Golf legend and 73-time PGA TOUR winner Jack Nicklaus was on hand at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., on Tuesday to help kick off the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.

Following a ceremonial airshow and opening remarks, amateur champion Judy Darling Evans and legendary golf club maker Bob Vokey were officially inducted as the 78th and 79th honoured members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. Nicklaus, who was inducted into the Hall in 1995, joined 16 other legends of Canadian golf as part of the celebration.

After the opening ceremony, the Golden Bear made a quick stop at The Rink on the par-3 7th hole to try his hand at hockey.

Jack Nicklaus grabbed a hockey stick for the first time during Tuesday’s opening ceremony at the @RBCCanadianOpen. pic.twitter.com/8AFgaWu6Z4

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 25, 2017

For nearly a decade, the name Judy Darling Evans was synonymous with amateur golfing success. She was born on October 6, 1937 in Montreal and was first introduced to the game at Whitlock Golf Club where her grandfather, J.A. Darling—a Quebec Amateur champion himself— served as the club’s first president… Read more on Judy Darling Evans here.

Bob Vokey was born in 1939 in Montréal, Québec. and credits his early inspiration in club design to the summers he spent with his father, a fine tool and die maker who had a penchant for golf and enjoyed tinkering with equipment… Read more on Bob Vokey here.

A special thanks to our honoured @CGHF members for helping kick off today’s opening ceremony of the @RBCCanadianOpen! #OurOpen #RBCCO pic.twitter.com/r4ecYon0Ak

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) July 25, 2017

Photos from Tuesday’s Opening Ceremonies can be found on the RBC Canadian Open Facebook page here.

Click here for more information on what’s happening at the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.

Valiant efforts by Canadian golfers resulting in close calls have come to define the RBC Canadian Open in recent years.

Amateur Jared du Toit’s remarkable performance through three rounds last year before tying for ninth, conjured up some of those memories.

The national championship was last won by a Canadian in 1954 but since 2001 players such as David Morland IV, Adam Hadwin, David Hearn and most famously, Mike Weir, have come close to breaking the drought.

Weir’s close shave came in 2004 at Glen Abbey. The lefty from Brights Grove, Ont., was at the height of his powers back then and so too was Vijay Singh. Singh came to Oakville the No. 1-ranked player in the world and was enjoying one of the most successful seasons in the modern era by someone other than Tiger Woods. Weir, about 18 months removed from his Masters win, nursed a two-shot lead to start Sunday action and appeared in control as he made the turn, especially when he made birdie on the 10th hole.

“Oh, boy, this is crazy,” said a bemused PGA Tour official surveying the crowds that had gathered around Weir’s group as he was about to tee off on 16.

The crowd was sensing history being made. And it would have been perfect timing  — 50 years since Pat Fletcher’s win, days after Canadian legend Moe Norman had died, and a day before Team Canada was about to win the World Cup of Hockey a short distance away in Toronto.

It wasn’t meant to be. Not long after that PGA Tour official voiced his concern, Weir made bogey on No. 16 and failed to birdie No. 18 in regulation. That set the stage for Singh’s triumph on the third extra hole when Weir found water playing the 18th for the third time in less than an hour.

Weir, but also Hadwin and Hearn, who have had their own brushes with winning, have all voiced little in the way of overriding regret. Recent conversations with all three men said that the biggest takeaway from their experience was the sheer excitement, tinged with a bit of disappointment.

“None,” said Weir, when asked if he had any regrets, “just that I didn’t win but it was a great week.”

Hearn’s tournament two years ago was very much like Weir’s but also different. He was in the driver’s seat playing No. 16 too but Jason Day reeled off three birdies playing a group ahead — as Singh was with Weir 11 years earlier. While Day wasn’t yet the top-ranked player in the world, his run that started at Glen Abbey soon landed him there.

Hearn, who wound up in third place, and Weir were veteran PGA Tour pros when they almost won the national championship.

Adam Hadwin was just a second-year pro who was little known outside the Canadian golf community. Playing at Shaughnessy G&CC not far from where he grew up in Abbotsford, B.C., Hadwin had sole possession of the lead on Sunday before four-putting the par-3 eighth hole. The two shots he dropped there cost him a spot in a playoff eventually won by Sean O’Hair.

Looking back, for Hadwin it was the newness of the experience that made it so unique, surreal even.

“Nothing was expected of me,” he recalls “I wasn’t even a tour member at that point . . . I really had nothing to lose.”

Though not quite as close, other Canadians have contended as well. David Morland IV was in contention all four days at Royal Montreal GC in 2001. After firing a 66 on Sunday, Morland needed the leaders to falter but Verplank was steady with a 67 and eventually won by three shots. Morland was another two strokes back in a tie for fifth.

Though they never seriously contended for the title, Graham DeLaet (T7) and Brad Fritsch (T9) both posted top-10s three years ago, also at Royal Montréal. Eight years ago at Glen Abbey, two Canadians — Stephen Ames and Chris Baryla — also had top-10s, both tying for eighth.

Stretching back further, Dave Barr had his best RBC Canadian Open showing in 1988 when he tied for fourth, with fellow Canadian Gordie Smith tying for seventh. Barr’s showing matched Richard Zokol’s performance five years earlier, which to that point was the best performance by a Canadian during the Glen Abbey era of the tournament.

This article was originally published in the Summer Issue edition of Golf Canada Magazine. Click here to view the full magazine

The 2017 RBC Canadian Open features the strongest collection of homegrown talent ever. So is this the year the drought ends?

Two years ago, shortly after standing in the 18th fairway watching Jason Day bury a 22-foot birdie putt on the final green up ahead of him to win the RBC Canadian Open, David Hearn sat down in the media centre at Glen Abbey in front of a throng of reporters. He knew what they were going to ask, but still found it difficult to articulate his emotions.

Entering the final round with a two-shot lead, Hearn and pairing mate Bubba Watson — who will rejoin the field for this year’s national men’s open championship after a year off — traded momentum throughout the day only for the superstar Day to string three birdies together on the final three holes and leap past them into the winner’s circle, capped by that emphatic putt on the last green. It was the start of a torrid stretch for the Aussie, who two weeks later won his first major at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.

Falling two shots short of Day’s mark and settling for solo third, Hearn, the Brantford, Ont., native, was appreciative of the thousands of fans that came out hoping to witness history. Had he succeeded in winning, Hearn would’ve become the first Canadian to win the event since Pat Fletcher in 1954. But he also acknowledged that the intensity of the moment and pile of pressure on his shoulders was difficult to manage.

“It’s going to take a special performance for (a Canadian) to win this tournament one day,” he relented.

Fortunately, an extremely deep crop of Canadians is ready to take on the task in the 2017 edition. Spearheading the group is Adam Hadwin, who’s enjoyed a stellar season thus far and ascended to Canada’s No. 1 player. The recently married 29-year-old won his maiden PGA Tour title at the Valspar Championship in March, just seven weeks after posting a career-low 59 at the CareerBuilder Challenge. A series of strong results and several final rounds in contention — which thrusted him as high as 44th in the world — have provided him with a boatload of confidence to lean on while trying to execute in crunch time. The B.C. boy would love to rekindle the magic he conjured up at the 2011 RBC Canadian Open at Shaughnessy G&CC (see sidebar).

Two Canadians behind him who also happen to have PGA Tour victories under their belt are Mackenzie Hughes and Nick Taylor. Each won in their respective rookie season, Hughes this year and Taylor in 2014, and along with Matt Hill, who secured a spot in the field by winning the Ontario Regional Qualifier in mid-May, they represent the fruits of Golf Canada’s labour when it comes to its national development program.

The infusion of homegrown talent in the event includes newly minted professional Jared du Toit (a recent Team Canada member and in on a sponsor’s exemption), who sprung to national fame with a ninth-place finish last year. Just as Hearn was in 2015, du Toit was in the final group on Sunday. Another Canadian on the rise is 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur champ Hugo Bernard, who will tee it up in his second straight RBC Canadian Open.

Not to be forgotten are the more grizzled golfers that sport Canada’s colours. Hearn, Graham DeLaet, Mike Weir and Brad Fritsch have all battled down the stretch with big tournaments on the line, including in this event for Hearn and Weir (see sidebar). As for DeLaet and Fritsch, they shared top-10 honours at the 2014 event at Royal Montreal.

In years past, the national contingent featured only a few legitimate threats to win, such as Weir, Stephen Ames and Ian Leggatt in the 2000s and Dave Barr, Dan Halldorson and Richard Zokol in the 1980s and early ‘90s. The latest offering of promise and experience speaks to the depth of Canadian players currently competing at golf’s various levels.

“This will be an exciting year for Canadian golf fans for sure,” said Brent McLaughlin, RBC Canadian Open tournament director. “We’ve come close in recent years with David Hearn in 2015 and du Toit’s terrific run last year. This may be the year the drought finally comes to an end.”

The tournament has been dominated lately by some of golf’s long bombers bullying their way around Glen Abbey, such as Jhonattan Vegas in 2016, Watson and Day in 2015 and Dustin Johnson in 2016 and 2013. The latter, now the World’s No. 1 player, has already committed to tee it up this July and will be the favourite to clinch a championship that he’s been close to winning before.

On the other end of the spectrum, one of the shorter hitters in this year’s field, and one who’s no stranger to being an underdog, believes the Canadian contingent can overcome the odds too.

“It’s a matter of time,” said Jim Furyk, the 2006 (Hamilton G&CC) and ’07 (Angus Glen – North) Canadian Open champion after Hearn’s narrow miss. “There are so many good Canadian players. I feel bad Mike Weir never won this golf tournament. But Graham DeLaet, David, there are a bunch of fine young players, so I’m sure it’s going to happen.”

“I think every Canadian wants to see it so bad and we want to do it so bad that it does make it hard,” explained Hearn. “At the same time, I believe it will happen. I believe we have enough talent.”

This year, more than ever perhaps, the depth of Canada’s talent is certainly undeniable.

This article was originally published in the Summer Issue edition of Golf Canada Magazine. Click here to view the full magazine

ANCASTER, ONT. (Golf Canada) – Drew Nesbitt of Shanty Bay, Ont., Riley Wheeldon of Comox, B.C., Lee McCoy of Tampa, Fla. and Jhared Hack of Homestead, Fla. have all earned entry into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open through today’s Final Qualifier at Heron Point Golf Links.

Nesbitt and Wheeldon carded matching rounds of 5-under-par 66 to share medallist honours.

Nesbitt, who will make his PGA TOUR debut at the 2017 RBC Canadian Open, is thankful Canada’s National Championship is truly an open event.

“That’s the nature of the game that they have these open qualifying events. It allows amateurs and pros that aren’t full status and mini tour players like myself, to get to the next level,” said Nesbitt. “It will be a good experience to test my game against the best players in the world.”

Wheeldon will be playing in his third PGA TOUR event. He played in the 2013 RBC Canadian Open and advanced through Monday Qualifying into the 2014 Farmers Insurance Open.

“I feel lucky as a Canadian that I get to play in our National Championship,” added Wheeldon. “It’s great to be one round away and know that you have that opportunity to get into that tournament.”

Six players shot 67, which forced a playoff that decided the last two spots. McCoy advanced on the second playoff hole while Hack outlasted Team Canada’s Stuart MacDonald from Vancouver on the sixth playoff hole.

Team Canada graduate Blair Hamilton (Burlington, Ont.), Nyasha Mauchaza (Port Saint Lucie, Fla.) and Hunter Stuart (Lexington, Ky.) were the other playoff participants who failed to qualify.

Click here for full scoring.

Click here for more information on the RBC Canadian Open.

The final four spots into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open field will be determined Monday as the Final Qualifier is set to tee off at Heron Point Golf Links in Ancaster, Ont.

The 57-man field is comprised of touring professionals, top amateurs and 43 regional qualifiers from the as a part of the two-stage RBC Canadian Open Qualification process.

“We’re very happy to have the Final Qualifier at Heron Point Golf Links,” said Adam Helmer, Golf Canada’s Director, Rules, Competitions and Amateur Status. “The course is in great condition and it should provide an excellent test for this impressive field of golfers vying for a spot in the RBC Canadian Open.”

The Final Qualifier features 18 holes of stroke play with the low four competitors receiving an exemption directly into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open field. If necessary, a hole-by-hole playoff will be conducted immediately following the conclusion of play.

Click here for pairings, start times and results for RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifying on Monday, July 24.

On Tuesday, July 25 at 10 a.m. ET at Glen Abbey Golf Club, golf icon Jack Nicklaus will be on hand to officially open the 2017 RBC Canadian Open during a public outdoor ceremony at Glen Abbey Golf Club.

The Opening Ceremony for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open will be immediately followed by the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, where amateur champion Judy Darling Evans and legendary golf club maker Bob Vokey will be officially inducted as the 78th and 79th honoured members. Nicklaus, who was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1995, will join 16 other legends of Canadian golf as part of the celebration.

Spectators are invited to join the celebration (FREE for all attendees) that will officially kick off the 2017 RBC Canadian Open. Both the induction and ceremony will take place on stage in the Coors Light 19th Hole Beer Garden.

Click here for more information on what’s happening at the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.

Golf Canada and RBC are pleased to announce the final field of competitors vying for the US$6.0 million purse at the 2017 RBC Canadian Open, July 24-30 at Glen Abbey Golf Club.

World no. 1 Dustin Johnson will be challenged by a stellar field of PGA TOUR stars including world No. 18 Matt Kuchar, two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson, two-time RBC Canadian Open champion Jim Furyk, world No. 33 and 2013 RBC Canadian Open champion Brandt Snedeker, three-time PGA TOUR winners Ryan Palmer and Graeme McDowell, as well as World Golf Hall of Fame member Ernie Els.

Other notable additions to the field for the 108^th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship include defending champion Jhonattan Vegas, Ian Poulter, 34-time PGA TOUR winner Vijay Singh, eight-time winner K.J. Choi, six-time winner Hunter Mahan, world No. 28 Kevin Chappell, world No. 39 Charley Hoffman, world no. 48 Gary Woodland and rising-star Tony Finau, who sits 27^th on the FedEx Cup Point Standings.

“The field is nearly set and we’re ready to tee-up the 108^th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship starting next week at Glen Abbey Golf Club,” said Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “It’s a big year for Canada celebrating 150 years and with a tremendous mix of international stars and the deepest field of Canadian talent ever, we couldn’t be more thrilled to treat fans to a world-class showcase of golf steeped in Canadiana.”

In total, 156 players will compete for the US$6.0 million purse next week in Oakville when Canada’s National Open Championship returns to Glen Abbey for a record 29^th time.

Past Champions….

Defending champion Jhonattan Vegas will be joined by seven other former champions including Team RBC members Brandt Snedeker – who won in 2013 at Glen Abbey Golf Club – and Jim Furyk who claimed back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007. Other confirmed past champions include Scott Piercy (2012), Sean O’Hair (2011), Carl Pettersson (2010), Chez Reavie (2008) and Vijay Singh (2004).

PGA Tour In-Year Winners….

A total of nine in-year PGA Tour winners will compete at Glen Abbey including Cody Gribble, Mackenzie Hughes, Harris English, Matt Kuchar, Hudson Swafford, Dustin Johnson, Adam Hadwin, D.A. Points and Kevin Chappell.

13 Canadians to compete for National Men’s Open Title….

World no. 54 Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., will lead a 13-member Canadian contingent into Canada’s national Open championship. The 29-year old is in the midst of his finest season with a win at the Valpsar Championship and a 59 at the CareerBuilder Challenge. Hadwin will be joined by fellow recent PGA TOUR winners Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. and Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C. as well fellow Canadian fan favourites Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., Brad Fritsch of Manotick, Ont. and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mike Weir of Bright’s Grove, Ont.

Other Canadians confirmed include Jared du Toit, the 22-year old Team Canada member played in the final pairing at the 2016 RBC Canadian Open. The Calgary native returns to Glen Abbey as a professional hoping to recapture the magic that made him the story of last year’s championship.  Team Canada National Amateur Squad members Hugo Bernard of Mont St-Hilaire, Que., the reigning Canadian Men’s Amateur champion along with Austin James of Bath, Ont., will also compete.

Former Team Canada member Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont., has earned his third consecutive RBC Canadian Open exemption by winning his third straight Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. PGA of Canada professional Bryn Parry of Vancouver earned his way into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open by claiming the No. 1 position on the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC, while former Team Canada member Matt Hill of Brights Grove, Ont., won the 144-player Ontario Regional Qualifier to earn an exemption.

The Canadians in the field have their sights set on becoming the first Canadian to capture the national title since Pat Fletcher claimed victory in 1954.

Final Tournament Exemptions to be Named…

The top three players on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada Order of Merit following this weekend’s Mackenzie Investments Open in Mirabel, Que. will earn exemptions into the field for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.

The final four exemptions into the field for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open will be handed out at the Monday Final Qualifier on July 24 to be played at Heron Point Golf Links near Ancaster, Ont.

Click here for the full list of competitors competing in the 2017 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club from July 24-30.

TICKETS:

Grounds tickets for all days of the 2017 RBC Canadian Open, as well as, a limited number of premium ticket packages are still available. A full list of ticket packages and pricing is available online at www.rbccanadianopen.com/tickets.

Golf Canada and RBC are also pleased to offer FREE admission to juniors 17 and younger—Click here to download a FREE Junior Pass.

Even though all golfers are currently engrossed in “The Open” (a.k.a. the British Open), it’s time to look forward to “Our Open” (a.k.a. the RBC Canadian Open).

There are many reasons to come to Our Open, first played in 1904 and the third-oldest continuously running tournament on the PGA TOUR after The Open and the U.S. Open.

Although the tournament proper doesn’t begin until Thursday, there’s lots going on beforehand.

On Saturday, July 22, the RBC Canadian Open 5K run takes place at 9 a.m. starting near the first tee of Glen Abbey Golf Club and finishing alongside the 18^th green.

On Monday, there’s the Canada Day Pro-Am where teams of three amateurs will be joined by one of our country’s top golfers or a Hall of Fame player. This year, among other notables, Adam Hadwin, Nick Taylor, Graham DeLaet, Alena Sharp, David Hearn, Brad Fritsch, and Jared du Toit are scheduled to participate. It’s a celebration of Canadian golf and, suitably, proceeds from the event will go to the Golf Canada Foundation to support the developmental pathway for young golfers in this country.

On Tuesday, the official opening ceremony takes place at 10 a.m. on the stage at the Coors Light 19^th Hole Beer Garden where Judy Darling Evans and Bob Vokey will be inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. Admission is free. Tuesday is practice day for the pros, too, so it’s a great chance to see some of the world’s best players in a relaxed atmosphere.

Things tighten up just a bit on Wednesday, when the Championship Pro-Am pairs three amateurs with a top pro. Although the pros are no doubt thinking ahead to the opening round of the championship the next day, the banter and camaraderie of this event make it almost as fun to watch as to play in.

Come Thursday, it’s on.

Once again, this year’s field is impressive. (Players have until 5 p.m. ET Friday, July 21, to confirm their participation.) World No. 1 Dustin Johnson heads a contingent heading over from that other Open, including Ernie Els, Matt Kuchar and Canadian Adam Hadwin. Other early confirmed stars include two-time RBC Canadian Open champ Jim Furyk, former U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell, and Ryan Palmer.

Way back in 1954, Pat Fletcher was the last Canadian to win Our Open. Oh, we’ve been close since. In 2004, Mike Weir lost a playoff to Vijay Singh. In 2015, David Hearn had a two-shot heading into the final round before being defeated by a charging Jason Day. Last year, Jared du Toit, then still an amateur, finished tied for ninth. Friday at this year’s Open is Red and White Day where spectators have the chance to cheer on our homegrown heroes by wearing red-and-white apparel.

Parking is free as are the complimentary shuttle buses to and from the course. The new GO to the RBC Canadian Open ticket includes a one-day pass Friday to Sunday and a round-trip GO transit fare to the Oakville or Bronte GO station.

I wish I could say that during this, Canada’s 150th birthday year, I could come up with 150 reasons for everyone to attend Our Open. But this is a start. And if you do, I’m sure you will come with close to that number to come back year after year.

The RBC Canadian Open is more than just 72 holes of world-class golf – it is one of Canada’s most historic sporting events with activities for golf and sport enthusiasts both inside and outside the ropes.

Fun and interactive partner programs enhance the fan experience and add to the prestige of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship.

RBC will be enhancing the spectator experience for all with their Someday Seats, which will be located at 10 locations along the rope lines. Front-row Muskoka chair seating will put spectators right into the action!

RBC will also be unveiling their Someday Lounge at #TheRink – this amazing greenside atmosphere will be the perfect spot to celebrate golf, hockey and Canadiana, while catching all the action on the most exciting Par-3.

WestJet’s Closest to the Pin Toss returns to offer spectators the chance to win a flight anywhere the airlines travels for two. Fans can purchase mini-balls from WestJet volunteers around the course and then take part in the ball toss on the 18th green at the end of each tournament day. Proceeds support Ronald McDonald Houses across Canada.

ZTE returns with the ZTE Grand X View tent, this year located beside Golf Canada House Powered by Boston Pizza. In this space, ZTE will offer fans a unique vantage point to watch the athletes as they make their way from the 6^th green to #TheRink – an experience unlike any other.

Shaw is back with their 7-day Closest to the Pin Challenge and new this year is the ParticipACTION 150 Play List that will showcase the ultimate list of all the physical activities that make us Canadian.

Another new addition is the Levelwear Valley Shuttle that will offer all spectators a free ride into and out of the valley at the 11^th hole.

BMW is returning with their BMW Pavilion located at the 7^th hole, and this year will feature the BMW Ultimate Long Putt Challenge where fans will have a chance to putt for great prizes including the grand prize of a 1-year lease of a BMW 4 series.

Located just off the 10th fairway, the Golf Canada Golf Zone offers FREE fun activities for the whole family. Pose for a picture with the RBC Canadian Open trophy or the 1904 Olympic Trophy. Enjoy a bag of popcorn while signing-up for a free Golf Canada membership.

Take advantage of phone charging stations and cool down in the air-conditioned environment – all for FREE. While there, experience the storied history of Canadian golf with a tour through the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum.

Check out the ZTE Spectator Village for engaging activities from a number of the event’s supporting partners, including Future Links junior golf activities, charging stations, giveaways, Tweet Caddies, beer gardens, food trucks and more.

Can’t decide which day to attend the RBC Canadian Open. Here are a few highlights of some of the daily activities taking place…

RBC Canadian Open 5K Run – Saturday July 22
Landmark Sport Group in conjunction with Golf Canada will once again be putting on the RBC Canadian Open 5K Golf Run. On Saturday, July 22, 2017 the second annual RBC Canadian Open 5K Running Event will provide participants the opportunity to run or walk along the spectator and cart pathways of Glen Abbey Golf Club. The route begins near the 1st tee of the Championship Course and finishes alongside the iconic and picturesque 18th green. This event is ideal for traditional and non-traditional running audiences. All participants will receive a bib, shirt and finisher’s medal. Registration is $60 and all participants receive a free Anyday ticket to enjoy the championship. www.golfrun.ca

Hall of Fame Induction & Official Opening Ceremony – Tuesday July 25
On Tuesday, July 25 at 10 a.m. our Opening Ceremony will officially kick off the RBC Canadian Open and include the Canadian Hall of Fame induction of Judy Darling Evans and golf club maker Bob Vokey. The ceremony, which will offer free attendance, will conclude with a military flyover and the singing of the national anthem.

Red & White Day – Friday, July 28
The RBC Canadian Open is Canada’s National Championship and to celebrate ‘Our Open’, Friday, July 28 of tournament week will once again be ‘Red & White Day’. Spectators, sponsors, players and attendees are encouraged to wear Canada’s national colours in support of our Canadian golfers in the field.

Canadian Armed Forces Day Presented by Commissionaires  –  Saturday, July 29
Commissionaires will be hosting Canadian Armed Forces Day on Saturday July 29, 2017. All current and former members of Canada’s Armed Forces who register in advance at www.commissionaires-cgl.ca will be entitled to a “military pass” that will provide access to the tournament grounds and upgraded venues.

Arnold Palmer Day – Sunday, July 30
In 1955, Arnold Palmer came to the Canadian Open uncertain he’d have another season on the PGA TOUR. Inconsistent play kept the 26-year-old from winning any events or finding financial success. A Tour rookie with little money, Palmer travelled between tournaments by car with his wife, Winnie.

Growing frustration and a lack of success led to difficult conversations with Winnie – the harsh reality that he may be forced to leave the professional circuit to earn a steady paycheque as a club pro in his hometown of Latrobe, PA.

That uncertainty and those conversations would soon change as Palmer earned a four-stroke win at the 1955 Canadian Open, his first as a professional, for a top prize of $2,400 – equivalent to about

$22,000 in today’s currency. With enough money to continue for another season, Palmer picked up two wins the following year. In total, The King amassed 95 victories world wide, including seven major championships.

None of those may have been possible had he not won the 1955 Canadian Open that rookie year. The victory was so significant that the Canadian Open trophy was one of just three on display in his office at the time of his passing.

The Canadian Open is proud to have been a chapter in The King’s storied history. He may be gone, but he will never be forgotten. Help us keep the King’s memory alive by taking part in Arnold Palmer Day. We’ll be handing out special AP55 buttons to the first 5,000 fans onsite. Visit the 1^st tee to catch a glimpse of the Seagram Gold Cup – the trophy he won in 1955. Or visit the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame & Museum’s Arnold Palmer exhibit which will include game worn clothing, equipment and more.

As part of the RBC Canadian Open’s commitment to family fun, admission for kids 17-and-under is FREE all week.

A full listing of events and activities can be found here.