Ottawa to Host 2017 CP Women’s Open as Canada Celebrates 150 Years

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Category: Golf Canada

Published: 2016-01-09

OTTAWA, Ontario (Golf Canada) — For the fourth time, the stars of the LPGA Tour will light up the nation’s capital as Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific announced today that the 2017 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open will return to Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club in August of 2017 (date TBC) to coincide with Canada’s 150 year celebration.

“Bringing the CP Women’s Open to Ottawa to celebrate Canada 150 is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the role CP played in the building of the country,” said E. Hunter Harrison, CP’s Chief Executive Officer. “In addition to bringing the world’s best golfers to Ottawa, CP looks forward to a number of other events in 2017 to celebrate Canada’s past and bright future, while giving back to the community.”

Through its CP Has Heart campaign, CP will once again be making a significant charitable donation to the host community. In the first two years of CP’s title sponsorship of the event, more than $2 million has been raised in support of children’s heart health.

The 2017 edition of the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open will mark the championship’s fourth visit to the nation’s capital and third visit to Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club, which previously hosted in 1994 and 2008.

“We could not be more excited for the return of the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open to Ottawa and the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club in 2017” said Canadian Pacific Women’s Open Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “We are proud to add to the nation’s celebration as Canada turns 150. With an outstanding atmosphere and a passionate golfing community, we are confident Ottawa will be the perfect backdrop for the 45th playing of Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship.”

The announcement of Ottawa as the 2017 host city coincides with Canada’s 150th birthday celebration and builds on a partnership between Ottawa Tourism and Golf Canada.

“We are thrilled to welcome the stars of the LPGA back to Ottawa in 2017,” said Dick Brown, President and CEO for Ottawa Tourism. “The 2017 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open will be a pinnacle event tied to the Canada 150 celebration. In addition, together with Golf Canada, the region will welcome numerous national and international golf championships between 2015 and 2018.”

In 2008, Katherine Hull-Kirk overcame a 6-stroke deficit to claim her first LPGA Tour title during the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club’s centennial year.

Allan Bulloch, President of the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club recalls how the city embraced the tournament in 2008 and anticipates the Club once again rallying around Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship.

“We are delighted to have been chosen to host the prestigious 2017 CP Women’s Open. This will also be an opportunity for us to show the world class competitors our magnificently redesigned course”

The Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club has welcomed numerous notable championships throughout its 107 years, including the 1994 Du Maurier Ltd. Classic, 2008 Canadian Women’s Open, 1932 Canadian Open and three Canadian Amateur Championships in 1937, 1960 and 1970. The 18-hole championship course that will challenge the world’s best women golfers in 2017 was originally crafted by famed architect Willie Park, and recently redesigned in 2013–2014 by international course designer, Dr. Michael Hurdzan.

The Canadian Pacific Women’s Open consistently draws one of the strongest fields on the LPGA Tour. The 2015 CP Women’s Open saw 97 of the top 100 players on the current LPGA Tour Official Money List compete in the event, including Smiths Falls, Ontario native and recent LPGA winner, Brooke Henderson who was the top Canadian.

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 to inspire the nation’s next generation of female golfers.

Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club in Calgary, Alta., will play host to the 2016 edition of the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open. The event will be contested August 22-28 following golf’s return to the Olympic stage at the Rio 2016 Games.

Further details regarding the 2017 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open will be announced in the coming months. Information regarding tickets, volunteer opportunities and corporate hospitality for the 2016 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open can be found at www.cpwomensopen.com.