April 4, 2023 – Golf Canada and Hilton have announced the renewal of their multi-year integrated partnership with Hilton as the official hotel partner for the National Sport Federation and its members. 

Golf Canada is proud to have Hilton’s continued support of Canada’s signature National Open Golf Championships – the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open as well as a new integrated partnership with Team Canada. Through this new partnership, Hilton will be featured prominently on Team Canada athlete uniforms and will be the official hotel partner for Golf Canada’s National Team Program, Canadian Amateur Golf Championships presented by BDO and the World Junior Girls Championship presented by Sargent Farms. 

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Golf Canada as Official Hotel Partner and look forward to building on our relationship with their sponsorship of Team Canada,” said Jennifer White Hilton’s Director of Destination Marketing for US and Canada. “Golf is becoming an increasingly popular sport in Canada, and we look forward to welcoming Golf Canada members, fans, and players from all around the world to stay with us and experience our signature Hilton hospitality.”  

Hilton is deeply engaged, and we are pleased to continue to expand their commitment to Canadian golf across so many areas of our organization, specifically on Team Canada,” said Craig Sharp, Golf Canada Senior Director, Partnerships. “Their new commitment to the development of the team will no doubt have a lasting effect as we work towards our goal of 30 Canadian players of the LPGA and PGA Tours by 2032.  Our robust partnership has a premium touchpoint with so many levels of Canadian golf and its exciting for our members across Canada to continue accessing a meaningful suite of travel and lifestyle benefits.”

Your League Levelled Up!

(April 3, 2023) – Golf Canada has announced the launch of The National Golf League (NGL), a nationwide network of existing recreational golf leagues designed to enhance the league experience for participants and generate charitable support for First Tee – Canada.

Built for golfers of all skill levels, the National Golf League will feature a six-week regular season that takes place within existing recreational league play during the summer. A series of regional playoff tournaments across Canada will take place in the fall at premium golf courses. The National Golf League will culminate with the NGL National Championship at Hamilton Golf and Country Club as part of the 2024 RBC Canadian Open tournament week celebration.

The National Golf League will also contribute to the development of a more sustainable and inclusive future for the sport by supporting a charitable component through First Tee – Canada. First Tee is a youth development program that provides accessible pathways to golf participation at schools, community centres, and golf courses across the country.

“League play is one of the most popular ways that Canadians engage with golf. The National Golf League will build on the fun that league golfers already have by supplementing and levelling up existing leagues through a national platform for regular season play and an exciting and unique playoff format,” said Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer, Kevin Blue. “The National Golf League will also provide important charitable support to First Tee – Canada, a program that creates youth participation opportunities for the next generation of recreational golfers.”

National Golf League competitions will utilize an official Golf Canada Handicap applied towards a net Stableford scoring system that allows golfers to earn points for the net score they record on each hole.

Regular season NGL competition will take place over nine holes during six weeks of identified league play called “NGL Majors” that are integrated into existing league play and scheduled at the convenience of the local league operator. A golfer’s best four net Stableford point totals of the six NGL Majors will count towards their season-long points total on the NGL leaderboard.

A portion of the top regular season finishers in each participating league will qualify for the NGL Regional Playoffs, which will take place at premium courses across Canada. Qualifying golfers will select a guest teammate who also played in their regular season league and participate as a team of two in a best-ball net Stableford competition over 18 holes. Successful teams in the NGL Regional Playoffs will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to the NGL National Championship.

The NGL is open to recreational golf leagues played at both private and public courses. Participants must be Golf Canada members to ensure an official handicap is used. There is no registration fee for golfers or leagues to join the National Golf League. Participants will be asked to support First Tee – Canada in their home province by way of donation.

The size of the National Golf League will be limited in its launch year to ensure a positive experience for players and league operators. A limited number of spots remain for leagues to join the National Golf League in 2023—interested league operators should contact Ryan Logan (rlogan@golfcanada.ca) to express interest before April 15. For more information visit NationalGolfLeague.ca.

SAN ANTONIO – When Corey Conners won the Valero Texas Open in 2019 he got a pair of cowboy boots instead of a trophy.

Sometimes, especially during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, he would wear them around his Florida home.

Conners now has some footwear options after winning the Texas Open for the second time in five years on Sunday, closing with a 4-under 68 for a one-stroke victory over rookie Sam Stevens.

“I get a brown pair for winning the second time so at least I don’t have two black pairs,” said Conners with a laugh. “Maybe I’ll just switch it up and wear the brown pair around.”

Also the 2019 winner, Conners had a 15-under 273 total on TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course. The 31-year-old from Listowel, Ont., now heads to the Masters, where he tied for sixth last year for his second straight top-10 finish at Augusta National.

He said that the two wins in San Antonio played out very differently for him.

“Today, I was definitely more in control. I feel like I made some mistakes in 2019,” said Conners after a bogey-free final round. “I also made a lot of really good shots in an up and down roller-coaster round in 2019.

“Today was a little more steady. Part of my plan was to be as steady as I could. Just get in play. Give myself lots of looks.”

Conners joins Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., and Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., as Canadians who have won on the PGA Tour this season.

It’s expected that Conners will move up to No. 18 on the FedEx Cup standings when they’re updated Monday.

Those three will all be at the Masters, joining Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., making it the first time that four Canadians are playing in the Masters, the first major of the men’s golf season.

“It’s really exciting,” said Conners, who represented Canada at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics with Hughes. “Excited to get a (practice round) with Mack and the other guys on Tuesday. We’ve all been playing great.”

A shot behind Patrick Rodgers starting play, Conners had a three-shot lead after he birdied No. 15. Stevens eagled the 17th, but missed a nine-foot birdie putt at 18 that would have tied it. Connors ended it with a three-foot par putt on 18.

Stevens shot a 66. Sam Ryder (66) and Matt Kuchar (68) followed at 13-under.

Rodgers saw a chance for his first tour victory and first Masters spot slip away. He shot a 73 to finish fifth at 11-under.

Conner’s best finish since hoisting the 2019 Texas Open trophy was a third-place effort at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last year.

Conners led after the first round with a 64 when the weather-delayed opening 18 finished Friday. But his second-round 72 dropped him three behind Rodgers after 36 holes, which Conners cut to a stroke with his third-round 69.

Stevens was third last week at the PGA Tour’s stop in the Dominican Republic.

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Canada’s Monet Chun has made the cut at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

The 22-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ont., is tied for sixth at 2-under par after two rounds.

Rose Zhang of the United States fired a blistering 7-under round at the storied golf course to sit atop the leaderboard at 13 under.

Chun’s the first Canadian to make the cut at the event.

Brigitte Thibault of Rosemere, Que., missed the cut at the inaugural tournament in 2019 and again in 2021.

Savannah Grewal of Mississauga, Ont., missed the cut last year.

The opening 36 holes were held over two days on the Island and Bluff nines at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta, Ga.

The entire field will then play Augusta National for an official practice round on Friday, followed by the final round featuring the top 30 competitors who made the cut.

Golf Canada is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement to join Abuse-Free Sport, the new independent program to prevent and address maltreatment in sport.

Golf Canada will initially adopt Abuse-Free Sport specifically for Team Canada athletes, athlete support personnel, and staff. Other participants will continue to report Safe Sport concerns through ITP Sport, the independent third-party reporting service that is used by Golf Canada.

Team Canada stakeholders will have access to the services of the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC), which serves as the central hub of Abuse-Free Sport, following a transition period which will end no later than June 30, 2023.

“Golf Canada remains fully committed to Safe Sport and supports the creation of a national oversight mechanism. As part of that commitment, we’re pleased to sign on to Abuse-Free Sport and to soon have the OSIC to administer Safe Sport reporting and review processes for our national team athletes, support personnel, and staff,” said Laura Wilson, Golf Canada’s Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Safe Sport.

Golf Canada is in the final stages of updating its internal policies to reflect the most recent version of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS), which it must do before operationally implementing the Abuse-Free Sport program.

Prior to June 30, 2023 all participants who have experienced or witnessed abuse will continue to have access to independent third-party services through ITP Sport by using the phone number and links at the bottom of Golf Canada’s Safe Sport website.

GOLF CANADA’S COMMITMENT TO SAFE SPORT

Golf Canada is fully aligned with the important work of Sport Canada and recognizes our obligation and responsibility to protect the health, safety and physical and mental well-being of athletes, staff, volunteers, and other participants involved in our sport. The organization recognizes that Safe Sport is everyone’s responsibility and has taken important steps to foster safer environments in golf including:  preventative education through the Respect Group; enhanced screening practices for all employees and volunteers; a full suite of Safe Sport Policies including the adoption of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport; and an Independent Third Party to manage the intake of complaints and determine the appropriate manner and forum to address the allegations. All golf enthusiasts deserve to participate and compete in an environment free from harassment, abuse, or discrimination, regardless of gender identity or expression, race, ethnicity, religion, language, age, and ability. Golf Canada takes any situation involving misconduct or maltreatment very seriously. We are committed to enacting and enforcing strong, clear, and effective policies and processes so anyone participating in golf can do so within a culture of inclusivity and respect. 

An impressive season of amateur golf has taken Canada’s Monet Chun to one of the most storied courses in the world.

Chun, from Richmond Hill, Ont., teed off at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur on Wednesday, the lone Canadian entry in the third edition of the tournament. She earned her way into the field after being a medallist as part of Michigan’s championship team at the 2022 Big Ten Women’s golf tournament and winning that year’s Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.

“I do think everything just kind of came together as steps and one led to the other,” said Chun as she travelled to Augusta, Ga. “The U.S. Am and then the CP Women’s Open all came after winning the Canadian Am and the Canadian Am came after the Big 10 win.

“So everything came step by step, but it definitely does feel like the Augusta invitation came after my whole season last year.”

Chun’s Canadian Am win granted her first-ever CP Women’s Open appearance at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club last August.

Her impressive 2022 also included being a runner-up at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, a ninth-place finish at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate, reaching the Round of 16 at the North & South Women’s Amateur and a tie for fifth at the Women’s Orlando International Amateur.

All those accomplishments contributed to her invitation to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, which Davidstarted in 2019. The 22-year-old Chun said that playing in the relatively new tournament quickly became a goal of hers once it was established.

“Going out and representing Canada in the first couple of years of the tournament is such a huge responsibility and just a huge opportunity for myself,” said Chun.

Her sister Adele is serving as her caddy at Augusta and Golf Canada’s head women’s coach Salimah Mussani is also at the course. Chun’s keeping her goals simple despite the magnitude of the event.

Caledon, Ont. – TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley announced a major enhancement project on its parkland-style North course and practice facilities, with work beginning in late 2023. Renowned golf course architect Ian Andrew will lead the renovation, which will see the North enhanced as a venue for high-level championship competition while retaining its signature appeal for golfers of all abilities.

The project will begin in early August, with work scheduled to be completed by the end of the 2023 season in time for a grand opening alongside TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley’s new clubhouses, on-site accommodations and amenities in 2024.

Augmented course features will include renovation of green sites to expand closely- mown runoff areas, as well as strategically re-located bunkers and tee boxes. TPC Toronto’s practice facilities will also be completely renovated, including resurfacing of the driving range and construction of new short game and putting greens.

“For more than 20 years the North course has been known to golfers as a welcoming and wide modern course that players of all skill levels can enjoy. With this renovation, the course will be elevated into a compelling test for high level championship play while retaining its identity as fun, friendly and accessible for all players,” said TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley President Chris Humeniuk.

Originally designed by Doug Carrick, the 7,151-yard North course opened in 2001. Momentum to enhance the course to suit high level competition began in 2018, when Osprey Valley became the first Canadian facility to join the PGA TOUR’s TPC Network and launched the Osprey Valley Open, an annual PGA TOUR Canada event. In consultation with the PGA TOUR and TPC Network, a vision was forged to renovate the course as a venue for championship play.

Collaboration with Ian Andrew Golf Design began in 2022, with a focus on course changes to enhance competitive features, providing additional shotmaking options and strategic intrigue to the modern, parkland-style course. Following the completion of changes, the course will measure over 7,500 yards from the championship tees.

“Ian has presented us with a compelling approach to supercharge the course in a way that will test elite competitors and make the North a choice venue for high level competition while retaining the playability and fun factor that golfers have come to know and love,” said Humeniuk.

Andrew, who worked under Doug Carrick on original construction of the North course, including extensive work on design of the course’s green complexes, has an extensive portfolio of golf course design including renovations of St. George’s Golf and Country Club and Oakdale Golf and Country Club in preparation for the PGA TOUR’s RBC Canadian Open.

In addition to two original designs at Laval-sur-le-lac in Quebec (with Mike Weir) and Maple Downs in Toronto, the Brantford, Ont., resident has also been called upon for renovations to dozens of classic venues throughout North America designed by distinguished golden age architects such as Stanley Thompson, Seth Raynor, Walter J. Travis, A.W. Tillinghast, Willie Park Jr. and others.

With a focus on transforming the course for the modern competitive game, Andrew said golfers can expect to see course changes that intensify the challenges placed on elite competitors yet keep the fun factor for players of all abilities, such as strategically placed fairway bunkers confronting the longest hitters and runoff areas that offer multiple recovery shot options around the greens.

“This property, and the North course in particular, is a special place for me, having worked with Doug on the original design of this bold and truly fun golf course. With TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley at the forefront of so much excitement in Canadian golf, I’m thrilled to play a part in this project and look forward to continued collaboration with Chris and the Osprey Valley team,” said Andrew.

Following the 2023 August long weekend, renovation will begin and see the North course and practice facilities closed for the remainder of the 2023 season.

Opened in 2001, the parkland-style North (formerly known as Toot) course features wide fairways and dramatic green complexes protected by deep bunkers. The course has hosted several high-level competitive events, including PGA TOUR Canada’s Osprey Valley Open, RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifying and U.S. Open Local Qualifying.

(TORONTO, March 27) – Golf Canada, in partnership with title sponsor RBC, are excited to announce Sam Burns and Cameron Young have committed to play the 2023 RBC Canadian Open.

The tournament, which is the 112th playing of Canada’s national open golf championship, will take place June 6 to 11 at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto.

Burns and Young met in the final of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play, with Burns topping Young for his fifth-career PGA Tour victory. The 26-year-old is now ranked No.10 in the world on the back of his three PGA Tour titles in the last 12 months. Burns, of Shreveport, Louisiana, is ranked No.8 in the FedExCup.

Young, meanwhile, continues his impressive early-career effort on the PGA Tour. His second-place result at the Match Play was his sixth career runner-up finish. Young, from Scarborough, New York, is the reigning PGA Tour Rookie of the Year and is ranked 14th in the world.

Both Burns and Young, who were members of the victorious United States’ President Cup squad, were added to RBC’s impressive roster of ambassadors in November.

The RBC Canadian Open is one of the most highly anticipated events on the PGA Tour, attracting top golfers from around the world. The tournament has a rich history dating back to 1904 and has been won by some of the greatest names in golf, including Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Rory McIlroy – the two-time defending champion.

More player announcements will be made in the weeks leading up to tournament week. Players have until 5 p.m. ET on Friday, June 2 to commit to the event.

For information on tickets, volunteer opportunities and corporate hospitality, visit www.rbccanadianopen.com.

The PGA of Canada is pleased to announce the national championship schedule for the 2023 season.
 
The 2022 season saw five players from four provinces win events – Wes Heffernan at the BetRegal PGA Championship of Canada, amateur Sarah-Eve Rheume at the ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada, Jim Rutledge at the PGA Seniors Championship of Canada presented by GOLFTEC, Kevin Stinson at the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf and Craig Gibson at the PGA Head Professional Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf.
 
Four impeccable venues have been selected in three provinces for the 2023 national championship season, while the date and location for next winter’s Head Professional Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf will be announced at a later date.
 
The season will open with the 101^st playing of the BetRegal PGA Championship at Bigwin Island Golf Club in Baysville, Ontario from June 11-14. The flagship event will feature 75 of the top professionals in the country competing over the course of 54-holes, looking to join the likes of Arnold Palmer and Lee Trevino on the P.D. Ross Trophy.
 
From there, we will move to Canada’s southern-most city, Kingsville, Ontario, where Kingsville Golf & Country Club will host the top professional and amateur women in the country from July 3-5 for the 36-hole ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada.
 
One month later, Ledgeview Golf Club in Abbotsford, British Columbia will host the top senior players in the country at the PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada presented by GOLFTEC. All eyes will be on reigning champion Jim Rutledge, who can tie Moe Norman’s record of eight senior championship titles.
 
The fourth national champion will be crowned September 18-21 just outside Edmonton, Alberta, as The Ranch Golf & Country Club will host the top assistants in the country at the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf.
 
Women are eligible to compete in all National Championships and will play at a course length slightly shorter than the men’s yardage. 

“We are heading into this year’s national championships with so much momentum after a terrific tournament season last year, which included the historic 100^th BetRegal PGA Championship of Canada,” said PGA of Canada president Gord Percy. “Some incredible venues have stepped up to host our professionals this year which will surely lead to the crowning of worthy champions.”
 
“We are thrilled to welcome back all our tournaments’ supporters. To Callaway Golf, BetRegal, ORORO Heated Apparel, GOLFTEC, G&G Brands, Golf Away Tours and NoSweat, thank you for your continued support of our professionals and golf in Canada.”
 
Registration for the championships are now open. Refer to the events page on PGAofCanada.com to register. Contact PGA of Canada Championship Manager Matt Mueller via email at matt.m@pgaofcanada.com for more information. 

*Note – the PGA of Canada Championship staff are working to finalize a location for the Head Pro Championship and will provide an update prior to May 1. The target dates are December 6-9.

TORONTO, March 23, 2023 — RBC is pleased to announce seven-time Grammy Award-winning Canadian icon Alanis Morissette as the headliner for Saturday night at the 2023 RBCxMusic Concert Series. The headliner for Friday night will be announced soon.

Hosted by RBC and in partnership with Live Nation Canada and Golf Canada, the RBCxMusic Concert Series has seen unforgettable performances from the likes of Maroon 5, Florida Georgia Line, Flo Rida and The Glorious Sons. Performances will take place on the Friday and Saturday evenings of tournament week on site at the iconic Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto, Ontario, home of the 2023 RBC Canadian Open. Audiences will also enjoy opening acts from First Up with RBCxMusic – a program dedicated to providing emerging Canadian artists with a platform for exposure, funding, education and mentorship opportunities.

Alanis Morissette will close the RBCxMusic Concert Series on Saturday, June 10, 2023. The closing night of the concert series has sold-out every year since it was introduced in 2019.

“It’s always a great feeling to perform back home in Canada,” said Alanis Morissette. “The RBCxMusic Concert Series at the RBC Canadian Open is a celebration of live music, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Canadian icon Alanis Morissette as one of our headliners for the RBCxMusic Concert Series at the 2023 RBC Canadian Open,” said Shannon Cole, Vice President, Brand Marketing, RBC. “Both music and golf share an incredible power in bringing communities together, and we’re excited to see the continued success of this highly-anticipated event.”  

In addition to legendary music performances, spectators can expect the return of other exciting fan-favourite experiences, including The Rink located at the 14^th hole, the RBC Avion Visa Sky Lounge (exclusively reserved for Avion Visa cardholders), the RBC Vantage deck, and an enhanced food and beverage area at The Fare Way featuring The Keg.

“The RBCxMusic Concert Series has been a catalyst for growing the RBC Canadian Open into a world class sport and entertainment event. Having an iconic Canadian like Alanis Morissette headline the Saturday night performance will be an outstanding experience for all of our guests,” said Bryan Crawford, Tournament Director, RBC Canadian Open.

Now available on RBCCanadianOpen.com, tickets for Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10 are $110 (plus tax and service charges) and include full day access to the tournament and the RBCxMusic Concert Series. The concert grounds will be located across from the Oakdale Golf and Country Club Clubhouse, and 1st and 10th tee. RBC clients can unlock exclusive tickets and receive a $10 Concert Cash^® code redeemable towards a future concert ticket purchase. The event is General Admission / All Ages.