The RBC Canadian Open won’t be the only national golf competition taking place this coming week at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

CN, Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada will play host to twenty-two competitors from across Canada at Glen Abbey on Saturday, July 18 for the seventh annual CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event.

The event will be delivered in the same format as the qualifying events. As determined by their standing on the National Leaderboard, the competitors will compete in a four-part skills challenge (putting, chipping, driving and iron play) with one overall winner per age-group (9-11; 12-14; and 15-18) and gender.

A total of 22 competitors who achieved the highest skills challenge scores from events across Canada during the 2015 golf season will travel to Glen Abbey with the hope of becoming a CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge national champion.

The day will begin with a practice and warm-up session from 10 to 11:45 a.m. before the competition’s opening address. The competitors will take centre stage for the CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event from noon until 2 p.m. before the afternoon concludes with a complimentary BBQ and an awards presentation. The champions in the boys and girls 15-18 age groups will receive an exemption into their local CN Future Links Championship in 2016. All other attending participants of the CN Future Links Junior Skills National Event will receive prizing courtesy of Titleist Footjoy.

The competition format:

• Driving: Each competitor receives three drives. Points are awarded and dependent on distance and aim of the drive. The drive must land within the 30-yard width to qualify for points. The number of points is dependent on the distances completed.
• Chipping: Each competitor receives three shots from their distance. Points are awarded and dependent on the distance of the chip shot from the target.
• Putting: Each competitor receives two putts each from each distance of 3, 5 and 8 feet. Points are awarded for holing the putt.
• Iron Play: Each competitor receives three shots from their distance. Points are awarded and dependent on the distance of the iron shot from the target.

In celebration of the event being hosted for the first time in the lead-up to the RBC Canadian Open, junior participants will also have the opportunity to test the storied Glen Abbey layout in an exciting match play format on Sunday, July 19 prior to tournament week. Junior participants will be provided weekly grounds passes, as well as, opportunities to be involved in Monday’s Pro-Am and Wednesday’s CN Future Links Walk with a Pro event during the Wednesday Pro-Am.

The Canada Day Pro-Am is set for Monday July 20 to kick off the tournament week of the 2015 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club. The Canada Day Pro-Am will tee off in a 12:30 p.m. shotgun featuring Toronto Maple Leaf Alumni and Canadian PGA TOUR stars along with up and coming Canadian talents in a charity Pro-Am to support the Golf Canada Foundation.

THE STARS:

• Wendel Clark – Played 13 NHL seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs; captained the team from 1991-1994.
• Rick Vaive – Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain who played eight seasons with the team; first Leaf in franchise history to score 50 goals in one season.
• Peter Ing – Former NHL goaltender played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings.
• Bill Derlago – Selected 4th overall in the 1978 NHL Draft; played for five NHL teams including the Toronto Maple Leafs.
• Mark Osborne – Former Maple Leaf played 900 NHL games with four different clubs.
• Mike Pelyk – Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman.
• Pat Boutette – Former Toronto Maple Leaf centre.
• Greg Hotham – Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman selected in 1976 NHL draft; played a total of 230 games with Toronto and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
• Lou Franceschetti – Former NHL player with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals and Buffalo Sabres.
• Kevin Maguire – Former NHL player with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres and Philadelphia and former NHL Referee.
• Jim McKenny – Retired NHL player and sports broadcaster; scored the 5th most points in Maple Leafs history among defencemen.
• Ric Nattress – Former NHL player with five teams including the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens.
• Dave McLlwain – Former NHL player with six teams including the Toronto Maple from 1991-93.
• Pat Hickey – Played 10 seasons in the NHL with five teams including the Toronto Maple Leafs.
• Mark Laforest – Goaltender with the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 1989-90 season; played for four NHL teams in his career.
• Bob Nevin – Former NHL winger played over 1,100 NHL games; member of two Stanley Cup teams with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1962 & 1963.
• Jim Morrison – Former NHL defenceman played seven seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs; also played for the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins.
• Mike Palmateer – Former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender; played six of his eight NHL seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs including the 1978 team that reached the Stanley Cup semifinals.
• Ron Ellis – Won the Stanley Cup with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1967; played 16 seasons in the NHL, all for the Leafs, reaching the 20-goal mark in 10 consecutive seasons.
• Dave Hutchison – Former NHL defenceman who played 10 seasons for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks and New Jersey Devils.
• Dave Reid – Played three seasons for the Toronto Maple Leafs; also played for the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and won the Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars in the 1998-99 season.
• Peter Holland – Current NHL player with Toronto Maple Leafs; drafted 15th overall by the Anaheim Ducks and traded to the Leafs in the 2013-14 season.

THE PROS:

• Graham DeLaet – Currently the top-ranked Canadian on the World Golf Rankings (No. 80). Competing in his 7th RBC Canadian Open.
• David Hearn – Currently ranked No. 128 in the world and No. 60 in the FedEx Cup standings; competing in his 13th RBC Canadian Open.
• Adam Hadwin – PGA TOUR Rookie topped the 2013-14 Web.com money list; competing in his 6th RBC Canadian Open (finished T4 in 2011).
• Nick Taylor – PGA TOUR Rookie won the 2014 Sanderson Farms Championship (first Canadian-born player to win on PGA TOUR in six years). Former World No. 1 Amateur is competing in his 6th RBC Canadian Open.
• Roger Sloan – PGA TOUR Rookie won the 2014 Web.com Tour Nova Scotia Open; competing in his 3rd RBC Canadian Open.
• Brad Fritsch – Currently ranked No. 81 on the 2015 Web.com money list; competing in his 8th RBC Canadian Open.
• Corey Conners – Member of Golf Canada’s Young Pro Squad; runner-up at the 2014 U.S. Amateur to earn an exemption into the 2015 Masters; competing in his 3rd RBC Canadian Open.
• Taylor Pendrith – Member of Team Canada’s Young Pro Squad; low amateur at 2014 RBC Canadian Open; competing in his 2nd RBC Canadian Open.
• Adam Svensson – Member of Team Canada’s Young Pro Squad; two-time runner-up on the Mackenzie Tour PGA Tour Canada; competing in his 3rd RBC Canadian Open.
• Austin Connelly – Member of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Team is currently ranked No. 13 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; will represent Team Canada at the 2015 Pan-Am Games golf competition; competing in his 1st RBC Canadian Open.
• Blair Hamilton – Member of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Team is currently ranked No. 104 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; competing in his 1st RBC Canadian Open.
• Garrett Rank – Current NHL Referee and Former Team Canada National Team member won the 2014 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship; 2015 Ontario Mid-Amateur champion; will represent Team Canada at the 2015 Pan-Am Games golf competition; competing in his 1st RBC Canadian Open.
• Billy Walsh – Currently ranked No. 1 on the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC; competing in his 2nd RBC Canadian Open.
• Richard Jung – Winner of the 2015 RBC Canadian Open Ontario Regional Qualifier; competing in his 1st RBC Canadian Open.

*Additional participants TBD

For information and to purchase tickets please click here.

To print your FREE Junior Pass (17 years old & under) click here.

After 22 years, Bill Paul, the veteran tournament director of the RBC Canadian Open stepped aside from his day-to-day job and into a more strategic role as Chief Championship Officer.

Golf Canada didn’t have to look very far to find his replacement. In fact, Brent McLaughlin was only one office away.

But the long-time lead of the rules department at Golf Canada – and the tournament director at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open – is far from your usual championship leader.

Here are five things you need to know about the 44-year-old McLaughlin.

His ice-fishing hut is parked at Glen Abbey

Dubbed the Heisenberg II – because of it’s glaring resemblance to the trailer from the critically-acclaimed television show Breaking Bad – McLaughlin’s ice-fishing hut is actually an old trailer he bought from Kijiji and fixed up.

The grounds crew at Glen Abbey lets him park it in the maintenance yard during the summer months before he takes it up to Cook’s Bay and Lake Simcoe for the winter.

“It has a woodstove in it, three fishing holes… it’s hilarious. I originally stored it in the parking lot of Glen Abbey,” he says. “Being from (Sault Ste. Marie) I love the outdoors. I love fishing and hunting. I just can’t shake it.”

He’s riding home from the CP Women’s Open in Vancouver on his motorcycle

At the conclusion of the CP Women’s Open, McLaughlin will be taking a well-deserved vacation.

But not just any vacation.

McLaughlin, who says he has driven across Canada a few times, will be riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle back to Oakville from Vancouver, through the U.S. The ride will take 10-12 days, and admits he has a bunch of landmarks chosen to stop at.

However, he says he hasn’t arranged hotels in every city. He’ll be bringing a tent with him, just in case, on his self-described, “hippie trip.”

“I’ve always love the bad-boy image of the Harley, and I’m a true-and-true Harley guy now. I love the sound of it,” he explains. “I’ve got my bike shipped out (to Vancouver) and I’ll just take my time getting home.”

He went on tour with the Barenaked Ladies

In the early-1990s, the Barenaked Ladies were one of Canada’s biggest bands. Their song “If I had $1,000,000” was burning up the charts and they were about to embark on their first cross-country tour, called the “Mr. Rockin’s All You Can Eat Salad Bar” Tour.

And, McLaughlin would be along for the ride.

“I was shipping lumber at Lansing Build-All and my roommate was scheduled to go on this tour as a roadie with another buddy. In the 11th hour, literally two days before it started, he bailed. (My roommate) was looking for someone, so I said I was in,” McLaughlin explains. We picked up tour buses in Victoria and went all the way to Newfoundland and back to Toronto. It was an unbelievable trip.”

Six months prior, McLaughlin began dating a girl. He told her he was going on this tour and left. But, she was waiting for him when he got back.

That girl is now his wife.

He has a great Justin Leonard story

In 1996, Justin Leonard was playing in the Canadian Open as a young PGA Tour pro. Although “kind of a nobody” according to McLaughlin, he could not have been nicer, and the Texan and McLaughlin ran into each other a few times at Glen Abbey.

The next year, Leonard won the British Open and went on to be, well, Justin Leonard.

Fast-forward to 2015, and Leonard is still as nice as ever to McLaughlin, but for a slightly different reason.

“When I first took over this job, I got an email from Leonard saying he needed a larger rental vehicle because he’s bringing his family,” McLaughlin says, laughing. “He doesn’t know me from a hole in the ground, but I’m going to tell him that story. He’s emailed me, he congratulated me on the job, but he still needs that van.”

Bill Paul gave him awesome advice

McLaughlin knows he can lean on more than two decades of knowledge from Bill Paul, and, he’s been thrilled to receive two pieces of advice that he’s constantly coming back to.

Firstly, he was told to enjoy the experience.

“It’s such a unique job,” he says. “There’s just one tournament director for the RBC Canadian Open, so even when you’re worried about how many people can park on site, or, the fact that the washrooms are overflowing in The Valley, you have to take a step back and realize you have a great job.”

Secondly, family comes first.

“You get all consumed with (the tournament) and you have to have a life,” McLaughlin explains. “Steal a little time away with your family and enjoy the summer time, because it’s so short. I’m trying to live by that.”

WestJet today announced a three-year partnership as the official airline of the RBC Canadian Open and the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open with a new Facebook contest and a golf-themed fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).

This year’s RBC Canadian Open is set to take place at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, ON, from July 20-26, 2015, and the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open takes place at The Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam, BC, from August 17–23, 2015.

“As an airline that earned its stripes on the leisure side of the business, and golf being a top Canadian leisure pursuit, sponsoring the RBC Canadian Open and the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open is a natural fit,” said Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice-President, Communications and Community Relations. “Getting involved with both tournaments offers a great opportunity to celebrate Canadian’s love of the game, especially since many of our guests fly WestJet to popular golf destinations across our network.”

“WestJet has shown a tremendous innovation in how they engage with Canadians and we are honoured to align their respected brand with Canada’s National Men’s and Women’s Open Golf Championships,” said Golf Canada Chief Commercial Officer Gavin Roth. “The RBC Canadian Open and Canadian Pacific Women’s Open are pinnacle events in Canadian golf and WestJet’s partnership will further strengthen both championships’ ability to connect with Canadian golf enthusiasts in communities from coast to coast.”

WestJet will also team up with RBC and RMHC, a WestJet Cares for Kids national partner, for a special fundraiser during the RBC Canadian Open.

“We see an opportunity to highlight the tremendous work Ronald McDonald House Children’s Charities does on behalf of families across Canada every day,” continued Richard Bartrem. “Partnering with RBC and RMHC during one of the premier sporting events in Canada will help us raise funds and raise the profile of a valuable organization.”

In order to ensure everyone across the country can share the excitement surrounding the RBC Canadian Open, WestJet wants you to share #YourOpenMoment. Visit the WestJet Facebook page to view a special video celebrating a love of the game. Share the video and one lucky winner will receive round-trip WestJet flights for two from anywhere in Canada, along with accommodation and tickets, to the RBC Canadian Open. WestJet’s Facebook post can be found here.

OAKVILLE, Ont. – In celebration of Canada Day, Golf Canada and RBC are proud to announce the first 15 Canadians, including 10 tournament exemptions, confirmed for the 2015 RBC Canadian Open taking place at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., from July 20-26, 2015.

Leading the Canadian contingent at Glen Abbey will be Weyburn, Sask., native Graham DeLaet, fresh off a fourth-place finish this past weekend at the Travelers Championship. The finish moved DeLaet to No. 78 on the World Golf Ranking and secured his spot in the field for The Open Championship at St. Andrews.

Joining DeLaet will be fellow Canadian PGA TOUR players David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., Abbotsford, B.C., natives Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor; Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C. and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., who will be making his 25^th appearance in Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship.

Golf Canada has also granted a tournament exemption to Web.com Tour player Brad Fritsch of Manotick, Ont. who will make his eighth appearance in Canada’s National Open Championship.

Additional tournament exemptions were given to Team Canada Young Pro Squad members Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., as well as National Amateur Squad members Austin Connelly of Irving, Texas and Blair Hamilton of Burlington, Ont.

Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont., won the 2014 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur title to earn his exemption into the 2015 RBC Canadian Open. Leading into tournament week, Rank and Connelly will represent Canada at the 2015 Pan Am Games golf competition, July 13-19 at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.

PGA of Canada professional Billy Walsh of Markham, Ont., earned his way into the 2015 RBC Canadian Open field as the No. 1-ranked player on the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC.

Earlier this week, former Team Canada member Richard Jung of Toronto shot a course-record, 10-under 62 at Rattlesnake Pointe Golf Club to top the 144-player field to earn an exemption through the RBC Canadian Open Ontario Regional Qualifier.

“This is OUR Open and we’re proud to have these 15 deserving Canadians compete in the 106^th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship,” said RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “The depth of talent in Canadian golf has never been stronger and I’m sure each of them will feel the tremendous wave of Canadian pride and support from golf fans across the country.”

The 15 Canadian players announced today will look to become the first Canadian to capture the national title since Pat Fletcher claimed victory in 1954.

The Canadians confirmed for Glen Abbey will join a field of PGA TOUR and international stars that includes World No. 3 Bubba Watson, World No. 5 Jim Furyk, World No. 8 Jason Day, World No. 13 J.B. Holmes, World No. 16 Matt Kuchar, World No. 17 Chris Kirk, World No. 22 Brooks Koepka, World No. 26 Brandt Snedeker, World No. 30 Ryan Palmer, World No. 40 Hunter Mahan, World No. 48 Graeme McDowell, World No. 65 Luke Donald, and World Golf Hall of Fame member Ernie Els.

Celebrating Canada Day at the RBC Canadian Open….

For more than a century, our National Men’s Open Championship has been a celebration of Canada’s most talented golfers. This year, that celebration will be on full display as Friday, July 24 has been declared Canada Day at the RBC Canadian Open. Spectators are encouraged to wear red and white to proudly show their support for Canada’s top golfing talents. Players in the field will also be encouraged to wear Canada’s colours to help celebrate the day.

Pan Am golf champion to earn an exemption…

Golf Canada will also grant an RBC Canadian Open tournament exemption to the winner of the men’s Pan Am Golf Competition happening as part of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games. The golf competition will run July 13-19 at Angus Glen Golf Club with 32 players from 16 countries set to compete, including Austin Connelly and Garrett Rank who will represent Team Canada. Besides the champion’s exemption, the rest of the men’s Pan Am golf field will be exempt into the RBC Canadian Open Monday Qualifier happening Monday, July 20 at Heron Point Golf Links near Ancaster, Ont.

Canadian players confirmed to compete in the 2015 RBC Canadian Open include:

Graham DeLaet

• Currently the top-ranked Canadian on the World Golf Rankings (No. 78)
• Currently ranked No. 83 in the FedEx Cup standings
• Competing in his 7^th RBC Canadian Open

David Hearn

• Currently ranked No. 177 in the world and No. 88 in the FedEx Cup standings
• Competing in his 13^th RBC Canadian Open

Adam Hadwin

• PGA TOUR Rookie
• Topped the 2013-14 Web.com money list
• Currently ranked No. 174 in the world and No. 114 in the FedEx Cup standings
• Competing in his 6^th RBC Canadian Open (finished T4 in 2011)

Nick Taylor

• PGA TOUR Rookie
• 2014 Sanderson Farms Championship champion (first Canadian to win on PGA TOUR in six years)
• Former World No. 1 Amateur
• Competing in his 6^th RBC Canadian Open

Mike Weir

• 8-time PGA TOUR winner
• 2003 Masters champion
• Inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2009
• Competing in his 25^th RBC Canadian Open

Roger Sloan

• PGA TOUR Rookie
• 2014 Web.com Tour Nova Scotia Open champion
• Competing in his 3^rd RBC Canadian Open

Brad Fritsch

• Currently ranked No. 81 on the 2015 Web.com money list
• Career-best PGA TOUR finish: T8 at 2014 Wyndham Championship
• Competing in his 8^th RBC Canadian Open

Corey Conners

• Member of Golf Canada’s Young Pro Squad
• Runner-up at the 2014 U.S. Amateur to earn an exemption into the 2015 Masters
• Competing in his 3^rd RBC Canadian Open

Taylor Pendrith

• Member of Team Canada’s Young Pro Squad
• Low amateur at 2014 RBC Canadian Open
• Competing in his 2^nd RBC Canadian Open

Adam Svensson

• Member of Team Canada’s Young Pro Squad
• Two-time runner-up on the Mackenzie Tour PGA Tour Canada
• Competing in his 3^rd RBC Canadian Open

Austin Connelly

• Member of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Team
• Currently ranked No. 13 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
• Will represent Team Canada at the 2015 Pan-Am Games golf competition
• Competing in his 1^st RBC Canadian Open

Blair Hamilton

• Member of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Team
• Currently ranked No. 81 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
• University of Houston (winner of the 2015 NCAA Border Olympics)
• Competing in his 1^st RBC Canadian Open

Garrett Rank

• Former Team Canada National Team member
• 2014 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur champion & 2015 Ontario Mid-Amateur champion
• Will represent Team Canada at the 2015 Pan-Am Games golf competition
• Competing in his 1^st RBC Canadian Open

Billy Walsh

• Currently ranked No. 1 on the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC
• Competing in his 2^nd RBC Canadian Open

Richard Jung

• Winner of the 2015 RBC Canadian Open Ontario Regional Qualifier
• Competing in his 1^st RBC Canadian Open

Additional player and tournament announcements will be made in the coming weeks. The final field for the 2015 RBC Canadian Open will be released on Friday, July 17, 2015 after 5 p.m. ET.

For information about tickets, FREE 17-and-under junior passes, volunteer opportunities or corporate hospitality for the 2015 RBC Canadian Open, please visit www.rbccanadianopen.com.

MILTON, Ont.  – The third and final RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier concluded in fine fashion as Richard (Sunil) Jung fired a 10-under-par 62 to tie the course record at the Copperhead Course at RattleSnake Point Golf Club, in Milton, Ont. The Markham, Ont., product claimed medalist honours to earn an exemption into the 106^th playing of the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club, July 20-26, 2015.

Jung opened and closed his round with eagles to accompany seven birdies. He finished four strokes clear of second place to book his first trip to Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship.

“This is my first event in six months, my plan was to hit fairways, greens and go for the putts where I could. There were some tricky holes. I had a hard time thinking in the present all day because I was so pumped and having so much fun at the same time,” said Jung, a former member of Canada’s National Development Team from 2009 to 2011.

The 22-year-old recognizes the opportunity before him and is excited to play in his first RBC Canadian Open. “It’s definitely an honour for any Canadian to ever play in the Canadian Open. I’ve had many Monday qualifiers for this event. I’m really thrilled and happy to be able to play the (RBC Canadian) Open, it’s a Canadian’s dream to play in this event.”

A total of 144 players competed in the 18-hole stroke play qualifier at RattleSnake Point Golf Club with 24 players, representing the top-15 per cent of the field and ties (17 competitors at 2-under and seven tied at 1-under), advancing to the RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifier to be staged Monday, July 20 at Heron Point Golf Links in Alberton, Ont.

Daniel Kim of Toronto capitalized on a seven birdie performance to finish T2 at 6-under par. Also tied for second was Mississauga, Ont., native Jonathan Kim-Moss who finished his last three holes with an eagle and two birdies. The pair earned their spots in the Monday qualifier, alongside amateurs Branson Ferrier of Barrie, Ont., and Chase Komaromi of Delaware, Ont., who both shot 67 for a share of fourth.

The two-stage qualifying procedure for Canada’s National Open Championship features three regional qualifying events held in Quebec, British Columbia and Ontario, followed by the final qualifying competition on Monday, July 20.

The previous two qualifying events held June 1 at Club de Golf St-Raphäel in Île-Bizard, Que., and Squamish Valley Golf and Country Club in Squamish B.C., awarded 25 players with spots into the Final Qualifying event.

A minimum of four players will gain entry into the 2015 RBC Canadian Open through the Monday qualifier.

For additional information and full results from the RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier in Ontario, click here.

TORONTO –  Whether you tweet, share, like, view or blog, #RBCGolf4Kids is looking to score a hole-in-one for kids through an online social media challenge to raise $500,000 for thirteen children’s charities around the world.

For the second year, Team RBC golfers are once again inviting the public to participate in the social media charity challenge by sharing the hashtag #RBCGolf4Kids on Twitter and  Instagram, or joining in on Facebook or www.teamrbcgolf.com – the more shares of #RBCGolf4Kids, the more dollars raised for children’s charities. Three bonus challenges will provide opportunities for Team RBC players to win additional donations for their respective charities.

“One of the greatest investments we make is helping kids and youth succeed and our Team RBC players share this belief and go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of young people,” said Jane Broderick, chief brand and communications officer, RBC. “With the success of last year’s challenge, our players are excited to put on their game faces and take their best swing to raise awareness and funds for child and youth charities.”

Over a five week period from June 15 to July 19, Team RBC ambassadors will compete in a series of weekly challenges – photo trivia, predict an event or fill in the blank – encouraging fans to do the same and share the hashtag #RBCGolf4Kids. The challenge will have ‘share’ thresholds that will trigger increasing levels of donation from RBC each week. The challenge will end on Sunday July 19 at midnight, prior to the start of the 2015 RBC Canadian Open that takes place at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

“For my fans to help me win more than $135,000 last year for the Children’s Medical and Research Foundation at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin in Ireland was amazing. I know how instrumental these funds are in supporting the tremendous work the hospital does for children,” said Graeme McDowell, PGA TOUR golfer and member of Team RBC. “This year’s competition promises to be better than ever and I challenge my fellow Team RBCers to step up their game with fun content that our fans will love to share.”

With charities from around the world benefiting from the challenge, these are the organizations Team RBC is supporting:

Golf Canada in partnership with title sponsor CN announced today that the CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event will be hosted at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. on Saturday, July 18^th leading into the 2015 RBC Canadian Open.

Now in its seventh season, the CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event brings together Canada’s 24 top-scoring juniors in a competition that showcases putting, chipping, iron and driving skills on the national stage.

Delivered by Golf Canada in partnership with the PGA of Canada, CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenges are conducted throughout the year by facilities running CN Future Links programming across Canada. Scores from each Junior Skills Challenge are submitted online to a national leaderboard, from which top qualifiers are selected prior to the June 22^nd deadline. Participants from six different age groups will be invited as follows:

• Girls 11 and under (5 players)
• Boys 11 and under (5 players)
• Girls 12 to 14 (4 players)
• Boys 12 to 14 (4 players)
• Girls 15 to 18 (3 players)
• Boys 15 to 18 (3 players)

For Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer Jeff Thompson, hosting the CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge leading into the RBC Canadian Open will bring a heightened level of excitement for juniors looking to qualify for the National Event.

“CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge is an exciting platform to motivate junior golfers to want to improve both personally and against their peers across four fundamentally important areas of golf skill development,” said Thompson. “We are excited to host the National Event this year on the same grounds as the RBC Canadian Open just days before PGA TOUR stars vie for our National Open title.”

The winners of the CN Future Links Skills Challenge National Event in the boys and girls 15-18 age groups will receive an exemption into their local CN Future Links Championship in 2016. All other attending participants of the CN Future Links Junior Skills National Event will receive prizing courtesy of Titleist Footjoy.

“The CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge is an excellent part of the entire CN Future Links suite of programs, of which PGA of Canada members are proud leaders in the delivery in the program,” said Gary Bernard, PGA of Canada CEO. “The partnership between the PGA of Canada and Golf Canada continues to grow, thus ensuring the continued growth of developing world-class programs for golf in this country.”

To celebrate the event being hosted for the first time leading into the RBC Canadian Open, junior participants will also have the opportunity to test the storied Glen Abbey layout in an exciting match play format on Sunday, July 19^th prior to tournament week. Following that, junior participants will be provided weekly grounds passes and have an opportunity to be involved in Monday’s Pro-Am and secure a spot in Wednesday’s CN Future Links Walk with a Pro event during the Wednesday Pro-Am.

The Junior Skills Challenge is one of many program elements from the CN Future Links family of programming, dedicated to promoting the active, health and safety values of golf.

Current CN Future Links programming includes the Learn to Play program as well as mobile clinics, PGA Jr. League, Girls Club, Field Trip and the CN Future Links Championships. As part of its investment in Canadian junior golf, CN is also a proud supporter of Golf in Schools.

In 2014, CN Future Links junior golf activities were conducted at 455 golf facilities with more than 7,000 juniors registered in the Learn to Play program. In addition, 160 golf facilities took part in the Junior Skills Challenge running more than 3,200 juniors through qualifying events. More than 56,000 youngsters participated in more than 1,200 mobile golf clinics across the country. Since 2006, more than 1.2 million children have been introduced to golf through the CN Future Links program.

To learn more about how to qualify for the 2015 CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event, click here.

Many of Canada’s top golfers took part in RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifying events today in Quebec and British Columbia in hopes of punching their tickets to final (Monday) qualifying July 20 at Heron Point Golf Links in Alberton, Ont.

The Quebec qualifier was contested at Club de golf St- Raphaël’s Blue Course in Île-Bizard, Que., where hometown talent Lindsay Wilson finished at 2-under par 70 to claim medallist honours.

Jesse Smith (71) of Ohsweken, Ont., finished runner-up at 1 under, while Sonny Michaud of Neuville, Que., took third after an even-par 72 while six more players finished T4 at 1 over (73). In total, nine players from the Quebec Qualifier will advance to the final qualifier in July.

Squamish Valley Golf and Country Club in Squamish, B.C., hosted Monday’s other regional qualifying event where Dillon Rust of Edmond, OK, claimed victory with a round of 5 under 67.

Seann Harlingten of West Vancouver, B.C., earned runner-up honours with a 2 under 70.

Five players shared third after even-par 72s to round out the 16 players who have earned their way today into the RBC Canadian Open final qualifying round on July 20.

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 2015 RBC Canadian Open. Otherwise, the top 15 per cent of finishers at each qualifier become eligible to compete at the final qualifying event.

The third and final 2015 RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier will be held June 29 at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton, Ont.

The 2015 RBC Canadian Open takes place July 20-26 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

For the full Quebec scoring click: here.

For the full B.C. scoring click: here.

Listen in to our press conference…

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., has been selected to host the 2016 RBC Canadian Open, as announced today by Golf Canada and RBC.

With the venue confirmed, the Jack Nicklaus-designed, Oakville, Ont. layout will host back to back RBC Canadian Opens, beginning this July 20-26 with the 2015 RBC Canadian Open and then again July 18-24, 2016.

For Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons, a two-year commitment to Glen Abbey will allow the tournament to build multi-year momentum in the community and deliver innovative activities to enhance the championship experience for players and spectators alike.

“Together with our partners at RBC, we are proud to announce the RBC Canadian Open will be contested at Glen Abbey Golf Club in 2016.” said Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons.  “Glen Abbey has always been a terrific host venue for this championship and we look forward to reconnecting with fans and volunteers from Oakville and the Greater Toronto Area who have embraced the RBC Canadian Open over the years.”

“With its storied history, beautiful greens and central location, Glen Abbey has proven to be a premiere venue to host players and golf fans alike,” noted Jane Broderick, Chief Brand and Communications Officer, RBC. “We, along with Golf Canada have worked hard to make the RBC Canadian Open a best-in-class tournament with a strong competitive field and fan engagement opportunities, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to this prestigious course.”

The RBC Canadian Open was last contested at Glen Abbey in 2013, when Team RBC’s Brandt Snedeker picked up his sixth PGA TOUR victory. That year’s event was selected as the “Most Fan-Friendly Event” by the PGA TOUR as part of their annual year-end awards.

The return to Glen Abbey through 2016 marks the first time since 2008 and 2009 that the club has hosted back to back RBC Canadian Opens.

“Since the Canadian Open was first played on this Jack Nicklaus Signature course in 1977, Glen Abbey has produced many worthy champions including Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Greg Norman, Lee Trevino, Curtis Strange and Brandt Snedeker,” said Rai Sahi, ClubLink President and CEO. ‘The Abbey’ and the Canadian Open share a special connection and we look forward to adding to that legacy through 2016.”

The 2015 edition of the event will once again raise money in support of national charity partner – Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada. To help welcome the RBC Canadian Open back to Glen Abbey, the Town of Oakville has declared July as Oakville’s Month of Sport.

Glen Abbey was owned and operated by Golf Canada from 1982 to 1998 before the property was sold to ClubLink in the fall of 1998. As the longtime home of Canada’s National Open Championship, ‘The Abbey’ hosted 22 Canadian Opens between 1977 and 2000, as well as, those in 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2013. Golf Canada’s head office and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum are located on the grounds of Glen Abbey Golf Club.

For information about tickets, free 17-and-under junior passes, volunteer opportunities or corporate hospitality for the 2015 RBC Canadian Open, please visit www.rbccanadianopen.com.