Miyu Yamashita claimed her fourth LPGA Tour title Sunday with a dominant nine-stroke victory at the CPKC Women's Open, finishing 23 under par at Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton.
But the tournament's charitable impact may prove even more significant. The event raised a record $4.95 million for heart health initiatives across Alberta—the largest single-year fundraising haul in the championship's history.
The bulk of the money, $4.4 million, will go to the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation to support pediatric cardiac care. Another $550,000 will support the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation's CK Hui Heart Centre.
"These funds will help advance pediatric cardiac care through the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation and support heart health initiatives at the CK Hui Heart Centre, making a life-changing difference for children and families who need it most," said CPKC President and CEO Keith Creel in a statement.
Karen Faulkner, president and CEO of the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation, said the resources will directly benefit patient care. "This support will help ensure our world-class cardiac teams have access to the tools and resources they need to continue providing some of the most specialized pediatric cardiac care in Canada," Faulkner said.
The Stollery treats some of Canada's most complex pediatric heart cases. The funding comes as the foundation operates an ambitious "No Bounds" capital campaign aimed at supporting current operations while building a new stand-alone children's hospital.
At the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Sharlene Rutherford, president and CEO of the hospital foundation, called the CPKC contribution a catalyst for innovation. "CPKC is advancing cardiac care at the CK Hui Heart Centre and changing what is possible for patients," Rutherford said.
Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum said the fundraising success reflects the organization's broader mission. "The remarkable impact of the CPKC Women's Open on our host communities through CPKC Has Heart continues to be a point of pride for the championship," Applebaum said. "This generous support reflects the power of sport to create meaningful change and leave a legacy in our host communities."
Since arriving in Alberta in 2024, the CPKC Women's Open has become the company's flagship annual fundraiser. Across the entire CPKC Has Heart initiative—which extends beyond golf into rail company operations and community partnerships throughout North America—the organization has contributed more than $78 million to heart health causes since launching the program.
Since 2014, the CPKC Women's Open specifically has raised more than $31 million dedicated to children's cardiac care research, equipment and advanced patient care.
Creel said the tournament's success reflected broad community support. "We were thrilled to bring the CPKC Women's Open to Edmonton and back to Alberta for an incredible week of golf, giving and community celebration," he said. "Thank you to our partners, volunteers, players and the passionate fans who made this year's tournament such a tremendous success."
