Canadian Pacific Women's Open announces charity partner

Canadian Pacific and Golf Canada announce Children’s Health Foundation as the charity partner of the Canadian Pacific Women's Open

For every advance ticket purchased, CP will donate $100 to the Children’s Health Foundation in support of paediatric heart health

Two-time defending champion Lydia Ko (2013 & 2012) tops list of past champions confirmed for Canadian Pacific Women’s Open

London, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Canadian Pacific (CP) and Golf Canada are pleased to announce the Children’s Health Foundation as the charity partner for the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, August 18-24 at London Hunt and Country Club. The Canadian Pacific Women’s Open will raise funds for cardiac research and care of children from the London area and across Southwestern Ontario.

The selection of the Children’s Health Foundation in London aligns with CP’s organization-wide support of heart health in the communities in which it operates.

“Our railroad recently announced our new North American-wide community investment program CP Has Heart – and the Children’s Health Foundation is our ideal partner to improve children’s heart health,” said Canadian Pacific CEO E. Hunter Harrison. “It’s easy to rally behind this cause: buy tickets to see the best of the best play at the historic London Hunt Club in August and your children’s hospital will realize a direct benefit.”

The “Ticket Rally for Heart” campaign launched today at www.CPwomensopen.com encourages the public to buy spectator tickets for the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open prior to August 17, 2014 as CP will donate $100 to the Children’s Health Foundation for every ticket purchased.  Additional fundraising activities will happen through unique on-site experiences for spectators during tournament week with a social media campaign to be launched in July.

“Approximately 1 in 100 babies are born with some form of congenital heart disease each year, many of whom require medical attention from birth through to adulthood," said Susan Crowley, President and CEO of the Children's Health Foundation. "Funds raised from the Canadian Pacific Women's Open will support our paediatric cardiologists at Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, to treat children with these life threatening heart conditions. Funds will also go towards innovative research into the prevention of congenital heart disease and improve the quality of life of these children as they mature to adults in Canada and around the world."

LYDIA KO AMONG PAST CHAMPIONS CONFIRMED FOR LONDON
In addition to supporting improved cardiac care for children in the London community and surrounding region, the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open promises to be the golfing event of the summer, once again expected to draw one of the strongest player fields on the LPGA Tour. In 2013, the event drew 96 of the top 100 players on the Rolex World Ranking.

Lydia Ko, the reigning two-time champion, and World No. 3, will headline a list of past champions who have confirmed their intention to challenge for the US$2.25 million purse at the 2014 CP Women’s Open.

Ko captured the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic earlier this season, her third LPGA Tour victory after claiming back-to-back Canadian Women’s Open titles in 2012 and 2013. The New Zealand teenager will headline a world-class field at London Hunt and Country Club that already includes six past Canadian Women’s Open champions including, Rolex Rankings No. 4 Suzann Pettersen (2009), No. 11 Michelle Wie (2010), No. 62 Brittany Lincicome (2011) and No. 125 Katherine Hull (2008). As well as No. 10 Cristie Kerr who claimed the 2006 Canadian Women’s Open title when it was last conducted at London Hunt and Country Club.

 “We’re two months away from the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open and together with CP and our hosts at London Hunt and Country Club, we are thrilled with how our field is coming together,” said Canadian Pacific Women’s Open Tournament Director, Brent McLaughlin. “With the world’s best players as well as up and coming Canadian talents set to compete, London golf fans will be treated to an outstanding showcase of golf.”

Canadian LPGA star and Canadian Pacific ambassador Lorie Kane will lead a Canadian contingent that also includes Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont. as well as recently announced Team Canada young pro members Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Toronto, Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont. and Sue Kim of Langley, B.C.

Kane, an eight-time winner on the LPGA Tour, joined CP and Golf Canada at a media event to announce the Children’s Health Foundation as the host charity. The Charlottetown native expressed her excitement about the cause.

“The players of the LPGA put a lot of heart into this tour, so it’s very fitting that CP has chosen to focus their charitable efforts on heart health," said Lorie Kane. I am excited to partner with CP to help raise funds that create a meaningful impact in the lives of children in the London community who suffer from heart disease.  We’re looking forward to hosting a great tournament this year.” 
  
Additional Canadian and international exemptions into the National Women’s Open Championship will be announced in the coming weeks. A field of 156 competitors will vie for the US$2.25 million purse when the CP Women’s Open makes its return to London Hunt and Country Club for the first time since 2006.

Players confirmed to compete in the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open:

Lydia Ko
- Two-time Canadian Women’s Open champion (2013 & 2012)
- 3-time LPGA Tour winner
- No. 3 Women’s Rolex Rankings

Suzanne Pettersen
- 14-time LPGA Tour winner
- 2009 Canadian Women’s Open champion
- No. 4 Women’s Rolex Rankings

Michelle Wie
- 3-time LPGA Tour winner
- 2010 Canadian Women’s Open champion
- No. 11 Women’s Rolex Rankings

Brittany Lincicome
- 5-time LPGA Tour winner
- 2011 Canadian Women’s Open champion
- No. 62 Women’s Rolex Rankings

Cristie Kerr
- 16-time LPGA Tour winner
- 2006 Canadian Women’s Open champion
- No. 10 Women’s Rolex Rankings

Katherine Hull-Kirk
- 2-time LPGA Tour winner
- 2008 Canadian Women’s Open champion
- No. 125 Women’s Rolex Rankings

Lorie Kane
- 8-time LPGA Tour winner
- 23rd on the LPGA Tour’s all-time money list

Rebecca-Lee Bentham
- No. 231 Women’s Rolex Rankings
- Finished T28 at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open; T11 at the 2013 Evian Championship
- Member of Team Canada’s Young Pro Squad

Alena Sharp
 - No. 225 Women’s Rolex Rankings
- Two top-20 finishes in 2014 including a T14 at the North Texas LPGA Shootout and T18 at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic

Jennifer Kirby
- No. 299 Women’s Rolex Rankings
- Member of Team Canada’s Young Pro Squad
- Best finish as a rookie on the LPGA is T36 at the JTBC Founders Cup

Sue Kim
- No. 388 Women’s Rolex Rankings
- Member of Team Canada’s Young Pro Squad
- Best finish in 2014, T35 at LPGA Manulife Financial Classic

TICKETS – DAILY, WEEKLY AND CLUBHOUSE PACKAGES
Tickets for the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open are now on sale with advance pricing as follows:

ABOUT THE 2014 CANADIAN PACIFIC WOMEN’S OPEN
The stars of the LPGA Tour will challenge for the inaugural Canadian Pacific Women’s Open from August 18-24 at the London Hunt and Country Club in London, Ont. The CP Women’s Open, Canada’s National Championship, is proudly sponsored by CP, Molson Canadian 67, TaylorMade adidas Golf, The Glenlivet, Four Points by Sheraton, London and CVS Controls LTD. For information on volunteer opportunities, tickets or corporate hospitality, visit www.CPwomensopen.com, or call 1-866-571-5742.

ABOUT CP HAS HEART
At CP we know that a railroad may serve as the arteries of a nation, but at its heart is community. That's why through CP Has Heart, we’re committed to improving the heart health of men, women and children across North America. And along the way, we’re showing heart whenever we can. Find out more on www.cpr.ca or @CPhasHeart.

ABOUT CANADIAN PACIFIC
Canadian Pacific (TSX:CP)(NYSE:CP) is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to eight major ports, including Vancouver and Montreal, providing North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is a low-cost provider that is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit www.cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of Canadian Pacific.

ABOUT CHILDREN’S HEALTH FOUNDATION
The Children’s Health Foundation is dedicated to raising and granting funds to support Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, Thames Valley Children's Centre and Children’s Health Research Institute. Since 1922, funds raised have helped deliver exceptional care and support for children and their families by providing specialized paediatric care, equipment, education programs, therapy, rehabilitation services and research. To learn more about how you can positively impact the health of children, youth and their families, please visit www.childhealth.ca.  

GOLF CANADA – LOVE THE GAME. GROW THE GAME.
Golf Canada is the National Sports Organization and governing body for golf in Canada representing close to 322,000 golfers at nearly 1,500 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s mission is to grow participation, excellence and passion in the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. By investing in the growth of the sport and introducing more participants of all ages to the game, our goal is to be relevant to and respected by all Canadian golf enthusiasts from coast to coast. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.