GOLF CANADA ANNOUNCES QUALIFYING FORMAT FOR 2011 RBC CANADIAN OPEN

Two stage qualifying to feature regional competitions in British Columbia and Ontario;

Total of 24 exemptions available into 2011 RBC Canadian Open

Golf Canada, in partnership with title sponsor RBC, is pleased to announce the qualifying format for the 2011 RBC Canadian Open, scheduled for July 18-24 at Vancouver’s Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club.

A two stage qualifying procedure for Canada’s National Open Championship will feature two regional qualifying competitions, followed by a final qualifying event on Monday, July 18.

The first regional qualifier will take place Monday, June 13 at Point Grey Golf and Country Club in Vancouver. On Monday, June 20, a second regional qualifying event will be held at The Club at Bond Head (South) in Bond Head, Ont.

This year marks the first year since 2007 that Golf Canada has conducted regional qualifiers for the RBC Canadian Open.

“With the championship’s return to Vancouver, we are thrilled to re-introduce regional qualifiers for the 2011 RBC Canadian Open,” said Bill Paul, tournament director of the RBC Canadian Open.  “There’s a definite excitement in providing opportunities for competitors, especially Canadian golfers, to play their way into our national open championship.”

The regional qualifiers will feature 18 holes of stroke play with the low competitor at each site receiving an exemption directly into the 2011 RBC Canadian Open field (provided a minimum of 100 competitors participate at each site).  Up to the next top 15% of finishers at each event are eligible to compete at final qualifying. The entry deadline for both competitions is Tuesday, June 7.

Final qualifying is scheduled for Monday, July 18 at Morgan Creek Golf Course in Surrey, B.C. 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 2011 RBC Canadian open field. The entry deadline is Monday, July 11.

The qualifying competition is open to members in good standing of the Canadian PGA 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.

For more information about complete qualifying criteria, visit www.rbccanadianopen.com.

24 EXEMPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR 2011 RBC CANADIAN OPEN

In all, a total of 24 exemptions, including the six (6) awarded through regional and Monday qualifiers are available for the 2011 RBC Canadian Open at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club.

Several exemptions into the 2011 championship have already been award including the 2010 Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion (Albin Choi); the 2010 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion (Dave Bunker); and the 2010 Canadian PGA Club Professional Champion (Brian Hutton).

Six (6) additional exemptions will be awarded through the 2011 Canadian Tour.  As well, two (2) exemptions will be granted under the Veteran Member category for veteran members of the PGA Tour not otherwise exempt into the field; two (2) exemptions will be granted to 2010 Nationwide Tour graduates or PGA Tour qualifying school graduates not otherwise exempt into the field; and five (5) at large exemptions will be allocated to players at the discretion of the RBC Canadian Open Exemption committee base on performances from Tours worldwide.

The 2011 RBC Canadian Open field is limited to 156 participants including both professional and amateur golfers.

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, Southern Implants, C.F.F Stainless Steels, The Glenlivet, The Globe and Mail, Mike Weir Wine and Corona Extra. For updated corporate hospitality, tickets, volunteer and sponsorship 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.

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.

For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit us online at www.golfcanada.ca.

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For more information contact:

Dan Pino

Director, Media and Public Relations

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

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