– News and notes from The Vancouver Golf Club for Wednesday, August 19 –
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.
Media Centre Interview Streaming:
Media not onsite at The Vancouver Golf Club may stream media centre interviews and scrums live by clicking here.
Player Interview Transcripts, Audio Files and Video:
Interview transcripts as well as audio MP3 files for all media interviews and scrums are available online here, while videos are available here.
Pairing and Start Times:
Pairings for the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open are available here.
Canadian Pacific Women’s Open Media Guide:
Download the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open Media Guide by clicking here.
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 PDT / 6:00pm – 9:00pm EDT
- TSN2: 8:00pm – 11:00pm PDT / 11pm – 2am EDT
- RDS2: 3:00pm – 6:00pm PDT / 6pm – 9pm EDT
Friday, Aug. 21 – Second Round Coverage
- Golf Channel: 3:00pm – 6:00pm PDT / 6:00pm – 9:00pm EDT
- TSN2: 8:00pm – 11:00pm PDT / 11pm – 2am EDT
- RDS2: 3:00pm – 6:00pm PDT / 6pm – 9pm EDT
Saturday, Aug. 22 – Third Round Coverage
- Golf Channel: 4:00pm – 7:00pm PDT / 7:00pm – 10:00pm EDT
- TSN2: 8:00pm – 11:00pm PDT / 11pm – 2am EDT
- RDS2: 4:00pm – 7:00pm PDT / 7pm – 10pm EDT
Sunday, Aug. 23 – Fourth Round Coverage
- Golf Channel: 4:00pm – 7:00pm PDT / 7:00pm – 10:00pm EDT
- TSN2: 4:00pm – 7:00pm PDT / 7:00pm – 10:00pm EDT
- RDS2: 8:00pm –11:00pm PDT / 11:00pm – 2:00am EDT
What to do Onsite
The Canadian Pacific Women’s Open offers something for everyone to do onsite. Fun and interactive partner programs enhance the fan experience and add to the prestige of Canada’s National Open Championship. For a full listing of all the activities taking place at The Vancouver Golf Club during tournament week, click here.
CP Has Heart Campaign in Support of BC Children’s Hospital:
The Canadian Pacific Women’s Open is proud to name BC Children’s Hospital as the official tournament charity for 2015. CP and BC Children’s Hospital Foundation have partnered at a variety of events to help raise funds and awareness for the amazing care being given to children across the Province.
Funds raised this year will be dedicated to the pediatric cardiology research program at BC Children’s Hospital. Heart defects and disease are all too common – even among the youngest of children. Last year alone, 378 children were born with heart defects in BC. In 2014, BC Children’s cardiac surgeons performed 337 heart procedures, including 201 open heart surgeries.
To find out more about the fundraising activities leading up and during tournament week, click here.
Free Admission for Juniors…
Golf Canada and CP are proud to offer free admission to the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open to any spectator aged 17 and under.
Tickets…
Juniors – 17 & Under Free
Anyday Grounds (Thurs-Sun) $40
Weekly (Mon-Sun) $100
Clubhouse Badge Single $175
Clubhouse Badge Twosome $300
Clubhouse Badge Foursome $550
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.
ABOUT THE 2015 CANADIAN PACIFIC WOMEN’S OPEN
The stars of the LPGA Tour will challenge for the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open from August 17-23 at The Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam, B.C. The Canadian Pacific Women’s Open is proud to name BC Children’s Hospital as the official tournament charity for 2015. Funds raised will be dedicated to the pediatric cardiology research program and are being matched by Canadian Pacific (CP) through its CP Has Heart community program. The Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, Canada’s National Women’s Open Golf Championship, is proudly sponsored by Canadian Pacific, RBC, WestJet, Molson Canadian 67, TaylorMade adidas Golf, Shaw, TY KU, Santa Carolina Wines, Coca-Cola, Executive Hotels & Resorts, Ford Motor Company, CVS Controls LTD, Sony and the City of Coquitlam. 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’ve already committed more than $5 million dollars to help improve 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 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.
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 310,000 golfers at more than 1,400 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.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dan Pino
Director, Corporate Communications
Golf Canada
(p) 1-800-263-0009 ext. 406
(c) 416-434-5525
(e) dpino@golfcanada.ca