04/17/2012
- Two stage qualifying to feature regional competitions in Alberta, Quebec and Ontario -
Oakville, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada, in partnership with title sponsor RBC, is pleased to announce the qualifying format for the 2012 RBC Canadian Open, scheduled for July 23-29 at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Hamilton, Ont.
A two stage qualifying procedure for Canada’s National Open Championship will feature three regional qualifying competitions (in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec), followed by a final qualifying event on Monday, July 23.
The first regional qualifier will take place Tuesday, June 12 at Bearspaw Country Club in Calgary. On Monday, June 18, a second regional qualifying event will be held at King’s Forest Golf Course in Hamilton, Ont. The third regional qualifying event will be staged at Club de golf de l’Épiphanie in Épiphanie, Que. on Tuesday, July 3.
“Our three qualifying events this year mark the most Canadian Open regional qualifiers we’ve conducted since 1995,” said Bill Paul, Tournament Director of the RBC Canadian Open. “We are thrilled to be able to offer competitors, especially Canadian golfers across the country, more opportunities to play their way into our National Men’s Open Championship.”
Each of the three regional qualifiers will feature 18 holes of stroke play with the low competitor at each site receiving an exemption directly into the 2012 RBC Canadian Open field (provided a minimum of 100 competitors participate at each site). Up to the next top 15 per cent of finishers at each event are eligible to compete at final qualifying.
The entry deadline for the Alberta regional qualifier at Bearspaw Country Club in Calgary is Tuesday, June 5, while all entries for the Ontario regional qualifier at King’s Forest Golf Course in Hamilton, Ont. are due Monday, June 11. The entry deadline for the Quebec regional qualifier at Club de golf de l’Épiphanie in Épiphanie, Que. is Tuesday, June 26.
Final qualifying is scheduled for Monday, July 23 at Heron Point Golf Links in Alberton, Ont. (near Hamilton). Participation is limited to those competitors receiving requisite exemptions, or individuals who have qualified through regional qualifying. The event will feature 18 holes of stroke play, with a minimum of four (4) spots directly into the 2012 RBC Canadian Open field. The entry deadline is Monday, July 16.
The qualifying competition is open to members in good standing of the PGA of Canada or other PGA affiliates, amateur golfers (with a current Handicap Factor not to exceed 0) who are members of clubs belonging to Golf Canada or clubs in other countries in good standing with their respective associations, and other golf professionals.
In all, a total of 24 exemptions, including the seven (7) awarded through regional and Monday qualifiers, are available for the 2012 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf & Country Club.
Two exemptions into the 2012 Championship have already been awarded; the 2011 Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion (Mackenzie Hughes) and the 2011 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion (Rob Couture).
The 2012 RBC Canadian Open field is limited to 156 participants including both professional and amateur golfers.
For more information about complete qualifying criteria, click here.
ABOUT THE 2012 RBC CANADIAN OPEN
Part of the FedEx Cup, stars of the PGA TOUR will compete for $5.2 million (US) at the RBC Canadian Open, July 23-29, 2012 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. Established in 1904, the tournament 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, Bell, BMW Group Canada, C.F.F Stainless Steels, Molson Canadian 67, TaylorMade adidas Golf, The Glenlivet, The Globe and Mail, Reader’s Digest and the City of Hamilton. For tournament information please visit www.rbccanadianopen.com or call 1-800-571-6736.
RBC GOLF
RBC proudly supports golf around the world through high profile relationships with the PGA TOUR, the PGA of America and Golf Canada. RBC is the Official Banking and Financial Services partner of touring professionals Luke Donald, Jim Furyk, Ernie Els, Matt Kuchar, Mike Weir, Stephen Ames, Fred Couples, and Morgan Pressel. As the Official Bank of the PGA of America and title sponsor of both the RBC Heritage and the RBC Canadian Open, RBC also supports emerging Canadian golfers through Golf Canada’s grassroots developmental programming, their Canadian Amateur Golf Championships and high performance national team. Outside of golf, RBC sponsors amateur sport, from grassroots to national sport associations. RBC is one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies and among the largest banks in the world, as measured by market capitalization.
GOLF CANADA – LOVE THE GAME. GROW THE GAME.
Golf Canada is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing more than 340,000 members at close to 1,500 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sport Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, Golf Canada’s mission is to grow participation, excellence and passion in the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game.
A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada conducts championships, programs and services to help shape the present and future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, Golf in Schools presented by Callaway, Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, CN Canadian Women’s Tour and CN Future Links – Canada’s national junior golf program – are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. As the authority for golf in Canada, the association also administers the Rules of Golf, amateur status and handicapping and course rating.
In addition, Golf Canada conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships provide world class competitive opportunities for Canada’s top golfers to showcase their talents.
For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit us online at www.golfcanada.ca.
For more information contact:
Dan Pino
Director, Corporate Communications
Golf Canada
(t) 1-800-263-0009 ext. 406
(c) 416-434-5525
(e) dpino@golfcanada.ca
Matthew Cudzinowski
Coordinator, Media and Public Relations
Golf Canada
(t) 1-800-263-0009 ext. 258
(c) 289-259-5616
(e) mcudzinowski@golfcanada.ca
