CN Canadian Women's Open

“Winnipeg is a great place to be,” says tournament director Sean Van Kesteren. “We’ve had some history with St. Charles and we know the golf course is exactly what we want to have for the tournament.”

Golf fans, get ready—the 2010 CN Canadian Women’s Open is almost here!

The tournament hits Winnipeg’s St. Charles Country Club from Aug. 23-29, with the prestigious golf course playing host to some of the world’s top golfers, who are coming to town especially for the event.

“Winnipeg is a great place to be,” says tournament director Sean Van Kesteren. “We’ve had some history with St. Charles and we know the golf course is exactly what we want to have for the tournament.”

Though the actual tournament begins on Thursday, Aug. 26, the festivities kick off on Monday with a variety of family-oriented activities, including clinics and skills competitions. The tournament itself will see players battling over a US $2.25 million purse. “It’s always great to have all of the top players come out,” says Van Kesteren. “And this is the strongest field in professional women’s golf, which is good news for golf fans.”

Some of the all-stars in attendance include defending champion Suzann Pettersen, 2010 U.S. Open winner Paula Creamer, 2010 LPGA Championship winner Cristie Kerr and Michelle Wie. Van Kesteren says he is also excited to see the young Alexis Thompson in action. “She’s only 15 years old and already playing unbelievable golf,” he says.

CN has linked its sponsorship of the tournament with the Miracle Match program, a national charitable initiative designed to support children’s hospitals, and has pledged to double all funds donated to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba. “For every dollar you donate, we match it,” says Van Kesteren. Since CN started the Miracle Match program in 2006, children’s hospitals across the country have benefited by more than $3.5 million. “Our goal this year is to raise $1 million, and the money stays here in town,” he says. “We want to encourage people to make a donation if they can.”

For more information about the tournament or how to buy tickets, visit www.cncanadianwomensopen.com. And if you would like to find out more about the Miracle Match program, visit www.cnmiraclematch.ca.