to complete the career grand slam.

“Definitely feels great to come back to a course where you’ve played well, and you know there are a lot of great memories,” Ko said. “Here I won my first LPGA event. So it’s awesome to be back, but I do feel much older. I saw one of the photos and I looked totally different. So I’m showing signs of age.”

Alena Sharp is one of 14 Canadians competing in our national championship this week at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

“It’s always a great week to come back to Canada no matter where we are,” Sharp said. “I feel very welcomed. I’m from Ontario, but when we play in B.C. or Alberta or Quebec, I still feel like I’m at home, so it’s nice.”

Sharp was on the green last Sunday to celebrate with fellow Canadian Brooke Henderson after winning the Cambia Portland Classic to become the first Canuck to win on the LPGA Tour since Lorie Kane in 2001.

“I’d love to see more Canadians out on Tour,” Sharp admitted. “It’s nice to see the Canadian flags up anywhere you look. And even this year the men have been playing well too. So it’s nice that Canada is getting back on the map of golf.”

This week Sharp, who is coming off her best finish of the season with a T10 in Portland, will be looking to make it back-to-back wins for Canadians.

“I’d be speechless,” Sharp said. “It would be amazing to do that. It’s only Wednesday. I’ll just take it one day at a time, and I’d love to be on those last nine holes and have a chance to win.”

Opening-round action gets underway at 7:04 am PT.

COQUITLAM, B.C. –  After Brooke Henderson was denied early admittance into the LPGA Tour’s qualifying school, the Canadian teenager gave commissioner Michael Whan several reasons to change his mind.

Henderson put together a string of impressive results in LPGA events this year despite having to rely on sponsors’ exemptions or qualification just to play. And two days after she cruised to her first Tour victory at last weekend’s Cambia Portland Classic, Henderson was finally granted full LPGA membership.

“It’s an opportunity that not a lot of people get,” the 17-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont., said Tuesday before shooting a practice round at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open. “I can start living my dream today.”

Having a full membership means Henderson won’t have to play Monday qualifying tournaments for the rest of the season. She faced having to qualify because she had exhausted all six of her sponsors’ exemptions.

“It’s a little bit surreal,” said Henderson. “The last couple of days have been an amazing journey.

“I’m still going to play my own game and go out there and do what I have always done. Just to know I have a place to play now any week I want to, and I have full status for at least a year, is really exciting. I am playing really well right now. Hopefully I can keep it going.”

Henderson had appealed to the LPGA for early admission in the past. She petitioned the organization to allow her to attend qualifying school last year after winning three times as an amateur on the Canadian Women’s Tour, but was turned down.

“That was probably the best thing that could have happened to me,” she said. “It made me realize what I really wanted in life and what I really desired.

“It made me work really hard, made me focus and be more determined.”

LPGA policy states that any woman 18 years of age or over is eligible to apply for Tour membership, but golfers between the ages of 15 and 18 may be granted special permission to apply for membership by petitioning directly to the Tour commissioner.

Henderson had the weight of a Tour victory behind this petition, becoming the second golfer in LPGA history to go from Monday qualifier to tournament winner in Portland.

“After reviewing Brooke Henderson’s petition, I have granted her LPGA Tour membership beginning immediately,” Tour commissioner Michael Whan said in a statement. “Brooke truly earned her card, and we are looking forward to Brooke joining our Tour and our family.”

Veteran Canadian golfer Lorie Kane said Henderson deserves to be on the Tour.

“It’s very exciting,” said Kane. “It was only a matter of time before that happened.”

Any money Henderson earns during the remainder of this season will be considered official money. The 10 remaining tournaments of 2015 will also be considered her rookie season on the LPGA Tour.

The win in Portland moved her to No. 17 in the world rankings, boosted her earnings over US$660,000 and secured her 2016 card.

Henderson can now concentrate on playing in the $2.25-million CP Women’s Open, which begins Thursday.

She was greeted with a round of applause when she walked onto the driving range at the Vancouver Golf Club on Monday and has been busy signing autographs.

“It’s pretty cool to be famous,” she said.

Henderson’s win made her the first Canadian to win an LPGA event since Kane in 2001. She is the Tour’s third-youngest champion ever at 17 years 11 months six days.

The past few days have been a whirlwind, but Henderson knows her journey is just beginning.

“I have big goals and big dreams ahead of me,” she said. “I am still a long ways from where I want to be. It’s still pretty cool to know I am competing against the best in the world.

“If I can continue to improve and get better every day, hopefully good things will happen.”

Coquitlam, B.C. (Golf Canada) – Forty-three players took to Pitt Meadows Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C., for Monday’s final qualifying event in hopes of securing one of the four final spots into the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

Stacey Keating of Australia, the 2008 Canadian Women’s Amateur champion, finished atop the leaderboard after a 2-under par 70, while Kristen Park of Buena Park, Calif., carded a 1-under-par 71 to finish second.

The final two spots were determined via a playoff after three players – amateur Tiffany Kong of Vancouver, Nicole Zhang of Calgary and Louise Stahle of Sweden – tied for third at even-par 72.

Kong, who is just 14-years-old, and Stahle prevailed on the first playoff hole after matching pars to Zhang’s bogey on Pitt Meadows’ par-5 18th.

With the addition of Kong to the field, a total of 14 Canadians will now compete for Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship at The Vancouver Golf Club.

Click here for complete results from the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open Monday Qualifier at Pitt Meadows Golf Club.

Listen to our full conversation with Brooke Henderson by clicking the media player below.

Brooke Henderson’s first LPGA Tour win didn’t stop her from having to play golf on Mondays.

Henderson completed an eight-stroke victory Sunday at the US$1.3-million Cambia Portland Classic to become the first Canadian to win an LPGA event since Charlottetown’s Lorie Kane in 2001 and the Tour’s third-youngest champion ever at 17 years 11 months six days.

She catapulted to No. 17 in the world rankings, boosted her earnings over $660,000 and secured her 2016 card, but because she’s exhausted all six of her sponsor’s exemptions she’ll have to continue playing Monday qualifiers to gain entry into tournaments for the remainder of this season.

Last year, Henderson petitioned the LPGA to allow her into Q-school but was turned down because she didn’t meet the minimum age requirement of 18. However other players —including second-ranked Lydia Ko and major champion Lexi Thompson — successfully petitioned to become Tour members before their 18th birthdays.

On Monday, Henderson said she continues to weigh her options regarding whether to again petition the LPGA Tour for an exemption.

“We’re still thinking about it and evaluating the situation options with my family and team,” the native of Smiths Falls, Ont., said during a conference call. “Hopefully we’ll come to a decision pretty soon.

“There’s many pros and cons to both options . . . I’m just kind of working through those right now with my team. We’ll see what happens.”

Henderson earned $195,000 with the win and has made $661,818 in 10 events. By not being a full-time Tour member, Henderson must rely on sponsor’s exemptions or Monday qualifying to participate in LPGA tournaments.

Henderson doesn’t have the luxury of time to relish her historic win. Her next tournament is the $2.25-million Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, which begins Thursday in Coquitlam, B.C., where the spotlight will be firmly fixed upon her.

She doesn’t expect to feel any extra pressure competing on home soil.

“I don’t think so,” she said. “It’s fun to be back home and I know all the people I’ve talked to earlier (Monday) have been very excited and (are) cheering me on this week.

“I just have to make sure I stick to my own gameplan and do my own thing to make sure I play well this weekend. I haven’t played as well in Canadian Opens as I would’ve liked in the past and I’m hoping to change that this week.”

Henderson will look to become the first Canadian to win a LPGA Tour event on home soil since Jocelyne Bourassa of Shawinigan, Que., claimed the ’73 La Canadienne — the precursor to the Canadian Women’s Open — in Montreal.

Sunday’s final round in Portland marked the second time this season Henderson led an LPGA event through 54 holes. But last time she carded a final-round 74 on April 26 to finish third at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic in Daly City, Calif.

On Sunday, Henderson shot a 3-under 69 to register the largest-ever margin of victory in tournament history and biggest on Tour since Jiyah Shin won the 2012 Women’s British Open by nine shots.

Henderson said the seeds for her first LPGA win took root in late April.

“I got a lot of confidence and a lot of momentum was built up off that,” she said. “I’ve been playing great all season, my game has been in a great spot.

“I just knew I had to remain patient and keep working on a few little things. My season has really been a lot of fun and it really kicked off (at Swinging Skirts event).”

Henderson said she was besieged with congratulatory text messages and tweets following her win, including one from golf legend Gary Player.

“That meant a lot to me because my sister (pro golfer Brittany Henderson) and I always liked The Black Knight,” she said. “I was up to almost 80 text messages a couple of hours afterwards and a lot of emails from a lot of family members and friends.”

Despite having a healthy bankroll at such a tender age, Henderson said her fortune isn’t a distraction. She’s also been able to resist the temptation of making a big purchase.

“I haven’t really thought about it yet,” she said. “I’m still kind of saving it up and hopefully use it wisely.”

Coquitlam, B.C. (Golf Canada) – The final four spots into the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open field will be determined Monday as the Final Qualifier is set for Pitt Meadows Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C.

A total of 50 competitors will challenge for one of four spots into the field for Canada’s National Women’s Open Golf Championship.

The Final Qualifier features 18 holes of stroke play with the low four competitors receiving an exemption into the 2015 Canadian Pacific 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 for Canadian Pacific Women’s Open Final Qualifying on Monday, August 17. Results will be available as players complete their rounds.

Coquitlam, B.C. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada in partnership with Canadian Pacific announced the field of competitors set to challenge for the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, August 17-23 at The Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam, B.C.

In all, the 156 player field at The Vancouver Golf Club will feature the top 10, top 50 and 97 of the top 100 on the current LPGA Tour Official Money List marking it the strongest field on the LPGA Tour in 2015.

Defending champion So Yeon Ryu along with two-time winner Lydia Ko, world No. 1 Inbee Park and Canadian rising star Brooke Henderson headline a field that also includes LPGA stars Stacy Lewis, Lexi Thompson, Suzann Pettersen, Anna Nordqvist, Michelle Wie, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Karrie Webb, Morgan Pressel, Ai Miyazato, Azahara Munoz, Brittany Lincicome, Shanshan Feng, Na Yeon Choi, Sandra Gal, Charley Hull and Jessica Korda.

“We are thrilled to welcome the strongest field on the LPGA Tour to The Vancouver Golf Club with the top 10, top 50 and 97 of the top 100 players on the 2015 LPGA Tour money list confirmed to challenge for the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open,” said Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “In addition to welcoming a world class field, together with our proud partners at CP, we look forward to raising significant charitable dollars in the community through the CP Has Heart campaign supporting BC Children’s Hospital.”

The winner’s share of the $2.25 million USD purse for the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open will be $337,500 USD.

The event marks the return of Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship to The Vancouver Golf Club for the first time since Lydia Ko’s historic win as a 15-year old amateur in 2012.

A full field list of players confirmed to compete in the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open can be found by clicking here.

Eleven Past Champions to Compete at The Vancouver Golf Club:
Eleven of the event’s former champions will be competing at The Vancouver Golf Club including defending champion So Yeon Ryu, two-time winner Lydia Ko (2012 & 2013); Brittany Lincicome (2011); Michelle Wie (2010); Suzann Pettersen (2009); Katherine Hull-Kirk (2008); Cristie Kerr (2006); Meena Lee (2005); Karrie Webb (1999); Laura Davies (1996) and Juli Inkster (1984).

Twelve Canadians and Four Team Canada Members in the Field:
Seventeen-year-old rising star and Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. leads a crop of 12 Canucks looking to become the first Canadian to win a LPGA Tour event on home soil since golf legend Jocelyne Bourassa’s historic victory in 1973 at La Canadienne Golf Championship. Joining Henderson are LPGA Tour players Lorie Kane of Charlottetown, P.E.I., Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont. and Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Sue Kim of Langley, B.C. as well as non-exempt LPGA Tour player Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont. Other Canadians competing include Symetra Tour players Augusta James of Bath, Ont. Maude-Aimee LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Que., Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C., Jessica Wallace of Langley, B.C. and Brittany Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. who sit 4^th, 10^th, 16^th, 24^th and 34^th respectively on the Symetra Tour money list. Rounding on the Canadian contingent are Team Canada Women’s Amateur Squad members Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont. and dual citizen Maddie Szeryk of Allen, Texas. Previously announced Canadian Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Toronto has withdrawn from the event with a hip injury.

On Monday August 17, 2015, the LPGA Tour will conduct an 18-hole stroke play qualifier at Pitt Meadows Golf Club to determine the final four exemptions directly into the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

Click below to listen in to Golf Canada’ s media teleconference with Lydia Ko.

VANCOUVER – Lydia Ko had no idea she was in the process of making history the first time she competed at The Vancouver Golf Club.

Then just 15 years old, the New Zealander became the youngest player to win an LPGA event when she captured the Canadian Women’s Open by three strokes as an amateur back in 2012.

“I didn’t know what the record was,” Ko said on a conference call Wednesday. “I was out there trying to have fun, playing alongside the world’s best golfers.”

Now 18, Ko is herself one of the world’s best, and will be among the field when the tournament – now known as the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open – returns to Coquitlam, B.C., next week.

Ko recalled the excitement of stepping on the Vancouver course in one of her first LPGA events

“It was a very memorable week,” Ko said. “I hadn’t played many LPGA events. Just to be able to play alongside my role models, it was really exciting for me.”

Ko shot rounds of 68, 68, 72 and 67 for a score of 13 under, but didn’t get to claim her winnings because she was still an amateur.

“I just tried to enjoy it out there,” said Ko. “My goal was first of all to make the cut.”

She followed up that initial victory with another Canadian Women’s Open title in Edmonton in 2013, however she wound up tied for 55th last year in London, Ont., her first time playing the tournament as a professional.

Ko also struggled a bit earlier this year, but has been rounding into form since the end of June. She tied for third in her last two events, including last month’s Women’s British Open.

“It’s been a really fun last couple weeks,” she said. “Lots of travel to, but I’ve been enjoying it.”

Fans will be focused on Ko, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, but should also be keen to see 17-year-old amateur Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont.

Ko knows the Canadian well and said she isn’t surprised by Henderson’s success, which has seen her rise to No. 32 overall.

“I knew how good she was,” said Ko. “I think everybody’s been noticing her more because she’s been playing more LPGA events. Brooke’s a superstar.

“She hits the ball a long way and she’s very consistent.”

A two-time Canadian Open champion while still in her teens, Ko is both the present and future of women’s golf, something she sometimes stops to think about – just not on the course.

“That’s the really great thing about golf. Age is just really a number,” she said. “When we’re out there we’re not thinking about our rankings and what we are, we’re just trying to play our best. That’s all we can do.”

And what Ko will be looking to do after competing in an LPGA tournament in Portland, Ore., this week is recapture some of the magic from her performance at the Canadian Open three years ago.

“Every moment of that week was exciting (and) so much fun,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to going back.”

Coquitlam, B.C. – Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific (CP) are pleased to announce the names of 14 players who have received exemptions into the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, August 17 – 23, 2015 at The Vancouver Golf Club.

Headlining the list of exemptions is previously confirmed 17 year old Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ontario who earned her exemption by way of winning the 2015 PGA of Canada Women’s Championship, the third event on the 2015 Canadian Women’s Tour. Currently No. 32 on the Rolex World Rankings, Henderson’s stellar rookie season as a pro includes three top 10 finishes on the LPGA Tour, a victory on the Symetra Tour and more than $466,000 in LPGA Tour earnings through nine events played. Henderson, who Monday qualified into this week’s LPGA Tour event in Portland, Oregon, will be making her fourth consecutive appearance in Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship.

Four other players earned tournament exemptions by way of their play on the 2015 Canadian Women’s Tour including Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Toronto, who won the Canadian Women’s Tour stop at Smiths Falls Golf and Country Club in Smiths Falls, Ontario. Also earning an exemption was Michelle Piyapatra of Corona, California who won the season-opening Canadian Women’s Tour stop at The Glencoe Golf and Country Club as well as Lauren Mielbrecht of Gulf Stream, Florida and Seul-Ki Park of Northbrook, Illinois who received their exemptions based on the 2015 Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit.

Two members of the Team Canada Women’s Amateur Squad also earned exemptions including Maddie Szeryk, 19, of Allen, Texas and Brittany Marchand, 22, of Orangeville, Ontario. Currently the No. 35 ranked player on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Szeryk, won the 2015 Ontario Women’s Amateur and finished tied for sixth at the 2015 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. Marchand, who recently got through stage one of LPGA Qualifying, will make her fourth appearance at Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship.

Four Canadians competing on the Symetra Tour have also been granted exemptions including former Team Canada member Augusta James of Bath, Ontario who currently sits fourth on the Symetra Tour money list in her rookie season as a professional. James will make her fourth appearance in Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship.

Other Canadian Symetra Tour players granted exemptions include Maude-Aimee LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C., and Jessica Wallace of Langley, B.C. who sit 10^th, 16^th and 24^th respectively on the Symetra Tour money list.

A pair of Canadians with non-exempt status on the LPGA Tour will also compete including Sue Kim of Langley, B.C. and Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ontario. Rounding out the list of exemptions is Mariel Galdiano of Pearl City, Hawaii who earned a spot by winning the 2015 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship two weeks ago.

The 14 players earning exemptions into the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open will join a world-class field at The Vancouver Golf Club that features Rolex World Rankings No. 1 Inbee Park; two-time champion and Rolex Rankings No. 2 Lydia Ko; No. 3 Stacey Lewis; No. 7 Shanshan Feng; No. 8 Lexi Thompson; No. 9 Anna Nordquist; and defending champion and world No. 4 So Yeon Ryu. Other LPGA Tour stars confirmed to compete include international fan favourites Paula Creamer, Na Yeon Choi, Sandra Gal, Charley Hull and Morgan Pressel.

In addition to Ryu (2014) and Ko (2012 & 2013), past Canadian Women’s Open champions set to compete include Brittany Lincicome (2011), Michelle Wie (2010), Suzann Pettersen (2009), Katherine Hull-Kirk (2008) and Cristie Kerr (2006).

The 10 Canucks receiving exemptions will join a Canadian contingent led by CP ambassador Lorie Kane of Charlottetown, PEI as well as fellow LPGA Tour player Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ontario.

“The Canadian Pacific Women’s Open is not only set to feature arguably the strongest field on the LPGA Tour, but also the very best rising talents in Canadian and international golf,” said Canadian Pacific Women’s Open Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “Golf fans are sure to be treated to an unbelievable showcase of world-class golf.”

A field of 156 competitors will vie for the US$2.25 million purse when the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open makes its return to The Vancouver Golf Club for the first time since 2012.

On Monday August 17, 2015, the LPGA Tour will conduct an 18-hole stroke play qualifier at Pitt Meadows Country Club to determine the final four exemptions directly into the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

First conducted in 1973, Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship has allowed the brightest stars of the LPGA Tour to shine on Canadian soil and inspire the nation’s next generation of female golfers.

MARKHAM, Ont. — Colombia got the rare chance to celebrate as a team on the 18th green after winning all three gold medals at the Pan Am Games’ inaugural golf tournament on Sunday.

Marcelo Rozo shot 13-under to win the men’s competition, while teammate Mariajo Uribe went 9-under to capture the women’s gold. Colombia blew away the field for the mixed team gold.

Uribe held up the yellow, blue and red Colombian flag on the hill above the 18th hole at Angus Glen Golf Club and then, along with teammates Mateo Gomez and Paola Moreno, doused Rozo with water after he finished the final round.

“At the end having all them on the 18th green hugging each other, making Colombia proud, it was pretty special,” said Rozo, who tied the course record Saturday with a 9-under 63. “Golf is not a team sport. Once you get that kind of feeling, you get excited.”

Rozo finished a stroke ahead of Argentine Tommy Cocha and Chilean Felipe Aguilar. Cocha won a two-hole playoff to earn silver, as Aguilar got bronze.

Canada’s Austin Connelly, a Dallas native with Nova Scotian roots, shot his fourth-consecutive subpar round to finish fifth at 8-under for the tournament. Connelly said having three medals instead of just first place to shoot for “brings another level of pressure.”

“It’s a much different experience than any other golf tournament I’ve ever played,” Connelly said.

Canada’s Austin Connelly (Anil Mungal/ Golf Canada)

American Andrea Lee won women’s silver and Paraguay’s Julieta Granada bronze. The United States, which leads the medal count, won team silver and Argentina bronze.

Golf made its Pan Am debut a year before returning to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro for the first time since 1904.

“It’s pretty big for golf,” Rozo said. “This is a great step looking to that.”

Rozo gets a spot in next week’s RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey in Oakville, Ont., as another prize for winning gold. It’ll be his first PGA Tour event.

While the 25-year-old is still trying to make his way into Olympic contention, Uribe is right in the thick of it for Rio. She was smiling thinking about that and reflecting on triple gold at the Pan Ams.

“Colombia is not a team that gets a lot of medals, so it really matters to us,” said Uribe, who earned an exemption into the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open next month in Vancouver. “It’s fun… I’m getting ready for the Olympics.”

Golf Canada is getting ready for the Olympics, too. The Pan Am Games being on home soil represents progress toward that goal.

“To get this experience to prepare us for Rio and the Olympics next year, you can’t get that experience anywhere else,” Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons said. “This is really going to help us.

“It’s helped the players, it’s helped the coaches, it’s helped our support staff. That’s probably the biggest benefit coming out of this week for us.”

After Connelly, Canadians Garrett Rank finished 15th in the men’s competition at 5-over and Lorie Kane tied for 19th at 23-over in the women’s event. Canada was eighth out of 16 countries in the team competition.

But federal sports minister Bal Gosal said all the feedback he has gotten from visitors has been positive. Angus Glen turned out to be a fitting reintroduction for the sport on an international stage.

“This venue, everything’s been great,” Gosal said. “(Visitors are) very happy with the course, they’re very happy with the fairways. … It’s been great.”

A rough stretch aside, Connelly got to enjoy a final round in the last group with a throng of hundreds of fans following. When the 18-year-old chipped in for an impressive par save on the sixth hole, he heard one of the biggest cheers of the day as the Canadian star on the course.

“It was hard to describe,” Connelly said. “The roar was incredible. It’s just nice having so many people behind me.”