Mark Rypien, the first Canadian-born quarterback to start in the NFL and win a Super Bowl MVP Award, is one of six Canadians participating in Champions Tour regional qualifying tournaments this week.
The Alberta native has recorded two victories and seven Top 10 finishes at the American Century Championship, a tournament that determines the best golfers from the sports and entertainment industries.
Taking place November 4-7, this year’s tournament consists of two separate stages. Three regional qualifying tournaments will narrow the field down to 78 participants for the final qualifying stage which takes place November 17-22 at Panther Lake Golf Course in Winter Garden, Fla.
The regional qualifiers take place at Bear Creek Golf Club in Murrieta, Cal., Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge in Winter Garden, Fla. and Woodforest Golf Club at Fish Creek in Montgomery, Tex.
Also in the field this week is Remi Bouchard (Candiac, Que.), a three-time PGA of Canada champion.
Other Canadians joining Bouchard and Rypien are Marc Hurtubise (Chambly, Que.), Michael Dagenais (Quebec), Darryl James (Calgary), JC LeBlanc (Blaineville, Que.), and Ken Tarling (Sanford, Ont.).