As the end of the school year approaches, Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada are looking to expand participant numbers in Golf in Schools by providing the option of customizable kits for high school teachers.

In previous cases, high schools were requesting additional equipment or could not purchase the entire kit due to budget restrictions. With the addition of customizable kits, teachers may now purchase clubs, mats, balls and tees separately to suit their needs.

“This is a welcome addition to the program that will please many Physical Education teachers” said Golf In Schools coordinator, Kelly Woloshyn. “Our goal is to get as many students as possible golfing, and this is just one of the many ways in which we can accomplish that.”

New in 2012, the High School program was introduced as an extension of the Elementary program to provide students with more advanced programming for adolescents. The Golf in Schools learning resource is endorsed by Physical Health Education (PHE) Canada, and is structured to accommodate all teachers, regardless of their golf background.

Golf in Schools is constantly evolving to find new and innovative ways to get more youth playing golf – a game for a lifetime.

To get golf in a High School in your area, click here

As we approach the 2014 golf season, the four Atlantic Provincial Golf Associations are pleased to announce the new Atlantic Golf Championship will take place August 15-17, 2014 at Bell Bay Golf Club in Cape Breton.

The New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador Golf Associations have collaborated to create this new tournament for the region’s best golfers. The Atlantic Golf Championship will see golfers in six (6) categories competing both as inter-provincial teams and as individuals.

Twenty (20) golfers from each province will make up the exclusive eighty (80) player-field.  In accordance with Golf Canada’s national championship eligibility requirements, players will compete in the following divisions:

• Men (under 40)
• Women (under 40)
• Mid-Master Men (40-54)
• Mid-Master Women (40- 49)
• Senior (55+) and Super Senior (70+) Men
• Senior (50+) and Super Senior (65+) Women

Each Golf Association will set its own qualifying process to determine the players that make up their team. The new Atlantic Cup will be awarded after 36 holes to the provincial team that accumulates the most overall points. All players will also compete for individual honours through 54 holes of stroke play, within their respective divisions.

The Association’s note that a key objective for the championship is to give players in different age brackets the opportunity to test their skills against others from across the region.

Over the next four years the Atlantic championship will rotate between the four provinces. Following Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador will host the tournament next year followed by New Brunswick in 2016 and Prince Edward Island in 2017.

Golf Canada, the National Sport Organization for golf in Canada, has placed its support behind the Atlantic Golf Championship.

“The Atlantic Championship provides a great opportunity for the best competitors in the Atlantic provinces to compete against each other at a premier event,” said Adam Helmer, Golf Canada’s Director of Rules and Competitions. “This new event will provide another pathway for players to earn spots directly into our national championships.”

In addition to providing exemptions for individual division winners into future National Championships, Golf Canada will also be donating Golf in Schools kits to a number of local schools as a legacy of the tournament.

“The Atlantic Championship is being developed to be the premier tournament for amateur golfers in Atlantic Canada,” said David Campbell, Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Golf Association.

“Our goal is to create a fun, first class experience for our players. We want the regions top competitive players to start thinking about the Atlantic Championship as soon as they tee it up in the spring. In years to come we hope that this tournament becomes the standard by which great amateur golfers in this region are recognized,” he continued.

The 2014 Atlantic Golf Championship takes place August 15^th -17^th at the Bell Bay Golf Course in Cape Breton.

For more information and to register for the championship click here.

For information on Bell Bay Golf Club click here.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — For the second time in less than a year, Tom Pernice Jr. hit a crucial shot on the 17th hole on his way to a victory.

This time, Pernice needed one more big shot to secure the win.

Pernice birdied the second hole of a sudden-death playoff with Doug Garwood on Sunday to win the Champions Tour’s Principal Charity Classic.

“I was calm all day. I played it with the right edge and I stroked it and it went right in the hole,” Pernice said.

Pernice won for the third time on the 50-and-over tour, closing with a 3-under 69 to match Garwood at 12-under 204 at Wakonda Club.

Garwood, making only his fourth start of the season, birdied the final two holes of regulation for a 71.

They played the par-4 18th hole twice in the playoff. Pernice won with a putt from roughly 8 feet after they opened the playoff with matching pars.

Pernice’s performance was reminiscent of the 3M Championship last August in Minnesota, when he made a 45-foot putt on No. 17 to win.

He chipped in from roughly 30 feet out to take the lead on Sunday, though Garwood matched that birdie and later forced a playoff.

“I really hit the ball good all week and really kept the ball in play in the fairway when I needed to and holed some key shots at key times,” Pernice said.

Bill Glasson, Jay Haas, Mark Calcavecchia and Michael Allen finished a shot back. Glasson shot 64, Haas 67, Calcavecchia 70, and Allen 71.

Garwood opened the final round with a one-shot lead but needing to win to earn a full Champions Tour card for the next 12 months. A birdie putt from the fringe on the first hole seemed to portend well for his prospects.

But Garwood bogeyed three consecutive holes – after going par or better on the first 41 holes of the tournament – and went into the back nine tied for first.

Garwood’s fourth bogey of the round, on the par-5 13th hole, appeared to ruin his shot for a career-defining win. But Garwood rallied with clutch birdies on the last two holes to stay alive.

Those shots helped Garwood redeem himself for three-putting the final hole of a qualifying tournament with a full exemption at stake in the offseason.

“I gave it away at Q-school. Straight gave it away. Here I didn’t feel like I gave it away because I earned it with the birdies on 17 and 18,” Garwood said.

Garwood’s troubles made for a crowded leaderboard for much of the day.

Glasson began Sunday eight shots off the lead. But he jumped atop the leaderboard with the best round of the tournament and sat around for over two hours waiting to see if he’d end up in a playoff.

Haas, a three-time winner of the event, joined him in the clubhouse at 11 under with a birdie on No. 18. Allen also nearly qualified for the playoff before missing a birdie putt on No. 18.

Garwood then sent his approach on the final hole over the green, while Pernice stuck his close enough for a relatively easy winner.

“This is a great course. I love it. It’s an old classic course,” Pernice said. “I liked it from the get-go and I’m very happy with how it turned out.”

Jim Rutledge shot 72 in all three rounds to end the tournament among the group tied for 50th.

Victoria, BC – Yakima, Washington’s Brock Mackenzie got his quest for a second Bayview Place Island Savings Open presented by Times Colonist title off to a good start on Thursday, firing a 7-under 63 at Uplands Golf Club to lead by one over Manhattan Beach, California’s Jake Sarnoff.

The 2010 champion went bogey free on Thursday, with the 63 representing his best score at Uplands in his sixth appearance. The 32-year old said his familiarity with the golf course was key to his performance in getting off to a good start.

“There aren’t too many courses other than maybe my home course that I’m this comfortable on,” said Mackenzie, a former All-American at the University of Washington. “For some reason everything just kind of suits my eye. I know where to miss it and where to hit it, and it’s just kind of up to executing. I rolled it a couple of putts today.”

Few players have as strong a track record as Mackenzie at Uplands – in addition to his win, he also posted a pair of top five finishes in 2009 and 2011 and was in the hunt on Sunday last year before fading with a Sunday 77.

“I’ve had some nice success at Uplands and I’ve always enjoyed coming back here. The people are great,” said Mackenzie, who said his familiarity with the event made it one of his favourites on PGA Tour Canada. “I see the same walking scorers each year and say ‘Hey, do you want to come walk with me this week?’ So it’s pretty cool to see.”

One shot back of Mackenzie with a 64 was Sarnoff, playing in just his second PGA Tour Canada event. The 24-year old, like Mackenzie, was also bogey-free on Thursday, and said he managed to navigate Uplands successfully despite a few wayward shots.

“I just kind of missed in the right spots,” said Sarnoff. “I was in the rough a lot but I had a lot of open shots and I putted really well. It’s always good to have no bogeys on the scorecard.”

Victoria, BC – Yakima, Washington’s Brock Mackenzie got his quest for a second Bayview Place Island Savings Open presented by Times Colonist title off to a good start on Thursday, firing a 7-under 63 at Uplands Golf Club to lead by one over Manhattan Beach, California’s Jake Sarnoff.

The 2010 champion went bogey free on Thursday, with the 63 representing his best score at Uplands in his sixth appearance. The 32-year old said his familiarity with the golf course was key to his performance in getting off to a good start.

“There aren’t too many courses other than maybe my home course that I’m this comfortable on,” said Mackenzie, a former All-American at the University of Washington. “For some reason everything just kind of suits my eye. I know where to miss it and where to hit it, and it’s just kind of up to executing. I rolled it a couple of putts today.”

Few players have as strong a track record as Mackenzie at Uplands – in addition to his win, he also posted a pair of top five finishes in 2009 and 2011 and was in the hunt on Sunday last year before fading with a Sunday 77.

“I’ve had some nice success at Uplands and I’ve always enjoyed coming back here. The people are great,” said Mackenzie, who said his familiarity with the event made it one of his favourites on PGA Tour Canada. “I see the same walking scorers each year and say ‘Hey, do you want to come walk with me this week?’ So it’s pretty cool to see.”

One shot back of Mackenzie with a 64 was Sarnoff, playing in just his second PGA Tour Canada event. The 24-year old, like Mackenzie, was also bogey-free on Thursday, and said he managed to navigate Uplands successfully despite a few wayward shots.

“I just kind of missed in the right spots,” said Sarnoff. “I was in the rough a lot but I had a lot of open shots and I putted really well. It’s always good to have no bogeys on the scorecard.”

WINNIPEG (Golf Canada) – Scott Secord of the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds stole the show on Wednesday at the Canadian University/College Championship by firing a competitive course record 7-under 65.

The Calgary native’s second round was highlighted by a six birdies and an eagle on the par-5 4th hole at Southwood Golf and Country Club in Winnipeg, Man.

“It was a lot of fun today, I played with a couple of good guys and we created some group mojo and kind of pushed each other,” Secord said. “We weren’t really thinking about scores, just birdies chances.”

Secord’s Thunderbirds’ teammates also stepped up on Wednesday morning as they soared into the lead after carding a 6-under 282. Individually, UBC’s Jack Wood posted a 2-under 70 and currently shares second place at 2-under 142 alongside the University of Alberta’s Quinn Bunten-Walberg, who posted the second low round of the day after a 5-under 67. Université Laval Rouge et Or’s Samuel Rochette, Russell Bowie of Queen’s University and Alex Dumais of the Humber College Hawks also trail Secord by nine strokes in second place.

“I’m not going to underestimate anyone out here,” Secord said about his competition. “The course is excellent, the greens are great for the winter they had, so I just have to keep attacking.”

In the team competition, the Thunderbirds hold a 9-stroke lead over the Western University Mustangs. The Mustangs posted a 7-over 295 and currently sit one-stroke ahead of the University of Manitoba Bisons who carded a 1-under 287.

On the women’s side, the Thunderbirds stumbled on Wednesday but were able to hang onto their overnight lead in the team division. The squad ended the second round at 23-over 455 for the championship, 11 strokes ahead of Université de Montréal Carabins who are defending their title this week.  The Carabins rebounded on Wednesday with a 10-over 226.

Individually, the University of Victoria’s Megan Woodland matched the low round of the day on the women’s side after an even-par 72. Woodland’s round was highlighted by a 2-under 34 opening-nine and leaves her tied for the lead with the University of Toronto’s, Laura Upenieks at 5-over 149. Upenieks carded a 2-over 74 after opening with a 3-over 75 on Tuesday.

Woodland has had a couple of close calls at this national championship and hopes to continue her strong play over the final two days.

“It’s basically been my goal since my first year to come out and win one of these events,” the Vikes veteran player said. “I’ve come close the past three years and haven’t really been able to finish it off, so it’s kind of been my goal all year and I hope I can play well the next two days.”

Woodland and Upenieks currently sit one-stroke ahead of Kylie Barros of the Thunderbirds and Université Laval Rouge et Or’s Alexandra Pelletier.

For more information on the 2014 Canadian University/College Championship including starting times and results click here.

(WINNIPEG, Man.) – The University of British Columbia Thunderbirds lead the women’s division, while the Western University Mustangs are atop the men’s leaderboard after first round play at the Canadian University/College Championship at Southwood Golf and Country Club in Winnipeg, Man.

On the women’s side, the Thunderbirds, 9-time national champions, hold a commanding lead after 18 holes of play. The squad carded a 5-over 221 opening round and were led by Kat Kennedy who fired a 1-under 71 that was highlighted by three birdies. Kennedy’s teammate Kylie Barros, the 2011 individual national champion, sits in second after a 2-over 74.

“It feels good, I was just consistent out there,” Kennedy said. “There were some up and downs but I stayed focused and held onto it until the finish.”

If the Thunderbirds can continue their strong play they will take home their 10th Canadian University/College title when the tournament concludes on Friday.

“We just want to give it our all, it’s our last tournament of the season,” Kennedy continued. “We’re going to play for the team as a team and stay strong that way.”

The University of Victoria Vikes trail the Thunderbirds by 11 strokes after posting a 16-over 232 as a team, while the Université de Montréal Carabins and Waterloo Warriors share third at 22-over. Individually, Laura Upenieks from the Toronto Varsity Blues sits in third one stroke ahead of a trio of players who are tied at 4-over par.

In the men’s team competition, the Western University Mustangs came blazing out of the gates on Tuesday morning, firing an opening round 4-under 284. The Mustangs were led by Spencer Berk and Traynor Turkiewicz, who both posted 3-under 69’s and currently sit in a 4-way tie for second at 3-under par.

“The whole team is pleased with the way they are playing which is important,” said Mustangs Head Coach, Jim Waite. “We have five guys that can really play this year. In other years we’ve had three but never five and this year we feel that these guys can give us good numbers day after day.”

The Thunderbirds hold second place at even-par 288, while the University of Manitoba Bisons share third place alongside the Humber College Hawks at 5-over 293.

Individually, UBC’s Scott Secord birdied two of his last three holes to card a 4-under 68 and break out of a four-way tie for the lead. Secord closed with a 3-under 33 and currently holds a one-stroke lead over Berk, Turkiewicz, Bisons’ Charlie Boyechko and Alex Rakowski of the University of Alberta Golden Bears.

“My putting was great, that’s the biggest key out here,” Secord said. “Tomorrow it’s just about the same thing, par or better and hopefully the wind is down in the morning.”

For more information on the 2014 Canadian University/College Championship including starting times and resultsclick here.

Ottawa, Ont. (NAGA) — The Canadian Golf Industry generated $14.3 billion in economic benefits across our nation, according to a recent economic analysis conducted by Strategic Networks Group, Inc. on behalf of the National Allied Golf Associations (NAGA).

The Canadian Golf industry employs the equivalent of 300,100 people through direct and spin-off effects, generating more than $8.3 billion in household income.  The industry also contributes more than $36.1 billion in total gross production through direct and indirect and induced spending; generates more than $1.4 billion in property and other indirect taxes; as well provides an estimated $2.2 billion in income taxes used to support a variety of programs for all Canadians.

Based on a nation-wide survey of more than 15,000 golfers and more than 300 golf courses in 10 provinces and three territories, the 2014 Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study provides a follow up data set to the initial comprehensive and independent assessment of the economic impact of the golf industry in Canada released in 2009.

“The Economic Impact Study reinforces that the game of golf in Canada continues to have a tremendous financial, charitable, tourism and positive environmental impact in communities across Canada,” said NAGA Chair Jeff Calderwood, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association of Canada. “The study outlines the considerable scope and magnitude of the impact that our sport has on the Canadian economy.”

The 2014 study was once again conducted on behalf of NAGA by Strategic Networks Group (SNG), a world leader in economic development and analysis for communities, regions and industries. SNG also conducted the 2009 Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study which allows the Canadian golf industry to benchmark the game’s economic impact over the past five years.

“We were very pleased to have been invited back to conduct this important research on behalf of the Canadian golf industry,” said Thomas McGuire, SNG’s Vice President. “This 2014 study draws on a massive sample of Canadian golfers and course operators and clearly demonstrates that the Canadian golf industry continues to be a significant nation-wide driver of economic impacts. What this study shows in relationship to the 2009 research is that golf in Canada has been able to maintain itself over a period of very challenging global economic circumstances that had left no sector of the economy untouched.”

The announcement of the Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study was made on a media teleconference from Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Following the media teleconference golf industry leaders from the NAGA partner associations met with legislators and members of Parliament in Ottawa as part of a golf industry lobby day.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CANADIAN GOLF ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY:

The game of golf accounts for an estimated $14.3 billion of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is up from the $12.2 billion reported in 2009*. Included in that economic impact are:
•    300,100 direct, indirect and induced jobs (342,000 in 2009)
•    $8.3 billion in household income ($8.0 billion in 2009)
•    $1.4 billion in property and other indirect taxes ($1.3 billion in 2009)
•    $2.2 billion in income taxes ($2.6 billion in 2009)
•    Canadian golf industry generates $14.3 billion in economic activity (GDP)
•    Industry employment estimated at more than 300,100 golf related jobs,
•    $533 million in philanthropic dollars generated at more than 37,000 events at golf courses
•    Golf related travel within Canada generates nearly $2.5 billion in tourism annually
•    Estimated 60 million rounds of golf played in Canada in 2013

———
*Note that 2009 figures are adjusted by the consumer price index and reported as current dollars.
———

Golf in Canada generates an estimated $36.9 billion in total gross production (see end notes in the Economic Impact Study for definitions) through the combination of direct, indirect and induced spending impacts.

The total direct economic activity (total direct sales, golf related travel, capital spending) resulting from the Canadian Golf Industry is estimated at $19.7 billion. Direct revenues generated directly by golf courses and their facilities, and stand-alone driving and practice ranges ($5.0 billion) rivals the revenues generated by all other participation sports and recreation facilities combined ($4.8 billion) in Canada.

Additional key benefits and impacts of golf in Canada include:

•    Environmental Benefits – Over 175,000 hectares of green space managed by approximately 2,308 golf course operators, including 30,000 hectares of unmanaged wildlife habitat under golf course stewardship.

•    Golf Participation –SNG estimates, based on starts reported by operators and rounds played reported by Canadian golfers, that approximately 60 million rounds of golf were played in 2013 (approximately 70 million rounds of golf were reported in 2009).

•    Employment Opportunities – The Canadian Golf Industry provides an excellent employment opportunity for 126,000 people, with as many as 37% of those working at Canadian golf courses being students. (approximately 43% reported in the 2009 study)

•    Charitable Activity – In 2013 there were nearly 37,000 charitable events hosted at Canadian golf courses (25,000 were reported in 2009). Using conservative estimates, these events raise more than $533 million for charitable causes across Canada ($473 million in 2009 dollars).

•    Golf Tourism – In 2013 Canadian travellers spent $2.5 billion annually on golf-related travel within Canada (including on-course spending at courses visited). Foreign visiting golfers spent $1.6 billion on golf related travel and on-course spending (approximately $2 billion reported in the 2009 study).

An executive summary outlining the results of the Canadian Golf Economic Impact Study is available by clicking here.

TOTTENHAM, Ont. — The field battled rain and heavy winds at times during the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) Women’s Match Play Championship at Woodington Lake Golf Club’s Legacy Course, June 2-4, but when it was all said and done, a familiar name was the last one standing. Seaforth resident Robyn Doig capped off the week with a 1up victory over Concord’s Christina Foster.

The two were neck and neck throughout the front nine with Doig taking the lead on the second hole, only to see Foster square the match on No. 5. The two traded the next two holes and thru 9 holes it was all square.

On the back nine, Doig, a current University of Central Florida team member fell behind after Foster, birdied the 11^th hole, but a par on 12 allowed her to get the match back to even. On hole 15, Foster bogeyed the par-3, while Doig pared, giving her the 1up lead. That lead lasted only one hole as Doig would bogey the 16^th. Doig regained the advantage with a birdie on the 17, setting up a do or die for Foster on the 18^th. Doig would hang on after she split the hole and earned her second-straight Match Play Championship.

After the match, the 22-year-old Doig talked about what it meant to win the event for the second year in a row.

“I am really excited,” said Doig. “It’s an honour to win this event because so many great players play in it and it is really cool to have my name on the trophy, twice.”

When asked about the turning point in the round she said she wasn’t sure if there was an exact moment.

“We were pretty steady back and forth for basically the whole match,” she added. “I guess the birdie on 17, it put me 1up with one to play so I knew I needed a couple good shots on the last hole but the birdie was really what I needed.”

Earlier in the day, Doig, who was ranked first after the qualifying round, defeated Uxbridge’s Gail Pimm, ranked fifth, in the semi-final 4&3, while Foster, the third seed, eliminated the number two seeded, Elizabeth Tong from Thornhill.  Doig’s road to the championship also went through Pickering’s Meghan Bennett in the quarterfinals and Stouffville’s Ivy Steinberg in round one.  Foster defeated Courtney Tolton of Mitchell in the quarters and Unionville’s Natasha Lehman in the first round.

For Doig the win is a nice addition to her provincial trophy case. In addition to last year’s Match Play Championship, she was also the 2013 Investors Group Women’s Amateur Champion, which she also won at Woodington Lake.

“It’s hard to say what it is that I like about playing here because the Old Course it totally different than the one we played here this week. So I guess it is just a great place to be.”

The Ontario Women’s Match Play was first played in 1975 and has several notable past champions including World, Canadian and Ontario Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Streit, six-time champion Mary Ann Hayward, Terrill Samuel, and Heather Kuzmich.

Montreal, Que. (Golf Canada) – Excitement is quickly building towards the 2014 RBC Canadian Open, as 2013 champion Brandt Snedeker confirmed on a media teleconference this morning that he will be at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Île-Bizard, Que., July 21-27 to defend his RBC Canadian Open title.

Currently ranked No. 31 in the world and a member of Team RBC, Snedeker captured Canada’s National Open Championship by three shots last year at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. A six-time PGA TOUR winner and the 2012 Fed Ex Cup champion, Snedeker will lead the field of world class golfers into Royal Montreal for the 105th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship.

“I’m very excited to be heading to The Royal Montreal Golf Club to defend my title at the end of July,” Brandt Snedeker said earlier on a teleconference today “I’ve never been to the course but everybody that I’ve asked has great things to say about this historic venue. It was very special to me to win Canada’s Open Championship last year especially considering it is sponsored by one of my partners in RBC. Hopefully I’ll be able to have another strong showing in 2014.”

Golf Canada and RBC are also pleased to report that a number of notable names have indicated their intent to play the 2014 RBC Canadian Open. An interim list released today boasts golfers featured within the top echelon of the Official World Golf Rankings.

Joining Snedeker at Royal Montreal will be World No. 4 Matt Kuchar; World No. 12 Jim Furyk; World No. 16 Luke Donald; World No. 18 Graeme McDowell; World No. 38 Hunter Mahan and World No. 51 Ernie Els.

Canada’s Graham DeLaet, currently ranked No. 32 in the world will lead a Canadian contingent that includes World No. 88 David Hearn, Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mike Weir and recently announced Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Stephen Ames. The Canadian foursome will vie to see if one of them can become the first Canuck to capture the title since Pat Fletcher won the Canadian Open in 1954.

With many of the world’s best players excited about playing for Canada’s National Open Championship, RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Bill Paul credits the engagement of title sponsor RBC as a driving factor.

“With the RBC Canadian Open less than two months out, we are very pleased with the strength of our field as it comes together,” said Paul. “This is a testament to the commitment of our partners at RBC in delivering a world-class event experience. And that’s exactly what golf fans can expect when the world’s best player’s tee it up at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in July.”

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE MEDIA TELECONFERENCE.

Family Day
New this year, Family Day on Saturday, July 26th will feature a ticket package especially aimed at families with activities onsite for parents and children to enhance the spectator experience at Canada’s National Open Championship. Family Day will include specially priced grounds passes that provide access to dedicated fan areas, kids’ golf activities and more. In addition to specially priced ticket packages on Family Day, children aged 17 and under gain free admission all week when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada
Also announced today, Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada will continue to be the Official Charity Partner of the RBC Canadian Open. Now in its second year, this relationship will continue to support RMHC through a combination of program grants and various fundraising activities before and during the event.

“We are incredibly proud of our partnership with RMCH through the RBC Canadian Open,” stated Martin Thibodeau, President, Quebec Headquarters, RBC Royal Bank. “As an extension of our commitment to supporting youth and kids in Canada, this relationship will continue important work that was started in 2013 to specifically support the mental well-being of children and their families when they are facing some of the most vulnerable and challenging times in their lives.”

Players confirmed to compete in the 2014 RBC Canadian Open include:

Stephen Ames
– Four-time PGA TOUR winner, including the 2006 Players Championship
– Competing in his 17th RBC Canadian Open
– Inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2014

Graham DeLaet
– Currently ranked No. 1 in Canada, No. 32 in the world and No. 20 in the FedEx Cup standings
– Competing in his 6th RBC Canadian Open

Luke Donald
– Five-time PGA TOUR winner and winner of back-to-back BMW PGA Championships in 2011 and 2012
– Currently ranked No. 16 in the world and No. 40 in the FedEx Cup standings

Ernie Els
– 19-time PGA TOUR winner and 4-time major winner (1994 and 1997 U.S. Open, 2002 and 2012 Open Championship)
– Member of the World Golf Hall of Fame
– Currently ranked No. 51 in the world and No. 94 in the FedEx Cup standings

Jim Furyk
– 16-time PGA TOUR winner including the 2003 U.S. Open
– Two-time RBC Canadian Open champion (2006 and 2007)
– Currently ranked No. 12 in the world and No. 11 in the FedEx Cup standings

David Hearn
– Currently ranked No. 2 in Canada, No. 88 in the world and No. 62 in the FedEx Cup standings
– Competing in his 12th RBC Canadian Open

Matt Kuchar
– Seven-time PGA TOUR winner including 2014 RBC Heritage, 2013 World Golf Championships – Accenture Match Play Championship, 2013 Memorial Tournament and 2012 The Players Championship
– Currently ranked No. 4 in the world and No. 3 in the FedEx Cup standings

Hunter Mahan
– Five-time PGA TOUR winner including the 2012 World Golf Championships – Accenture Match Play Championship
– Currently ranked No. 38 in the world and No. 61 in the FedEx Cup standings

Graeme McDowell
– Two-time PGA TOUR winner including the 2013 RBC Heritage and 2010 U.S. Open
– Currently ranked No. 18 in the world and No. 55 in the FedEx Cup standings

Brandt Snedeker
– Six-time PGA TOUR winner including the 2013 RBC Canadian Open and AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
– 2012 winner of the FedEx Cup
– Currently ranked No. 31 in the world and No. 113 in the FedEx Cup standings

Mike Weir
– Eight-time PGA TOUR winner including the 2003 Masters
– Inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2009
– Competing in his 24th RBC Canadian Open, currently ranked 98th in the FedEx standings

Canadians Earn Their Way to Montreal:
A number of additional Canadians will be attempting to qualify for Canada’s National Open Golf Championship in the coming weeks. Among those qualifying include players participating in RBC Canadian Open regional qualifiers, Canadians competing on the Web.com Tour, players ranked at the top of the PGA TOUR Canada Order of Merit as well as the PGA of Canada Order of Merit leader following the PGA of Canada Championship later this month.

Kevin Carrigan of Victoria, B.C. has secured his spot in the 2014 RBC Canadian Open thanks to his win at the 2013 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Additional exemptions for Canadian amateur and professional golfers competing in the 2014 RBC Canadian Open will be announced in the coming weeks.

VOLUNTEERS:
Golf Canada and the Royal Montreal Golf Club are pleased to announce that a number of volunteer positions are still available for golf enthusiasts to be a part of the RBC Canadian Open. In all, nearly 1,400 volunteer committee positions will contribute to the success of Canada’s National Open Golf Championship and anyone interested in applying can do so at www.rbccanadianopen.com.

TICKETS:
Grounds tickets for all days of Canada’s National Open Championship as well as a limited number of premium ticket packages are still available. A full list of ticket packages and pricing, including the new Family Day package, is available online at www.rbccanadianopen.com. Golf Canada and RBC are also please to offer free admission to children 17 year and younger who are accompanied by a ticketed adult.