Canadian golf star Brooke Henderson says her game is in a ‘really good place’
Brooke Henderson (Bernard Brault/ Golf Canada)
Greg Strong/ Canadian Press
REGINA – It’s a golf swing that is by no means of the textbook variety.
Brooke Henderson uses a long driver, grips down on it and rotates her body quickly, using impressive core strength to maintain the necessary stability and balance as she brings the club down.
The torque is intense, but it’s a motion that allows her to get every last bit of energy and power from her slight, yet taut, five-foot-six frame.
It can sound like a gunshot when the clubface meets the ball, which usually rockets down the fairway.
Henderson’s power game has always been there. Her short game has not been as consistent, but is showing signs of improvement entering this week’s CP Women’s Open.
“I feel it’s in a really good place right now – at least the last few weeks,” Henderson said after Tuesday’s practice round at the Wascana Country Club. “Golf is sort of weird and (the) short game is really weird. You can putt great one day and putt terrible the next.
“It’s all about energy and staying positive and kind of believing that you can make everything. I feel like I’m getting closer to that spot, so I’m excited.”
Henderson’s putter was hot at last week’s LPGA Tour stop in Indianapolis. She closed with a 9-under-par 63 to finish tied for seventh.
It was her eighth top-10 result of the season.
“(I) made a lot of putts and it was cool to make a lot of birdies and kind of get that feeling back again,” she said.
The 20-year-old native of Smiths Falls, Ont., averages almost 270 yards per drive, good for seventh among all LPGA Tour players. Her driving accuracy is so-so at 71.79 per cent (69th overall) but she hits over 75 per cent of greens in regulation (third overall).
However, she averages 29.70 putts per round (54th) and her sand save percentage is a mediocre 40.98 per cent (104th).
Henderson will have plenty of opportunities this week on the 6,675-yard course, which plays long in spots, but can reward players who are aggressive.
That could work into Henderson’s hands as she tries to become the first Canadian to win this tournament since Jocelyne Bourassa won at Montreal in 1973.
“The way (Henderson) scores is she can go on a tear of like four of five birdies in a row,” Canadian golf legend Sandra Post said in a recent interview. “She’s not afraid to go low when she plays.”
Henderson earned her lone win of the season last April in Hawaii for her sixth career LPGA Tour victory, leaving her two behind Post for most all-time wins on Tour by a Canadian.
She has managed to maintain a solid world ranking position of No. 14 even though it has been a challenging season at times. Both of Henderson’s grandfathers died earlier this year.
“It’s been a really crazy and weird and kind of tough summer, for sure,” Henderson said. “But I feel like once I get inside the ropes I can kind of let that go and know that my two grandpas that did pass away, they’re always cheering me on and looking on from heaven. That kind of gives me that little bit (of an) extra boost.”
Henderson leads an impressive field that includes defending champion and world No. 1 Sung Hyun Park of South Korea, second-ranked Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand, American Lexi Thompson and China’s Shanshan Feng.
On the coaching front, Henderson works with her father, Dave, and gets tips from her sister, Brittany – who also serves as her caddie. She has also worked with Golf Canada’s national women’s head coach Tristan Mullally in the past.
Kevin Haime, a past winner of the PGA of Canada national teacher of the year award, hosts a junior golf event in the Ottawa area that has featured Henderson and her sister. He regularly uses a video demo of Brooke’s swing for his students.
“There’s about six different things that you could say don’t make a lot of sense there,” Haime said. “But she’s such a wonderful athlete with wonderful timing, she drives the ball better than (almost) anybody on the LPGA Tour.”
As strong as Henderson can be off the tee, she can really be a force when the putter is going.
“When it’s on, she really goes low,” Post said. “But she’s got tremendous spirit, tremendous desire and will. I always find that’s the one thing that can’t be taught. You have to have all those other things.
“But it’s almost like that unknown – if you’ve got that in you – to sort of step up.”
Henderson said the friendly competition with her sister – who’s now 27 – during their formative years in the sport also helped give her game a big boost.
“I was always trying to beat her, be as good as her,” she said. “She was always a lot taller, a lot stronger, so I tried to hit the ball, outdrive her, which didn’t happen for a long time. But I think that’s why I didn’t have that unique strength, because I was just trying to use every ounce of my body to get the ball out there.
“I feel like she really pushed me to be better at a younger age.”
Henderson will return to the par-72 course on Wednesday for the championship pro-am competition. First-round play begins Thursday morning.
Saskatoon native Bobbi Brandon picked up one of four final exemptions in Monday’s qualifying to boost the number of Canadian players in the field to 16.
The US$2.25-million tournament will wrap up Sunday.
Saskatoon’s Bobbi Brandon Monday Qualifies for 2018 CP Women’s Open
Golf Canada
REGINA, Sask. (Golf Canada) – Saskatoon native Bobbi Brandon was one of four golfers to claim the final exemptions into the 2018 CP Women’s Open via Monday’s qualifying event at Royal Regina Golf Club.
Brandon, a PGA of Canada Professional who works out of Moon Lake Golf & Country Club, carded a 2-over-par 74 to sit T2 among the 11-player field. This will be Brandon’s second appearance at the CP Women’s Open. She competed in Canada’s National Women’s Open in 1998 at Essex Golf and Country Club in Windsor, Ont., where she missed the cut.
Sweden’s Louise Stahle fired a 2-under par 70 to earn medalist honours.
American Jennifer Hahn (74) and Japanese amateur Kasumi Kuniyoshi (76) earned the final two spots.
Brandon will be the 16th Canadian in the field at the CP Women’s Open. All are trying to become the first Canadian to win an LPGA Tour event on Canadian soil since Canadian Golf Hall of Fame honoured member Jocelyne Bourassa won La Canadienne in 1973.
Click here for full scores from 2018 CP Women’s Open Final Qualifying at Royal Regina Golf Club.
Pairings and start times set for CP Women’s Open Monday Qualifier
Bernard Brault/ Golf Canada
Golf Canada
REGINA, Sask. (Golf Canada) – The final four spots into the 2018 CP Women’s Open field will be determined in Monday’s final qualifying event at The Royal Regina Golf Club.
A total of 17 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 2018 CP 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 from Final Qualifying on Monday, August 20. Results will be available as players complete their rounds.
Tournament week for the 2018 CP Women’s Open kicks off Monday, August 20 at The Wascana Country Club as the stars of the LPGA Tour make their first-ever visit to the province of Saskatchewan.
In addition to practice rounds in the morning, the Canada Day All-Star Pro-Am gets underway with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. The All-Star Clinic will feature LPGA Tour winner and recent Canadian Golf Hall of Fame inductee Gail Graham conducting live interviews with LPGA Tour stars including Alena Sharp, Lydia Ko, Morgan Pressel, Pernilla Lindenberg and Paula Creamer along with Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Lorie Kane.
A full field list of players confirmed to compete in the 2018 CP Women’s Open is available by clicking here.
At only 20 years old, it might be a bit too early to be talking about one’s legacy. But when that person is Brooke Henderson and she has six LPGA Tour titles – including one major to her name – that is a topic which will inevitably come up for discussion.
In just in her third full season, the former member of Golf Canada’s national team program trails only Sandra Post – who captured eight LPGA Tour titles during her career – for most all time by a Canadian.
“The first chapter has only been written,” said said Lorie Kane, referring to the legacy Henderson is building through her success.
As an inductee to the Canadian golf hall of fame in 2016 and a member of the Order of Canada, Kane is very familiar with leaving a legacy and making an impact.
“She brings a great level of excitement to the game with her success,” added the four-time LPGA Tour winner about Henderson. “And she is growing the game.”
For her part, the 20-year-old from Smith Falls, Ont. has some kind words about Kane – who she regards as a mentor.
“I remember playing a practice round with her when I was fifteen; and later that week we held hands and waved to the crowd while walking up the 18th hole. That was a special memory,” said Henderson.
“She’s really paved the way for Canadian golf. She’s such a great ambassador for the game of golf; and it’s been incredible to learn from her expertise and experience.”
Kane is quick to point out that the young golfing superstar benefits from having a great supporting cast.
“Brooke is the product of a very good upbringing from her mom and dad and sister Brit who carries the bag that supports her,” she noted.
“She has also benefited a lot from being part of Golf Canada’s national team program,” Kane added.
Henderson, who first joined the national team program at the age of 14, credits her time with the team for a significant part of her success.
“I got so many opportunities to compete outside of Canada and in the U.S. We played in the British and world amateur championships and all over the world,” Henderson said.
“So being on the team really taught me a lot. Not only from the coaches – but golf-wise we had access to a nutritionist, psychologist, strength and conditioning. I learned about all the aspects of the game of golf and that’s been very important to my development.”
Today, as a six-time LPGA Tour winner and a bona fide star in her sport, the 20-year-old golfer is grateful to be living out her childhood dream.
“It’s always been a dream since I was a little girl to play against the best golfers in the world; and I’m now very thankful to be able to do that every week and travel the world,” said Henderson, who started playing the sport at the age of three.
“Having six wins I feel so blessed and grateful to have that and hopefully I can continue on that trend.”
In terms of continuing on the success she’s enjoyed, Henderson isn’t shy about declaring her goal of one day capturing the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.
“This event is kind of like the sixth major out on the LPGA Tour and it means a lot to me. It would mean the world to mean to win this title in front of the Canadian fans.”
Looking at the bigger picture, the two-time CP Female Athlete of the Year is happy that her success has a ripple effect in terms of inspiring others to chase after their own version of greatness.
“I’m happy to be someone that the kids can look up to and be someone who inspires them to be the best person they can; so, they can chase after their dreams in sports, academics or whatever field of interest they may have.”
Henderson’s success has also provided her with a platform to address important causes close to her heart.
“I think its great to play on the LPGA Tour and play all around the world and be in a position where you can give back,” she said.
“And being a CP Has Heart Ambassador is one them. Just to see the difference this program is making and the lives they are saving is just extraordinary.”
Last year in Ottawa, the program raised $2M for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. This year, the funds raised through the program will go to support the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation.
“I’m really happy to be an ambassador alongside Lorie Kane. And she does a really great job in raising awareness and helping to raise awareness so I’m following her lead,” Henderson added.
Also, in early April, with the devastation left behind by the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, Henderson dedicated her victory at the Lotte Championship in Kapolei, Hawaii to the victims and their families.
“What happened was extremely tragic and I was happy that I was able to win it for them and I was glad to be able to honour them in some way,” she said.
As the Smiths Falls, Ont. native prepares to compete in Saskatchewan for the first time in her career, she hopes to be able to honour the victims one more time with a strong performance in the third week of August at the Wascana Country Club.
Besides building a legacy through her stellar results on the golf course – and chasing down records in the process – the mature 20-year-old understands that a part of that legacy will also be defined by how she uses her platform away from the golf course.
“In the big scheme of things, I’m playing golf for a living and enjoying every minute of it,” said Henderson.
“This is my passion and it’s what I love to do. I’m thankful to have the opportunity to give back and inspire others along the way,” she added.
“And everyday, I’m just trying to be a better golfer and a better person.”
To see Keith Creel in action is to see efficiency personified.
The President and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Pacific is committed to precision and to providing safe, efficient and reliable rail service that connects Canadian commodities with the world.
While his passion for railroading runs deep, his passion for golf isn’t far behind.
On July 9, he was front and centre, letting the country know CP had extended its agreement with Golf Canada and the LPGA Tour to continue to sponsor the lone stop on the LPGA Tour schedule for the next five years, as well as continuing to invest in a myriad of other Golf Canada programs as well as sponsor LPGA Tour winners Brooke Henderson and Lorie Kane.
“I’ve had history with this event for the last eight or nine years and there’s nothing that connects personally or professionally across the business in so many different areas with people and communities like golf does, especially in Canada,” said Creel, who also worked at CN Rail prior to moving to CP, the previous sponsor of the Canadian Women’s Open from 2006-2013.
Creel looks forward to the impact CP is going to have in the communities where the tournaments are played over the coming years. Saskatchewan, for example, is one of only two provinces in Canada that does not yet have a children’s hospital. With the estimated $2 million that will be raised for this year’s event, CP will play a starring role in making that a reality in 2019.
He also gets excited talking about the success of Henderson, who shot a tournament course record in 2017 at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club on Saturday to get into contention.
“I don’t know if we’ll see anything like that again, and I hope I’m wrong because that was pretty special,” he said of Henderson’s run up the leaderboard.
Creel began golfing himself when he came to Canada in 2002 and started as “a hacker” in Winnipeg. Creel had some history at Magna Golf Club – the announced host site of the 2019 CP Women’s Open – having lived in the area previous and making fond memories with his family.
“I started to be a hacker and I loved hacking. I haven’t stopped since,” he explained with a smile.
At a time when corporate budgets are getting tighter and a stronger-than-ever business case needs to be made when it comes to be involved with programs or events, CP has doubled-down on their investment to be involved with golf in Canada.
Creel said both the “people return” and the “business return” of being involved with golf make a lot of sense to him, and the relationship with Golf Canada is one that is filled with synergies.
“The level of commitment and professionalism matches ours. It’s a good fit,” he said. “When you meet an organization that understands and gets you and they reflect the same thing it offers a very unique opportunities for partnership.”
Laurence Applebaum, who just celebrated one-year at the helm of Golf Canada as its CEO, says his personal relationship with Creel has been invaluable, as he’s gotten his feet wet in corporate Canada.
He calls him an “incredible partner and resource.”
“We’ve spent a lot of time together this past year,” said Applebaum. “You realize how broad of a business he’s able to manage and how balanced he is with his family life as well. Keith is intimately involved with golf at all levels.”
Applebaum said Golf Canada is thrilled to have Creel and CP as a key partner for Golf Canada for the next five years, as the railway will also be a financial supporter of the Young Pro Program, Golf Canada’s National Team, and the title sponsor for the CP Women’s Leadership Summit (debuting this year in Saskatchewan).
With a five-year agreement, Applebaum says CP is showing its commitment to the sport in Canada and it’s showing the marketplace where its priorities lie.
“These companies want to be long term committed partners and it helps us plan our business, engage our fans, and tell people what we want to do. It gives us a runway for success,” said Applebaum.
“It’s a wonderful thing to share… an overall commitment to a sport with a five-year term signifies to the market that we’re really partners.”
With the 2018 CP Women’s Open on track and starting next week, Creel said it’s full steam ahead. But it’s not just for this year. It’s for the years ahead as well.
Creel is excited to use golf as a platform for its business to connect with millions across Canada.
“If you can take a sport that connects people emotionally and use it to sponsor heart health in Canada and to give back to the communities we serve… it’s just fantastic,” he said. “It gives an event to a community, but it also creates an emotional connection with our customers and families. I just do not know of another venue that offers all those things other than golf.”
World’s best golfers ready to battle as CP Women’s Open makes first-ever visit to Saskatchewan
REGINA, Sask. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada in partnership with Canadian Pacific (CP) announced today the field of competitors set to challenge for the 2018 CP Women’s Open taking place August 20-26 at The Wascana Country Club in Regina, Sask.
Defending champion and world no. 4 Sung Hyun Park will lead a stellar field that includes world no. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn, world no. 5 Lexi Thompson, world no. 6 Shanshan Feng, world no. 7 Minjee Lee, world no. 9 Jessica Korda and world no. 10 Georgia Hall as well as Canadian superstar Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont.
Park, winner of the 2017 event at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club headlines a group of six past champions coming to Regina including three-time winner Lydia Ko (2012, 2013, 2015) in search of her record fourth title. Other past champions confirmed include Brittany Lincicome (2011), Katherine Kirk (2008), Cristie Kerr (2006) and Juli Inkster (1984). Previously confirmed past champion Michelle Wie was forced to WD due to injury.
Other global LPGA Tour stars confirmed among the 156-player field include Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel, Anna Nordqvist, Carlota Ciganda, Nasa Hataoka, Moriya Jutanugarn, Danielle Kang, Charley Hull, Sandra Gal, Caroline Masson, Pernilla Lindberg and Natalie Gulbis.
With the one of the strongest fields on the LPGA Tour, Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship will feature 14 in-year LPGA Tour winners and 89 of the top 100 players on the LPGA Tour’s Official Money List.
“We are thrilled to welcome the world’s best golfers to The Wascana Country Club as the CP Women’s Open proudly makes its first-ever visit to the great province of Saskatchewan,” said Tournament Director Ryan Paul. “The CP Women’s Open will feature one of the strongest fields on the LPGA Tour along with the very best rising talents in Canadian and international golf. Golf fans in the province of Saskatchewan and across Canada will be treated to a world-class event when the stars of the LPGA Tour tip it up in Regina.”
A full field list of players confirmed to compete in the 2018 CP Women’s Open is available by clicking here.
The field of 156 competitors will vie for the US$2.25 million purse with the champion taking home $337,500.
FIFTEEN CANADIANS TO COMPETE AT THE WASCANA COUNTRY CLUB…. Smiths Falls, Ont., native Brooke Henderson, a six-time LPGA Tour winner and CP abassador headlines a list of 15 Canadians set to challenge for the CP Women’s Open.
Joining Henderson are LPGA Tour regulars Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Maude-Aimee LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Que. and Anne-Catharine Tanguay of Quebec City along with Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont. and Symetra Tour players Jennifer Ha of Calgary, Augusta James of Bath, Ont., Elizabeth Tong of Thornhill, Ont. and Megan Osland of Kelowna, B.C.
Saskatoon, Sask. native and Symetra Tour player Anna Young will have a home crowd advantage as the four-time Saskatchewan Women’s Amateur champion makes her first ever start in the CP Women’s Open.
CP ambassador and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Lorie Kane of Charlottetown will make her record tying 28th start in Canada’s National Women’s Open.
Among the Amateur contingent, three members of Team Canada will compete including National Amateur Squad members Grace St. Germain of Ottawa, Ont. and Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C. as well as 17-year old National Development Squad athlete Celeste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que. Also playing on an exemption is 17-year old Tiffany Kong of Vancouver.
The Canuck contingent will look to become the first Canadian to win an LPGA Tour event in Canada since Jocelyne Bourassa won La Canadienne in 1973.
FINAL FOUR EXEMPTIONS TO BE DECIDED AT ROYAL REGINA GOLF CLUB…. On Monday, August 20, the LPGA Tour will conduct an 18-hole stroke play qualifier at Royal Regina Golf Club to determine the final four exemptions directly into the 2018 CP Women’s Open.
CP HAS HEART IN SUPPORT OF JIM PATTISON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL Canadian Pacific will continue its history of making a substantial donation to the host community through its CP Has Heart community investment program. In the four years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CP Women’s Open, $6.5 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in communities across Canada.
This year, the campaign is supporting pediatric cardiology at Saskatchewan’s new Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon. Funds raised through the CP Women’s Open will help assist a dedicated cardiology space and specialized equipment in the new hospital, currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2019. To find out more or donate click here.
FIRST-EVER CP WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT TO TAKE PLACE DURING TOURNAMENT WEEK As part of the weeklong excitement of the CP Women’s Open, Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific are proud to announce that the inaugural CP Women’s Leadership Summit will take place Tuesday, August 21 at Hotel Saskatchewan in Regina. Keynote speaker and four-time Olympic gold medalist Hayley Wickenheiser will be joined by Sportsnet host Evanka Osmak; LPGA champion Lorie Kane; CP Vice-President of Grain and Fertilizer, Joan Hardy; adidas golf Canada General Manager, Lesley Hawkins; RBC Senior Manager, Brand Marketing, Shannon Cole; Dr. Andrea Lavoie, Interventional cardiologist with Saskatchewan Health Authority and many more like-minded businesswomen from across the country for a day of networking, empowerment and philanthropy. Click here for more information.
KIDS 17-AND-UNDER GET IN FREE… Golf Canada and CP are committed to offering a fan friendly, family event with the CP Women’s Open. To introduce more juniors to the sport, children aged 17-and-under get FREE admission to the CP Women’s Open for the entire week.
TICKETS… Early Week (Mon-Wed) – Advance pricing $15 I Tournament week $20
Anyday Grounds (Thurs) – Advance pricing $35 I Tournament week $55
Anyday Grounds (Fri-Sat) – Advance pricing $40 I Tournament week $55
Anyday Grounds (Sun) – Advance pricing $45 I Tournament week $55
Full week entry (Grounds) – Advance pricing $90 I Tournament week $105
Full week entry (Clubhouse) – Advance pricing $170 I Tournament week $200
TELEVISION COVERAGE… Thursday, August 23 – Golf Channel – 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Friday, August 24 – Golf Channel – 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, August 25 – Golf Channel – 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, August 26 – Golf Channel – 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Having served on the executive team of the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) – and as it’s president in 1989 – Keith Rever has played an important leadership role in the growth of golf across the country.
With the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open being held in his hometown of Regina for the first time at the Wascana Country Club – also referred to in short as WCC – Rever sees it as an important step in promoting the game in his home province.
“I think it’s great that the tournament will be coming here for the first time and we get to see the best female golfers compete first hand,” said Rever, who served as a director of the WCC for 15 years and served as the club’s president in 1980.
“I’m sure seeing the best players compete will inspire more young girls and boys to pick up the sport,” added the Regina native.
According to his daughter, Susan Rever, the significance of the CP Women’s Open coming to Regina is recognized by the entire family.
“Our whole family is excited, as it is the first time Saskatchewan has hosted an LPGA TOUR event. We look forward to being a part of this,” she said.
Recently, Rever – a retired engineer – took a moment to reflect back on his journey as an architect for the growth of the sport in Canada.
Rever says he first developed a passion for golf when he took up the sport as a youngster.
“My mom and dad rented a house about five blocks from a golf course and I would walk down there in the mornings to play a couple rounds and hit balls during the summer; and if you hit enough balls, you start improving,” said Rever, who has been extra busy this summer helping his daughter with a home improvement project.
“I became a junior member at the Wascana Country Club in 1956 and a general share holder in 1960,” he recalled.
“I won the club championship about five times. Its been a lot of fun out there. I’ve met a lot of wonderful people playing at the club.”
Rever’s natural talents on the golf course enabled him to compete at the highest level as an amateur.
He won the City of Regina Championship nine times and was the Saskatchewan Amateur Champion on two separate occasions.
In 1964, Rever was a member of the only team from Saskatchewan to win the Willingdon Cup – an annual team competition dating back to 1927 which features the top amateurs from each province.
“The winds were about 50 miles per hour and of course that gave us Saskatchewan boys a bit of an advantage because we were used to it,” he said with a smile about the Willingdon Cup win.
In 1971, that championship team – consisting of Rever, along with Alec Bland, who was the non-playing captain, Ernie Greenley, Ed Ross, and Jim Scissons – had their accomplishment honoured in the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.
Willingdon Cup Champions
Rever also has his name enshrined in the Wascana Hall of Fame, as well as, the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame.
“His inductions are a reminder of his incredible achievements,” noted his daughter, Susan.
“My dad’s passion for the sport, and his lifelong commitment to improve his performance and the sport he loves so much is impressive.”
While he opted to pursue a career in electrical engineering instead of one as a professional golfer, Rever was committed to remaining involved with the sport in other ways.
“I was the president of the Saskatchewan Golf Association in 72 and 73 and back in those days each provincial association nominated a representative to serve on the Royal Canadian Golf Association,” Rever pointed out.
“They asked me if I would consider it; and so in 1976, I joined the board of the RCGA – which of course, changed it’s name to Golf Canada in 2010.”
At the national level, he was a governor of the RCGA from 1976 to 1985, and on the executive team from 1986 to 1990, with a one-year term as president in 1989.
Rever says finding a balance between his full-time career as an engineer and as a member of the RCGA executive team was a bit of a challenge.
“It was really difficult to balance the roles; and I think in retrospect it probably wasn’t fair to my family,” he said with a chuckle.
“But I’m thankful that they put up with me and supported me in every way and I really appreciated that,” noted Rever, who adds that his wife, Marianne, and his son, Scott, are also avid golfers.
Rever says one of the initiatives that he was proud to have supported during his tenure on the executive team was the integration of the RCGA and the Canadian Ladies’ Golf Association (CLGA).
“I think I may have been one of the first RCGA presidents to speak at the CLGA annual meeting. Our team supported the idea of amalgamation and I was happy to see it eventually happen,” he said.
Rever also recalls one of his biggest thrills was inducting Jack Nicklaus into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1995.
“After I was president of the RCGA, I became chair of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame committee and I had the honour of being part of the team that inducted Jack Nicklaus,” he said.
“Jack was always very supportive of the Royal Canadian Golf Association and attended all the (RBC) Canadian Opens and spoke very highly of it; and regarded it as the fifth major in the world back in those days,” Rever noted about Nicklaus who was inducted in the builder category given his role in designing Glen Abbey.
“I remember the induction ceremony was held at the Glen Abbey Golf Club and there was over 200 people there; and it was just a great evening.”
While Rever speaks highly of Nicklaus’ contributions to the growth of the sport in Canada, he also speaks with high regard about Brooke Henderson and the significance of her success.
“I’m very impressed with Brooke. She seems like a very nice young lady who obviously has got a lot of natural skill and also very good work ethic; and her success is definitely inspiring a lot of young golfers in the country,” he said.
“So hopefully she’s going to do well when she comes to Saskatchewan. I spoke to her briefly but I didn’t get a chance to tell her to practice her shots into the wind – she’s probably going to need them,” he added with a smile.
“I’ve also met Lorie Kane; and I can tell that she’s a really classy lady. Both Lorie and Brooke are great ambassadors for the game in Canada and have done so much to grow the game,” he added about the two CP Ambassadors who have a combined 10 LPGA TOUR titles between them.
And while golfers, such as Kane and Henderson, have done so much to grow the game through their accomplishments on the golf course, Rever takes pride in knowing his efforts over the years off the golf course – particularly in the boardroom – has built the foundation for the success of the sport across the country.
“It was great to have worked with all the people who were so passionate about the game and wanted to see it grow. It’s also great to know that our efforts over the years have had a positive impact on the sport,” said Rever.
“I’ve also had a chance to meet the new leadership team at Golf Canada and I can say the sport is in good hands.”
With the CP Women’s Open set to tee off on August 23rd in his hometown, the self-described golfing enthusiast says he’s noticing a lot of buzz and excitement surrounding the tournament.
“We had the Brier and also the Memorial Cup here in Regina earlier this year, so its taken a bit of time for the CP Women’s Open to gain traction but now we are hearing about it on the radio and seeing a lot about it in the news,” said Rever.
“So I think by the time this tournament comes around, everyone will be feeling a lot of excitement – I know my family and I will for sure.”
Strong Canadian contingent headlines exemptions for 2018 CP Women’s Open
REGINA (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific (CP) are pleased to announce the names of 14 players who have received exemptions into the 2018 CP Women’s Open taking place August 20-26 at the Wascana Country Club in Regina.
Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member and CP ambassador Lorie Kane of Charlottetown, a four-time LPGA Tour winner, will make her record tying 28th start in Canada’s National Women’s Open.
A trio of Team Canada Young Pro Squad players—Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont., Augusta James of Bath, Ont., and Jennifer Ha of Calgary—have also received an exemption to compete in the 46th playing of Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship.
Marchand began the season with conditional status on the LPGA Tour, but made the most of her starts on Tour, making the cut in 10 of 12 starts including a T7 finish at the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic. James, a former winner on the Symetra Tour, currently sits 46th on the Tour’s official money list. She’s made the cut at six of 12 starts including a T3 finish. Ha, a former Alberta amateur standout who played on the LPGA Tour in 2017, is currently in her 3rd season on the Symetra Tour. Marchand, James and Ha will compete in their 5th, 5th and 3rd CP Women’s Open respectively.
Saskatchewan native Anna Young—currently in her third year on the Symetra Tour—will have a home crowd advantage as the four-time Saskatchewan Women’s Amateur champion makes her first ever start in the CP Women’s Open.
Two other Canadian Symetra Tour players—Elizabeth Tong of Thornhill, Ont., and Megan Osland of Kelowna, B.C., will also compete at Wascana. Tong, a graduate of the Team Canada Amateur Squad, and Osland currently sit 100 and 122 respectively on the Symetra Tour money list.
Celeste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que., leads a group of four amateurs exempt into Canada’s lone stop on the LPGA Tour. Dao, a 17-year old member of the Team Canada Development Squad, recently won the 2018 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, as well as the 2018 Mexican Junior Girls Championship. She will make her first ever start in the CP Women’s Open.
National Amateur Squad players Grace St-Germain of Ottawa and Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C., will also compete in the 2018 CP Women’s Open. St-Germain, 20, finished 7th at the 2018 Women’s Porter Cup and T1 at both the 2018 NJCAA National Championship and 2018 NJCAA Region 8 Championship as a member of Daytona State College. Ko, heading into her senior year at N.C. State, is a former Canadian Junior Girls champion who finished T33 at the 2018 Canadian Women’s Amateur.
Sixteen-year old Yealimi Noh of Concord, Calif., won the 2018 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship to earn her exemption into the CP Women’s Open. Currently ranked no. 21 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Noh is among the hottest amateur golfers on the planet this season with wins at the 2018 U.S. Junior Girls Amateur Championship and 2018 Girls Junior PGA Championship.
Tiffany Kong of Vancouver also earned an exemption after finishing as the low Canadian (T6) at the 2018 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. The 17-year old will make her second start in the national championship after Monday Qualifying for the 2015 CP Women’s Open at The Vancouver Golf Club as a 14-year old.
A pair of LPGA Tour veterans—Natalie Gulbis and Becky Morgan—have also accepted an invitation to compete at The Wascana. Gulbis, a long-time fan favourite on the LPGA Tour with a victory and 37 career top-10 finishes on the LPGA Tour, will make her 11th appearance at the CP Women’s Open while Morgan, a Wales native who has played 18 years on the LPGA Tour will play in Canada’s National Open for the 12th time.
The players receiving exemptions are added to an already stellar list of golfers who will be competing at the 2018 CP Women’s Open.
No player will generate more excitement than Canadian sensation and CP ambassador Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., who will compete in her eighth career National Women’s Open. Henderson will be joined by seven of the top 10 ranked players in the world, including world no. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn.
Reigning CP Women’ s Open champion Sung Hyun Park will look to defend her title against many of the LPGA’s best, including stars Lexi Thompson, Minjee Lee, Jessica Korda, Shanshan Feng, Anna Nordqvist and many more.
“The CP Women’s Open features arguably the strongest field on the LPGA Tour, as well as the very best rising talents in Canadian and international golf,” said CP Women’s Open Tournament Director Ryan Paul. “Golf fans will be treated to an unbelievable showcase of world-class golf when tournament week kicks off August 20th.”
Team Canada Amateur Squad players Jaclyn Lee of Calgary and Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont. were also extended tournament exemptions but were forced to decline as timing conflicted with Stage 1 of LPGA Tour Qualifying.
Other Canadians scheduled to compete at the 2018 CP Women’s Open include LPGA Tour regulars Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Anne-Catherine Tanguay of Québec and Maude-Aimee LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Que.
In total, at least 15 Canadians will be included among the 156 competitors who will vie for the US$2.25 million purse when the CP Women’s Open descends on Wascana and the province of Saskatchewan for the first time ever.
On Monday, August 20, the LPGA Tour will conduct an 18-hole stroke play qualifier at Royal Regina Golf Club to determine the final four exemptions directly into the 2018 CP Women’s Open.
The golfers teeing-it-up at Wascana Country Club will represent one of the strongest fields on the LPGA Tour with more than 92 of the top 100 players on the LPGA Tour Official Money List expected to compete.
CP HAS HEART IN SUPPORT OF JIM PATTISON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL Canadian Pacific will continue its history of making a substantial donation to the host community through its CP Has Heart community investment program. In the four years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CP Women’s Open, $6.5 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in communities across Canada.
This year, the campaign is supporting pediatric cardiology at Saskatchewan’s new Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon. Funds raised through the CP Women’s Open will help assist a dedicated cardiology space and specialized equipment in the new hospital, currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2019.
CP INAUGURAL WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT TO TAKE PLACE DURING TOURNAMENT WEEK As part of the weeklong excitement of the CP Women’s Open, Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific are proud to announce that the inaugural CP Women’s Leadership Summit will take place Tuesday, August 21 at Hotel Saskatchewan in Regina. Keynote speaker and five-time Olympic medalist Hayley Wickenheiser, will be joined by LPGA Champion Lorie Kane; CP Vice-President of Grain and Fertilizer, Joan Hardy; and many more like-minded businesswomen from across the country for a day of networking, empowerment and philanthropy.
KIDS 17-AND-UNDER GET IN FREE Golf Canada and CP are committed to offering a fan friendly, family event with the CP Women’s Open. To introduce more juniors to the sport, children aged 17-and-under get FREE admission to the CP Women’s Open for the entire week.
TORONTO – Corby Spirit and Wine Ltd. and Golf Canada are pleased to announce that Single Malt Scotch Whisky brand, The Glenlivet, will continue as the official spirit supplier of Golf Canada’s National Open Championships—the RBC Canadian Open taking place from July 23-29, 2018 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. as well as the CP Women’s Open, August 20-26 at The Wascana Country Club in Regina, Sask.
“We’re excited to extend our partnership with the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open as it allows us to celebrate the tremendous excellence and heritage of golf in Canada with The Glenlivet,” says Bryan Lin, Scotch Whisky Brand Manager, Corby Spirit and Wine. “The Glenlivet is the ultimate Single Malt Scotch whisky that was distilled for pleasure since 1824. We are committed to delivering a first-class experience that can be shared by golf fans and patrons throughout the championship with multiple onsite activations and touchpoints.”
Attendees at the RBC Canadian Open Spectator Village will have the opportunity to sample the award-winning Single Malt Scotch Whisky The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve and take home their own custom label with The Glenlivet Label Maker Experience.
Fans can also enjoy a more premium viewing experience inside the Single Malt Super Seats Lounge behind the 16th Hole Green, with feature tastings of the newly launched Ballantine 15 Year-old Glenburgie Single Malt Scotch led by The Glenlivet Brand Ambassador, Frank Biskupek.
Additionally, Corby Spirit and Wine will feature several of its premium spirits at public concessions, including Absolut Vodka, Havana Club Rum, Altos Tequila and Ungava Gin.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with Corby Spirit and Wine Ltd. an offer our fans a truly world-class whiskey at both the RBC Canadian Open as well as the CP Women’s Open,” said Craig Sharp, Golf Canada Managing Director, Partnerships. “The tremendous history behind The Glenlivet pairs perfectly with well over 100 years of delivering a premium spectator experience at our historic National Open Golf Championships.”
