2020 RBC Canadian Open cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
– Golf Canada and RBC will now pivot all efforts towards planning for a celebrated return of the RBC Canadian Open in 2021 –
TORONTO – With continued public health concerns as well as international travel and government restrictions due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the PGA TOUR, in consultation with Golf Canada and RBC, has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 RBC Canadian Open.
The event was scheduled for June 8-14 at St. George’s Golf and Country Club with Islington Golf Club as the official practice facility. The cancellation of the 2020 RBC Canadian Open also includes the RBCxMusic Concert Series which was scheduled to take place June 12-13 at Richview Collegiate Institute, featuring headline performances by The Chainsmokers and Keith Urban.
“The RBC Canadian Open has always been a rallying point for Canadian golf and while we share in the crushing disappointment with our fans, players, volunteers and many event partners, our primary responsibility is the safety of our people and our communities,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “It is now our full intention to push forward together with RBC, the PGA TOUR, the City of Toronto and our host clubs with the goal to bring the 2021 RBC Canadian Open to St. George’s Golf and Country Club with Islington Golf Club as the official practice facility.”
“Our foremost consideration is the health and safety of everyone in our community, including the players, spectators, our staff and volunteers, the media and the thousands of supporters who contribute to the success of our event,” said Mary DePaoli, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, RBC. “The international travel restrictions, required quarantine measures and government mandates were critical factors that contributed to the decision to cancel our event this year. We have no doubt that the incredible momentum we’ve built together with our partners will make the 2021 RBC Canadian Open a world-class experience.”
Golf Canada and RBC would like to thank golf fans across the nation for their understanding and in particular, our many corporate partners, ticket and hospitality purchasers, as well as the countless volunteers for their continued support through this unprecedented time.
Golf Canada, the PGA TOUR and RBC have continued to monitor the guidelines provided by federal, provincial and municipal government health authorities in order to prevent the spread of the virus within our communities. With this decision, Golf Canada and RBC will now turn their focus towards the 2021 RBC Canadian Open.
Dating back to its inception in 1904, the cancellation of the 2020 RBC Canadian Open marks only the seventh time that Canada’s National Open Championship has not been conducted, including wartime cancellations from 1915-18 as well as 1943-44.
All corporate hospitality buyers will be contacted by their Golf Canada sales representative over the coming days to plan forward for 2021 and individual ticket purchases made via Ticketmaster will be automatically refunded within the next 30 days. The same refund policy applies for RBC clients who purchased RBCxMusic Tickets.
For more information, visit www.rbccanadianopen.com.
Golf Canada announces event cancellations and postponements
With heightened uncertainty and global concern related to COVID-19, Golf Canada continues to evaluate all aspects of our business to operate and make informed and responsible decisions within the best interests of our athletes, staff, volunteers, host clubs, partners and other stakeholders health and well-being.
Today (March 30, 2020), Golf Canada is announcing its decision to cancel or postpone the events listed below.
Golf Canada has cancelled the following 2020 NextGen Championships:
- NextGen Pacific | May 14-17 | Pheasant Glen Golf Resort, Qualicum Beach, B.C.
- NextGen Ontario | May 21-24 | Listowel Golf Club, Listowel, Ont.
- NextGen Western | May 27-30 | River Spirit Golf Club, Calgary, Alta.
- NextGen Québec | June 4-7 | Owl’s Head Golf Club, Mansonville, Qué.
Golf Canada has postponed the following 2020 RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifiers:
- Ontario Qualifier | May 14 | TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, Caledon, Ont.
- British Columbia Qualifier | May 19 | Meadow Gardens Golf Club, Pitt Meadows, B.C.
- Québec Qualifier | May 21 | Club de golf Pinegrove, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Qué.
Golf Canada has also decided to postpone the 2020 Canadian University/College Championship:
Canadian University/College Championship | May 24-28 | Club de golf Les Quatre Domaines, Mirabel, Qué.
Golf Canada has cancelled all National Rules and Course Ratings Seminars:
- National Rules Seminar (BC) | March 27-29 | Marine Drive Golf Club, Vancouver, B.C.
- National Rules Seminar (NB) | March 27-29 | Royal Oaks Golf Club, Moncton, N.B.
- National Rules Seminar (ON) | April 3-5 | St. George’s Golf & Country Club, Toronto, Ont.
- National Rules Seminar (QC) | April 24-26 | Elm Ridge Country Club, Montreal, Qué.
- National Rules Seminar (SK) | April 24-26 | Riverside Country Club, Saskatoon, Sask.
- National Course Rating Seminar April 26-27
The USGA previously announced the cancellation of local (first stage) qualifying for the 2020 U.S. Open in its current form. They are working with their Allied Golf Association (AGA) partners and International Federations to redesign qualifying going forward.
The decision to cancel or postpone these events was not taken lightly, but given unprecedented times, we believe it is the best course of action. The safety and well-being of our championship competitors, tournament staff and volunteers along with our host site members and staff are paramount to Golf Canada. We also appreciate that all Canadians are dealing with health and travel concerns along with more pressing matters of uncertainty.
We share in the disappointment of those affected and thank all for their understanding during this extraordinary time.
A complete list of Golf Canada’s competitions is available here.
The Chainsmokers and Keith Urban to headline RBCxMusic Concert Series at 2020 RBC Canadian Open
Du Toit exceeds his expectations at Latinoamerica qualifier
A month ago, Jared du Toit wasn’t even sure he’d be playing in the Latinoamerica Qualifying Tournament in Mexico. He’d been frustrated with the state of his game for all of the 2019 season and drilled hard for most of November and December trying to get things back on track. By the time the holidays rolled around, he was fed up.
But fast forward to last Sunday and he’d won the event at the Estrella del Mar Golf & Beach Resort, earning a full exemption for the PGA Tour Latinoamerica season.
“I talked to the people close to me, my coaches and family and everyone was kind of like, ‘Nah, just go do it,”’ said du Toit, who had consulted with Golf Canada coach Derek Ingram and Dr. Adrienne Leslie-Toogood, a mental performance coach with the national program, among others.
“So then I really committed to doing it and really good practices and whatnot and I felt really good for tee off and then obviously played well in the event so it was a big relief getting it done.”
The 24-year-old du Toit shot 5-under 67 in the final round to finish the week at 22-under 266 overall for a two-stroke win over Mexico’s Juan Carlos Benitez.
Du Toit took a full break from golf for two weeks over the holidays – he didn’t even bring his clubs home with him to Kimberley, B.C. – to clear his head. When he returned to Arizona he set aside all of the thinking and work he’d done before the holidays, created a plan of attack, and returned to playing. That hard reset helped him clear his mind ahead of the qualifier.
“Honestly, I think with all that going on my expectations probably weren’t the highest,” said du Toit, who shot a 5-under 67 in the opening round in Mexico before a 68-64-67 finish. “So maybe when I went down there and I started out great, it was just kind of felt like it was playing with house money.”
The PGA Tour Latinoamerica season doesn’t start for another six weeks and du Toit expects he’ll use that time to find more consistency in his game, play some mini tour events and maybe take on some Monday qualifiers on the Korn Ferry Tour. When the Latinoamerica season does kick off, it will be right back at Estrella del Mar, which du Toit sees as an advantage.
“I’ve probably played 15 rounds on that golf course over the years so I’m very comfortable with it,” said du Toit. “It’s kind of this unique blend of grasses that it took me awhile to adjust to.
Whether other people struggle with that adjustment or not, it’s definitely a thing.
“I think my experience on that golf course will help me out and hopefully I can get off to a great start to the season.”
It’s expected that du Toit will be named to Golf Canada’s Young Pro Squad for a third straight year. He was previously on the organization’s amateur squad, including in 2016 when he tied for ninth as an amateur at the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.
“Golf Canada has been very good to me over the last four or five years,” said du Toit. “Basically my first real coach was from Golf Canada. They’ve been really good to me and I would love to keep that relationship going for as long as I can.”
Golf Canada remembers Grace McCann
It is with great sadness that Golf Canada mourns the passing of Grace McCann, a past president (2000-2001) of the former Canadian Ladies Golf Association (CLGA).
McCann, an enthusiastic promoter of women’s golf and past member of Pointe West Golf Club in Amherstburg, Ont., passed away peacefully on January 16, 2020 at 85 years of age. She was also an avid curler, swimmer and skier.
Read McCann’s full obituary here.
Canada’s Richard T. Lee earns spot in 2020 Open Championship
SINGAPORE — Canada’s Richard T. Lee is the latest Canadian to qualify for this year’s Open Championship.
Lee qualified after shooting a 1-over 71 on Sunday to finish in fifth place at the SMBC Singapore Open. The 29-year old finished at 12-under 272 at Serapong Golf Course. He was tied for second place after two rounds of the tournament and sat three shots back of the lead heading into the final round.
By virtue of finishing fifth, the Toronto native punched his ticket into the the 149th playing of The Open Championship being held July 12-19, 2020 at Royal St. Georges in England.
The SMBC Singapore Open – a US$1-million tournament that is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Tour – is included as part of the Open Qualifying Series. The series allows for the leading four players who finish in the top 12 and ties at the SMBC Singapore Open and who are not already exempt to earn a place at The Open.
This will be Lee’s second major golf championship having previously played the U.S. Open in 2007.
American Matt Kuchar won the Singapore Open at 18 under, while Justin Rose was second at 15 under. Both had already qualified for the British Open.
Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., previously qualified for The Open as a top 30 qualifier (T26) for the PGA TOUR’s 2019 TOUR Championship.
American and Team RBC member Matt Kuchar won with an 18 under score, while Justin Rose was second at 15 under.
Glencoe Invitational adds women’s competition for 2020
CALGARY – The Glencoe Invitational will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2020 and as part of its commitment to grow the event, the stellar invitational golf tournament will add a female competition to its schedule when it tees off June 15-20 at The Glencoe Golf and Country Club.
The event’s organizers announced it will welcome North America’s best current and aspiring female amateur and professionals in addition to male amateur golfers from across North America for the first time ever in June during a press conference Dec. 16, 2019.
The tournament will be designed for both women and men to play The Glencoe Forest course at the same time in alternating groups for 54 holes with no cut. The tournament will include a maximum of 50 players in the men’s event and 30 players in the first year of the women’s event – comprised of 20 professional and 10 amateurs. The plan is to build to 50 men and 50 women within the next three years.
The men’s amateurs will be competing for the top-three titles, the women amateurs will be competing for the title of “Champion” and “Runner-Up” and the female professionals will battle for a $25,000 purse that will be distributed amongst the top-four finishers. The winner will receive $15,000 for first, while $6,000 will be presented to the runner-up.
“As we look to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the tournament, the time is right to welcome female divisions to the Glencoe DCBank Invitational,” said Tournament Director Dale Goehring. “This fills a void in women’s golf for elite amateurs and professional. All the foundational elements were in place to build upon the success of this tournament and create a first of its kind in North America.”
Established in 1984, the Glencoe Golf & Country Club will provide a challenging test for both women and men according to Ash Chadha, General Manager of Glencoe Golf & Country Club.
“On behalf of the members and staff of The Glencoe Golf & Country Club, we are very supportive about adding the new female divisions,” said Ash Chadha, General Manager. “The Forest course will be a great test for both men and women in the new integrated event. We are very excited to host this unique annual event which will help grow the game.”
Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee, a member of Golf Canada’s Young Pro Squad, was on hand to help make the formal announcement.
We have @jaclynlee57 announcing an added WOMENS EVENT for both Pro & Amateur ladies for the @GlencoeInv 2020! ??♀️??♂️⛳️@GolfCanada @LPGA #simetratour #glencoegolf pic.twitter.com/EAhxMR20z3
— Glencoe G&CC (@glencoegcc) December 16, 2019
Brendan MacDougall, a Calgary native and member of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Team, also took in the exciting announcement.
Brendan @thedooogs Macdougall speaking about @GlencoeInv for 2020 and the exciting announcement of the female division being added to the tournament! ??♀️??♂️⛳️ #glencoegolf @GolfCanada @HPUmensgolf #glencoeINV pic.twitter.com/7CPcvuLvzb
— Glencoe G&CC (@glencoegcc) December 16, 2019
Further information regarding the Glencoe DCBank Invitational can be found at www.glencoeinivitational.com.
The Glencoe Golf and Country Club will also play host to the 116th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship in Aug. 3-6, 2020.
Golf Canada mourns the passing of Jim Fraser
Golf Canada is mourning the passing of one of the sport’s long-time supporters, Jim Fraser, who passed away peacefully in his home December 5th, 2019 after a courageous fight with ALS.
Fraser, who was born in Montreal, was a member at Toronto Golf Club in Mississauga, Ont., and Beaconsfield Golf Club in Montreal. He held several positions as a volunteer and then an employee of the Royal Canadian Golf Association (now Golf Canada) over a career spanning nearly 40 years.
He volunteered with the Association as a governor for a decade prior to becoming a full-time staff member in 1993. During his tenure with the National Sport Federation, he served various Director roles with portfolios that included Rules, Handicapping and Amateur Status; Player Development and Junior Golf; Member Programs; Handicap and Course Rating; and Amateur Competitions. Following retirement, he remained active as a volunteer in a rules capacity and later supporting the library archives of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum.
For his dedicated work towards bettering golf, Fraser received several recognitions, most notably being inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame, receiving Distinguished Service Awards from Golf Canada and the International Association of Golf Administrators, being named a Patron of the Canadian Seniors Golf Association and most recently with the establishment of the Jim Fraser Scholarship through Golf Canada and the Canadian Seniors Golf Association (CSGA).
Fraser is survived by his wife Lynne, daughters (Patty, Karen and Gillian) and grandchildren (Alex, Kayla, Sophie and Grace).
Friends can pay their respects at Kopriva Taylor Funeral Home, 64 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville, on Thursday, December 12th from 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Fraser’s funeral will be held in St. Jude’s Anglican Church, 160 William Street, Oakville, on Friday, December 13th at 11:00 a.m.
The family asks that any donations in memory of Jim be made to the ALS Society of Canada or to the Jim Fraser Scholarship through the Golf Canada Foundation.
2019 CP Women’s Open earns Gold Driver Awards at season ending award ceremony
NAPLES, FLA. (Golf Canada) – The success of the 2019 CP Women’s Open at Magna Golf Club in Aurora, Ont., was recently recognized as the Tournament Partners of the LPGA presented Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific (CP) with two Gold Driver Awards for delivering best-in-class elements among all LPGA Tour events.
The annual Gold Driver Awards were hosted in conjunction with the LPGA Tour’s season-ending CME Group Tour Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Fla. The Tournament Partners of the LPGA (formally Tournament Owners Association) have a long standing tradition of recognizing best in class tournaments with Gold Driver Awards at the season ending event on the LPGA Tour calendar.
At the formal ceremony, the CP Women’s Open received Gold Driver Awards for Best Community and Charity Engagement and Best Sponsor Activation.
The award for Best Community and Charity Engagement was earned for the CP Has Heart community investment campaign, which raised nearly $2.5 million for children’s charities in the Greater Toronto Area – the largest donation in the history of the CP Women’s Open. As part of the program, $2.2 million was presented to the SickKids Foundation in Toronto, while a $250,000 donation was made to Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, Ont., to support paediatric cardiac care. In the six years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CP Women’s Open, more than $10.5 million has now been raised to support children’s heart health in Canada. This is the second time in the last three years that the CP Women’s Open was awarded the Gold Driver for Best Community and Charity Engagement.
The CP Women’s Open netted Best Sponsor Activation for the Levelwear Caddy Lounge. Headed by Canadian apparel company and Golf Canada partner, Levelwear, the activation delivered a first of its kind hangout for LPGA Tour caddies. The Lounge featured a host of amenities, from food and drinks to post-round massages, haircuts, games and more.
“It is humbling to see the CP Women’s Open honoured with two Gold Driver Awards,” said CP Women’s Open Tournament Director, Ryan Paul. “This year’s event was a true team effort. Thanks to tremendous fan, player and partner support, the 2019 CP Women’s Open was a resounding success and it is rewarding to be recognized with these meaningful awards.”
In August, Rolex World No. 1 Jin Young Ko fired a 26-under 262 over four rounds to best a stellar field of golfers, including 96 of the top 100 golfers in the world and become the 2019 CP Women’s Open champion. By doing so, she would take home US$337,500 of the US$2.25 million purse, the largest purse on the LPGA Tour outside Major Championships and the CME Group Tour Championship.
The 2019 CP Women’s Open enjoyed record walk-up and corporate hospitality sales and was the third-most attended CP Women’s Open in history.
The stars of the LPGA Tour are headed back to Vancouver as the 2020 CP Women’s Open will be contested at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club from August 31- September 6, 2020. The championship will mark the sixth time that the province of British Columbia has hosted Canada’s Women’s Open Championship, with the last time being 2015 at The Vancouver Golf Club, where Lydia Ko won her third CP Women’s Open title.
Information regarding tickets and corporate hospitality for 2020 can be found at www.cpwomensopen.com/tickets.
2020 CP Women’s Open tickets now on sale
VANCOUVER (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada, in partnership with title sponsor Canadian Pacific (CP), are pleased to announce that tickets are now available for the 2020 CP Women’s Open, taking place August 31 to September 6 at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver.
One of Canada’s premier annual sporting events, the CP Women’s Open features miles of front row seating for golf fans to experience Canada’s lone stop on the LPGA Tour. Cheer on Canadian sensation and CP Ambassador Brooke Henderson as she leads the stars of the LPGA Tour back to Vancouver alongside defending champion and world No. 1 Jin Young Ko, past champions Ariya Jutanugarn, Sung Hyun Park and So Yeon Ryu and rising stars Lexi Thompson, Nelly Korda, Jessica Korda, Danielle Kang and Minjee Lee.
The 2020 CP Women’s Open will mark the sixth time that the province of British Columbia has hosted Canada’s Women’s Open Golf Championship, with the last time being 2015 at The Vancouver Golf Club, where Lydia Ko won her third CP Women’s Open title.
CLICK HERE to get your tickets for the 2020 CP Women’s Open
General admission tickets, starting at just $20 for early week admission, provide access to the grounds to get an up-close look at the stars of the LPGA Tour.
Tournament rounds for Thursday, Friday and Saturday are just $50; a Sunday final-round ticket is $60; and a week–long, fully transferable badge is $130. A $60 Anyday Grounds ticket is also available for those looking for ticket flexibility.
A specially-priced youth ticket (13-17 years old) is also available while juniors aged 12-and-under gain FREE grounds admission all week long.
In addition to general admission tickets and corporate hospitality products, the CP Women’s Open also offers a premium ticket product – The Heritage Lounge.
The Heritage Lounge delivers an elevated fan experience within the Clubhouse of the prestigious Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club. This premium destination is the perfect home base to sit, relax and map out your experience following the stars of the LPGA Tour! It offers upgraded food and beverage for purchase, ample televisions with a live feed of the broadcast and private washrooms. Heritage Lounge tickets cost $100 for single day access or $250 for a fully transferable tournament (Thursday – Sunday) pass.
Volunteer opportunities to be a part of the 2020 CP Women’s Open are also available with a full listing of committee positions here.
For an elevated experience, the CP Women’s Open offers many great hospitality packages to fit any budget. All corporate hospitality comes with private seating on one of Shaughnessy’s closing holes and all-inclusive food & beverage. A full list of offerings can be found here.
The CP Women’s Open is so much more than a sporting event. Enjoy world-class golf and a premium hospitality experience at a signature Canadian sporting event that will leave a meaningful charitable legacy through CP Has Heart in support of children’s heart health.
Get your tickets today at www.cpwomensopen.com/tickets.
* Prices do not include applicable taxes or Ticketmaster fees.