Pace of play was an non-issue Saturday at Glen Abbey Golf Club as the inaugural RBC Canadian Open 5K kicked off tournament week of the 2016 RBC Canadian Open.
The five kilometre run/walk—organized by Landmark Sport Group Inc.—welcomed more than 500 enthusiasts of all ages who raced along a 5km route across the grounds of the renowned Oakville layout. Participants received the full race experience with running bibs and timed results for every competitor.
“What a great kick-off event to help celebrate the 107th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship,” said Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin who joined the race as a participant Saturday. “I think it was a great showcase to bring running and fitness enthusiasts out to the golf course in advance of next week’s championship and we couldn’t be happier with the success of this year’s inaugural event.”
The RBC Canadian Open 5K routing began near the first tee of the championship course and trailed across the front nine with a final race leg that included the 17th hole and grand finish alongside the iconic 18th green at Glen Abbey Golf Club.
An awards ceremony took place immediately following the conclusion of the race in the Molson Canadian 67 Beer Garden located within the ZTE Spectator Village at Glen Abbey as participants enjoyed live third-round coverage of the British Open Championship.
Click here to see a photo gallery from the inaugural RBC Canadian Open 5K.
Click here for results.
OAKVILLE, Ont. – Golf Canada and RBC are pleased to announce the final field of competitors vying for the US$5.9 million purse at the 2016 RBC Canadian Open, July 18-24 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.
Defending champion and World No. 1 Jason Day will be challenged by a stellar field of PGA Tour stars including World No. 2 Dustin Johnson, World No. 15 Matt Kuchar, World No. 20 and two-time RBC Canadian Open champion Jim Furyk, World No. 26 and 2013 RBC Canadian Open Champion Brandt Snedeker, three-time PGA Tour winners Ryan Palmer and Graeme McDowell, as well as World Golf Hall of Fame member Ernie Els.
Other notable additions to the field for the 107th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship include 34-time PGA TOUR winner Vijay Singh, 12-time winner Justin Leonard, eight-time winner K.J. Choi, six-time winner Hunter Mahan, World No. 30 Kevin Kisner, World No. 40 Danny Lee, World No. 42 Charley Hoffman, World No. 46 William McGirt, World No. 47 Jimmy Walker, six-time winner Rory Sabbatini and three-time winner Angel Cabrera.
A number of international rising stars have also accepted tournament invitations, including American sensation Bryson DeChambeau, former World No. 1 amateur John Rahm of Spain, World No. 41 K.T. Kim of Korea and World No. 43 Matthew Fitzpatrick of England.
Led by World Nos. 1 and 2 Jason Day and Dustin Johnson, the field for the RBC Canadian Open will include 13 of the Top-50 players on the World Golf Ranking and nine of the Top-30 players on the 2016 Fed-Ex Cup Ranking.
“The field is nearly set and we’re ready to tee-up the 107th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship starting next week at Glen Abbey Golf Club,” said Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “We’ve got a tremendous mix of international stars and Canadian talents ready to compete and a family-friendly festival experience ready to welcome spectators of all ages to the 2016 RBC Canadian Open.”
In total, 156 players will compete for the US$5.9 million purse next week in Oakville when Canada’s National Open Championship returns to Glen Abbey for a record 28th time.
Past Champions…
Defending champion Jason Day will be joined by six other former champions, including Team RBC members Brandt Snedeker – who won in 2013 at Glen Abbey Golf Club – and Jim Furyk who claimed back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007. Other confirmed past champions include Sean O’Hair (2011), Carl Pettersson (2010), Chez Reavie (2008) and Vijay Singh (2004).
Olympians in the Field…
With golf making its return to the Olympic Games in 2016, seven freshly named Olympians will compete in the RBC Canadian Open, including Matt Kuchar (USA), Danny Lee (NZL), Emiliano Grillo (ARG), Alex Cejka (GER) and Camilo Villegas (COL) along with Canadian Olympic Team members David Hearn and Graham DeLaet.
PGA Tour In-Year Winners…
A total of 16 in-year PGA Tour winners will compete at Glen Abbey, including Greg Chalmers, Jon Curran, Jason Day, Tony Finau, Emiliano Grillo, Jim Herman, Charley Hoffman, Billy Hurley III, Dustin Johnson, Kevin Kisner, Peter Malnati, Graeme McDowell, William McGirt, Brandt Snedeker, Brian Stuard and Vaughn Taylor.
12 Canadians to compete for National Men’s Open Title…
David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., who held the 54-hole lead in 2015 before finishing third will lead the 12-member Canadian contingent that also includes Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., Abbotsford, B.C., natives Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor, along with Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mike Weir of Bright’s Grove, Ont., who will be making his 25th start in Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship.
Other Canadians confirmed include Brad Fritsch of Manotick, Ont., who sits fifth on the Web.com Tour money list, as well as Team Canada National Amateur Squad members Hugo Bernard of Mont St-Hilaire, Que., Calgary’s Jared du Toit and Burlington, Ont., native Blair Hamilton.
Former Team Canada member Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont., has earned his second consecutive RBC Canadian Open exemption by winning back-to-back Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championships. PGA of Canada professional Dave Levesque of Montréal earned his way into the 2016 RBC Canadian Open by claiming the No. 1 position on the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC, while Branson Ferrier of Barrie, Ont., won the 144-player Ontario Regional Qualifier to earn an exemption.
The Canadians in the field have their sights set on becoming the first Canadian to capture the national title since Pat Fletcher claimed victory in 1954.
Final Tournament Exemptions to be Named…
The top three players on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada Order of Merit following this weekend’s Staal Foundation Open presented by Tbaytel in Thunder Bay, Ont., will earn exemptions into the field for the 2016 RBC Canadian Open.
The final four exemptions into the field for the 2016 RBC Canadian Open will be handed out at the Monday Final Qualifier on July 18 to be played at Diamondback Golf Club in Richmond Hill, Ont.
Celebrating Canada’s Olympic Golf Team on Tuesday, July 19…
The 2016 Olympic golf team comprised of David Hearn and Graham DeLaet along with Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., and Alena Sharp of Hamilton will be officially welcomed by the Canadian Olympic Committee to Team Canada during a FREE public celebration at Glen Abbey on Tuesday, July 19 at 11 a.m. ET. The men’s team will compete from August 11-14, while the women’s team will take to the Campo Olimpico de Golf course in Rio de Janeiro from August 17-20.
In addition, Friday, July 22 will once again be Red and White Day at the RBC Canadian Open. Players and spectators are encouraged to wear Canada’s national colours in support of our Canadian hopefuls in the field challenging for Canada’s National Open Championship.
2016 MEDIA GUIDE AND PLAYER PERFORMANCE BOOK:
In advance of next week’s championship, media can also download the 2016 RBC Canadian Open Media Guide for complete stats, records and historical information. Media can also download the 2016 RBC Canadian Open Player Performance Book which details individual player statistics from 1904-2015.
TELEVISION COVERAGE:
Thursday July 21
TSN4 & TSN5 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
TSN1 & TSN3 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Golf Channel 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Friday July 22 – Red & White Day
TSN4 & TSN5 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
TSN1 & TSN3 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Golf Channel 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Saturday July 23
Golf Channel 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
CBS & Global 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Sunday July 24
Golf Channel 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
CBS & Global 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
TICKETS:
Grounds tickets for all days of the 2016 RBC Canadian Open, as well as a limited number of premium ticket packages are still available. A full list of ticket packages and pricing is available online at www.rbccanadianopen.com. Golf Canada and RBC are also pleased to offer FREE admission to juniors 17-and-under – click here to download a FREE Junior Pass.
The full list of competitors competing in the 2016 RBC Canadian Open can be found here.
OAKVILLE, Ont. – Golf Canada has introduced a number of events to build excitement around this year’s 107th playing of the RBC Canadian Open.
On Saturday July 16, Glen Abbey Golf Club will welcome runners and fitness enthusiasts of all ages for the inaugural RBC Canadian Open 5K Run. Participants will have the chance to race through the historic Oakville, Ont., course – beginning at the first hole before crossing the finish line near the iconic 18th green. Participants will get the full running experience complete with race bibs and timed results.
That same day, Glen Abbey will play host to the CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event, a golf competition similar to the popular Drive, Chip and Putt. The event will bring together 25 junior golfers from across the country in a test of essential golfing skills: driving, chipping, iron play and putting.
This year’s RBC Canadian Open is also one of the final events before golf makes its long-awaited return to the Olympic Games following a 112-year absence. For the first time since Canadian George S. Lyon won gold in 1904, teams from around the world will compete on international sport’s grandest stage. The 2016 Canadian Olympic Golf Team will be officially welcomed by the Canadian Olympic Committee to Team Canada during a FREE public celebration at Glen Abbey on Tuesday, July 19 at 11 a.m. ET.
The RBC Canadian Open will once again celebrate Canada’s Championship with Red and White Day on Friday, July 22. Players, families and fans are invited to wear their brightest reds and cleanest whites to support Canadian golf.
WestJet’s Closest to the Pin Toss returns to offer spectators the chance to win a flight for four. Fans can purchase mini-balls from WestJet volunteers at RBC Water Stations and then take part in the ball toss on the 18th green at the end of each tournament day. Proceeds will go towards supporting Ronald McDonald Houses across Canada.
Located just off the 10th fairway, the Golf Canada Golf Zone offers FREE fun activities for the whole family. Pose for a picture with the RBC Canadian Open trophy or the 1904 Olympic Trophy. Enjoy a bag of popcorn while signing-up for a free Golf Canada membership. Take advantage of phone charging stations and cool down in the air-conditioned environment – all for FREE. While there, experience the storied history of Canadian golf with a tour through the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum.
The RBC Canadian Open is more than just 72 holes of world-class golf – it is one of Canada’s most historic sporting events with activities for golf and sport enthusiasts both inside and outside the ropes. Check out the ZTE Spectator Village for engaging activities from a number of the event’s supporting partners, including CN Future Links junior golf activities, charging stations, giveaways, Tweet Caddies, beer gardens, food trucks and more.
As part of the RBC Canadian Open’s commitment to family fun, admission for kids 17-and-under is FREE all week.
A full listing of events and activities at the 2016 RBC Canadian Open can be found here.
For information on tickets, click here.
Information on parking and directions can be found here.
OAKVILLE, Ont. – Golf Canada and RBC are proud to announce that Web.com Tour player Brad Fritsch of Manotick, Ont., along with a trio of National Amateur Squad members are among the Canadians receiving tournament exemptions to compete in the 2016 RBC Canadian Open taking place at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., from July 18-24.
Fritsch, who will make his ninth appearance in Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship, is having a strong year on the Web.com Tour with a victory at the Servientrega Championship Presented by Efecty and a runner-up finish at the El Bosque Mexico Championship presented by INNOVA that positions the 38-year-old fifth on the Tour’s money list.
Tournament exemptions have also been given to Team Canada National Amateur Squad members Hugo Bernard of Mont St-Hilaire, Que., Calgary’s Jared du Toit and Burlington, Ont., native Blair Hamilton.
As well, this will be the second consecutive year in which Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont., has earned his place in the RBC Canadian Open by claiming victory in the previous year’s Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship.
PGA of Canada professional Dave Levesque of Montréal earned his way into the 2016 RBC Canadian Open by claiming the No. 1 position on the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC. Branson Ferrier of Barrie, Ont., shot 4-under 68 at King’s Forest Golf Course to top the 144-player field to earn an exemption through the RBC Canadian Open Ontario Regional Qualifier.
Fritsch, Bernard, du Toit, Hamilton, Rank, Levesque and Ferrier will be among 12 Canadians who will challenge for the 107th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship.
Leading the Canadian contingent at Glen Abbey will be Brantford, Ont., native David Hearn, whose 2016 season includes six Top-20 finishes, including a T9 result at The RSM Classic in Sea Island, Ga. Hearn, who held the 54-hole lead before finishing third in the 2015 RBC Canadian Open, is the No. 127-ranked player on the World Golf Ranking.
Joining Hearn will be fellow Canadian PGA Tour players Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., Abbotsford, B.C., natives Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., who will be playing in Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship for a 25th time.
“We are excited to have these 12 deserving Canadians compete in the 107th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship,” said RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “The passion that these talented players have shown in representing Canada is a true inspiration to the country’s young golfers and we are proud to welcome them to the field for the RBC Canadian Open.”
The 12 Canadian players will look to become the first Canadian to capture the national title since Pat Fletcher accomplished the feat in 1954.
The Canadians confirmed for Glen Abbey will join a field of PGA Tour and international stars that includes defending champion and World No. 1 Jason Day, U.S. Open champion and World No. 2 Dustin Johnson, World No. 15 Matt Kuchar, 2006-2007 RBC Canadian Open champion and World No. 20 Jim Furyk, 2013 RBC Canadian Open champion and World No. 23 Brandt Snedeker, World No. 71 Ryan Palmer, World No. 74 Graeme McDowell, 2016 Masters low amateur Bryson DeChambeau, former World No.1 amateur Jon Rahm and World Golf Hall of Fame member Ernie Els.
Celebrating Canada’s Olympic Golf Team on Tuesday July 19…
The 2016 edition of the RBC Canadian Open is one of the final events before golf returns to the Olympic Games following a 112-year absence. For the first time since Canadian George S. Lyon captured gold in 1904, teams from around the globe will compete on international sport’s grandest stage.
The 2016 Canadian Olympic golf team will be officially welcomed by the Canadian Olympic Committee to Team Canada during a FREE public celebration at Glen Abbey on Tuesday, July 19 at 11 a.m. ET. The men’s team will compete from August 11-14, while the women’s team will take to the Campo Olimpico de Golf course in Rio de Janeiro from August 17-20.
In addition, Friday, July 22 will once again be Red and White Day at the RBC Canadian Open. Players and spectators are encouraged to wear Canada’s national colours in support of our Canadian hopefuls in the field challenging for Canada’s National Open Championship.
Confirmed Canadians in the 2016 RBC Canadian Open:
David Hearn
- Currently the No. 1-ranked Canadian on the World Golf Ranking (No. 127)
- Currently ranked No. 74 in the FedEx Cup standings
- Competing in his 14th RBC Canadian Open (finished 3rd in 2015)
Graham DeLaet
- Currently the No. 2-ranked Canadian on the World Golf Ranking (No. 146)
- Currently ranked No. 105 in the FedEx Cup standings
- Competing in his 8th RBC Canadian Open
Adam Hadwin
- Currently the No. 3-ranked Canadian on the World Golf Ranking (No. 182)
- Currently ranked No. 89 in the FedEx Cup standings
- Competing in his 7th RBC Canadian Open (finished T4 in 2011; T7 in 2015)
Nick Taylor
- Currently ranked No. 286 in the world and No. 106 in the FedEx Cup standings
- Competing in his 7th 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 25th RBC Canadian Open
Brad Fritsch
- Currently ranked 5th on the 2016 Web.com money list
- Won 2016 Servientrega Championship on Web.com Tour
- Competing in his 9th RBC Canadian Open
Jared du Toit
- Golf Canada National Amateur Squad member
- Currently the No. 1-ranked Canadian on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (No. 56)
- Competing in his 1st RBC Canadian Open
Blair Hamilton
- Golf Canada National Amateur Squad member
- Currently the No. 2-ranked Canadian on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (No. 106)
- Competing in his 2nd RBC Canadian Open (tied for low amateur at 2015 RBC Canadian Open)
Hugo Bernard
- Golf Canada National Amateur Squad member
- Currently ranked No. 255 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
- Won NCAA Division II Championship
- Competing in his 1st RBC Canadian Open
Garrett Rank
- Former Golf Canada National Amateur Squad member
- 2014 & 2015 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur champion
- Competing in his 2nd RBC Canadian Open
Dave Levesque
- Currently ranked No. 1 on the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC
- Competing in his 3rd RBC Canadian Open
Branson Ferrier
- Winner of RBC Canadian Open Ontario Regional Qualifier
- Competing in his 1st RBC Canadian Open
The final field for the 2016 RBC Canadian Open will be released on Friday, July 15 after 5 p.m. ET.
Information regarding tickets, free 17-and-under junior passes, volunteer opportunities and corporate hospitality for the 2016 RBC Canadian Open can be found at www.rbccanadianopen.com.
OAKVILLE, Ont. – ZTE and Golf Canada announced today a one-year partnership that will see ZTE become the Official Smartphone of the RBC Canadian Open. This year’s RBC Canadian Open is set to take place at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario, from July 18-24, 2016.
As the Official Smartphone of the RBC Canadian Open, ZTE will have exclusive naming rights to the Spectator Village, which will be known as the ZTE Spectator Village. ZTE is also the official sponsor of the ZTE Tweet Caddies, a group that will be keeping fans updated on the tournament, games and giveaways through social media channels.
“We’re thrilled to sponsor the RBC Canadian Open and showcase our devices at this world-class event. This partnership marks the second PGA TOUR event we’ve sponsored and a major step forward in our North American sports marketing strategy,” said Lixin Cheng, chairman and CEO of ZTE North America. “ZTE is committed to ensuring consumers get cutting edge technology at an affordable price and we’re looking forward to letting RBC Canadian Open spectators get up close and personal with our newest flagship device, the Axon 7.”
ZTE will offer charging stations for patrons, as well as showcase the popular Axon smartphone series, Grand X View tablet and SPro 2 Smart Projector. There will also be exciting games and giveaways throughout the Championship, with prizes including free rounds of golf, stays at a resort, swag bags and chances to win the Axon 7 smartphone all located in the ZTE Spectator Village.
“We are pleased to welcome ZTE as a partner of our National Championship,” said Golf Canada Chief Commercial Officer Gavin Roth. “Innovative technology is having a positive impact on fan engagement at major sporting events and we know ZTE will deliver an exciting spectator experience at this year’s RBC Canadian Open.”
ABOUT ZTE Canada
ZTE Canada Inc. (www.ztedevices.ca), headquartered in Toronto, Canada, is a subsidiary of ZTE Corporation, a global provider of mobile devices, telecommunication systems and enterprise solutions. Operating since March 2005, ZTE Canada is dedicated to making cost-efficient, quality communication technology accessible to all. In North America, ZTE is the fourth-largest supplier of smartphones and handset vendors and is the second largest vendor in the pre-paid market. ZTE is one of the top rated high tech enterprises in the world, developing and producing 2G, 3G and 4G handsets and mobile devices in over 150 countries. Founded in 1985, ZTE Corporation is listed on the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges and is China’s largest listed telecom equipment company.
Visit ZTE Canada at ztedevices.ca, on Facebook and on Twitter.
ABOUT THE 2016 RBC CANADIAN OPEN
Part of the FedExCup, stars of the PGA TOUR will compete for $5.9 million (US) at the RBC Canadian Open, July 18-24, 2016 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. Conducted by Golf Canada for more than a century, the RBC Canadian Open provides an opportunity for Canada’s top talents to compete against the world’s best golfers while also leaving a significant impact in the event’s host community. The RBC Canadian Open is proud to support Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada as the event’s official charity partner. Established in 1904, Canada’s national open golf championship is the third-oldest national open golf championship worldwide next to the British Open and the U.S. Open. The RBC Canadian Open is proudly sponsored by RBC, Shaw, BMW Group Canada, Molson Canadian 67, ZTE, WestJet, TaylorMade adidas Golf, Boston Pizza, Ballantine’s, Santa Carolina Wines, Toronto Star, Coca-Cola, CHIN Radio TV International, Metrolinx and the Government of Canada. For tickets or tournament information, please visit www.rbccanadianopen.com or call 1-800-571-6736.
GOLF CANADA – LOVE THE GAME. GROW THE GAME.
Golf Canada is the National Sports Organization and governing body for golf in Canada representing close to 310,000 golfers at more than 1,400 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s mission is to grow participation, excellence and passion in the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. By investing in the growth of the sport and introducing more participants of all ages to the game, our goal is to be relevant to and respected by all Canadian golf enthusiasts from coast to coast. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.