TORONTO – RBC, the PGA of America and Ryder Cup Europe have announced a one-year agreement establishing Canada’s biggest bank as a Worldwide Partner of the 2020 Ryder Cup, which takes place September 21-26, 2021, at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin. Established in 1927, the biennial competition pits 12 of the top professional golfers from the U.S. against the top professional golfers from Europe in a head-to-head match play competition, and has become one of the world’s greatest sporting events, captivating an audience of millions around the globe.

RBC’s partnership with the 43rd Ryder Cup will include prominent on-course branding, a strategic media integration and exclusive onsite hospitality for RBC clients. This hospitality will provide special viewing areas for RBC clients as well as unique golf and event experiences. RBC will also receive prominent broadcast and digital assets, deepening RBC’s presence in golf during one of the premier events of the season.

“We’re very pleased to welcome RBC to the Ryder Cup family in 2021, for what is shaping up to be one of sport’s most anticipated international events in recent memory,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. “RBC has long established itself as a financial leader with a sterling reputation that knows no borders, which aligns perfectly with the Ryder Cup’s global reach.”

“RBC has been a long-term supporter of golf and we are delighted they will now join our commercial family for the Ryder Cup, becoming the latest global brand to be part of our Worldwide Partner programme,” said Guy Kinnings, European Ryder Cup Director. “We look forward to working together at Whistling Straits and we hope everyone associated with RBC enjoys the experience of one of sport’s most iconic events.”

RBC has a long-standing commitment to the game of golf in both the U.S. and Canada, and is currently title sponsor of two PGA TOUR events, the RBC Heritage and the RBC Canadian Open. RBC is also proud to support a world-class roster of Team RBC golfers who represent the RBC brand and compete on the PGA and LPGA TOUR. With 14 Canadian, U.S. and international ambassadors –including World No. 2 Dustin Johnson, Ryder Cup U.S. Team Vice Captain Jim Furyk, European Team Vice Captain Graeme McDowell, and World No. 7 Brooke Henderson—Team RBC embodies the pinnacle of golf performance. RBC was also a Proud Supporter of both the 2010 and 2012 Ryder Cup matches.

“It’s such an honor to be a Vice  Captain for the U.S. Team at the 43rd Ryder Cup, and having RBC as a Worldwide Partner for this year’s event is incredibly special,” said Furyk. “RBC is a great supporter of golf, and I’m really looking forward to getting back into the Team Room at Whistling Straits.”

“I’m very proud to be a Vice Captain for the European Team at the 43rd Ryder Cup,” said Team RBC ambassador Graeme McDowell. “Having been a player at this event four times and part of the support team in 2018, my experience and memories from the Ryder Cup are incredibly special. It’s fantastic to have RBC as a Worldwide Partner for this year’s event.”  

As a purpose-driven global financial institution, RBC is strongly committed to giving back to communities. Through the RBC Heritage and RBC Canadian Open tournaments, RBC has helped to raise over $25 million in support of local charities in Canada and the United States.

Golf Canada hosted a media availability on Tuesday, June 29th, 2021 to officially announce the golfers who will represent Canada at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.

The announcement is available to watch in full below.

OAKVILLE – Golf Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced Canada’s golf team nominated to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. and Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont. will comprise the women’s team competing in their second Olympic Games, while Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont. and Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. will represent Canada in the men’s Olympic golf competition.

Henderson is a 10-time winner on the LPGA Tour and is currently the 7th ranked golfer in the world. The 23-year-old holds the record for most professional golf wins by a Canadian and has earned 59 career top-10 finishes since joining the LPGA Tour in 2015. A former world no. 1 ranked amateur and Canadian Women’s Amateur champion, Henderson is a graduate of Golf Canada’s National Team Program and represented Canada at numerous international competitions including the 2012 and 2014 World Amateur Team Championships as well as the 2014 World Junior Girls Championship. Henderson honed her game at the Smiths Falls Golf and Country Club and is also a proud member of the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club.

Sharp qualified for her second Olympic Games as the 136th ranked player in the world. The 40-year-old has earned 14 career top-10 finishes since joining the LPGA Tour in 2005 and finished 30th at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. A two-time winner of the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship, Sharp has represented Canada at a number of events including the 2000 World Amateur Team Championship and the 2008 World Cup. Sharp is also a proud member of the Brantford Golf and Country Club.

“One of the greatest thrills for an athlete is to represent our country at the Olympics and I am extremely proud to now officially be a two-time Olympian,” said Sharp. “I am excited to get to Tokyo to represent Team Canada and challenge my game against the world’s best.”

Conners, who is nominated to his first Olympic Games, is the current 37th ranked golfer in the world. The 29-year-old joined the PGA TOUR in 2018 and has earned 13 career top-10 finishes including a victory at the 2019 Valero Texas Open. A graduate of Golf Canada’s National Team Program, Conners has represented Canada at several international competitions including the World Amateur Team Championship in 2012 and 2014 as well as the 2010 Junior Boys World Cup. Conners honed his game as a proud member of the Listowel Golf Club.

“This is something that I’ve thought about for a long time—I’ve worked hard toward qualifying for one of the spots, and I’m just so proud to be part of Team Canada this summer in Tokyo,” said Conners, who finished T8 at The Masters earlier this season. “I’ve had the opportunity to compete for Canada at different events with the National team over my career but to do it at the Olympics, one of the biggest stages in sport along with Mac (Hughes) and the rest of the Team Canada athletes is going to be an incredible experience.”

Currently the 65th ranked golfer in the world, Hughes joins his former Kent State college teammate Conners as an Olympic rookie. The 30-year-old joined the PGA TOUR in 2017 and has 12 career top 10s including a victory at the 2017 RSM Classic. A two-time Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, Hughes is a graduate of Golf Canada’s National Team Program and represented Canada at a number of international competitions including the 2012 World Amateur Team Championship. Hughes is a proud member of the Dundas Valley Golf and Curling Club which includes a short course named in his honour.

“Qualifying and competing for Team Canada has been a goal of mine since golf came back into the Olympics and now that its official, it feels like a dream come true,” said Hughes, who recently held a share of the 54-hole lead at the US Open and a past winner on the PGA Tour. “Having the opportunity to compete alongside Corey, a great player, former teammate, and one of my best friends, makes it even more special. I’m also excited for Brooke and Alena and I hope we can all put in a great performance and get Canadian fans excited.”

Golf Canada Men’s National Team Head Coach Derek Ingram of Winnipeg, Man. will accompany the men’s golf team in Tokyo. Brett Saunders of Vancouver, B.C., a personal coach for Alena Sharp, will also be in Tokyo during the women’s golf competition.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic golf competition will take place on the East Course of the Kasumigaseki Country Club. The men’s event will be contested July 29 to August 1 (Days 6 – 9), while the women will compete August 4 to 7 (Days 12 – 15). The field for the Olympic golf competition will include 60 women and 60 men competing over 72 holes of stroke play with no cut. If players in medal positions are tied after 72 holes, a three-hole playoff will decide the medallists before potentially sudden death.

The complete field for the men’s Olympic golf competition is here and while the complete field for the women’s Olympic golf competition is here.

The athletes earned their spots on the Canadian Olympic golf team based on their standing on the respective men’s and women’s world golf ranking, with the men’s qualification as of June 21, 2021, and the women’s qualification as of June 28, 2021.  

“Covid protocols hushing the crowd at the golf venue should make our golfers feel right at home! I can’t wait to follow the action, led by Brooke, on the links in Tokyo,” said Team Canada’s Tokyo 2020 Chef de Mission, Marnie McBean.

The athletes nominated are:

• Corey Conners (Listowel, Ont)
• Brooke Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ont.)
• Mackenzie Hughes (Dundas, Ont.)
• Alena Sharp (Hamilton, Ont.)

 The coaches nominated are:

• Derek Ingram (Winnipeg, Man.) – Coach (Men’s Team)
• Brett Saunders (Vancouver, B.C.) – Alena Sharp’s Personal Coach

Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organizations.

“Brooke, Alena, Corey and Mackenzie have become heroes in our sport—they embody the Olympic spirit and I know how important it was for each of them to be part of Team Canada,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “As the National Sport Organization and proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, we are extremely pleased with how golf has become a high focus sport for the Olympics, and we look forward to watching these talented athletes take on the world’s best.” 

The latest Team Canada Tokyo 2020 roster can be found here and the qualification tracker can be found here.

Carlsbad, CA – This week at the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship, Titleist takes another step forward in the design, technology and performance of its next generation T-Series irons and U-Series utility iron. Following a rigorous two-year development process, the new Titleist T100, T100-S and U505 utility iron are now available to PGA Tour players to use in competition, with the first opportunity available Thursday in Cromwell, Conn. The new T200 irons are expected join the family on tour in the coming weeks.

Based on initial tour player testing and feedback, the new iron lineup is poised to continue Titleist’s run as the most played iron on the PGA Tour for each of the last seven years and 16 of the last 17 seasons.  Titleist has captured the iron count at every PGA Tour event this season, averaging more than 28% of all sets in play each week. The T100 irons are the most played single model with more than 10% of all sets in play this season.

Gathering feedback from the game’s best players through every stage of the R&D process, and then earning their validation under the pressure of competition over the coming weeks and month across the worldwide professional tours, are critical elements in the development of all high-performance Titleist golf equipment. 

Titleist Golf Club R&D representatives are on site to work with players as they test the new products, determine the model that best fits their game, and gather additional feedback.

Stay tuned to Titleist.ca and Titleist’s social channels for updates as this process continues over the coming weeks across the worldwide professional tours.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Thongchai Jaidee closed with a birdie on the par-3 ninth for a 7-under 65 and a one-stroke lead Friday in the PGA Tour Champions’ Principal Charity Classic.

Thongchai, the 51-year-old from Thailand making his fifth senior start, eagled the par-5 15th and had seven birdies and two bogeys at Wakonda Club.

“This golf course very tricky, you have to have a good tee shot and have a good iron and putting very well,” Thongchai said. “I love the golf course. Very challenging. Everything the condition is perfect. … First time on golf course this week. It good thing for me, a golf course you have to think.”

Dicky Pride and Doug Barron were tied for second.

“I had a couple early decent shots that missed the greens and got them up-and-down,” said Pride, the Mitsubishi Electric Classic winner this month “Then just stayed patient. It’s the kind of golf course you can kind of press your luck on, so I tried to stay patient to give myself looks. Just nice and solid.”

Fred Couples was another stroke back at 67 with Rod Pampling, Jerry Kelly, Shane Bertsch, Tom Gillis and Tim Herron. Bernhard Langer, Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry topped the group at 68.

Couples played the course for the first time Friday.

Alex Cejka, coming off his second straight major victory last week in the Senior PGA Championship, opened with a 70.

Canada’s Stephen Ames shot four back from the lead, ending the day with a 68 holding his T10 spot. Mike Weir, T19, wrapped up Friday shooting 2-under in Des Moines, IA.

Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz was disqualified for failing to sign his scorecard after a 73. Playing on a sponsor exemption, he was making his fourth start of the year and eighth overall on the tour

Salimah Mussani has been named Assistant Coach of Golf Canada’s National Women’s Amateur and Young Pro Squads. Working alongside head coach Tristan Mullally, Mussani will play an integral part in the development of Canada’s top female amateur and professional golfers. 

Mussani is a PGA of Canada class “A” professional who was born in Ontario and now resides in Vancouver. She played golf and graduated from Stanford University before competing as a professional on the Symetra and LPGA Tours, as well as the former Canadian Women’s Tour. 

A two-time Ontario Junior champion and two-time Canadian Junior champion, Mussani brings a wealth of competitive experience having won seven professional events worldwide – including an event on the Symetra Tour, two Canadian Women’s Tour events, and the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship. 

“Salimah brings a wealth of high-performance experience, both playing and coaching from her time on various Tours and coaching in the NCAA,” said Mullally, head coach of the National Women’s Amateur and Young Professional Squads. “She is an amazing addition to our coaching staff and an essential part of supporting Canadian players in their quest for professional success.” 

Mussani’s first coaching assignment was as an assistant coach of the women’s golf team at Stanford University from 2008-2010. Since returning to Canada, Mussani has served as a volunteer assistant to the University of British Columbia’s Golf Team and currently works as an instructor at a number of established clubs in British Columbia, including the Vancouver Golf Club. 

Agreement will see Parkland Corporation become the Official Fuel and Convenience Store Partner of Golf Canada helping golfers fuel up on gas and snacks on their way to the golf course

Golf Canada – Golf Canada and Parkland Corporation (“Parkland”) announced today a marketing partnership that will see Parkland Corporation and their JOURNIE™ Rewards loyalty program become the Official Fuel and Convenience Store Partner for the National Sport Federation.

Through the partnership, Golf Canada members will be invited to join the JOURNIE™ Rewards loyalty program and collect points for fuel discounts, and the choice of free snack items and carbon credit offsets throughout the golf season.

“We are proud to welcome Parkland Corporation to the golf space and look forward to working together to support their goal of driving interest in the sport and getting Canadians to the golf course” said Golf Canada Chief Commercial Officer John Sibley. “Parkland’s vast network of locations across Canada allow us to offer additional value to our members when fuelling up on gas and snack items. Filling up on the way to or from your local golf course is a regular activity for all enthusiasts and Parkland is keen on rewarding this inherent element of the golf experience.”

For Parkland Corporation, aligning with the sport and engaging with Golf Canada’s community of golfers were driving factors in the partnership.

“We are delighted to partner with Golf Canada and welcome golfers into JOURNIE™ Rewards, one of Canada’s leading fuel and convenience loyalty programs,” said Steve McClelland, Vice President, Loyalty Programs and Partnerships, Parkland Corp. “We are committed to helping our customers make the most of every stop with more than 1,000 participating Chevron, Ultramar, and Pioneer gas and convenience stores, including ON the RUN branded locations. We are perfectly positioned to help golfers fuel their journeys this summer and stock up with high quality food and snacks to and from the golf course. Hydration and nutrition are key factors in playing your best golf, and this partnership is a great way to help with that.”

Members will be eligible to collect weekly JOURNIE™ Rewards offers via their Golf Canada App including a surprise offer after their 25^th golf round of the season. In addition, throughout June and July, golf fans will have the chance to win a destination golf experience (subject to provincial health and travel restrictions) to Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria, home of two highly-regarded golf courses as well as Golf Canada’s National Training Centre.

TORONTO – Golf Canada and title sponsor RBC in partnership with the PGA TOUR have announced that Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto will join the celebrated host venue rotation for the RBC Canadian Open, with the Stanley Thompson classic confirmed to host Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship in 2023 and 2026.

A 27-hole facility quietly located near the centre of the Greater Toronto Area, Oakdale will challenge the stars of the PGA TOUR as a 7,460-yard composite championship routing that integrates elements from each of the course’s three nines (Thompson, Homenuik, Knudson). 

In 2018, the golf course underwent a major restoration under the guidance of Ian Andrew to bring consistency across the three nines. The facility is currently in the final stages of its multi-million-dollar renovation and revitalization project to the golf course and clubhouse. 

“Together with our partners at RBC and the PGA TOUR, I am extremely pleased that the membership of Oakdale Golf and Country Club has accepted our invitation to join us in hosting the 2023 and 2026 RBC Canadian Open,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “The property is ideally situated in the heart of the GTA and presents the competitive challenge and operational capacity to stage an incredible championship. This is a special moment in Canadian golf as a classic venue emerges to challenge the world’s best golfers and share its history on the global golfing stage.”

When it welcomes the first of two RBC Canadian Opens in 2023, Oakdale will become the 37^th golf course in the 117-year history of the event (and only the seventh since 1977) to host Canada’s National Men’s Open Golf Championship. 

“RBC is proud to be title sponsor of the RBC Canadian Open and it is a special honour to see Oakdale Golf and Country Club take its place alongside the rotation of celebrated venues to host Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship,” said Matt McGlynn, Vice President, Brand Marketing, RBC. “The momentum behind this tournament continues to grow, and there is tremendous enthusiasm to introduce Canadian golf fans and the stars of the PGA TOUR including Team RBC to a great golf course and an exceptional tournament experience.” 

The 2026 RBC Canadian Open will take on additional significance as the championship will coincide with the celebration of Oakdale’s centennial anniversary.

“Oakdale is honoured to be hosting the RBC Canadian Open in 2023, as well as in 2026, a year in which we will celebrate our 100th anniversary,” said Mark Sadowski, President of Oakdale Golf & Country Club. ” We are proud to be opening our doors to the world’s best golfers so they can test themselves against our recently renovated composite golf course designed by Stanley Thompson and Robbie Robinson, two Canadian Golf Hall of Fame members. Working alongside Golf Canada, the PGA TOUR, and RBC, our membership is committed to delivering an incredible tournament experience, engaging the community surrounding the club, as well as welcoming Canada and the world to Oakdale!”

The golf club also holds a unique connection to the PGA TOUR as eight-time PGA TOUR winner George Knudson was a former Oakdale club professional. Fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Fame honoured member Wilf Homenuik has also enjoyed a 30-year teaching tenure as an Oakdale club professional. 

“We’re excited about partnering with RBC, Golf Canada and Oakdale Golf and Country Club for the RBC Canadian Open in 2023 and 2026,” said PGA TOUR President Tyler Dennis. “Oakdale is a hidden gem and players will greatly enjoy the challenge of the facility. And with its centralized location, it will prove to be a perfect venue for the RBC Canadian Open rotation and one that fans of Toronto and Canada will embrace.” 

Next June, Oakdale Golf and Country Club will also play host to the Monday Final Qualifier for the 2022 RBC Canadian Open, which will be contested at St. George’s Golf and Country Club with nearby Islington Golf Club as the official practice facility. 

OAKDALE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB – A CLASSIC EMERGES….

Oakdale Golf and Country Club is a traditional tree-lined classic parkland style course over tumbling land, quietly situated in a populated urban setting. Formed by members of Toronto’s Jewish community, the golf course was originally designed in 1926 by renowned course architect and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame honoured member Stanley Thompson. An additional nine holes were built soon after and a third nine holes opened in 1957 under the vision of Thompson’s protégé and fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Fame honoured member, Robbie Robinson. In 2018, the golf course underwent a major restoration under the guidance of Ian Andrew to bring consistency across the three nines. The facility is currently in the final stages of its multi-million-dollar renovation and revitalization project to the golf course and clubhouse. 

The Thompson and Homenuik nines make up the original 18 holes created by Stanley Thompson while the Knudson nine reflects the additional work of Robbie Robinson. Smallish greens dominate the Thompson-Homenuik 18, while slightly larger greens are found on the Robinson 9. The ninth hole on Knudson course will be the historic finishing hole for the championship.A practice facility will be built using two existing holes on the property (#1 and #6 on the Thompson nine) while the existing practice range is expected to host a number of event activations. The practice range will be constructed by Ian Andrew who similarly constructed the temporary practice facility at Islington Golf Club which will be part of the 2022 RBC Canadian Open hosted at nearby St. George’s Golf and Country Club.

DULUTH, Ga. (AP) – Canada’s Stephen Ames shot a 6-under 66 on Friday to take the first-round lead in the PGA Tour Champions’ Mitsubishi Electric Classic.

The 57-year-old Ames had an opening bogey and seven birdies for a one-stroke lead over Paul Goydos.

“I don’t think I had one highlight, I think I was very steady Eddie,” Ames said. “I hit a lot of fairways, hit a lot of greens to give myself a lot of opportunities.”

A naturalized Canadian citizen from Trinidad, the four-time PGA Tour champion who calls Calgary home won the 2017 tournament at TPC Sugarloaf for his lone senior title.

“I think a combination of everything,” Ames said. “Hitting the ball really nicely and been working on my putting, a couple things on my putting that came through today, which is nice.”

Goydos played the back nine in 5 under, closing with a birdie on the par-5 18th. The 56-year-old Goydos has five senior victories after winning twice on the PGA Tour.

Gene Sauers followed at 68, and John Huston and Billy Andrade shot 69.

Jim Furyk, 2019 winner Scott McCarron, 2014 champion Miguel Angel Jimenez and Kenny Perry were in the group at 70. McCarron also won two PGA Tour events at TPC Sugarloaf.

Alex Cejka shot 71. He won the Regions Tradition last week in a playoff for his first senior victory, beating Steve Stricker in a playoff.

Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz had a quadruple bogey on the par-4 17th and a double bogey on 18 in an 84. He was 79th among the 80 finishers.

Wes Short Jr. shot 85, making five straight double bogeys in the middle of the round.

OAKVILLE, ONT. – Team Canada member, Brigitte Thibault has advanced to the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship.

Thibault, a senior at Fresno State, secured her spot in the Championship, shooting 2-under par 211 (70-73-68) at Standford Golf Course in Stanford, Calif.

The Rosemère, Que. native shot her best round on Wednesday with a 3-under 68 driving her to a qualifying spot at the National Championship.

Thibault’s 211 was the lowest score by a Fresno State Bulldog at an NCAA regional event, beating her own record of 216 set in 2019.

Brigitte won the 2020 Women’s Western Amateur Championship and was T3 up at the 2020 Arizona Wildcat Invitational.

The 2021 NCAA Women’s Golf National Championship will be played at the Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. on May 21-26.