It's nice to have a bit of that golf buzz back in our town again!!

07/20/2011

- News and notes for Wednesday at the 2011 RBC Canadian Open -

Vancouver (Golf Canada) – The stars of the PGA TOUR are ready to challenge the renowned Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club as the opening round of the 2011 RBC Canadian Open gets under way Thursday morning.

Following their rounds in today’s RBC Wealth Management Championship Pro Am, World No. 1 Luke Donald, 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, fan-favourite Rickie Fowler and Canada’s own Mike Weir shared their praise for the course as Shaughnessy prepares to host the 102nd playing of Canada’s National Open Championship.

“Yeah it’s a very good, classic course,” said Donald, who will be competing in Canada’s National Open Championship for the fifth time.  “The rough is extremely thick, probably the thickest we played all year.  I’d say it’s even thicker then than the US Open, so there’s a big premium on hitting the fairway and hitting greens.”

Fan favourite Rickie Fowler believes the quality of the golf course played a major reason in the strength of this year’s field.

“I think tough courses draw better players,” said Fowler.  “I mean, I like playing tougher golf courses.  As far as for the course, I’ve heard a lot of good things from other PGA TOUR players.  Ben Crane was one of the first ones to tell me about it.  He said it’s probably one of his favourite places so I was excited to be coming here.”

For 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, the course reminds him of US Open type conditions.

“I think a National Open has some sort of prestige to it so you know, you want to separate it from normal events,” said Schwartzel.  “Not even the US Open at Congressional had nearly as much rough as this.  No, this is the toughest I’ve had all year rough wise.”

Set to tee it up in his 21st Canadian Open, Mike Weir believes the set up at Shaughnessy will be a true test for the world’s best players.

“It’s a great course, probably the toughest set-up we’ve seen so far this year of any TOUR event,” said Weir.  “So it’s a real championship feel, national championship feel.”

WEDNESDAY RESULTS – RBC WEALTH MANAGEMENT CHAMPIONSHIP PRO-AM
The RBC Canadian Open congratulates the teams hosted by PGA TOUR professionals Carl Pettersson and Chris DiMarco who came out on top at Wednesday’s RBC Wealth Management Championship Pro-Am at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club.  In the morning portion, Pettersson, the defending RBC Canadian Open champion, teamed with amateurs John Brodie, Peter Tomsett and David Scott to finish at 12-under par 58 while DiMarco and the team of Bruce Leech, Garth Moore and Bob Stanlake shot 11-under 59 in the afternoon draw.

PAIRINGS FOR ROUNDS 1 AND 2 NOW ONLINE
Pairings for Thursday, July 21st and Friday, July 22nd are available online.

CN FUTURE LINKS – WALK WITH A PRO
Kids from Canada’s Junior Golf Program – CN Future Links – had the chance to caddy for PGA TOUR professionals on the 17th hole at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club.  Kids carried the pro’s putter or bag and had the chance to take the pro’s first putt. CN Future Links is Canada’s national junior golf program conducted by Golf Canada, the Canadian PGA and the National Golf Course Owner’s Association (NGCOA).  To find a CN Future Links program in your area visit www.CNfuturelinks.com.

RBC CANADIAN OPEN – BY THE NUMBERS
The field is set for the RBC Canadian Open and the PGA TOUR has broken down the numbers and analyzed the field for the 102nd playing of the RBC Canadian Open. Click here to read more.

ABOUT THE 2011 RBC CANADIAN OPEN
An exciting new era has arrived for Canada's national championship. Part of the FedEx Cup, stars of the PGA TOUR will compete for $5.2 million (US) at the RBC Canadian Open, July 18-24, 2011 at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver.  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, Corona Extra, TaylorMade adidas Golf, The Glenlivet, The Globe and Mail, Mike Weir Wine, LG, WagJag.com and Reader’s Digest. For updated ticket and tournament information please visit www.rbccanadianopen.com or call 1-800-571-6736.

RBC AND THE RBC CANADIAN OPEN
In partnership with Golf Canada, RBC is the title sponsor of the RBC Canadian Open, the third oldest national golf championship worldwide, next only to the British Open and the U.S. Open. With a history of great players and premier fields, the RBC Canadian Open provides golf fans with the opportunity to experience the excitement of a world class event on Canadian soil. RBC also sponsors all levels of amateur sport, from grassroots programs in local communities to national sport organizations and elite-level athletes, and is Premier National Partner of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

GOLF CANADA – LOVE THE GAME. GROW THE GAME.
Golf Canada – a member-based organization governed by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) – is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing close to 350,000 members at almost 1,500 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, Golf Canada is responsible for promoting participation in and a passion for the game of golf in Canada.

A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada actively conducts championships, programs and services to help shape the present and future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, National Golf in Schools, Golf Fore the Cure, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum 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 under the respected RCGA brand.

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.