The CPKC Women’s Open is Growing Golf Across Canada

This past weekend, the best golfers on the LPGA Tour gathered in Mississauga for the CPKC Women’s Open, Canada’s National Championship. The field was stacked with global superstars like Nelly Korda, Minjee Lee, and Canadian fan favourite Brooke Henderson, all competing at Mississauga Golf & Country Club.

After an intense battle over four days, Canadian golf legend Brooke Henderson emerged victorious, outlasting the world’s best to be crowned champion of Canada’s Open for the second time in her career. Beyond the thrilling action, the week reinforced just how important this tournament is for growing the game of golf in Canada, from showcasing the world’s best to inspiring the next generation of Canadian talent.

Canadian Talent on Full Display

This year, 14 Canadians teed it up in the field, with five making the cut! Leading the way was 15-year-old amateur Aphrodite Deng, who shocked the golf world by leading the entire tournament after Day One and finishing T20 at tournament end, a remarkable feat for the Mississauga native playing in front of a hometown crowd.

Other Canadian standouts included superstar Brooke Henderson, Monet Chun, and Maude-Aimée Leblanc, who all carried the Maple Leaf through the weekend.

A unique part of Canada’s Open is its qualifying structure. In addition to sponsor exemptions and top-ranked Canadian pros, players can earn their way into the field through regional qualifiers held across the country, as well as a final Monday qualifier just before tournament week. This ensures that not only rising amateurs but also up-and-coming professionals from every corner of Canada have a chance to compete on the biggest stage against the world’s best.

This format highlights the event’s purpose: to provide access, opportunity, and a spotlight for Canadian golf talent while showcasing the depth of the game nationwide.

A True National Championship

Another defining feature of the CPKC Women’s Open is its rotation across the country. Since becoming an LPGA event in 1979, the tournament has been staged 44 times in 7 different provinces, truly making it a coast to coast Canadian event.

Map of Canadian Women’s Open Editions since 1979

This rotation ensures fans from coast to coast get the chance to experience world-class golf, while inspiring local communities and future golfers in every region. Unlike the RBC Canadian Open on the men’s side, which has been held in Ontario since 1972 the women’s championship continues to embrace its national identity.

Supporting the Next Generation with First Tee

Beyond the competition, the tournament also makes a lasting impact on Canadian communities through its partnership with First Tee Canada. First Tee is a youth development program that introduces kids to golf while also teaching life skills such as confidence, resilience, and teamwork.

During tournament week, local youth are given the chance to participate in First Tee clinics and on-site programming, creating accessible entry points into the sport. With chapters being established across Canada, the CPKC Women’s Open helps extend the reach of golf to children who might not otherwise have the chance to pick up a club.

By connecting world-class competition with grassroots development, the event ensures that the inspiration fans feel watching superstars like Brooke Henderson can translate into real opportunities for the next generation of Canadian golfers.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 CPKC Women’s Open was more than just an LPGA showcase, it was a celebration of Canadian golf, community, and opportunity. From a Canadian superstar winning the tournament, to a 15-year-old amateur leading after Day One, to thousands of kids introduced to the game through First Tee, the week proved once again why Canada’s National Women’s Open is one of the most important and impactful events in the game.

References

https://firstteecanada.ca/programs/

https://www.cpkcwomensopen.com/qualifying/

https://www.lpga.com/tournaments/cpkc-womens-open/leaderboard