PGA TOUR event honored for “Best Marketing Initiative” and
“Best Tournament Sales” for 2022-23 season

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida – The RBC Canadian Open was honoured with two awards by the PGA TOUR at the TOUR’s Tournament Meetings on December 7. The RBC Canadian Open, held in 2023 at Oakdale Country Club in Toronto, earned the awards for “Best Marketing Initiative” and “Best Tournament Sales.”

This is the first time since the 2018-19 season the PGA TOUR has presented a complete roster of tournament awards, due to challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“On behalf of the PGA TOUR, I am thrilled to congratulate the RBC Canadian Open on being recognized with two ‘Best Of’ awards for the 2022-23 PGA TOUR Season,” said PGA TOUR Chief Competitions Officer Tyler Dennis. “After several years of challenges related to the pandemic and its impacts on event operations, I’m pleased we are able to once again celebrate the incredible work all PGA TOUR tournaments have accomplished to elevate the experience for players and fans. Our award winners should be extremely proud to be recognized as top among their peers on TOUR.”

The award for “Best Marketing Initiative” recognizes the tournament that best develops and executes a marketing campaign designed to increase ticket sales and attendance.

The RBC Canadian Open carried forward the momentum from its record-breaking year in 2022 with their 2023 campaign, “Summer’s Open.” The initiative positioned the RBC Canadian Open as not only a premier professional sporting event, but a diverse entertainment experience that offers value to golf fans and non-golf fans alike. The campaign had four key objectives: build excitement among golf fans leveraging Rory McIlroy’s potential three-peat (including a first-ever championship ring); generate buzz among casual Canadian sports fans by using Canadian TOUR players to tease potential historic win; profile breadth of entertainment offerings to drive purchase intent among attendees that are not sports fans; and capitalize on key viral moments in golf to drive reach.

“Best Tournament Sales” evaluates current year contracted sales across Sales Support Initiative categories (pro-am, hospitality, and sponsorship/advertising) compared to previous year overall performance and is equally weighted based on year-over-year growth by percentage and dollars.

Canada’s national open had its best sales year to date in 2023 and grew tremendously year-over-year, thanks to the incredible support from the people and business community of Toronto. Significant hospitality product was added to keep up with generated demand, with Golf Canada building over 200,000 square feet of hospitality along the Oakdale property, including a new double-decker structure for the first time. On the golf course, 11 viewing decks and bleachers were spread out across the property and there were over 50 activations for fans to engage in. Corporate hospitality and the pro-am was completely sold out.

New in 2023, the team launched the Gallery Fast Pass, a premium ticket offering that allowed fans to purchase preferred reserved viewing areas. Gallery Fast Pass ticket holders save time with access to the premium hospitality gate, expedited concessions and the premium 1904 Club viewing structure.

The RBC Canadian Open continues to boast some of the most unique and robust sponsorship activations on the PGA TOUR, anchored by “The Rink.” “The Rink” was back on Oakdale’s 14th hole and was completely enclosed for the first time. A fan experience combining Canada’s most popular pastimes – golf and hockey – “The Rink” earned the TOUR award for “Best in Class Element” in 2018. The area is modeled after an ice hockey rink, complete with hockey boards lining the hole, upgraded bleachers, and viewing decks, while featuring volunteer gallery management dressed as referees.

“We are honoured to receive both PGA TOUR awards in recognition for the success of the 2023 RBC Canadian Open. A sincere thank you as well to the membership at Oakdale Golf and Country Club for their significant support in getting behind the tournament in a major way,” said RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Bryan Crawford. “We are extremely appreciative of RBC and our incredible network of partners along with the agency support of Wasserman and others for their continued elevation of the RBC Canadian Open into a true festival experience with innovative fan activations such as Hilton on the Green, The ScoreBet Hole Zero, Audi Performance Lab, The Fare Way featuring the Keg and so many more. Congratulations to all the award winners, and we look forward to hosting another great RBC Canadian Open in 2024 at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club.”

The 2024 RBC Canadian Open, won this year by Canadian Nick Taylor, returns to Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Hamilton, Ontario, May 27-June 2.

Select tickets now available for 113th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship

Oakville, Ont. – Golf Canada, in partnership with RBC is pleased to announce that select tickets are now available for the 2024 RBC Canadian Open taking place May 28 – June 2 at the historic Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont.

Leading the charge for the 113th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship will be defending champion Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C. along with two-time RBC Canadian Open champion and world no.2 Rory McIlroy.

Taylor, a three-time PGA TOUR winner will become the first Canadian in nearly 70 years to compete as defending champion coming off a historic four-hole playoff victory over Tommy Fleetwood this past June at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto.

Last week, Golf Canada and RBC also announced a revised brand identity for the 2024 RBC Canadian Open logo that pays tribute to Taylor’s iconic 72-foot putt that secured the first Canadian win at the RBC Canadian Open in 69 years.

McIlroy won his first of two Canadian Open titles by a convincing seven shots at the 2019 RBC Canadian Open hosted at Hamilton Golf and Country Club. The 24-time PGA TOUR winner went on to successfully defend his RBC Canadian Open title in 2022 at St. George’s Golf and Country Club. McIlroy will be looking to claim his third Canadian Open title in 2024 and join three-time champions Tommy Armour, Sam Snead, and Lee Trevino.

“There is incredible momentum for the RBC Canadian Open’s return to Hamilton with our historic defending champion Nick Taylor and our previous two-time winner in Rory (McIlroy) leading the early charge,” said RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Bryan Crawford. “Hamilton has been an exceptional host venue for the championship, and we are looking forward to delivering another exciting festival experience for golf fans next summer.”

The 2024 RBC Canadian Open returns to the storied Hamilton layout for the seventh time and first since 2019. It will be the first opportunity for the stars of the PGA TOUR to experience the newly renovated Harry Colt design led by Martin Ebert. The two-year renovation project, which saw the return of key Colt design elements from the course’s past, including the complete rebuild of all 27 greens and bunkers, was named the “Best New Restoration” by Golf Digest for 2022.

One of Canada’s premier annual sporting events, the 2024 RBC Canadian Open offers three select ticket options now on sale for golf fans to experience the thrill of live professional golf at Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship. The advance ticket options include:

• Any Day Ticket: Access to the RBC Canadian Open on any one day, Tuesday through Sunday (on-sale for a limited time, while supplies last.)

• Weekly Grounds Ticket: Access to the full week of the tournament, Tuesday through Sunday.

• 1904 Club Weekly Ticket: Access for all four days of Championship play from Thursday through Sunday.

The official charitable beneficiary of the RBC Canadian Open is First Tee – Canada. As part of the championship’s commitment to junior golf, admission all week is free for youth aged 12-and-under.

Volunteer, sponsorship, and corporate hospitality opportunities are also available. To purchase tickets or for more information on the 2024 RBC Canadian Open, please visit rbccanadianopen.com.

(December 1, 2023) – In celebration of Nick Taylor’s historic victory in becoming the first Canadian to win Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship in 69 years, Golf Canada in partnership with title sponsor RBC, have reimagined the tournament logo for the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in celebrating one of the most iconic moments in Canadian sport.

The updated brand identity depicts a silhouette of Taylor’s now legendary putter toss following his 72-foot eagle putt on the fourth playoff hole at Oakdale Golf and Country Club to defeat Tommy Fleetwood and become the first Canadian in seven decades to win Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship.

“We are excited to pay tribute to the epic performance of Nick’s amazing win by capturing the energy of that moment within the brand identity and logo mark for the 2024 RBC Canadian Open,” said Golf Canada Chief Marketing Officer Tim McLaughlin. “Nick’s historic victory will be celebrated in the lead up to and throughout the 2024 RBC Canadian Open and the reimagined logo is a fitting homage to both Nick and this most special moment for our National Open.”

“To be a part of the 2024 RBC Canadian Open logo is really special,” said Taylor. “When I first saw the re-design with myself as the swing man, I was flattered by the tribute and thought it was very cool. I am excited to get to Hamilton and looking forward to defending my title.”

The updated brand mark for the 2024 RBC Canadian Open will feature prominently across integrated marketing activities and physical touch points in the lead up to Taylor’s title defence at Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

The 2024 RBC Canadian Open takes place May 28 – June 2 at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont., the 113^th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship.

For more information on the 2024 RBC Canadian Open, please visit rbccanadianopen.com.

Tickets coming soon ? pic.twitter.com/gGQAc2bLIG

— RBC Canadian Open (@RBCCanadianOpen) December 4, 2023

The road to The 152^nd Open Championship will stop in Canada once again, as the 2024 RBC Canadian Open contested May 30 to June 2 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. will be among 16 events in 11 countries to make up The Open Qualifying Series for 2024.

The 2024 RBC Canadian Open will offer up three qualifying places to the leading three players, not already exempt, who make the cut at the 113^th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship.

The race to qualify for The 152^nd Open at Royal Troon gets under way this week with three places on offer through the Joburg Open in South Africa.

The Joburg Open is the first event in The Open Qualifying Series for 2024 which offers golfers around the world opportunities to book their place in golf’s original championship.

Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R&A, said: “The race to qualify for The 152^nd Open at Royal Troon is now under way and offers golfers all over the world a range of opportunities to secure a coveted place in the Championship.

“We look forward to seeing the drama unfold in the coming months as golfers emerge from tour events or Final Qualifying to book their place at Royal Troon next year.”

The ISPS HANDA Australian Open, which is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and DP World Tour and being played at The Lakes and The Australian from 30 November – 3 December, will offer three places.

The Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, the RBC Canadian Open and the John Deere Classic will offer golfers on the PGA Tour opportunities to qualify.

On the DP World Tour, places will be awarded at the KLM Open, Italian Open and Genesis Scottish Open, which is co-sanctioned with the PGA Tour.

Three events in Asia will be added to The Open Qualifying Series after the Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour and KPGA Korean Tour have announced their schedules for 2024.

Final Qualifying events will be held at Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald Links, Royal Cinque Ports and West Lancashire on 2 July with a minimum of 16 places available. This will follow 14 Regional Qualifying events taking place on 24 June. Fulford and Bearwood Lakes have been added to the list of venues hosting Regional Qualifying.

Where any golfer who earns a qualifying place through an Open Qualifying Series event before the closing date for entries then becomes exempt under one or more other categories, that qualifying place will be awarded to the next best placed non-exempt golfer at that qualifying event.

The R&A will confirm the exemptions for The 152^nd Open at Royal Troon early in the new year.

The 152^nd Open will be played at Royal Troon from 18-21 July 2024.

The Open Qualifying Series will offer the following qualification places in The 152^nd Open:
 

NB. Three events in Asia will also be added to the Open Qualifying Series after the Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour and KPGA Korean Tour have announced their schedules for 2024.

[TORONTO] – On Thursday, September 22, the 2023 Sponsorship Marketing Awards (SMAs) illuminated the Globe & Mail Centre in Toronto, and Golf Canada, along with several of its valued partners, took centre stage, securing numerous accolades at the prestigious annual event hosted by the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada (SMCC).

The SMAs, considered the Canadian sport marketing industry’s most esteemed recognition, span across various sectors, including sports, arts, and culture. Golf Canada was proud to garner recognition in multiple categories honouring 2022 activities, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to working collaboratively with partners to enhance the golf and festival experience at its two signature golf properties—the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open.

The distinguished recognition achieved by Golf Canada and its partners for 2022 activities include:

PROPERTY OF THE YEAR

Gold – Golf Canada (RBC Canadian Open & CPKC Women’s Open)

BEST NEW INITIATIVE

Gold – Hilton on the Green

EVENTS & FESTIVALS

Award of Distinction – RBC Canadian Open

SPORTS (over $500K)

Award of Distinction – theScore Bet Skyline Seats

SUSTAINED SUCCESS

Award of Distinction – CPKC Women’s Open

In addition to these outstanding achievements, Golf Canada’s partners earned the following recognitions:

MUSIC

Gold – RBCxMusic

AGENCY OF THE YEAR

Gold – Wasserman

Golf Canada and its partners were proud to secure more awards than any other organization at this year’s event, providing an emphatic testament of success for these outstanding activities throughout 2022.

Of note is the coveted “Property of the Year” award, a reflection of Golf Canada’s commitment to excellence and innovation in the world of sponsorship marketing.

“These remarkable achievements are a direct result of the unwavering dedication, collaboration, and passion demonstrated by each member of the Golf Canada team and innovative partners,” said Lisa Ferkul, Golf Canada’s Chief Commercial Officer. “These accolades are a testament to a collective commitment to elevate the sponsorship marketing landscape and enhance the festival experience for our partners, fans, and stakeholders.”

Golf Canada extends heartfelt congratulations to every organization involved in these remarkable achievements and looks forward to continuing its journey of excellence and innovation in sponsorship marketing across its signature properties.

PONTE VEDRE – The PGA TOUR has released its nominees for their 2022-23 PGA TOUR Tournament Awards, with the 2023 RBC Canadian Open picking up four nominations.

In June, Nick Taylor became the first Canadian in 69 years to win his national open, holing a 72-foot eagle putt on the fourth playoff hole to beat Tommy Fleetwood at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto.

“We are honoured and humbled to be nominated for these prestigious awards by the PGA TOUR,” said Bryan Crawford, RBC Canadian Open tournament director. “It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, including staff, partners, fans and volunteers, who are committed to delivering excellence in everything we do. This is a moment of pride for us, and we are grateful to be recognized in this way.”

The 2023 RBC Canadian Open picked up nominations in the following four categories:

• Best Marketing Initiative: Criteria include the development and execution of a marketing campaign designed to increase ticket sales and attendance.
• Most Engaged Community: Attendance, volunteer support, year-round community involvement, new community engagement program, media participation, community woven in to the “fabric” of the tournament and charity partners.
• Best Special Event: Development of an actionable plan with clear objectives, creative elements and measurable results which drove attendance, social media attention, local PR, ticket sales, charity donations or media value. Examples: luncheon, special dinner, concert/concert series, 5K run, sales event, celebrity shootout, etc.)
• Sustainability Award: Designed to recognize engagement in sustainability and commitment to reducing the tournament’s environmental impact, which will help protect the game for future generations.

Winners will be announced at the 2023 PGA TOUR Tournament Awards Celebration, which take place Thursday, December 7 in La Quinta, CA. 

TORONTO – Nick Taylor was exhausted after his four-round sudden death playoff where he edged out England’s Tommy Fleetwood to win the RBC Canadian Open. After an hours-long marathon of celebrations and media obligations, he was starving so he and his family went to the nearest McDonalds drive-thru.

His phone, plugged in after getting blown up with calls and text messages following the historic victory, started ringing. On the screen was the name Wayne Gretzky.

“Now, I’ve never met Wayne before, so we reversed out of the drive-thru and I chatted with him for two or three minutes,” said Taylor on Monday. “That was really nice, but surreal.

“For someone like that to call, let alone want to reach out and say congrats, that’s really cool.”

That chat with the legendary hockey player while in a fast-food joint’s parking lot is emblematic of Taylor’s new life.

He has quiet moments where he’s just a Mario Kart-loving family man, and then unreal situations where he’s the centre of attention, greeted like a conquering hero after ending a 69-year stretch of futility by Canadian golfers at the men’s national championship.

Taylor was in Toronto on Monday for one of those more surreal days, doing a host of media appearances including being interviewed on Sportsnet ahead of a Blue Jays game. Sitting in the lobby of RBC’s headquarters before a meeting with the executives of one of his biggest sponsors, Taylor gestured to a wraparound screen above the entrance to the bank branch that was showing a video of his climactic 72-foot putt to win the Canadian Open.

“Hey, there I am,” said Taylor with a chuckle.

“It has been cool to be at events with players caddies, everyone in the golf world. coming up to both of us, (caddy Dave Markle) and I, to congratulate us, saying they were watching,” said Taylor. “Countless comments about how it was one of the most exciting things they’d ever seen.

“Even people who aren’t Canadian saying ‘I was in tears,’ like that impact I think is very unique from that standpoint.”

And that experience is something that Taylor is still processing two months later as he balances being the father of two young children and playing in PGA Tour events.

“My perspective of, say, the putt, has changed with seeing the video so many times, my perception is almost now more the video rather than me being in it,” said Taylor, who is from Abbotsford, B.C. “I think being at home has helped that reflection process because golf is funny, you have an amazing moment like that but within three days you’re playing another tournament and you’re trying to put that in the rear-view mirror and focus on the new event.

“But being able to soak it up, be at home a little bit, be with family and friends, has been as part of processing it.”

Taylor is taking a short break from competition after he made his British Open debut. He qualified for the final major of the men’s golf season based on his ranking in the FedEx Cup standings, which got a huge boost from his Canadian Open win.

As a result, he will not play in this week’s Wyndham Championship.

Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., is the highest-ranked Canadian in the field, sitting 37th in the FedEx Cup standings. Adam Hadwin (39th) of Abbotsford, Mackenzie Hughes (44th) of Dundas, Ont., Taylor Pendrith (113th) of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Michael Gligic (207th) of Burlington, Ont., comprise the Canadian contingent at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C.

KORN FERRY TOUR – Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., is third on the Korn Ferry Tour’s points list and has already guaranteed himself a PGA Tour card for next season. He’s in the field at this week’s Utah Championship at Oakridge Country Club in Farmington, Utah, along with Edmonton’s Wil Bateman (56th) and Roger Sloan (92nd) of Merritt, B.C.

PGA TOUR CANADA – Etienne Papineau of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., is the top-ranked Canadian on the PGA Tour Canada, sitting third in the points list of the third-tier tour. Vancouver’s Stuart Macdonald is right behind him in fifth. Both are in the field at this week’s Windsor Championship at Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor, Ont.

LPGA TOUR – Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., is the lone Canadian at this week’s Women’s Scottish Open at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire, Scotland. She’s 84th in the Race to CME Globe rankings.

EPSON TOUR – Hamilton’s Alena Sharp is the top-ranked Canadian on the Epson Tour’s money list this week. She sits 12th heading into the French Lick Charity Classic at the Pete Dye Course in French Lick, Ind. Selena Costabile of Thornhill, Ont., is 46th and Quebec City’s Sarah-Eve Rheaume is 142nd.

TORONTO – Nick Taylor became the first Canadian in 69 years to win his national open, holing a 72-foot eagle putt on the fourth playoff hole to beat Tommy Fleetwood in the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday.

Taylor tossed his putter into the air and jumped into the arms of his caddie after the longest made putt of his PGA Tour career, and fellow Canadian players Mike Weir, Corey Conners and Adam Hadwin were among those who ran onto the green to congratulate him. Hadwin, Taylor’s close friend, was tackled by a security guard while spraying champagne from a bottle.

“I’m speechless. This is for all the guys that are here. This is for my family at home,” Taylor said with tears in his eyes. “This is the most incredible feeling.”

The last player from Canada to win the Canadian Open was Pat Fletcher in 1954 at Point Grey in Vancouver. Fletcher was born in England; Carl Keffer had been the only Canadian-born champion, winning in 1909 and 1914. Weir lost a playoff to Vijay Singh in 2004.

With galleries cheering his every move and even serenading him with “O Canada” on one tee box, Taylor curled in an 11-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to finish at 17-under 271 at Oakdale, walking backwards with his fist raised as the ball dropped into the cup. He shot a 6-under 66 on Sunday.

Fleetwood needed a birdie on the reachable par 5 to win in regulation, but he missed his tee shot right, laid up into an awkward lie in the right rough and two-putted for par to force the playoff in rainy conditions.

The players traded birdies on their first time playing No. 18 in the playoff. They both parred 18 and the par-3 ninth before heading back to 18.

Taylor’s tee shot found a divot in the fairway, but he hit his second shot 221 yards to the front of the green, while Fleetwood laid up after his drive found a fairway bunker. Fleetwood hit his third shot to 12 feet, but didn’t need to putt after Taylor’s uphill eagle putt hit the flagstick and dropped.

Fans swarmed toward the green, and Hadwin who like Taylor grew up in Abbotsford, British Columbia got leveled amid the chaos. He said had so much adrenaline that the tackle didn’t faze him.

“It’s incredible. I mean, what do you say to one of the greatest moments of Canadian golf history?” Hadwin said. “I think we all predicted that this was going to happen.

“I’m not sure that any one of us predicted a 72-foot (eagle) putt … to get it done, but what a way to go.”

The 35-year-old Taylor, who was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, won for the third time on the PGA Tour. He shot 75 in Thursday’s opening round but rallied with a 67 on Friday to make the cut, then shot 63 on Saturday to begin the final round three shots behind leader C.T. Pan.

Two-time defending champion Rory McIlroy, two shots back of Pan entering the final round, closed with a 72 and finished in a tie for ninth, five shots back.

Fleetwood, a two-time Ryder Cup player from England and a six-time winner on the European tour, remains winless on the PGA Tour.

“I played great today, even though I missed some chances, if you like, on those playoff holes,” Fleetwood said. “Yeah, it was close. I just have to take the positives from it and start practicing tomorrow. I got a major next week. So can’t dwell on it too much.”

Tyrrell Hatton (64), Aaron Rai (69) and Pan (70) finished one shot out of the playoff.