The second of three RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifiers tees off Monday May, 15th, at Blue Springs Golf Club, in Acton, Ont. Players will be competing for a spot in the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., from July 24-30.

If 100 golfers register for a regional qualifier – as is the case for Monday’s event – the low-qualifier receives a direct exemption into the RBC Canadian Open. The top 15% of finishers, beyond the low-qualifier, will advance to the Final Qualifier at Heron Points Golf Links, in Ancaster, Ont., on July 24.

Derek Barron and Keith Martin were co-medallists at the first regional qualifier on May 9th, at Bear Mountain Resort, in Victoria, B.C.  Along with Barron and Martin, four players from the event secured their spot in the final qualifier at Heron Point.

The third regional qualifier is June 5th at Club de golf de la Vallée du Richelieu on the Rouville Course in Sainte-Julie, Qué.

The qualifying competitions are open to members in good standing with the PGA of Canada or other PGA affiliates, amateur golfers with a current Handicap Factor not exceeding 2.0 who are members of Golf Canada or in good standing with their respective associations, as well as other golf professionals.

Last year’s Ontario qualifier was played at King’s Forest Golf Course, in Hamilton, Ont. Branson Ferrier, of Barrie, Ont., shot a 4-under par, 68, to win medallist honours. In addition to Ferrier booking his ticket to the 2016 RBC Canadian Open, 25 golfers advanced to the final qualifier.

NOTABLES

Peter Campbell, Baddeck, Nova Scotia
The 34-year-old, has played five tournaments on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica this season, making two cuts. His best result was a T29 at the Essential Costa Rica Classic. He finished 44th on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica Order of Merit in 2016. Campbell advanced to the final qualifier from this event last year.

Stephane Dubois, Brantford, Ontario
The 25-year-old finished third on the Great Lakes Tour Order of Merit in 2016, on the strength of three victories. He played college golf at Lamar University (NCAA Div 1) where he was twice named to the All-Southland conference second-team.

Branson Ferrier, Barrie, Ontario
The 23-year-old, was the 2016 medallist at this event. Ferrier played college golf at Alabama State University (NCAA Div I), where he was a three-time first-team All-SWAC selection.

Tony Gil, Vaughn, Ontario, (a)
The 19-year-old, graduate of the Team Canada National Development Squad, played four events this season in his freshman year at the University of Houston. His best finish was a 5th place at the Colin Montgomerie Invitational.

Derek Gillespie, Oshawa, Ontario
The 38-year-old Big Break Prince Edward Island winner is currently playing on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica. He has four career top-10s on the tour. His best result this season was a T18 at the 86 Abierto OSDE del Centro presentado por FiberCorp. Gillespie advanced to the final qualifier from this event last year.

Matt Hill, Sarnia, Ontario
The 28-year-old won the NCAA Division 1 Championship in 2009 while at N.C. State, where he won 10 times in his NCAA career. He has one career Web.com Tour victory, and one career Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada victory. He currently has conditional status on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica.

Sebastian Szmirak, Toronto, Ontario
The 27-year-old former University of Louisville Cardinal had two top-10s on the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada in 2016 and finished 42nd on the Order of Merit.

QUICK FACTS

The regional qualification process allows amateurs and professionals from across Canada and the world a chance to qualify for the RBC Canadian Open.

Every year since the two-stage regional qualification process was reinstated in 2011, there has been a regional qualifier held in Ontario

There are 14 golfers in the field who advanced to the final qualifier from this event last year.

Pairing and more information can be found here.

ABOUT THE COURSE

6,812 yards, par 72, slope 144.

Home of the PGA of Canada headquarters.

Signature features include well protected, heavily contoured greens, and several elevated tee boxes.

This is the first time Blue Springs Golf Club has hosted a regional qualifier since the two-stage qualification process for the RBC Canadian Open returned in 2011.

Keith Martin, of Kelowna, B.C., and Derek Barron, from Lakewood, Wash., both shot 5-under par-66’s to share medallist honours at Bear Mountain Resort, host of the first of three RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifying events.

“I’ve been striking the ball really well the last two weeks,” said Martin. “At Mackenzie Tour Q-School last week I finished with a 70 on the last day and putted really well too, so I just carried that momentum through to today.”

Martin started off strong and never looked back. He finished the front-nine with a scorching 5-under par 30, making back-to-back birdies on holes three and four, another birdie on eight, and holing out for eagle on nine.

Riding the momentum of earning an exemption for the first four events of the season at Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada Q-School last week, Barron started off hot as well.

He birdied four of his first five holes and didn’t drop a stroke until recording back-to-back bogeys on 15 and 16. He then closed with consecutive birdies on 17 and 18.

Thirty-two local and international golfers in total competed for one of six spots to move on to the final RBC Canadian Open Qualifier at Heron Point Golf Links in Ancaster, Ont., on July 24.

In addition to Martin and Barron, four others earned a spot at the final qualifier.

Lucas Herbert, who finished 32nd on the PGA of Australia Order of Merit in 2016, fired 2-under par 69, good for solo third.

Riley Wheeldon, the 2016 medallist from Comox, B.C., Danny Sahl, from Sherwood Park, Alta., and Chile’s Horacio Leon, who’s coming off a win at Mackenzie Tour PGA of Canada Q-School last week, all recorded 1-under par 70’s to round out the six golfers to advance.

In total, there are three regional qualifying events, each consisting of 18 holes of stroke play. Provided that there are 100 or more players in the field, the low qualifier receives an exemption directly into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.

Otherwise, the top 15 percent of finishers at each qualifier become eligible to compete at the final qualifying event, as was the case at Bear Mountain.

A minimum of four players from the 18-hole stroke play Final Qualifier at Heron Point will gain entry into the RBC Canadian Open field.

There are two more regional qualifying events before the final qualifier:

May 15 – Blue Springs Golf Club in Acton, Ont.

June 5 – Club de golf de la Vallée du Richelieu on the Rouville Course in Sainte-Julie, Que.

Additional information regarding Tuesday’s RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier at Bear Mountain, can be found here.

OAKVILLE – When professional golfer Steve Alker climbed the steps to enter the Glen Abbey clubhouse upon arriving at the 2000 RBC Canadian Open, he didn’t know it, but he was a marked man.

“They knew I was from New Zealand,” Alker said with a cheeky smile, referring to Gordon and Nancy Dooley, the married couple who were volunteers welcoming competitors and their families at the main entrance to the clubhouse that has played host to the RBC Canadian Open 27 times in its 112-year history.

At the time, the 29-year-old Alker was traveling with Tanya, whom he had met nine months earlier and had given up her job as a cruise ship director to travel with him and caddie for him. The Alker’s, now married and have two children, currently reside in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Steve and Tanya asked us to keep an eye on his golf clubs while he went to register for the tournament,” Gordon Dooley said while recalling their first meeting. “We got to talking and while following him around the course during the week, Nancy mentioned our intention to travel to New Zealand.”

Alker could have said ‘great, thanks for your time and see you later’, but that’s not really his personality. As Gordon and Nancy continued to seek advice about New Zealand, it opened his eyes as to what his country really had to offer.

“I think the fact that they had the courage to approach me in the first place – many volunteers would be too shy or overawed to do that,” he said. “You’ve got to respect that. They were generally interested in my country and I was enthusiastic to tell them about it.”

Alker was at Canada’s premiere PGA TOUR event having qualified after winning the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada Order of Merit. Like most Kiwi’s, he’s proud of his country and took the opportunity, when asked, to share all the wonders of the spectacular island nation where he grew up. The Dooley’s, from nearby Clarkson, and in their 60s at the time, listened intently to Alker before inviting him and Tanya to dinner.

Later that week, after accepting the Dooley’s invitation to dine with them, the young couple got to know the older couple and a friendship was formed. Alker felt comfortable enough to make the Dooley’s an offer they couldn’t refuse.

“Steve offered his home and car for the period we were planning to be in New Zealand as he was going to compete on the Asian Tour at that time,” Gordon said. “We accepted his kind offer, and since he was aware that we played golf, he organized guest playing privileges for us at his home club.”

“I just told them they were welcome to stay at my house in Hamilton,” Alker added. “It was helping them out and I wasn’t going to be there anyway so it made sense for them to use it as a base.”

Hamilton, in the central North Island of New Zealand, was where Alker learned the game. He spent hours honing his well-envied short game on the practice facilities at the St. Andrews Golf Club alongside the Waikato River under the watchful eye of his dad, Bill, who was an accomplished amateur golfer himself. Alker felt the city’s central location made it a good jumping-off point for the Dooley’s.

“It’s easy to get to the incredible geothermal activity in Rotorua, the lakes and mountains near Taupo, or the popular beaches at Mt. Maunganui,” he said. “It’s all within a couple of hours drive.”

The Dooley’s five-week trip to New Zealand in 2001 was all they’d dreamed of and their relationship with the Alker’s snow-balled from that point. Steve and Tanya stayed at the Dooley’s home the following year when he competed in the RBC Canadian Open. The Canadian couple returned to New Zealand for a second vacation the next year, this time renting a beachside condo at Mt. Maunganui as they wanted to enjoy the atmosphere of the popular holiday destination. The avid golfers even became temporary members at the Omanu Golf Club during their second visit.

The two couples stayed in contact and became family friends, exchanging Christmas cards each year. Sometimes they don’t talk for five or six months but they easily pick up from where they left off, like good friends do.

After missing the cut in his first RBC Canadian Open, the same year he first met the Dooley’s on the steps at Glen Abbey, Alker made three more starts in the tournament, tying for 55^th in 2001, posting a tie for 42^nd in 2003 and making the cut in 2015 but failing to advance to the final round after a 54-hole cut.

“They were still volunteering each time I played,” Alker said.

While reflecting on his relationship with the Dooley’s, Alker was asked why he thinks his bond with the Canadian couple is so strong.

“They are nice people, they are genuine,” he said. “Perhaps it’s the Commonwealth bond of Canada and New Zealand. Right from the start they were very interested in us. My wife is the chatty one. She got to know them really well.”

Alker admits that others may find the relationship that he and Tanya have with tournament volunteers like the Dooley’s is a little unusual.

“It’s kind of unique I guess, but I’m not sure if it’s just volunteers,” he added. “It’s no different than getting paired with people in pro-am events and exchanging cards and staying in contact. I think, deep down, the game of golf and what it offers, the bond with people, that’s the key here.”

Gordon thinks this year will be the 14^th he and Nancy have volunteered for the Toronto tournament. His favorite moment during that time was watching Tiger Woods hit the epic 6-iron from the fairway bunker on the final hole to win in 2000 by a single stroke over New Zealander Grant Waite.

“What we like most about volunteering is the proximity to the professionals,” he said. “Sometimes they will engage in chatter with us if they are so disposed.”

Alker will see the Dooley’s again at this year’s RBC Canadian Open. Tournament staff confirmed the couple registered as volunteers well in advance. Alker will be in the field, with the 2016-17 season his third full stint on the PGA TOUR. He was also exempt on TOUR in 2003 and 2015 and has bounced around the PGA Tour of Australasia, the Web.com Tour and the European Tour since turning professional in 1995. Along with 10 professional wins (four on the Web.com Tour, four on the Australasian Tour and two on the Canadian Tour), Alker has posted six top-25 results in 63 PGA TOUR starts before the 2016-17 season began. His claim to fame, and a guaranteed statistic to win you a bet, is defeating South Africa’s Dawie van der Walt on the 11^th playoff hole to win the 2014 Cleveland Open, a Web.com Tour record for longest playoff.

Regarded by his peers as one of the nicest guys on TOUR, Alker has made many friends through golf. He’s appreciative of the times he’s played in the RBC Canadian Open and says meeting the Dooley’s has influenced the way he reacts to volunteers at other tournaments.

“Not that I had disrespect for volunteers before, but it’s amazing what they do and how they give up their time to do it,” he said. “I definitely feel a responsibility to volunteers, especially on Sunday when you are playing your final nine holes. I make a point of saying ‘thanks guys, for your help this week’. I think just doing that goes a long way.”

RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifying  gets underway May 9th at Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria B.C., where players will be vying for a spot in the RBC Canadian Open final qualifying event, which takes place July 24th at Heron Point Golf Links in Ancaster, Ont.

Players need to finish among the top 15% of the field, including ties, in order to punch their ticket to the final qualifying event.

The 18-hole qualifier at Bear Mountain’s Valley Course is the first of three regional qualifiers taking place across the country. The second qualifier takes place May 15th at Blue Springs Golf Club in Acton, Ont.,  with the third regional qualifier taking place June 5th at Club de golf de la Vallée du Richelieu on the Rouville Course in Sainte-Julie, Qué.

The qualifying competitions are open to members in good standing with the PGA of Canada or other PGA affiliates, amateur golfers with a current Handicap Factor not exceeding 2.0 who are members of Golf Canada or in good standing with their respective associations, as well as other golf professionals.

This is the second straight year Bear Mountain is playing host to a RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier. Last year, Comox, B.C.’s, Riley Wheeldon became the first Canadian to win a regional qualifying event in Western Canada since the two-stage qualification process for the RBC Canadian Open was reinstated in 2011. His 6-under-par 64 was a course record that gave him a one-shot victory. In total, seven players advanced to the final qualifier.

NOTABLES

Brad Clapp, Chilliwack, B.C.
The 30-year-old had two top-10s on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada last season. In 2015, he won the Great Waterway Classic and finished No. 12 on the Order of Merit.

Evan Holmes, Calgary (a)
The 22-year-old, just finished his fourth year of eligibility at the University of British Columbia. In the fall with UBC he won the 2016 Vikes Shootout at Cordova Bay Golf Course. Last summer he won the 2016 Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship

Brady Stead, Victoria, B.C.
The 23-year-old was 7th place at the 2016 Canadian University/College Championship and the low-amateur at the 2016 Vancouver Open. He was a 2015 CCAA National All-Canadian and the 2015 Pacwest Conference Player of the Year.

Nate Ollis, Victoria, B.C.
The 23-year-old was T9 at the BC Amateur Championship in 2016, T-68 at the 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur and played university golf with the UBC Thunderbirds. He was T11 at the 2016 NAIA Men’s Championships and T7 at the 2016 Canadian University/College Championship.

Danny Sahl, Sherwood Park, Alta.
The 37-year-old had one top-20 on the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada in 2016 and was 111th on the Order of Merit. He was formerly Mike Weir’s caddy and has one career win on the Mackenize Tour – PGA TOUR Canada in 2011, at the Syncrude Boreal Open. He played golf at Kent State with Ben Curtis.

QUICK FACTS

The regional qualification process allows amateurs and professionals from across Canada and the world a chance to qualify for the RBC Canadian Open.

The low qualifier receives a direct exemption into the RBC Canadian Open if 100 players or more compete at a regional qualifier. If less than 100 people register for a regional qualifier, the top 15% of the field and ties beyond the low qualifier, advance to the final Monday qualifier.

This is the first time since the RBC Canadian Open two-stage qualifying process was reinstated that the western Canadian event has been held at the same location back- to-back years.

This year’s event marks the fifth time since 2011 that a regional qualifier has been held in BC (2012’s event was held in Alberta).

There are three players from the 2016 Camosun Chargers golf team competing at the event: Mike Flegel, Mac Keats and Matt Matheson.

Pairings and more information can be found here.

ABOUT THE COURSE

Bear Mountain’s Valley Course opened in 2009 and was designed by Nicklaus Design Group Inc. It measures 6,392 yards and is a par 71. The signature features of the course are elevated tee-boxes, large undulating greens and striking views of Vancouver Island.

Bear Mountain is the Official Training Center for Golf Canada’s Team Canada program.

Employees of Bear Mountain Resort recently donated $12,197 to the B.C Hospitality Foundation, which helps industry workers in financial crisis due to injury or illness, and offers industry-related scholarships to hospitality workers and their families

Bear Mountain Resort Community is located 20 minutes from downtown Victoria. In addition to golf the resort offers mountain biking, tennis and spa options.

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Golf Canada, in partnership with title sponsor RBC, is pleased to announce the qualifying format for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open, scheduled for July 24-30 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

A two-stage qualifying procedure for Canada’s National Open Championship will feature three regional qualifying competitions in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, followed by a final qualifying event on Monday, July 24^th.

The first regional qualifier will take place May 9^th at Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria, B.C. The second regional qualifying event will be hosted by Blue Springs Golf Club in Acton, Ont. on May 15^th. The third regional qualifier will take place June 5^th at Club de golf de la Vallée du Richelieu – Rouville Course in Sainte-Julie, Qué. The final qualifier will take place Monday, July 24^th at Heron Point Golf Links in Ancaster, Ont.

Each of the three regional qualifiers will feature 18 holes of stroke play with the low qualifier at each site receiving an exemption directly into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open field (provided the starting field is a minimum of 100 competitors at each site). The top 15 per cent of finishers, beyond the low qualifier, at each regional qualifying competition are eligible to compete at final qualifying.

Participation in final qualifying is limited to those competitors receiving requisite exemptions, or individuals who have advanced through regional qualifying. The event will feature 18 holes of stroke play, with a minimum of four (4) spots available for direct entry into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open field.

The qualifying competition is open to members in good standing of the PGA of Canada or other PGA affiliates, amateur golfers (with a current Handicap Factor not exceeding 2.0) who are members of Golf Canada or in good standing with their respective associations, and other golf professionals.

In all, a total of 24 exemptions, including the seven (7) awarded through regional and final qualifiers are available for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club.

Toronto, Ontario – Levelwear, a global sport and lifestyle apparel brand, announced today it has been named official golf apparel and headwear sponsor of the RBC Canadian Open and the CP Women’s Open, beginning with the 2017 Championships.

Sponsoring both of Canada’s National Open Golf Championships, Levelwear deepens its presence in the golf industry in Canada and provides a platform to demonstrate the company’s golf and licensing apparel expertise.

Levelwear becomes the exclusive provider of RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open volunteer uniforms as well as branded apparel and headwear both on the event grounds and at select off-site retail locations. The product offering will include its polos, mid-layer and lightweight outerwear garments, as well as pieces from their lifestyle collection of casual cottons and their wide assortment of premium headwear. Known for innovative design and treatment, each piece of apparel will be carefully crafted by the Levelwear in-house design team to create memorable pieces of commemorative merchandise for the spectators and fans.

Levelwear’s investment in these two quintessential properties further enhances its commitment within the golf marketplace in Canada. In January, Levelwear signed ‘Mr. Northern 59,’ Adam Hadwin as a global brand ambassador for its golf and lifestyle apparel. In addition, Levelwear also sponsors fellow PGA TOUR member and Canadian, Brad Fritsch as a Global Brand Ambassador. Levelwear has established business relationships with roughly 80 of the top 100 golf courses in both Canada and the U.S.

Golf Canada owns and operates the RBC Canadian Open, set to run July 24-30, 2017 at Glen Abbey Golf Club, as well as the CP Women’s Open which takes place August 21-27, 2017 at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club.

The RBC Canadian Open is the third-oldest national open golf Championship next to the British Open and the U.S. Open. Golf Canada will also be bringing the CP Women’s Open back to the nation’s capital in Ottawa to coincide with Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations.

“We have a deep heritage in golf and in Canada. These are the two most iconic golf Championships in Canada. With the history, heritage and connection these properties have with golf fans, we are excited to leverage that equity to build some truly unique Levelwear offerings,” stated Hilton Ngo, President of Levelwear.

Levelwear has established enduring business verticals in licensed and team sports, golf apparel, and men’s and women’s lifestyle wear, with core strengths of innovation, decoration and industry leading service.

“We are extremely excited to have Levelwear as our new apparel and headwear partner this upcoming season,” said Brent McLaughlin, Tournament Director for the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open.  “Levelwear’s depth of innovation, decoration and service will be able to provide consumers with quality licensed merchandise to commemorate Canada’s most historic golf championships.”

Levelwear holds licensing partnerships with some of the top global brands, including the NHL and NHLPA, NBA, 150 US Colleges, the CFL, Hockey Canada and various soccer properties globally. At the PGA Show in Orlando, Levelwear unveiled its fall 2017 collection featuring a new women’s transitional activewear line –  Levelwear Verve, a modern collection of men’s polos, and the Insignia Program, a highly innovative logo treatment collection, that gives a rich gloss metallic like finish with custom embellishments. For more information, please visit www.levelwear.com.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Brandt Snedeker, 2013 RBC Canadian Open champion, was all smiles as he recalled the opportunity he had to spend time with Arnold Palmer. It was 2009, Snedeker was a struggling tour professional, and Palmer met with Snedeker for two hours in his office, had lunch with him, and then played nine holes.

“In typical Arnold fashion he hit 5-wood on No.17 and took $20 of me,” said Snedeker with a smile, flanked by Mastercard chief marketing officer Raja Rajamannar and Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation chief executive officer Kevin Bingham at Bay Hill in Orlando. “It was unbelievable for him to open up to a struggling tour pro like me. Every year I came here and talked to Arnold about life, and that’s something I’m going to miss dearly.”

Although Snedeker told GolfCanada.ca that if he was to win this week at the Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Invitational presented by Mastercard it would be his most ‘memorable’ victory – despite winning eight times on the PGA Tour including $10 million in the 2012 FedExCup – he’s also looking forward to this year’s RBC Canadian Open, back at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

“I can’t wait,” said Snedeker, a Team RBC member. “I love Glen Abbey. I think it’s a great golf course. For whatever reason it just suits my eye and I play really well there.”

It was quite a run for Snedeker in 2013 on his way to victory north of the border, as he also won the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and spent the whole year in the top-10 of the Official World Rankings.

He thinks part of his success has to do with his Canadian-born caddy, Scott Vail, from Pickering, Ont.

“Anytime I get back to Toronto I’m kind of on a home base, because (Scott) is from there. It’s as close as I can get to feeling Canadian,” said Snedeker. “The crowds are great that week too. It’s a fun week.”

Snedeker was in the final pairing a year ago at Glen Abbey with Canadian amateur Jared du Doit. Although Snedeker fell back into a tie for fifth (and du Toit into a tie for ninth), he said it was a cool experience being paired with the young amateur.

Jared du Toit & Brandt Snedeker (Bernard Brault/ Golf Canada)

“I sat in the booth on Saturday and I was with the CBS guys and I remember watching Jared make eagle on 18 and I saw the crowd go crazy,” recalls Snedeker. “I was high-fiving Jim Nantz in the booth, and seeing this young Canadian amateur do what he was doing was so much fun.”

“My job on Sunday was to make sure he had a great time,” continued Snedeker. “He played really good. He had some chances but just couldn’t get it going. Under those circumstances it was phenomenal, and it was just really fun to be with him.”

And while Snedeker will of course be competing at the RBC Canadian Open in July, don’t be surprised if Brooke Henderson makes an appearance that week as well, according to President of Mastercard Canada Brian Lang.

Lang, who spent some time overseas working for the credit card giant in both Dubai and the Czech Republic, was eager to return to Canada (he was born in Toronto). He’s been Mastercard Canada’s president for nearly two years exactly, and was over-the-moon when the Mastercard locked in Henderson as their newest ambassador.

“We had eight ambassadors on both the (Champions) Tour and the PGA Tour now, and they were all males. This past year we brought on Annika Sorenstam (who won the 2001 CP Canadian Women’s Open) but decided we needed another. Brooke Henderson was an easy target for us,” said Lang. “Henderson is effervescent, she has a wonderful personality. She’s figured things out very quickly as a young woman. We’re super happy that we’ve signed her up and now, frankly, we’re going to try to find a neat way to bring that all together at the Canadian Open.”

OAKVILLE, ONT. (Golf Canada) – Parents can credit the imagination and artistic creativity of a 3^rd grade student this summer when their children, ages 17-and-under, gain free admission to see the stars of the PGA TOUR.

The RBC Canadian Open has unveiled its new Junior Ticket design for this year’s event which takes place July 24-30, 2017 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. The ticket design was selected from entries received from five local elementary school classes who signed on to participate in the first-ever RBC Canadian Open Ticket Design Contest.

“I’d like to thank and congratulate all the students who took part in our RBC Canadian Open Junior Ticket design contest,” said Brent McLaughlin, Tournament Director of the RBC Canadian Open. “We were thrilled with the creativity and quality of all entries we received.”

The winning illustration was selected out of more than 100 entries received. Eight finalists were identified by the tournament’s marketing team and then Golf Canada staff voted the winner. When the pencil crayons were put away, the design of Emma Hapelt, a 3^rd grade student from St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School in Oakville, Ont., was selected the winner.

The contest is a new initiative that reinforces the tournament’s commitment to being an event for fans of all ages.

“Family and junior engagement is very important to the RBC Canadian Open and we’re proud to be considered among the PGA TOUR’s most fan-friendly events,” McLaughlin added. “We pride ourselves on making sure the entire family can enjoy themselves onsite. It’s about bringing everyone together to celebrate community and Canadian golf.”

Last year, nearly 45,000 free RBC Canadian Open Junior Tickets were printed and distributed. Free Junior Tickets were also available online for download and printing.

Emma’s contest-winning submission earned her entire class a pizza party. As well, her family received two VIP Passes for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open. Emma and her family are also invited to take part in an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the golf tournament.

Complimentary Junior Tickets, applicable to kids 17-and-under, are ideal giveaways for sports teams, schools, golf tournaments and summer camps. They are available for download online here. They can also be ordered through Golf Canada’s sales department at to 1-800-263-0009 ext. 320 or via email at rbccanadianopen@golfcanada.ca.

Information regarding tickets, volunteer opportunities and corporate hospitality for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open can be found at www.rbccanadianopen.com.

OAKVILLE, ONT. – The RBC Canadian Open has launched a new VIP corporate hospitality offering for this year’s championship, which runs July 24-30, 2017 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. The Courtyard Cabanas, located between No. 16 and 17 fairways and adjacent to the new Courtyard Games area, are all-inclusive private cabanas featuring alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as full lunch and afternoon hors d’oeuvres.

The Courtyard Cabanas offer a private, Vegas-style venue featuring a sheltered interior with plush seating and outdoor patios. Available on a per day or weekly basis, hospitality buyers must pre-book Courtyard Cabanas, which includes 10 tickets per day, preferred parking, as well as wait staff for food and beverage delivery.

“The Courtyard Cabanas feature VIP amenities and are paired with views of some of the most exciting golf Glen Abbey has to offer,” said Dave Kay, Director of Business Development for Golf Canada and the RBC Canadian Open. “Whether you want to take in the action on the reachable par 5, 16^th hole, enjoy sightlines of the tricky tee-shot on No. 17, Courtyard Cabana patrons can be sure terrific golf is never too far away.”

Courtyard Cabana attendees can also enjoy friendly rivalry at the new Courtyard Games area, where guests can challenge each other to cottage-style games such as Giant Jenga, Bean Bag Toss, Washers and more.

Kay has no doubt Courtyard Cabana customers and their guests will enjoy this fresh hospitality offering.

“The initial response to our RBC Canadian Open corporate hospitality offerings for 2017 has been tremendous – from both past and new partners,” noted Kay. “The cabanas are a hip addition to our corporate hospitality product line up and I’m sure this limited opportunity will sell out. If companies are interested in acquiring one, I encourage them to secure theirs soon.”

To reserve a Courtyard Cabana call Dave Kay at 1-800-263-0009 ext. 228 or email dkay@golfcanada.ca.

For more information on RBC Canadian Open Corporate Hospitality options, please click here. 

MISSISSAUGA, ON – Landmark Sport Group Inc. and Golf Canada today announced the second annual RBC Canadian Open 5K Golf Run will be held Saturday, July 22^nd, 2017 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

The RBC Canadian Open 5K, which is open to golf fans, runners and walkers, takes participants through a five kilometre route of the Glen Abbey Golf Club layout. The route begins at the first tee of Glen Abbey’s championship course set up and finishes alongside the iconic 18^th green.

All registered participants receive a 2017 RBC Canadian Open Anyday ticket, a race t-shirt, medal and the opportunity to experience a PGA TOUR event venue just days prior to tournament week.

“The RBC Canadian Open 5K Run exposes our sport and the golf course to a completely new audience of non-golf, health enthusiasts,” said Brent McLaughlin, RBC Canadian Tournament Director. “Last year was a terrific starting point to engage a new audience and create a longer celebration window for Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship. We look forward to welcoming even more participants in 2017.”

Walk and running enthusiasts can take part in a timed running event, while passionate golf fans can enjoy the atmosphere of the Glen Abbey Golf Club just days prior to the arrival of top PGA TOUR players. The event welcomed more than 350 participants in 2017 and organizers are bullish that number will increase for the second rendition of the event.

“We are extremely excited to work with Golf Canada to bring back the RBC Canadian Open 5K Golf Run for a second year,” said Race Director, Brody Coles. “This event is such a fun way to kick off the tournament and give runners and golfers alike the chance to experience Glen Abbey Golf Club in a truly unique way.”

In addition to the 5K run, participants are invited to enjoy live coverage of The Open Championship on large screens, and relax post-race in the Coors Light Beer Gardens.

Early bird registration begins at $50. Participants can register and find more information by visiting www.golfrun.ca.