Regional qualifiers set for 2017 RBC Canadian Open
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 24th.
The first regional qualifier will take place May 9th 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 15th. The third regional qualifier will take place June 5th at Club de golf de la Vallée du Richelieu – Rouville Course in Sainte-Julie, Qué. The final qualifier will take place Monday, July 24th 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.
Levelwear named official apparel and headwear partner for RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open
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.
Snedeker looking forward to RBC Canadian Open
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.”
RBC Canadian Open launches free 2017 Junior Tickets with help from local schools
OAKVILLE, ONT. (Golf Canada) – Parents can credit the imagination and artistic creativity of a 3rd 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 3rd 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.
RBC Canadian Open launches new Cabana corporate hospitality offering
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, 16th 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.
RBC Canadian Open 5k Golf Run returns for 2017
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 22nd, 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 18th 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.
PGA TOUR announces it will livestream on Twitter
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. AND SAN FRANCISCO – Following a successful live streaming collaboration during the 2016 FedExCup Playoffs, the PGA TOUR has announced that Twitter will be the exclusive global platform to distribute, on a free basis, more than 70 hours of live competition coverage across 31 tournaments through the remainder of the 2016-17 Season.
Twitter will begin live streaming at the CareerBuilder Challenge on January 19 and conclude at the season-ending TOUR Championship. Coverage typically will include the first 60 to 90 minutes from the early Thursday and Friday morning hours of PGA TOUR LIVE’s Over-The-Top (OTT) subscription window, on a global basis. This coverage will include pre-game analysis, interviews, range coverage, and live competition from the first two holes of each day’s PGA TOUR LIVE Marquee Groups.
The live streams will be available globally to Twitter’s logged-in and logged-out audience on Twitter and connected devices and can be found at www.PGATourLive.twitter.com and on @PGATour. The partnership also includes opportunities for advertisers, including packages with television style mid-roll spots, combined with original clips produced by the PGA TOUR, available for sponsorship and promotion on Twitter.
The partnership also includes an extension of the PGA TOUR and Twitter’s Amplify program, with PGA TOUR increasing its highlight videos and regular content creation across Twitter and Periscope.
“Twitter and the PGA TOUR have been working together on Twitter Amplify for many years now, and the program has been a tremendous success for both companies,” said Rick Anderson, Chief Media Officer of the PGA TOUR. “Streaming PGA TOUR LIVE programming to Twitter’s global audience, as well as the millions of users who follow @PGATOUR and hundreds of PGA TOUR player accounts, will provide new and innovative ways for sports fans to engage with our premium OTT offering.”
The PGA TOUR teamed with Twitter to offer portions of PGA TOUR LIVE’s premium window during the opening rounds of the first two events of the 2016 FedExCup Playoffs.
For more information on the RBC Canadian Open, visit www.rbccanadianopen.com.
Oakville extends by-law limiting Glen Abbey Golf Club to existing uses
Oakville’s Town Council voted unanimously this week to extend an Interim Control By-law (ICB) that restricts the use of the Glen Abbey Golf Club to its existing uses for an additional year. The ICB was originally passed February 1, 2016 and with a one-year extension, will now remain in effect up to and including January 31, 2018.
In the meeting, Mark H. Simeoni, with the town’s planning services department, updated Council on the status of key planning studies underway and explained the town’s reasons for recommending an extension to the ICB.
A first draft of the study is expected in the spring of 2017 with public consultation, revisions if any, and implementation to follow as required. A draft of a cultural heritage assessment is also expected to be completed in the spring of 2017.
Section 38 of Ontario’s Planning Act permits a municipality to pass an ICB for up to a year (with the right to extend the by-law for a further year) in order to complete a review or study of land use policies in the municipality.
ClubLink, the owners of Glen Abbey, has appealed the town’s ICB to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). A appeal hearing is scheduled to begin January 30, 2017 at Oakville’s Town Hall.
Canada’s only PGA TOUR event, the RBC Canadian Open, will take place July 18-24, 2017 at Glen Abbey Golf Club.
Du Toit comes up short at RBC Canadian Open, but wins fans
OAKVILLE, Ont. – It was only fitting that Jared du Toit took the final shot of the RBC Canadian Open.
Although the amateur from Kimberley, B.C., fell out of contention in the final round of the PGA Tour event, he still got the biggest ovation of the day at the awards ceremony on the 18th green at Glen Abbey Golf Club. Fans gave him a rousing standing ovation when he birdied on the final shot of the tournament and again as he was given the Gary Cowan medal as the Canadian Open’s lowest scoring amateur player.
“It was awesome,” said du Toit of the hundreds of fans that followed him around the course on Sunday. “I probably could have shot a hundred out here and they would have been behind my back all day. Honestly unbelievable.”
Du Toit started the day tied for second and was in the top pairing with leader Brandt Snedeker. The 21-year-old Arizona State University player struggled in the front nine with two bogeys and a birdie before rallying with three birdies and a bogey in the back. Du Toit finished the day a 1-under 71 and tied for ninth at 9 under.
Although it was a solid performance for du Toit, he tumbled down the leaderboard as the PGA Tour’s professionals finally found their rhythm on a hard, firm course that had frustrated most players all week. Still, du Toit finished the week two shots better than world No. 1 Jason Day.
Jhonattan Vegas shot an 8-under 64, birdieing the final three holes, to rocket up the leaderboard and earn a one-stroke victory. The 29-year-old Venezuelan began the day five strokes behind Snedeker, and four behind du Toit and U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson.
Vegas earned US$1,062,000 and a spot in the PGA Championship next week at Baltusrol in New Jersey. He also received a two-year tour exemption and a spot in the Masters next year.
Du Toit, who only had 15 fans following his trio in Thursday’s opening round, had nothing but praise for the Canadian fans who rallied to support him after 5-under 67 in the first round thrust him to the top of the standings.
“Unbelievable. The atmosphere they were providing was unbelievable,” said du Toit, who added that he lost count of how many high fives he doled out on Sunday, but that there were enough to make his hands sore. “Every tee box, every green, everyone was clapping, hollering, ‘Go Canada!’
“It was truly unbelievable. I’m on cloud nine right now.”
Making his breakout performance even more impressive, Du Toit learned on Saturday night that he had bronchitis after what he initially thought was a cold grew worse over the past seven days. Coach Derek Ingram drove du Toit to nearby Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and the young player only got five hours of sleep ahead of Sunday’s final round.
“We’re going to take care of this bronchitis a little bit, probably hold off the celebration a little more,” said du Toit. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I haven’t thought that far ahead.”
Ingram, who was named the head coach of Canada’s men’s golf team earlier in the month, wasn’t surprised by du Toit’s performance.
“Jared’s been playing great, he’s been trending really well for the past six months,” said Ingram. “He’s been playing great, a bit of a surprise to be in the final group of the Canadian Open as an amateur, but not surprised that he played well at all.”
Adam Hadwin (71) of Abbotsford, B.C., tied for 49th at 1 under, amateur Garrett Rank (76) of Elmira, Ont., was in a group tied at 77th 8 over and Corey Conners (78) of Listowel, Ont., finished at 12 over in 80th.
Hadwin won the Rivermead Cup as low professional Canadian, but even then he didn’t feel wholly comfortable taking the award from du Toit.
“Little awkward holding this with Jared playing so well this week, y’know, he beat me by eight,” said Hadwin during the awards ceremony. “Not sure I should be holding this, but I’ll accept it.”
A Canadian hasn’t won the national golf championship since 1954, when Pat Fletcher accomplished the feat at Vancouver’s Point Grey Golf Club. An amateur hasn’t won the Canadian Open since American Doug Sanders at Montreal’s Beaconsfield Golf Club in 1956.
Can't say enough about @Jareddutoit's performance @RBCCanadianOpen this week – a terrific ambassador for golfhttps://t.co/mJfJFn2mjO
— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) July 24, 2016
Jhonattan Vegas rallies to win RBC Canadian Open
OAKVILLE, Ont. – Jhonattan Vegas rallied to win the RBC Canadian Open for his second PGA Tour victory, birdieing the final three holes at Glen Abbey Golf Club for an 8-under 64 and one-stroke victory.
The 29-year-old Venezuelan began the day five strokes behind leader Brandt Snedeker, and four behind U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson and Canadian amateur Jared du Toit.
Du Toit finished tied for ninth at 9 under after a final round of 71. He was trying to become the first Canadian to win the event since Pat Fletcher in 1954.
Du Toit struggled to start today’s round with two early bogeys, but birdied 16 and 18 to finish two shots ahead of world No. 1 Jason Day.
Vegas earned US$1,062,000 and a spot in the PGA Championship next week at Baltusrol in New Jersey.
He also received a two-year tour exemption and a spot in the Masters next year.