As buds on trees begin sprouting and grass turns green across the city, more thoughts of the game of golf are crossing people’s minds – including those looking forward to a major international golf event coming to Edmonton this summer. Brian Newton, the tournament director of the CPKC Canadian Women’s Open, dropped by CTV News Edmonton to talk about this year’s edition, which is being staged Aug. 19-23 at Edmonton’s Royal Mayfair Golf Club. It’ll be the third time the private river valley course has hosted it, all within the last 20 years. The four-round, 72-hole tournament began in 1973 and is an official annual stop on the LPGA Tour. The prize purse is worth $2.5 million. Arguably one of the biggest draws for the Open is the tour presence of Brooke Henderson, the Ottawa native who won it last year. The 28-year-old’s victory last summer at the Mississauga Golf & Country Club marked just the third time in history a Canadian has taken it, twice by Henderson herself. Back to Royal Mayfair The river valley course that straddles the North Saskatchewan in the heart of the city “demands precision out of the players,” Newton said. “When you look at the past two champions at the Royal Mayfair, Lorena Ochoa and Lydia Ko, they are both two of the most precise golfers in the history of women’s golf,” he said, calling the Royal Mayfair “one of the best golf courses in Canada. “Hitting fairways and hitting greens will be very important.” New Zealand’s Ko won the Open the last time it was in Edmonton, in 2013, while Mexico’s Ochoa took it in 2007. The Royal Mayfair celebrated its centennial in 2022 and completed an extensive clubhouse renovation three years ago. It is one of 17 golf clubs to have hosted both the women’s and men’s national open championships. The PGA men’s RBC Canadian Open stopped at the Royal Mayfair in 1958. The Canadian Women’s Open has been staged locally one other time, at the Edmonton Country Club in 1996, when England’s Laura Davies won at the west-end course. Henderson effect Newton called Henderson “our Canadian hero in golf right now.” “She has changed the trajectory of the event,” he said. “She first won it in 2018, and her being the defending champion just increases that excitement for the event in the city.” Henderson joined the LPGA Tour in 2015 and has $14.9 million in career earnings along with 14 career wins. She’s also competed for Canada at the Olympic Games three times. Top-ranked Korda will play Current No. 1 women’s golfer Nelly Korda is coming to Edmonton for the Open. So far this season on the tour, the 27-year-old American has won three of the six events she’s played, including her two most recent ones, and has finished second or better each time. “Nelly is a huge draw,” Newton said. “Only two golfers have beaten her the entire year. She’s the best golfer in the world, man or woman, right now, and we’re really excited to see her in Edmonton this year.” Need for volunteers Staging the tournament requires 1,200 volunteers, with 1,000 currently enlisted. Newton, praising Edmonton’s “amazing” volunteerism spirit, is looking to recruit the remaining 200 the tournament requires. That 1,000 number is the fastest we’ve ever reached, but we’re still looking for those final 200 spots." People interested in volunteering can find out more information online at the tournament’s website. Crowds expected Newton said the Canadian Women’s Open is one of the most popular stops on the LPGA Tour, averaging 75,000 spectators per year. He’s hoping Edmonton can exceed that benchmark. Tickets are now on sale. “We’re hoping that that number goes as high as 80,000 in Edmonton this year,” Newton said. “There’s something for fans of all ages to do at the event. Kids 12 and under get in free.” With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Kim Wynn
