CAMBRIDGE, Ont. – Nicole Vandermade arrived on the putting green Tuesday at Whistle Bear Golf Club, the site of this week’s Manulife LPGA Classic, and the first thing she received was a big hug from Lorie Kane.

“What are you doing here, are you playing?” asked Kane.

“I am!” responded Vandermade enthusiastically, to a high-five from the Hall of Famer.

Vandermade had Monday Qualified the day prior, after a 73 got her through.

She had been playing at her home course – Brantford Golf and Country Club – at least once a week, and thanks to a friendship with Sean Casey at Glen Abbey Golf Club, she practiced there nearly every weekday this summer as well.

“I had been playing well, but playing well on your home course is much different than playing well in a tournament. I honestly just came out here trying to play my game and see what happens. I knew if I did that, I’d have a good shot,” she admitted. “But obviously anything can happen out here, so I just tried to enjoy myself and count them up at the end and see what happens.”

On Tuesday Vandermade, who was part of Golf Canada’s National Team from 2006-2011, enjoyed catching up with old friends like fellow Canadian Jennifer Kirby, and the aforementioned Kane. She also managed to get in some practice, as although she lived close to Whistle Bear, she didn’t play the course growing up.

“It’s weird, I played a junior tour growing up where the Tour Championship was at this golf course, but I played a different event that week and couldn’t play here,” she said. “I’ve always known about it but never gotten out.”

The 26-year-old, who has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Texas at Austin, worked with Golf Canada in the Player Development Experience department this summer. She worked the National Team and Olympians making sure their gear was in order amongst other important tasks.

She finished Friday, and got right to ‘work’ Monday for the qualifier. But despite her quick success, she’s come to the Manulife LPGA Classic without any expectations on what might happen.

“Honestly I’m taking it week by week,” she explained. “I finished work last week, playing here this week obviously, I’m playing the PGA Women’s Championship of Canada (at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club) next week, and then honestly I have no idea what I’m doing after that.”

Vandermade has even begun applying for “real” jobs.

“One is an athletic department at a university, and a couple other local ones. I’ll see what I get back from that,” she stated. “I’ll probably keep playing but honestly I have no idea, I’m just playing and enjoying it and seeing what happens.”

Also Monday qualifying was Vivian Tsui of Markham, Ont.

With the addition of the pair, there are now 13 Canadians in the field for the 2016 Manulife LPGA Classic.

CALGARY – Ariya Jutanugarn topped one of the deepest fields on the LPGA tour, including dozens of recent Olympians, to win the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open title, with local kids also winning big thanks to CP’s $2 million donation to the Alberta Children’s Hospital in support of pediatric cardiac care and research.

“It was a tremendous week from start to finish and we couldn’t be prouder of Ariya and our partnership with the Alberta Children’s Hospital,” said E. Hunter Harrison, CP’s CEO. “Having the tournament at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club, in our home city and province, is bitter sweet as it is my last Open as CEO. I will be forever proud of the contributions we have made as a result of our involvement with Golf Canada and the CP Women’s Open – all part of our commitment, through CP Has Heart, to give where we live and operate.”

CP’s donation, one of the largest on the LPGA tour, will support the hospital in researching the development of “liquid biopsy,” a non-invasive procedure that doctors hope will replace invasive tissue biopsies currently used to determine if a child’s transplanted heart is being attacked by his or her immune system. This new approach, in combination with the advanced DNA sequencing technologies at the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, can also be used to make a genetic diagnosis for congenital heart disease before a baby is born.

“As a member of the cardiology team at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, I am thrilled with the support they have received from the tournament,” said Dr. Steven Greenway, Pediatric Cardiologist, Alberta Children’s Hospital. “For more than 25 years, the cardiology team at the Alberta Children’s Hospital has been providing leading-edge care for kids in our community. This incredible gift will be used to take our research even further from the lab to the clinic as we develop new, non-invasive tests and personalized treatments for children with heart conditions.”

The final donation total was a result of a number of fundraising initiatives leading up to the conclusion of the golf tournament, including Spruce Meadows Clear Rounds for Heart, Alberta Children’s Hospital Radio-thon and online donation matching.

“The CP Has Heart campaign has brought our community together in a wonderful way. For children who rely on cardiac care and research at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, the 2016 CP Women’s Open has left a life-changing legacy in our city for years to come,” said Saifa Koonar, President and CEO, Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation. We are extremely grateful to CP, Golf Canada and Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club for making this memorable event possible!”

In Canada, one in 100 babies is born with a congenital heart disease. Every year in Alberta, that translates to 500 infants – and their families – who find themselves embarking upon a life-altering journey as a result. That includes CP Women’s Open’s Ambassador, Alexa Castillo, and her family. The family was referred to the Alberta Children’s Hospital where doctors told them their daughter would be born with critical aortic stenosis, a life-threatening heart defect where the aorta in her left ventricle does not work properly. At only eight years old, Alexa has had multiple open heart surgeries and will need a lifetime of care from cardiac specialists.

“It has been so humbling to see the community rally around kids like our daughter who need help for their very special hearts,” said Jorge Castillo, Alexa’s father. “The care at the Alberta Children’s Hospital is amazing and this wonderful gift is going to make it even better for children and their families who will need it in the future.”

To coincide with Canada 150 celebrations, next year’s Canadian Pacific Women’s Open will return to the nation’s capital and the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club from August 21 to 27, 2017. CP will announce its charity partner at a later date.

“This week was a fantastic showcase of golf and charitable giving – we congratulate CP, the CP Has Heart program, and everyone involved in the tournament,” said Scott Simmons, CEO of Golf Canada. “We look forward to 2017 in Ottawa when we celebrate Canada’s 150^th with an iconic Canadian company and the best golfers in the world.”

CALGARY – Ariya Jutanugarn ran away with the CP Women’s Open at chilly Priddis Greens for her LPGA Tour-leading fifth victory of the year – all in the last 10 events.

Nine days after withdrawing from the Rio Olympics because of a left knee injury, the 20-year-old Thai player made a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a 6-under 66 and a four-stroke victory.

Bundled up in a winter jacket between shots with the temperature in the lows 50s on the overcast afternoon, the second-ranked Jutanugarn matched the tournament record for relation to par 23-under, set by So Yeon Ryu two years ago at London Hunt Club in Ontario.

After a late meltdown cost Jutanugarn her first LPGA Tour victory in April in the major ANA Inspiration, she broke through in May with three straight victories. She won the Women’s British Open in the event before the Olympics, and made it two-in-a-row on the tour Sunday in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies – blasting 2-irons and 3-woods off the driving holes on the tree-lined course.

South Korea’s Sei Young Kim, a two-time winner this year, was second after a 65.

South Korea’s In Gee Chun, the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open champion, was third at 18 under after a 69.

Canada’s Alena Sharp had the best result of her LPGA Tour career, birdieing the final two holes for a 67 to finish fourth at 16 under. Three-time champion Ko had a 69 to tie for seventh at 13 under.

Canadian star Brooke Henderson shot a 69 to tie for 14th at 11 under. The 18-year-old Henderson beat Ko in a playoff in June in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship for her first major title, and successfully defended her Cambia Portland Classic title last month. She will play in her home province next week in the Manulife LPGA Classic in Cambridge, Ontario.

CALGARY – Ariya Jutanugarn wasn’t going to let two bogeys in her final three holes get her down.

The 20-year-old from Thailand still shot a solid round of 65 on Saturday to remain atop the leaderboard through three rounds of play at the CP Women’s Open.

“I’m feeling good,” said Jutanugarn, who sat alone in first place at 17 under, two shots clear of South Korea’s In Gee Chun. “I know I had two bogeys in the last three holes, but I still shot 5 under, so I feel good.”

Chun, who started the day three shots behind Jutanugarn, had three birdies on the front nine and three more on the back nine during her bogey-free round of 66 on the par-72, 6,622-yard Raven course layout at the Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club.

“I keep my eye on me,” said Jutanugarn when asked if Sunday’s final round will turn into a two-person race between her and Chun. “Tomorrow I really want to have fun and I really want to be happy on the course, that’s all I want tomorrow.”

Jutanugarn is currently No. 2 in the women’s world golf rankings behind New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and just ahead of Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont.

In just her second year on the LPGA tour, she’s already won four times, including a stretch of three tournament victories in a row in May.

“After I won my first tournament, I kind of know how I play under pressure, so I know when I get really excited what I have to do,” she said.

South Korea’s Sei Young Kim carded a round of 68 to pull into a tie for third at 12 under with Northern Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow, who shot 69.

“I started off great and then kind of had a little lull in the middle, but I hung in there,” said Meadow. “That’s what golf if about. You just keep fighting and hope for the best score at the end.”

Hamilton’s Alena Sharp bounced back from bogeying the second hole with six birdies to shoot a solid round of 67.

“It started off kind of ugly,” said Sharp, who moved into a five-way tie for fifth place with Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist along with Ha Na Jang, Amy Yang and Chella Choi, all from South Korea.

“I was not hitting it well the first nine holes, but I hung in there. I think that’s something that’s gotten better with my game is when it’s not good, I realize, ‘OK, just keep grinding away, it’s going to change,’ and the last six holes were great.”

Henderson shot her second straight round of 4-under 68 to move into a six-way tie for 21st spot at 8 under along with fellow Canadian Maude-Aimee Leblanc, of Sherbrooke, Que.

“I felt way better today and I think feeling the energy from my massive crowds has definitely really helped that,” said Henderson. “Through bad shots and good shots, they’re supporting me and give me a little bit of extra energy and positive vibes. That’s really helped me the last two days.”

Nine shots off the lead, Henderson said she’s just going to try to shoot as low as she can on Sunday to see how far she can climb up the leaderboard.

“I’m hoping to get a top 10,” she said. “Hopefully I’ll get a little bit deeper under par tomorrow and see what happens.”

Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee fell back into a tie for 47th spot at 4 under after shooting 1 over.

“I feel like I was a little slow today, made some good birdies and then made a big number,” said Lee, who’s playing in her first LPGA event as an amateur. “To finish on 18 today and hear the crowd cheer for me, it’s awesome. You have no idea how much support you have until you’re really here and you hear it.”

Quebec City’s Anne-Catherine Tanguay shot 74 and is 1 over for the tournament heading into Sunday’s final round.

CALGARY – No driver, no problem for Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn.

Despite not carrying a driver in her bag, Jutanugarn shot a bogey-free 8-under 64 on Friday to move atop the leaderboard through two rounds of play at the CP Women’s Open.

“I hit my tee shots pretty good and I was calm on every shot, so I feel good,” said the 20-year-old Bangkok native, who’s alone in first place at 12 under after carding eight birdies on the Raven course of the Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club.

“Honestly, I don’t think it suits with my game. To me, it’s a little bit narrow and I can’t hit my driver.”

Not having the big stick didn’t cause any problems for Jutanugarn, who hit 14-of-14 fairways on Friday using either her 3-wood or 2-iron.

“Sometimes I feel more confident with my irons, so I feel like this one I’ve got to make sure it’s in the fairway, so it’s good enough,” said Jutanugarn, who is currently No. 2 in the Rolex women’s world golf rankings behind New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and just ahead of Brooke Henderson from Smiths Falls, Ont. “I mean some weeks I use my driver if it’s wide enough and if I need the distance, but this week I don’t need that.”

South Korea’s In Gee Chun birdied the 17th hole before draining a nine-foot putt for eagle on the 18th to shoot a 5-under 67.

“I had three bogeys today, but it was a really good finish on the 18th hole,” said Chun, whose two-day total of 9 under has put her in striking distance of accomplishing what she set out to do at the start of the four-day tournament. “My goal is top three this week, so I can try.”

Northern Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow followed up her round of 66 on Thursday with a 69 on Friday to pull into a tie with Chun for second spot.

Ko also shot 69 to put her in a five-way tie for fourth spot with Sei Young Kim, Hyo Joo Kim, Mi Jung Hur and Chella Choi, all of whom hail from South Korea.

“I played pretty solid the past few days,” said Ko, who has won the Canadian Open in three of the past four years including last year at the Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam, B.C. “There’s still a lot of golf to be played. Right now I feel like I’m playing solid, so it’s a good position going into the weekend.”

Choi finished up the final four holes of her first round early on Friday morning after play was suspended the night before due to darkness. She had the first round lead of 7-under 65, but fell out of top spot after shooting 71 during her second trip around the par-72, 6,622-yard layout.

Thailand’s Budsabakorn Sukapan shot 66 in Round 2 and is tied for ninth spot at 7 under with South Korea’s Amy Yang, Norway’s Suzann Petterson and a pair of Japanese golfers in Sakura Yokomine and Ai Miyazato.

Maude-Aimee Leblanc, of Sherbrooke, Que., sank a long putt from off the green on the 18th hole to finish her second round with an eagle.

“I know the greens are super fast, so I just know I had to roll it on the green and then the green was going to do the rest,” said Leblanc. “Fortunately I did the job and it’s a good way to finish.”

After carding her second straight score of 69, Leblanc is in a tie for 14th spot at 6 under with five other golfers including Hamilton’s Alena Sharp.

“It’s always good to see the Canadian flag on the leaderboard no matter where we are, but definitely this week,” said Sharp. “I know in the past we’ve done well as a group, the Canadians, so it’s nice to see halfway through we’ve got some people up there. Hopefully we can continue it on the weekend.”

Canada's @AlenaSharp on her solid year, nerves and more after Rd. 2 of the #CPWO.https://t.co/vugZY6UncJ

— CP Womens Open (@cpwomensopen) August 27, 2016

Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee followed up the 69 she shot in Round 1 with a 70 to put her in a tie for 20th place at 5 under, one shot ahead of Henderson, who carded a respectable round of 4-under 68.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” said Lee, who’s playing in her first LPGA event as an amateur. “These past two days have been really fun, incredible ? just a great experience. It’s been a bonus on top of that to play well.”

Quite the #LPGA debut for @JaclynLee57. @TheGolfCanada Am. Team member member is 5-under thru 36 holes at the #CPWO.https://t.co/YwQqY255E4

— CP Womens Open (@cpwomensopen) August 26, 2016

Quebec City’s Anne-Catherine Tanguay was the only other Canadian to qualify to play on the weekend as her two-day total of 1 under put her right on the cut line with a host of other players.

Toronto’s Rebecca Lee-Bentham along with Brittany Marchand, of Orangeville, Ont., and Jessica Wallace of Langley, B.C., all finished at even par to miss the cut by one shot.

CALGARY – Stephanie Meadow didn’t mind the inclement weather conditions during the first round of the CP Women’s Open Thursday.

After a lightning delay that lasted nearly three hours, Meadow didn’t miss a beat as she birdied her final two holes to take the clubhouse lead at 6-under 66 before play was eventually suspended because of darkness.

South Korea’s Chella Choi, who teed off with the afternoon group, is 7 under through 14 holes and will have to finish her first round Friday morning. Karine Icher joined Meadow at 6 under through 14 holes and will also finish Round 1 Friday morning.

Golfers also had to battle windy, rainy and chilly conditions, which Meadow often endured while growing up in Jordanstown, Northern Ireland.

“My caddie always jokes that when it’s windy I always play great, so I guess that’s kind of my deal,” said Meadow, who had seven birdies and one bogey on Thursday. “Being from Ireland, that’s just part of it.

“It’s nice to know that I can play in those conditions. I’ve done it a lot, even though it’s when I was little, but I’ve still done it and scored, so I know I can do it.”

Choi and Icher return to the course at 7:15 a.m. MST on Friday along with 52 other golfers to finish their rounds.

The group tied for fourth at 67 includes Lydia Ko, the Olympic silver medallist from New Zealand, who is No. 1 in the Rolex women’s world golf rankings.

“I played solid – birdied the first hole straight off the bat, so when you make a birdie in the first round on the first hole, it gives you good momentum,” said Ko, who has won the CP Women’s Open in three of the past four years including last year at The Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam, B.C., when she beat American Stacy Lewis in a playoff.

South Korea’s Mirim Lee held the early lead of 5 under through 13 holes when players were shuttled off the course due to lightning in the area at 11:44 a.m.

When play resumed nearly three hours later at 2:40 p.m., Lee bogeyed the 14th hole before bouncing back with a birdie on 15 and three straight pars to card a score of 67.

Mi Jung Hur, also of South Korea, then birdied the 18th hole just after Lee signed her scorecard to pull into a tie for the lead.

“I was here about seven years ago and I have good memories,” said Hur, who finished in a tie for 16th the last time the Canadian Open was held in Priddis in 2009. “But this year the conditions are super nice. The greens are super fast. I think this is the fastest greens I’ve ever had on the Tour.”

Ko finished her round of 67 a short time later, while Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn also moved into a tie for fourth after getting to 5 under through 14 holes before play was suspended.

Brooke Henderson, the 18-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont. who is No. 3 in the Rolex rankings, was scheduled to tee off at 1:31 p.m., but didn’t hit her first shot until nearly three hours later.

Through 15 holes, Henderson sat in a tie for 46th spot with a host of other golfers at 1 under.

Hamilton’s Alena Sharp was one of the golfers who started in the afternoon and was also able to finish her round. She carded a score of 4-under 68 and is tied as the top Canadian with Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee, an amateur who ended the night at 4 under through 13 holes.

Maude-Aimee LeBlanc, of Sherbrooke, Que., also had a solid round in the afternoon of 3-under 69.

Toronto’s Rebecca Lee-Bentham and Jessica Wallace, of Langley, B.C., were the top Canadians after the morning round as both shot scores of 2-under 70.

“It was up and down,” said Lee-Bentham, who bogeyed her final hole. “I had two three-putts today. It’s a little frustrating because the greens are tough here but overall it was a solid round.”

Playing in her last LPGA event, Bentham will retire at the age of 24 after the tournament. She’s been playing the Symetra Tour, the official developmental golf tour of the LPGA Tour, where uncertainty and expenses have caused her to rethink her future, including a possible return to school.

The $2.25-million CP Women’s Open was last held in Priddis, southwest of Calgary, in 2009 and runs through Sunday. The purse includes $337,500 for the winner.

CALGARY – Brooke Henderson is the face of Canadian golf. Lydia Ko is a big hit, too – and every bit as comfortable.

“I feel when I come to Canada, it feels a lot like New Zealand, feels a lot like home,” Ko said Wednesday, a day before the start of play in the CP Women’s Open. “Just even how they say ‘eh’ at the end of sentences. A lot of people back at home say ‘eh,’ too. … Everyone has just been super welcoming, and I think that’s the thing about it. ”

The 18-year-old Henderson had a large crowd for her pro-am round at Priddis Greens.

“Having Canadians and people from all over the world kind of celebrate this national championship is really cool,” Henderson said. “Even this morning, I teed off at 8 in a pro-am, and there were people following me right from the start. My gallery kind of grew throughout the day, and as I finished, that was probably the longest autograph session that I’ve ever had.”

The top-ranked Ko has won the event three of the last four years, the first two as an amateur. The New Zealander won in 2012 at Vancouver Golf Club at 15 years, 4 months to become the LPGA Tour’s youngest winner and fifth amateur champion. She successfully defended her title in 2013, winning by five strokes in Edmonton. Last year back at Vancouver as a pro, she beat Stacy Lewis in a playoff.

The 19-year-old Ko has four LPGA Tour victories this season, winning the ANA Inspiration in April for her second major title.

Lydia Ko's pre-tournament interview at the #CPWO.https://t.co/wCLUf0QMsW

— CP Womens Open (@cpwomensopen) August 25, 2016

“Lydia is truly amazing,” Henderson said. “She’s an inspiration to me and I think everybody that knows her.”

Henderson beat Ko in a playoff in June in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship for her first major title, and successfully defended her Cambia Portland Classic title in early July.

“She’s not afraid to be out in front,” veteran Canadian player Lorie Kane said. “I truly respect the way she plays in that she’s accepting of what happens and she moves past it. I’ve had enough time to play with her to see she’s got all kinds of game. She swings a very big driver a very long way and I’m extremely proud of her.”

Ko was second last week in the Rio Olympics, five strokes behind winner Inbee Park.

“It’s definitely a quick turnaround, but this is one of our best tournaments on our tour schedule, so even the girls that were in Rio I think we’re all excited to be here,” Ko said. “Last week, the course was a little bit like sand belt with a little bit of British flair. This is a bit more traditional. … It’s firm and fast. Last week, we were wearing shorts. This week, we’re wearing sweaters.”

Henderson tied for seventh in Rio.

“Rio was kind of just a sixth major on the LPGA Tour,” Henderson said. “Of course, there was lots of other things going on. … It was cool, but the end of the day it was just four rounds of golf, regular stroke play individual that we do every single week, playing against the same players we play against every week.”

Brooke Henderson's pre-tournament interview at the #CPWO.https://t.co/3EUb6STfff

— CP Womens Open (@cpwomensopen) August 25, 2016

Ko and Henderson are on opposite sides of the draw. Ko will open play Thursday morning on the 10th tee with Jessica Korda and Sei Young Kim, and Henderson will start on No. 1 in the afternoon with Gerina Piller and Amy Yang.

Kane, at 51, is making her record-tying 26th straight appearance in the event. The four-time LPGA Tour winner is being inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

“I’m proud of myself. I’ve accomplished some things that I never thought would have been possible,” Kane said. “To think in 20 years what I have achieved – the four wins? It took me a long time to win the first one and then the next three came pretty quickly after that.”

Kane will match the tournament record for consecutive starts set by Hollis Stacy.

Suzann Pettersen won the 2009 tournament at Priddis Greens.

The tour will remain in Canada next week for the Manulife LPGA Classic in Cambridge, Ont., with Pettersen the defending champion.

In Lorie Kane’s opinion, anyway, this is one head-to-head match-play duel she can never, ever win.

“I owe golf,’’ she is saying, with utter certainty, “a whole lot more than it owes me. Someone once asked me: ‘What do you love about golf?’ I answered: ‘What it’s afforded me to do.’

Golf helped shape the person I am. I don’t think I’m this Lorie Kane without the game.”

The flip-side argument being that golf in this country wouldn’t be what it is without Lorie Kane, either.

During the CP Women’s Open this week at Priddis Greens, a solid five-iron outside of Calgary, the Charlottetown native will be inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, joining fellow 2016 inductees writer/commentator Bob Weeks and two-time men’s national amateur champion Warren Sye.

So let her protest; to her heart’s content, in fact. Quibble away. This particular tribute has for a while now shaped up as a slam-dunk.

Because it’s not a stretch to argue that for an entire generation of aspiring female golfers aiming of the stars, Lorie Kane has come not only to represent, but to symbolize their game in this country, stem to stern, tip to tip. The way Jocelyne Bourassa or Sandra Post did for preceding eras.

“I feel she’s the continuation of torch passing,’’ says Post, chair of the Hall’s selection committee. “We have a wonderful history of women’s golf in this country. I first think of Ada (Mackenzie), Marlene Streit, then in the late ‘60s we move from amateurs to professional. There was Jocelyn Bourassa, myself, Coe Jones and Lisa Walters. We passed it along nicely. Then we passed it nicely to Lorie.”

“Golf Canada does such a great job of giving amateurs, giving young people, the chance to get better, added Post. “Whether that’s through coaching or advice or travel. They’re really extremely generous. But there are still a lot of rungs you have to climb to get to the top rung.

“Now we have there’s Brooke (Henderson), of course, to continue the tradition.”

“Considering Lorie started so late, the length of time she played on Tour is amazing. I don’t see that happening much anymore, that late bloomer. She’s different in that way. Didn’t have much of an amateur career. It didn’t come easy. She really had to battle. And now she’s heading out on the senior tour. She’s hung in there. It’s not easy to play a long time on the LPGA Tour; it’s not easy to win on the LPGA Tour. And she’s done it all with a smile. So I’d say it’s been a very good, very successful, very kind legacy.”

The credentials are by now familiar, and impeccable: Those 10 professional wins, four arriving on the LPGA Tour, the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as this country’s top female athlete in 2000, the Order of Canada honour six years later.

It’s been quite the journey – from Charlottetown to the grand theatres of the game.

“I’m generally not somebody who spends much time reflecting on where she’s been,’’ reasons Kane. “I try very hard to stay where I am and to think about where I’m going. But when Sandra contacted me to tell me I’d been given the honour of being inducted, and inducted into this year’s group – Bob Weeks is a very good friend, who’s done a lot for golf, and then Warren – I’d be foolish to tell you I didn’t start reflecting on the past and where I’d come from. It’s pretty cool.”

“I sometimes think Hall of Fame as being something at the end. I’m far from the end but things are changing. My relationship with CP has allowed me to do a whole lot more than I ever would’ve done if I’d never met (longtime Canadian Pacific Railway executive) Hunter Harrison. He not only changed my life but women’s golf. Let’s face it, Chairman Brown at DuMaurier, when they pulled in the rules that we couldn’t sponsor anymore, golf was in the tank.”

Kane is spot on in thinking of herself as quintessential Canadian, having learned the game here, developed her skills here, before moving out onto its grandest stage and leaving an imprint.

“I didn’t play college golf. I’m probably one of the most non-traditional athletes imaginable in how I got to where I am. I’ve represented our country on several occasions. I met my coach, Jack McLaughlin, in 1988, when I wasn’t sure what I would be doing. I knew I wanted to play professional sport. I didn’t know it was going to be golf. I’ve had so many wonderful people help me along the way; that believed in me.”

“So now, to be in the Hall, with the great athletes we have on the golf side, is really neat.”

Her 11-under-par, three-stroke victory over American Kristi Albers at the 2000 Michelob Light Classic at the Fox Run Golf Club in Eureka, Missouri, proved to be Lorie Kane’s breakthrough moment.

From there, she’d top the leaderboard at the New Albany Classic, again in 2000 (a season she won nearly $2 million and had nine seconds and 34 Top 10 finishes), then the Mizuno Classic and Takefuji Classic a year later.

No one could’ve possibly foreseen it at the time, naturally, but that fourth and final LPGA triumph – she’d come agonizingly close afterwards, losing in playoffs in each of the next three seasons – would be Canada’s last until Brooke Henderson at the Cambia Portland Classic, a full 14 years later.

“The first one,’’ Kane reflects, “was the important one but I’d be lying to say it’s the one that stands out. I vividly remember the chances that came before, and being so close without winning, deep-down wondering if I was ever going to be able to get … there. You always remember the struggles, right?”

“I love hockey. Absolutely love it. And I remember Mark Messier saying: ‘Winning is an attitude.’ I ran with that for a full week (at the Michelob). I said to myself: ‘I’m responsible for that. I’m responsible for my attitude.’ And it pushed me over the line. That win in St. Louis opened up such great opportunities.”

Sandra Post was, of course, the first Canadian to play on the LPGA Tour. Also the first to win multiple times in a season, and the last before Lorie Kane.

“It all starts with winning,’’ reminds Post. “If you don’t win, you don’t get the chance for the nice stuff. (For Hall consideration) you have to win nationally but you also to win internationally. You go from there. You can say all the other great things about Lorie, and there are so many – but the attention that comes with winning is what puts it all in motion. You can’t do all the great outside things Lorie has done for golf unless you’ve got a pretty good game. And she has that.”

More than the achievements, though, what Kane will be celebrating on induction day are the people who’ve aided one of the great careers in Canadian golf. The late Jack McLaughlin. Hunter Harrison. Bourassa. Danny Sharp, caddy for virtually her entire pro career. The mentors, the colleagues, the champions, and most importantly the friends and family who supporter her along the way.

“Any time you stand up in front of your peers and 1) have to make sure you don’t forget anybody and 2) celebrate this with the people who’ve made an impact in your life,’’ is the frank admission, “well, it can be a little nerve wracking.”

Small smile. “But nothing I can’t handle.”

She’s handled it all so well, from Charlottetown to Glen Abbey, to Oakville, Ont., and the Hall of Fame.

“Nobody,’’ Lorie Kane repeats emphatically, “is bigger than the game. I hope what I’ve brought to it is a smile, hard work, sharing. Coming from our smallest province, I had five golf courses to play on when I was starting. Now there’s 29. Golf is important to Prince Edward Island, the Atlantic provinces and the country as a whole.”

“If my success has in any small way helped that growth, any growth, that’s nothing more than my job, giving back what I took from the game. I’m just so, so thankful to golf.”

Whether the lady is up to admitting so or not, the feeling is entirely mutual.

CALGARY – Twenty-one players took to The Hamptons Golf Club in Calgary for Monday’s final qualifying event in hopes of securing one of the four final spots into the 2016 CP Women’s Open.

Briana Mao of Folsom, CA, finished atop the leaderboard with a 3-over par 75 to earn medalist honours.

Mao, who holds conditional LPGA Tour status, battled cool and blustery conditions to top the field.

“It was really difficult conditions today, but I just hit it straight and low and it worked out,” said the LPGA Tour rookie and University of Virginia alumnae. “I knew scores were going to be high because the conditions were so difficult. But, I was patient and hit the ball well. So, I’m pretty happy right now.”

Mao will be playing her first pro event in Canada, but she also competed in the Canadian Women’s Amateur in 2014, where she tied for 30^th.

Briana Mao (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Also earning an exemption was Brigitte Thibault of Rosemère, Que., a 17-year-old amateur who carded a 77 to finish second to qualify for her first LPGA Tour event.

Brigitte Thibault

Christine Song of Oakville, CA and Angel Yin of Arcadia, CA  shot 78 and 79 respectively to claim the final two exemptions into the field.

With the addition of Thibault to the field, a total of 17 Canadians will now compete for Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club.

Click here for complete results from the 2016 CP Women’s Open Monday Qualifier at The Hamptons Golf Club.

CALGARY – Golf Canada, Canadian Pacific (CP) and a host of partners have unveiled a listing of exciting events set to take place during the 2016 CP Women’s Open to be hosted at Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club from August 22 to 28.

The CP Has Heart Activity Zone will encompass several activities for spectators of all ages with funds raised going towards pediatric cardiac care and research at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. Throughout tournament week, fans can take part in the free CP Hole-in-One for Heart activity for their shot at great prizes, including a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. Participants who hit the green will have $50 donated on their behalf by CP.

Also housed within the CP Has Heart Activity Zone is the Long Putt Challenge which invites spectators to test their skills on a miniature replica of Priddis Greens’ beautiful 18th hole for a chance at a number of prizes. Funds collected from the $5 activity will be matched by CP.

The 2016 edition of CP Birdies for Heart will see CP donate $5,000 for every birdie made by a player on the 18th hole during tournament play. For $20, spectators can upgrade their tickets to enter the 18th Green CP Fan Zone to cheer on their favourite players. Premium covered seating, player meet-and-greets, giveaways and more await these fans. All funds collected will be matched by CP and donated to the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

Sure to be a fan-favourite event, WestJet’s Closest to the Pin Toss offers spectators the chance to win a flight for four. Fans can purchase mini-balls from WestJet volunteers around the course and then participate in a ball toss on the 18th green at the end of each tournament round, with all proceeds benefiting the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

Those of legal drinking age are invited to visit the Molson Canadian 67 19th Hole Beer Garden. Fans can take in the sights and sounds from the 44th playing of Canada’s National Women’s Open Golf Championship from a Muskoka Chair with a Molson Canadian 67 in hand. Spectators are welcome to try the iconic red Molson Canadian 67 “Chip in” fridge to win prizes, before sampling Molson Canadian 67’s newest offering, the Session IPA.

The CP Women’s Open will once again celebrate Canada’s Championship with Red and White Day on Friday, August 26. Players, families and fans are invited to wear their brightest reds and whitest whites to support Canadian golf.

Located in Spectator Village, in partnership with Alberta Golf, the Golf Canada Golf Zone offers free fun activities for the whole family. Fans can pose for a picture with the CP Women’s Open trophy or the 1904 Olympic Trophy, before enjoying a free bag of popcorn and signing-up for a free Golf Canada membership.

The 2016 CP Women’s Open is more than just 72 holes of world-class golf – it is one of Canada’s most historic sporting events with a number of activities for golf and sport enthusiasts both inside and outside the ropes. Spectator Village, with its fan-friendly activities from tournament supporting partners such as AutoCanada, SourPuss Nocturne, TaylorMade, Delta Calgary South, and the Canadian Armed Forces, promises to deliver an exciting experience for fans of all ages.

A full listing of events and activities can be found here.

Free Admission for Juniors and First Responders…

Golf Canada and CP are proud to offer free admission to the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open to any spectator aged 17-and-under. The free junior pass is available here. Parents of juniors can take advantage of discounted tickets by using the promotional code JUNIOR and clicking here.

As a small token of appreciation for all the valued work they do in the communities they serve, we’ve also extended a complimentary invitation to the CP Women’s Open to all Southern Alberta First Responders and their families.

Tickets…

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.