2017

The RBC Canadian Open unveils ‘The Rink’ fan experience

OAKVILLE, ONT. (Golf Canada) – To help celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary, Golf Canada and RBC have announced the launch of The Rink – a fan experience taking place during the 2017 RBC Canadian Open that will combine Canada’s most popular pastimes, golf and hockey.

During championship week, July 24-30, the par-3 7th hole at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., will transform into a rink-styled fan experience, complete with hockey boards, an ice-resurfacing machine, as well as the addition of new rink-side bleachers and viewing decks.

“We’re very excited to bring The Rink to life,” said RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “We wanted to create an experience that oozed Canadiana. We know Canadians love hockey, and of course they love golf too. Combining rinks and links was a no-brainer.”

To add to The Rink experience, volunteer marshals on the hole will be outfitted in referee uniforms, while rink boards will outline the hole from tee to green, replacing traditional roping.

Seating for The Rink is adjacent to the Coors Light 19th Hole Beer Garden. In-seat service and giveaways will be available to ensure fans don’t miss out on the action. A $1,000 donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada will be made for every birdie made on the hole during championship play, Thursday to Sunday.

Global TV will also have their broadcast booth behind the green looking back at the tee, enabling television viewers the opportunity to witness The Rink from the comfort of their own homes.

“The RBC Canadian Open has always been uniquely Canadian,” added Matt McGlynn, vice-president, brand marketing for RBC. “We felt integrating ‘The Rink’ into our Canadian-themed activation would be a perfect extension to the fan experience. We’re proud to support Golf Canada and make this Canadian tribute a reality, hopefully for many years to come.”

There is perhaps no better way to show your Canadian pride than by cheering on homegrown Canadian talent – and Canada’s top golfers are giving fans lots of reasons to cheer. The 2017 edition of the RBC Canadian Open will be a showcase of the incredible Canadian talent on the PGA Tour.

Two Canuck golfers have earned their first PGA TOUR victories this season, with Adam Hadwin winning the Valspar Championship in March and Mackenzie Hughes winning The RSM Classic last November.

Graham DeLaet is hungry for his first PGA TOUR victory, recently recording his fifth Top 10 of the season – a tie for 10th at The Memorial.

The deep contingent of Canadian talent continues with the likes of Nick Taylor. The PGA TOUR winner (2014 Sanderson Farms Championship) has three Top-10 finishes this year and would love to notch another win this year at Glen Abbey.

David Hearn nearly tasted victory at the 2015 RBC Canadian Open. With a massive crowd cheering him on as they sang “O Canada,” Hearn held the lead heading into the final round at Glen Abbey. However, he would fall short, finishing third behind electric Australian Jason Day.

Perennial fan favourite and Masters champion Mike Weir will also be teeing-it-up at the RBC Canadian Open ahead of his debut as assistant captain at The Presidents Cup.

Headlining the International golfers already committed to compete are world No. 1 Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, recent THE PLAYERS Championship winner, Si Woo Kim and PGA TOUR rookie sensation Bryson DeChambeau. Team RBC golfers Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Matt Kuchar, Graeme McDowell, Ryan Palmer and Brandt Snedeker will also be in the field.

The RBC Canadian Open is more than just 72 holes of world-class golf – it’s one of Canada’s most prolific sporting events, chocked-full of activities for spectators both inside and outside the ropes.

In addition to The Rink and outstanding golf, other fan activities adding to the RBC Canadian Open experience include:

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

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

Kids 17-and-under Get in Free
In their continued commitment to Canadian families, Golf Canada and RBC strive to provide a fan friendly, all encompassing family event with the RBC Canadian Open. In an effort to introduce more juniors to the sport, kids aged 17-and-under get FREE admission to the RBC Canadian Open for the entire week.

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

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

2017

Johnson, Watson, Kim and Team RBC among early player commitments for 2017 RBC Canadian Open

DUBLIN, OH - JUNE 02: Dustin Johnson watches his tee shot on the 14th hole during the second round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 2, 2017 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

OAKVILLE, ONT. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada and RBC today announced Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson and Si Woo Kim  have made early commitments to compete at the 2017 RBC Canadian Open from July 24-30 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

Johnson, who has been No. 1 on the Official World Golf Rankings since February of 2017, has three PGA TOUR victories this season to lead the FedEx Cup standings.

Bubba Watson last competed at the RBC Canadian Open in 2015, where he finished runner-up to Jason Day.

Si Woo Kim is coming off the biggest win of his career, taking top spot at the 2017 THE PLAYERS Championship to climb to No. 32 in the Official World Golf Ranking and 22nd on the FedEx Cup Standings.

Ten members of Team RBC have also committed to compete at Canada’s National Open Championship, including Canada’s Adam Hadwin, Graham DeLaet, Nick Taylor and David Hearn. The Canadians will be joined by teammates Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Matt Kuchar, Graeme McDowell, Ryan Palmer and Brandt Snedeker.

In addition, a sponsor exemption has been extended to Jared du Toit of Kimberly, B.C. The Golf Canada Amateur Team member sprung to notoriety thanks to a stellar showing at the 2016 RBC Canadian Open, where he finished 9th.

The field also features all three Order of Merit winners from the first three seasons of the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada, including Canadian and 2013 Order of Merit winner Mackenzie Hughes, along with Joel Dahmen (2014) and J.J. Spaun (2015). Other early Canadian player commitments include Ottawa’s Brad Fritsch and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Honoured Member Mike Weir.

“Our field is coming together and we’re thrilled to welcome some of the best player in the world, a good mix of top international talent and a solid list of Canadians as early commitments for the 2017 RBC Canadian Open,” said Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin.

A Canadian has not won the RBC Canadian Open since Pat Fletcher in 1954. However, Mackenzie Hughes (The RSM Classic) and Adam Hadwin (Valspar Championship) each have PGA TOUR wins this season.

“This will be an exciting year for Canadian golf fans for sure,” added McLaughlin. “We’ve come close in recent years with David Hearn finishing 3rd in 2015 and du Toit’s terrific run last year. This may be the year the drought finally comes to an end.”

Team Canada member Hugo Bernard of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., won the 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship to earn an exemption into the RBC Canadian Open, while NHL Referee and Elmira, Ont., native Garrett Rank won his spot by claiming the 2016 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. In mid-May, Matt Hill of Brights Grove, Ont., won the Ontario Regional Qualifier to earn his spot.

Additional player announcements will be made in the coming weeks. Players have until 5 pm ET Friday before tournament week to confirm their participation with the PGA TOUR.

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

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

Kids 17-and-under Get in Free
Golf Canada and RBC are committed to offering a fan friendly, family event with the RBC Canadian Open. In an effort to introduce more juniors to the sport, kids aged 17-and-under get FREE admission to the RBC Canadian Open for the entire week.

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

By: Terry Lenyk
Photo:  Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

2017

Mack Duke wins medallist honours at RBC Canadian Open Qualifier at Vallee du Richelieu

Mack Duke of Camden, Maine, carded a 2-under par 70 to earn medallist honours at the final RBC Canadian Open Regional qualifier of 2017 at Club de Golf la Vallee du Richelieu – Vercheres Course.

Duke’s first place finish earns him a spot in the Final Qualifier taking place at Heron Point Golf Links in Ancaster, Ont., July 24th.

A minimum of four golfers will advance through final Monday qualifying to the 2017 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club, in Oakville, Ont., from July 24-30.

“Qualifiers are tough because one bad shot can kick you right out of it,” said Duke following his round.   “You have to be consistent and try to play smart. You can’t get too aggressive and you have to make putts when they are offered up.”

After going out in a bogey free 2-under par 34 on the front nine, Duke dropped two more birdies on the back nine to combat two bogeys. He felt confident with his putter all day.

“The greens were really good speed for making putts,” he added. “They weren’t crazy fast, and weren’t too slow, so you could hit all your putts pretty firm and aggressive. I just stuck to that and made a few putts today.”

Seventy golfers competed in the Quebec qualifier. In addition to Duke, 14 players are also moving on to the Final Qualifier at Heron Point.

Seventeen-year-old amateur Griffin Jones from Manotick, Ont., finished second one stroke behind Duke at 1 under par. Quebec City’s Louis-Alexandre Pitre was solo third at even par.

Amateurs Cullen Chung (Westmount, Que.) and Étienne Papineau (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.) finished in a tie for fourth with professional Francis Berthiaume (Valleyfield, Que.) at 1 over par.

The Quebec Regional Qualifier was the third and final Regional Qualifying event. Provided 100 or more players were in the field at a Regional Qualifier, the low qualifier received direct exemption into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.

Otherwise, the top 15 percent of finishers at each qualifier are eligible to compete at the Final Qualifying event.

Additional information and the full leaderboard from Monday’s RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier at Vallee du Richelieu can be found here.