Meet Tillie Claggett and Aphrodite Deng, the Calgary-connected golfers in the CPKC Women’s Open
Calgary-raised Tillie Claggett emerged victorious at the 2025 PGA Women’s Championship of Canada, earning herself an exemption to compete in the LPGA Tour’s CPKC Women’s Open. Despite now living in Nashville for university, Claggett proudly claims Calgary as her hometown, where she spent much of her formative years honing her golf skills.
As Claggett gears up for the CPKC Women’s Open at the Mississaugua Golf & Country Club, she reflects on her journey from Calgary to the professional golf circuit. Joining her in the tournament is fellow Calgary-born golfer Aphrodite Deng, who recently clinched the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship title. Both athletes credit Golf Canada’s national program for shaping their careers.
Claggett, a former standout swimmer turned golfer, secured her spot in the CPKC Women’s Open with a stellar performance at the PGA Women’s Championship of Canada, where she carded an impressive 13-under par score. Excited to test her skills against top-tier competition, Claggett sees this tournament as a stepping stone towards her professional aspirations.
With golf luminaries like Lydia Ko and Nelly Korda in the CPKC Women’s Open lineup, Claggett and Deng are eager to showcase their talents on a global stage. While they may not be eligible for prize money as amateurs, both golfers view the tournament as a valuable learning experience that could propel them towards successful professional careers.
As Claggett aims to follow in the footsteps of Canadian golf icon Brooke Henderson, she hopes to inspire a new generation of golfers from Alberta, particularly her beloved Calgary. Deng, the first Canadian to win the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, also aspires to become a role model for young athletes looking to make their mark in the sport.
As the tournament kicks off, all eyes are on Claggett and Deng to see how they fare against the world’s best golfers. With dreams of turning pro on the horizon, these Calgary-born athletes are poised to leave a lasting impact on the sport they love.
