Professional women’s championship series and regional participation festivals mark the rebirth of an enhanced Canadian Women’s Golf Tour and national qualifying path into
CPKC Women’s Open.
May 24, 2024 — Golf Canada is pleased to announce that the She Plays Golf Festival and Championship Series has added The R&A, adidas Golf and RBC as program partners.
RBC deepens their long-standing commitment to fund women’s golf and grassroots initiatives by supporting She Plays Golf.
“RBC is a proud supporter of women’s golf at both the professional and amateur levels, and we’re pleased to be part of a program that will elevate women in the game while building a strong pipeline of future golfers,” said Shannon Cole, Vice-President, Brand Marketing, RBC. “It’s an excellent way to demonstrate our partnership with Golf Canada and continue our overall commitment to women in sport.”
As a long-time supporter of Golf Canada’s women’s golf initiatives, adidas Golf will be the official golf headwear, apparel, and footwear sponsor of She Plays Golf.
“We are honoured to join in this partnership with Golf Canada and She Plays Golf. One of adidas Golf Canada’s highlighted strategies is to connect with the female golfer in a more meaningful and inclusive way. The expansion of She Plays Golf and the focus on women’s golf aligns perfectly with our brand beliefs, allowing adidas Golf to continue to invest in, highlight and celebrate the game for women and girls in Canada,” said Jeff Feltrin, General Manager, adidas Golf Canada.
In addition, The R&A awarded Golf Canada with a National Body Development Grant (NBDG) towards She Plays Golf. The NBDG is part of The R&A’s intention of investing £200 million into golf over a ten-year period (2017-2026) to support the growth of the sport.
“We are extremely appreciative of our partners at The R&A, RBC and adidas Golf for their commitment and investment towards She Plays Golf,” said Laura Wilson, Golf Canada’s Director of Inclusion Programs and Safe Sport. “Since announcing the expansion of She Plays Golf and the rebirth of the Canadian Women’s Golf Tour through the Championship Series, corporate partners and other organizations have expressed interest in investing and aligning their brands with She Plays Golf. The participation festivals are a celebration of women’s golf, and we are eager to welcome more partners that can support further expansion of grassroots programming for women and girls in Canada.”
As previously announced, She Plays Golf is expanding to three markets in 2024 with the Championship Series and participation festivals scheduled for Calgary, Greater Vancouver Area and the Greater Toronto Area. In 2023, She Plays Golf was successfully piloted in Calgary in partnership with the Glencoe Invitational.
She Plays Golf is a citywide celebration of women’s golf anchored in each host market by a $60,000 CAD professional golf championship contested over 54-holes for a field of 60 professionals and elite amateurs.
She Plays Golf Festivals feature inclusive programming for women and girls, addressing gaps in the participation pathway and introducing new women and girls to the game in a safe, fun, and judgment-free environment. Festival activities take place at golf courses across the host city during the same week as the She Plays Golf Championship Series event with activities including introductory “Try Golf” events for women and girls new to golf, professional development for women in coaching, networking socials for women in business and leadership, and more.
These enhanced She Plays Golf Championship Series – comprised of the Peloton Glencoe Invitational from June 12-15 at the Forest Course at Glencoe Golf and Country Club in Calgary, GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open from June 19-22 at Pitt Meadows Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C., and ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada from July 2-5 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont. – will mark the rebirth of a professional women’s golf tour in Canada.
The She Plays Golf Championship Series is open to professionals and amateurs from Canada and abroad. All three events in the Championship Series are played over 54 holes with a cut after 36 holes. Each championship will see players compete for a $60,000 purse, WAGR points, and two qualifying spots into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open.
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, Golf Canada and its partners will work to further expand the footprint of She Plays Golf to establish a nationwide series of professional championships and accompanying participation festivals. Canadian companies and organizations interested in further strengthening women’s golf across Canada – from grass roots participation all the way up to entry-level professional golf – are invited to get involved with She Plays Golf.
Additional information about championship entry and festival schedule for each She Plays Golf event will be available in the coming weeks.