Brooke Henderson might be the winningest Canadian golfer, but Sandra Post was the first female athlete from Canada to make a living playing a sport. Post became the first Canadian to join the LPGA in 1968 at age 19 and promptly became the first Canadian — male or female — to win a major championship that same year when she defeated Kathy Whitworth in an 18-hole playoff at the LPGA Championship.
“It was really quite shocking,” recalled 76-year-old Post, who still plays regularly and gives lessons just outside Toronto.
No one was likely more shocked than Post, who received a pep talk from the great Mickey Wright the night before.
“We didn’t have that team around us to shelter us,” said Post of traveling solo those early years. “We had each other.”
This week, the CPKC Women’s Open celebrates 50 years of a tournament that, for many years, was known as the Canadian Women’s Open. A former major championship, the event has inspired generations of Canadians, including Henderson.
Brooke Henderson kisses the trophy after winning the 2018 Canadian Pacific Women’s at Wascana Country Club in Regina, Saskatchewan. (Photo: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports)
For many years, the Henderson family had a photo of the tournament trophy hanging in the hallway near their bedrooms in Smiths Falls, Ontario. Every day sisters Brooke and Brittany would walk by it.
“It was really powerful,” said Henderson, “and definitely motivation to be competing in this championship, and not only just competing, but to try to win it someday.”
That day, of course, came in 2018 when Henderson became the first Canadian to win the CP Women’s Open since Jocelyne Bourassa won the first edition in 1973. She’s won 13 times on the LPGA, including two majors.
Needless to say, there are new photos up on the walls of the Henderson home.
Post won eight times on the LPGA, but never this event.
“I came close a couple of times,” she said, “but, you know, you just try too hard sometimes.”
The low Canadian at this week’s CPKC Women’s Open — there are 17 in the field of 156 — will receive the Sandra Post Medal.
Brooke Henderson poses with the Sandra Post medal for the low Canadian after the final round of the 2017 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open golf tournament at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
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