Golf Canada and RBC are pleased to announce the final field vying for the US$8.7 million purse at the 2022 RBC Canadian Open, June 6-12 at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in partnership with nearby Islington Golf Club as the official practice facility. 

After a wait of 1,093 days and two years of cancellation due to the global pandemic, 2019 champion and world no. 7 Rory McIlroy returns to Canada looking to defend his title against a stellar field of PGA TOUR stars led by world no. 1 and 2022 Master champion Scottie Scheffler, world no. 3 and 2022 The Players champion Cam Smith, world no. 4 and 2022 PGA champion Justin Thomas and world no. 9 Sam Burns, a 3-time PGA TOUR winner in 2022.

Other notable additions to the field for the 111th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship include world no. 15 Matthew Fitzpatrick, world no. 16 Tony Finau, world no. 23 Tyrell Hatton and big-hitter Cameron Champ along with past Major winners, Shane Lowry, Patrick Reed, Justin Rose, Jason Dufner and Danny Willet. 

Team RBC will be represented at St. George’s by a collection of international and Canadian talents including world no. 38 Harold Varner III and 2013 RBC Canadian Open champion Brandt Snedeker along with world no. 34 Corey Conners and fellow Canadian PGA TOUR players Mackenzie Hughes, Adam Hadwin, Nick Taylor, Roger Sloan, Michael Gligic, Adam Svensson, and Taylor Pendrith.

The field for the celebrated return of the 2022 RBC Canadian Open includes five of the top-10 players in the world (Scheffler, Smith, Thomas, McIlroy, and Burns) and the top-four players on the current FedEx Cup ranking. Seven major championship winners (accounting for 11 titles) will compete along with eight 2021-22 PGA TOUR in-year winners, six past champions of the RBC Canadian Open, and 21 Canadians. 

“We are extremely pleased with the field of world-class competitors that make their way to Canada to join us in the celebrated return of the RBC Canadian Open and challenge for the 111^th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship,” said RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Bryan Crawford. “Led by our defending champion Rory McIlroy, this year’s championship features a strong mix of stars from all around the world and the deepest field of Canadian talent ever to challenge for our National Men’s Open title. Along with great golf, fans will be treated to an incredible festival environment with terrific on-site activities including the Recipe Unlimited Fareway food and beverage experience and the RBCxMusic Concert series featuring Flo Rida (June 10) and Maroon 5 (June 11). It is the return that Canadian golf fans deserve as we get set to kick off summer.” 

In total, 156 players will compete for the US$8.7 million purse next week in Toronto when the RBC Canadian Open returns to the storied Stanley Thompson design for the sixth time and first since 2010. 

Due to current Government of Canada travel restrictions extending beyond June 1, Team RBC ambassadors Webb Simpson and Matt Kuchar are not able to participate in the championship and have officially withdrawn from the 2022 RBC Canadian Open. Golf Canada and RBC look forward welcoming Simpson and Kuchar back to Canada for the 2023 RBC Canadian Open at Oakdale Golf & Country Club.

Click here for a full field list for the 2022 RBC Canadian Open.

PGA TOUR Season Winners…

A total of eight in-year PGA TOUR winners accounting for 14 PGA TOUR titles in 2021-22 will compete at St. George’s led by 4-time winner Scottie Scheffler, 3-time winner Sam Burns, and 2-time winner Cam Smith. Other in-year PGA TOUR winners in the field include Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Luke List, JJ Spaun, and Chad Ramey. 

Past Champions…

Six past RBC Canadian Open champions will compete at St. George’s including Chez Reavie (2008), Sean O’Hair (2011), Scott Piercy (2012) Brandt Snedeker (2013), Jhonattan Vegas (2016-17) and defending champion Rory McIlroy (2019). 

Twenty-one Canadians to compete for their National Men’s Open Title…

Current PGA TOUR players Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, Adam Hadwin, Nick Taylor, Adam Svensson, Michael Gligic, Taylor Pendrith and Roger Sloan will lead a talented roster of 21 Canadians competing in the RBC Canadian Open. The 2022 event welcomes home a legend as 8-time PGA TOUR and Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Mike Weir will make his 29^th start in the RBC Canadian Open. Other Canadians competing on exemption include David Hearn, Aaron Cockerill, Stuart MacDonald, Albin Choi, Myles Creighton, Jared du Toit, Brendan Leonard, Wes Heffernan, Callum Davison, and Max Sekulic along with Team Canada amateurs AJ Ewart and Johnny Travale. 

Final Tournament Exemptions to be Named…

The final four exemptions into the field for the 2022 RBC Canadian Open will be handed out at the Monday Qualifier on Monday June 6, to be played at Oakdale Golf and Country in Toronto, host site of the 2023 and 2026 RBC Canadian Open. 

Click here for the full current list of competitors competing in the 2022 RBC Canadian Open, June 6-12 at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in partnership with nearby Islington Golf Club as the official practice facility. 

Tickets for the 2022 RBC Canadian Open are available here.

Golf Canada and RBC confirmed today that 8-time PGA TOUR winner and Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Mike Weir has accepted an exemption to compete in the 2022 RBC Canadian Open, June 6-12 at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Toronto. 

With the appearance, Weir, the 2003 Master champion and past winner on PGA TOUR Champions who recently finished T4 at the 2022 Senior PGA Championship, will be making his 29^th start in the RBC Canadian Open, third-most in tournament history behind fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Famers George Cumming (32) and Gordon Brydson (30).

Also accepting an exemption to compete in the 111^th playing of the Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship are PGA TOUR veteran David Hearn of Brantford, Ont. as well as Winnipeg, Man. native Aaron Cockerill who currently sits 40^th on the DP World Tour ranking. Hearn will be competing in his 18^th RBC Canadian Open while Cockerill will make his first appearance. 

A pair of Canadians currently competing on the Korn Ferry Tour – Stuart MacDonald of Vancouver and Albin Choi of Toronto – have also been extended exemption to compete at St. George’s. Choi, who is currently ranked no. 93 on the Korn Ferry Tour money list will compete in his sixth RBC Canadian while MacDonald, a member of Golf Canada’s Young Pro Squad who is currently ranked no. 111 on the Korn Ferry money list will play in his first RBC Canadian Open. 

Two other members of Golf Canada’s Young Pro Squad – Miles Creighton of Digby, N.S. and Jared du Toit of Kimberly, B.C. – have also been extended exemptions. Creighton will make his first-ever start in Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship while du Toit, who made a magical run in 2016 to finish T9 as an amateur, will make his fourth appearance.

Team Canada Amateur Squad member AJ Ewart of Coquitlam, B.C. will also compete in his first RBC Canadian Open. The 23-year-old sophomore at Barry University has earned seven career NCAA Division II victories including four this season. Ewart’s Team Canada teammate, 21-year-old Johnny Travale of Stoney Creek, Ont., has also accepted an exemption. 

A third member of the Team Canada Amateur Squad—Max Sekulic of Rycroft, Alta. will also compete in his first RBC Canadian Open, an exemption he earned by winning the 2021 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. Sekulic will compete in the RBC Canadian Open as a professional.   

Calgary native Wes Heffernan will compete in his seventh RBC Canadian Open, earning his exemption as the top finisher of on the 2021 PGA of Canada player rankings. 

Canadian Callum Davison of Duncan, B.C. (2021 PGA TOUR Canada season winner) will compete on an exemption previously earned through PGA TOUR Canada and will be joined by Delta, B.C. resident Yi Cao (2020 Canada Life Series winner). 

Brendan Leonard of Cambridge, Ont. recently earned a spot in the field by winning the RBC Canadian Open Ontario Regional Qualifier at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. The next 20 finishers from the Ontario Reginal Qualifier will join 11 players from the Quebec Qualifier (May 9 at Club do Golf Le Blainvillier in Blainville, Que.) nine players from the BC Qualifier (May 17 at Meadow Gardens Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C.), and six from the Alberta Qualifier (May 30 at Mickelson National Golf Club in Calgary, Alta.) in the Final Monday Qualifier on June 6 at Oakdale Golf and Country Club. Four exemptions from the Final Qualifier on Monday, June 6 will be available into the field of the RBC Canadian Open.  

A full Canadian contingent will also celebrate the return of the RBC Canadian Open led by world no. 34 Corey Conners, past PGA TOUR winners Mackenzie Hughes, Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor as well as fellow PGA TOUR members Taylor Pendrith, Adam Svensson, Michael Gligic and Roger Sloan. 

Tickets for the 2022 RBC Canadian Open are available here.

Canada’s National Open Golf Championships will welcome a new wine partner as Golf Canada has aligned with Masi Wines, the historic Italian wine producer which celebrates its 250^th anniversary this year, as the Official Wine of Golf Canada, the RBC Canadian Open and the CP Women’s Open.

Through the partnership, Masi’s premium portfolio, led by Masianco Pinot Grigio, the iconic red Campofiorin and the exciting new Fresco di Masi line – two refreshing organic blends perfect for summer – will be the feature wines poured at Golf Canada’s two National Open Golf Championships.

Masi will also elevate the summer festival atmosphere at the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open with a pouring experience from the one-of-a-kind Masi Airstream Trailer that offers spectators a custom retreat at the Masi Wine Garden.

“Golf Canada is very proud to partner with Masi Wines to deliver a selection of premium wines to our two flagship properties,” said John Sibley, Chief Commercial Officer at Golf Canada. “Masi’s diverse wine portfolio is well-positioned as the Official Wine of Golf Canada as we look forward to building on the festival atmosphere at the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open.”

Masi is distributed in Canada by fourth-generation family-owned and operated Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants – a national fine wine and spirits importer and distributor headquartered in Mississauga, Ont. For Masi, the partnership will allow the wine brand to leverage Canadian golf while continuing to advance its brand profile and portfolio of golfing, hosting, ticketing, and media assets. 

“We are delighted to partner with Golf Canada and honoured to serve as the Official Wine of the RBC Canadian Open and the CP Women’s Open.” says Luc Desroches, Sales Managing Director, Canada for Masi. “Golf, like wine, brings people closer together and is at its best when shared amongst good friends. We look forward to introducing golfers across Canada to our exciting range of wines from the beautiful Venetian territories of northeast Italy and beyond. With golf growing in Canada (and Italy!) we are excited to be along for the ride as the preferred glass of the 19th hole.”

As the National Sport Federation, Golf Canada will conduct the RBC Canadian Open June 6-12, 2022 at St. George’s Golf & Country Club in Toronto Ont. with nearby Islington Golf Club as the official practice facility. The CP Women’s Open, takes place August 22-28, 2022 at Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club in Ottawa, Ont.

Click here for more information on the RBC Canadian Open.

Click here for more information on the CP Women’s Open.

Golf Canada in partnership with the Golf Canada Foundation and the Canadian Olympic Foundation have announced a major gift from the Stollery Family that will see the official title of the women’s national team head coach renamed as the Team Canada Stollery Family Women’s Head Coach and Stollery Family Olympic Women’s Head Coach.

The Stollery Family, long-time supporters of Canadian golf and especially the women’s game including junior girls and high-performance activities, have donated a total $2M to the Golf Canada Foundation and the Canadian Olympic Foundation in support of the Team Canada program to help fund the Women’s Head Coach position over a 30-year term.

“We are so honoured that the Stollerys, a family with such a long history of philanthropy and promoting sport, has chosen to make this meaningful gift in support of women’s golf,” said Golf Canada President Liz Hoffman, who also sits as a Board Member on the Golf Canada Foundation. “We are excited for what this means for the growth of the women’s game, and the powerful statement it makes in support of coaching across Canada.”

Salimah Mussani, recently promoted by Golf Canada to lead the women’s team will be the inaugural Team Canada Stollery Family Women’s Head Coach.

Seven sisters –Cailey, Victoria, Gillian, Lindsay, Claire, Sarah, and Hannah – have proudly carried on the family legacy of support for the game initiated by their late father Gordon Stollery. Among other successful business ventures, the Stollery Family are the owners and operators of Goodwood Golf Club in Goodwood, Ont. as well as Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont. which has played host to numerous major golf championships including the CP Women’s Open (2001), the Telus Skins Game (2001), the RBC Canadian Open (2002, 2007) and the golf competition of the 2015 Pan Am Games.

Angus Glen is also proud host of the annual World Junior Girls Golf Championship, presented by Sargeant Farms, set to return October 12-15, 2022. The Stollery Family have also been long-time supporters of the Golf Canada Foundation including events such as the popular Wine, Women’ & Shoes Fundraiser. The generosity of the Stollery Family has supported numerous charitable legacies including a $5M donation to Markham Stouffville Hospital which named the Stollery Family Centre for Childbirth and Children in their honour.

“Our family recognizes and values the critical role that women’s golf and high-performance coaching can have on the overall growth of a sport that has meant so such much to us all,” said Cailey Stollery who sits on the Board Directors of both the Golf Canada Foundation as well as the Canadian Olympic Foundation.

“In making this gift, we believe in the renewed vision of Golf Canada’s high-performance program and hope that others will come forward to join us in this journey.”

The Stollery Family’s major gift to fund the Women’s Head Coach position is the first of its kind for a Canadian National Sport Federation head coaching position.

The Team Canada Stollery Family Women’s Head Coach will also be a first for a Canadian Olympic Team coach as the Team Canada Stollery Family Women’s Head Coach will also guide Women’s Golf Team that is named by the Canadian Olympic Committee to represent Team Canada at future Olympic Games.

“This gift from the Stollery Family is remarkable, and a clear indication of the entire family’s shared belief in the transformational power of sport,” says Jacqueline Ryan, Chief Brand and Commercial Officer of the Canadian Olympic Committee and CEO of the Canadian Olympic Foundation. “This contribution is truly inspiring and will help shape the exciting future of women’s golf in Canada for years to come.”

The continued expansion of the National Team Program through major donor gifts is a driving force behind Golf Canada’s enhanced support of the High-Performance Program with a goal to advance 30 Canadian athletes to the LPGA and PGA TOUR by 2032.

Golf Canada and STALK&BARREL Handcrafted Canadian Whisky announced today a multi-year partnership that will see STALK&BARREL become the official Canadian Whisky Partner for Golf Canada, the RBC Canadian Open and the CP Women’s Open.

Through its partnership position which runs through 2025, STALK&BARREL Handcrafted Canadian Whisky will be poured exclusively at the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open hospitality and concession locations with fan activations planned at the Recipe Unlimited Fare Way food and beverage experience onsite at both championships.

“Welcoming a premium, locally crafted whisky to our corporate hospitality and concessions offering will further enhance the festival experience of our National Open Championships and we are pleased to introduce STALK&BARREL as our Official Canadian Whisky for the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open,” said John Sibley, Chief Commercial Officer of Golf Canada.

STALK&BARREL is a handcrafted Canadian Whisky, made locally at a craft distillery in Ontario with a true ‘grain to glass’ commitment.  It’s a small batch, single malt that is 100% Canadian owned and operated and aspires to inspire new traditions among Canadians. 

“The STALK&BARREL team is ecstatic to be aligned with a great Canadian institution like Golf Canada.  We’re proud to affiliate ourselves with an organization that embodies the same Canadian spirit and values as ours and Golf Canada was the clear choice. We look forward to working together with them through their partner clubs, members, and marquee events for 2022 and beyond.” said Steven Ciccolini, President, CIVC.

The 2022 RBC Canadian Open will be held June 6-12 at St. George’s Golf & Country Club in Toronto, Ont. with nearby Islington Golf serving as the official practice facility. The 2022 CP Women’s Open will be contested August 22-28 at Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club in Ottawa, Ont.  

Golf Canada announced today that Salimah Mussani has been promoted from Assistant Coach and named as Women’s Head Coach for Team Canada. Mussani will oversee the development of Canada’s top female amateur and professional golfers with the objective of increasing the number of Canadian players on the LPGA Tour.

“I am extremely honoured and grateful to have this opportunity to lead our women’s program into this next phase,” said Mussani. “Having the opportunity to help our country’s top female golfers achieve their dreams and succeed is a blessing. “I am looking forward to working together with everyone who is involved in the development of our players on their journey to the LPGA Tour.”

Mussani assumes the Women’s Head Coach position after serving as Assistant Coach under Tristan Mullally, who transitioned into the role of National Talent Identification Director as part of Golf Canada’s enhancement to its player development program.

“Salimah’s exceptional impact on the players in our women’s program has been evident since the day she joined the Team Canada coaching staff,” said Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer, Kevin Blue. “Her background as an elite player, instructor, and college coach – complemented by superb communication and interpersonal skills – has prepared her very well for the multidimensional responsibilities that are part of being a national head coach.”

A two-time Ontario Junior champion and two-time Canadian Junior champion, Mussani brings a wealth of competitive experience having been a key member of a NCAA runner-up golf team at Stanford University before competing as a professional on the Epson and LPGA Tours, as well as the (former) Canadian Women’s Tour. Mussani is a former PGA of Canada Women’s champion and winner on the Epson Tour and (former) Canadian Women’s Tour. Mussani has held assistant coaching roles with Stanford University, University of British Columbia, and Team Canada. Originally from Burlington, Ont., Mussani is a PGA of Canada class “A” professional  who now resides in Vancouver.

Jennifer Greggain of Chilliwack, B.C. joins Mussani on the coaching staff of Team Canada as a full-time Associate Coach, transitioning from her current role as Assistant Coach for the National Junior Squad. A former LPGA Tour player with 22 years of professional golf experience, Greggain previously served as a Provincial Coach for British Columbia Golf and as the Assistant Coach for Team Canada.

“I am incredibly excited to work alongside Salimah as we lead our women’s program into the future. We are both very passionate about Canadian women’s golf and feel well-prepared to help Canada pursue its player development goals,” said Greggain.

Mussani and Greggain will support an expanded women’s roster of Team Canada athletes that includes eight players on the Amateur Squad as well as five players on the Young Pro Squad. 

“We are excited about the leadership that Salimah and Jennifer will provide for our women’s program. In addition to enhancing the performance of Canada’s best amateur and professional players, they will create a supportive and communicative culture that prioritizes overall wellbeing for our Canadian women during their journeys to the LPGA tour,” said Golf Canada High Performance Manager Emily Phoenix.

Golf Canada’s High-Performance program builds on the support that Canadian athletes have received in their development years from their family, member clubs, personal coaches, university programs and provincial golf associations. In addition to Golf Canada Foundation and the generosity from the major donor Trustee program, Golf Canada’s High-Performance Program and Team Canada are proudly supported by RBC, Canadian Pacific, Audi, Titleist, FootJoy, COBRA PUMA GOLF, Foresight Sports, Heritage Canada, Bear Mountain Resort, Citi Canada (Young Pro) and the Canadian Olympic Committee. 

Today, RBC announced the first wave of publicly accessible golf courses selected to join RBC Community Junior Golf, a new initiative designed to build greater diversity and inclusivity in golf by creating affordable access to the sport for youth in underrepresented communities across Canada.

In partnership with Golf Canada, RBC Community Junior Golf will support the implementation of the First Tee – Canada and Youth on Course programs at municipal or publicly accessible golf courses, with the goal of engaging 15 facilities in 2022. The courses were selected based on accessibility to local public transit as well as proximity to community centres, with an intentional focus on regional and diverse representation.

By 2023, RBC Community Junior Golf is expected to engage more than 10,000 young people by delivering free First Tee programming, which teaches life lessons through the game of golf, as well as $5 Youth on Course green fees to select Canadian courses across the country.

RBC Community Junior Golf locations:

· Chedoke Golf Club – Hamilton, ON

· Club de Golf Municipal Dallaire – Rouyn-Noranda, QC

· Club de Golf Les Rivières – Trois-Rivières, QC

· Humber Valley Golf Course – Etobicoke, ON

· Legends on the Niagara – Niagara, ON

· Mill River Golf Course – Woodstock, PEI

· Peel Village Golf Course – Brampton, ON

· Tam O’Shanter Golf Course – Scarborough, ON

· Walter Gretzky Municipal Golf Course – Brantford, ON

· Whitewater Golf Club – Thunder Bay, ON

“As a long-standing supporter of golf and an advocate for youth, RBC is proud to bring RBC Community Junior Golf to life,” said Shannon Cole, Vice President, Brand Marketing, RBC. “We believe that sport has the power to build character, teach valuable life lessons, and provide opportunities for young people to grow, and we are excited to work with Golf Canada to provide First Tee and Youth on Course programming across the country.”

Canadian youth ages five to 18 years can benefit from programming at one of the ten participating golf courses. RBC Community Junior Golf participating facilities will work with community centres or schools in their local area to register youth participants. For more details, visit the RBC Community Junior Golf website: https://dev-www.golfcanada.ca/rbcjrgolf.

Golf Canada is grateful to have a like-minded partner in RBC with a shared intentional focus to increase access to junior golf, especially for youth from backgrounds that historically have been underserved.

“The enthusiasm from RBC to advance the sport and provide funding to introduce the game to a diverse range of young golfers at municipal and especially publicly accessible facilities has been extraordinary,” said Kevin Blue, Chief Sport Officer, Golf Canada. “RBC Community Junior Golf will accelerate the delivery of First Tee programming across the country and with RBC’s support, golf will be a vehicle to foster life skills and positively impact Canadian youth from all backgrounds.”

PGA TOUR professional golfer and Team RBC ambassador Harold Varner III serves as an advisor for RBC Community Junior Golf and helped launch the initiative at Humber Valley Golf Course in Toronto – a participating location – last September. He was joined by youth from the Rexdale Boys and Girls Club, where he offered advice and guidance for reaching one’s potential both on and off the course. Learn more about the launch event and Harold’s and RBC’s vision at RBC Stories.

“RBC Community Junior Golf will give many kids who don’t currently have access, the opportunity to play golf and experience all of the benefits associated with the game,” said Harold Varner III, Team RBC ambassador. “I’ve always been passionate about introducing young people to golf, and I’m excited to champion this initiative that will provide youth across Canada with an equal opportunity to play the sport I love.”

One of the important ways RBC brings its Purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper to life is by empowering young people. RBC Future Launch is the bank’s $500 million commitment to help Canadian youth prepare for the jobs of tomorrow, including $50 million in focused funding to create meaningful and transformative pathways to prosperity for 25,000 BIPOC youth by 2025. In addition, through the RBC Heritage and RBC Canadian Open tournaments, RBC has helped raise over $35 million in support of local charities in Canada and the United States.

To learn more about RBC Community Junior Golf in support of First Tee and Youth on Course, visit golfcanada.ca/rbcjrgolf.

Golf Canada is proud to announce a new partnership with Johnsonville that will see the company become the Official Sausage Partner of Golf Canada and its two signature events – the RBC Canadian Open and the CP Women’s Open.

The partnership positions Johnsonville as the exclusive supplier of sausage products – including their signature bratwurst – at Canada’s National Open Golf Championships beginning in 2022.

Spectators at the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open will also enjoy sampling new and sensational flavours from one of North America’s leading sausage brands at the Johnsonville Trailer within the Recipe Unlimited Fare Way food and beverage experience.

“We are very pleased to welcome Johnsonville’s globally renowned products as the Official Sausage Partner of the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open,” said John Sibley, Chief Commercial Officer of Golf Canada. “Golf fans will be treated to a premium food and sampling experience, and we look forward to this partnership enhancing the summer-fun festival vibe across our two flagship properties.”

Johnsonville has remained committed to excellence since its inception in 1945. For the 77-year-old organization, partnering with the National Sport Federation is an opportunity to showcase their signature products to an engaged golf audience at two of Canada’s premier sporting events.

“Our brand has always been one to bring family and friends together around good food and good times – at backyard barbeques and sporting events of all kind. We’re proud to bring golf fans our delicious Johnsonville bratwurst at Golf Canada events and serve as the official sausage of the CP Women’s Open and RBC Canadian Open” said Brad Martin, Managing Director of Johnsonville Canada.

The 2022 RBC Canadian Open will be held June 6-12 at St. George’s Golf & Country Club in Toronto, Ont. with nearby Islington Golf Club as the official practice facility. The CP Women’s Open will be contested August 22-28 at Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club in Ottawa, Ont.

(April 21, 2022) – Canada’s National Open Golf Championships will welcome a new beer partner as Golf Canada has selected Sleeman Breweries and their premium portfolio of beers, led by Sleeman Clear 2.0, as the Official Beer of Golf Canada, the RBC Canadian Open and the CP Women’s Open.

Through the partnership, Sleeman Clear 2.0, the fastest growing light beer in Canada, will be the flagship beer sold at Golf Canada’s two National Open Golf Championships. The iconic beer brand will also engage spectators with fun activations including a custom beer patio at both events as well as an exclusive dedicated VIP viewing area during the RBCxMusic Concert Series at the RBC Canadian Open featuring Flo Rida (June 10) and Maroon 5 (June 11).

“Watching world-class golf and enjoying a premium cold beer is a perfect compliment to celebrate summer festival season. We are thrilled to offer Canadian golf fans an outstanding, premium better-for-you beer in Sleeman 2.0 at the RBC Canadian Open and the CP Women’s Open” said John Sibley, Chief Commercial Officer at Golf Canada. “Sleeman’s quality craftsmanship and proud Canadian identity are well aligned to deliver energy and brewing excellence to Golf Canada’s two signature events.”

As the third largest brewery in Canada, the Guelph, Ont. based Sleeman will work with Golf Canada to host an extraordinary Canadian golf audience with its portfolio of premium-brewed beer, led by Sleeman Clear 2.0.

“We are very excited about the partnership between Sleeman Clear 2.0 and Golf Canada.  It aligns so well with our shared Canadian heritage, commitment to excellence and the active lifestyle of Clear 2.0 drinkers,” said Dana Brochu, Director or Marketing at Sleeman Breweries. With its refreshing taste, low carbs and low calories, Sleeman Clear 2.0 is the perfect beer to help Canadian golf fans “2.0” their experience this summer at these two premier sporting events.”

As the National Sport Federation, Golf Canada will conduct the RBC Canadian Open June 6-12, 2022 at St. George’s Golf & Country Club in Toronto Ont. with nearby Islington Golf Club as the official practice facility. The CP Women’s Open, takes place August 22-28, 2022 at Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club in Ottawa, Ont.

Golf Canada is pleased to announce the 12 professional athletes who have been selected to receive support through the Team Canada Young Pro Squad in 2022.

The expansion of the program to support more professional athletes is aligned with Golf Canada’s enhanced support of the High-Performance Program with a goal to advance 30 Canadian athletes to the LPGA and PGA TOUR by 2032.

The 2022 Women’s Young Pro Squad will welcome a pair of new additions in Selena Costabile (Thornhill, Ont.) and Maude-Aimée LeBlanc (Sherbrooke, Que.), along with returning players Jaclyn Lee (Calgary, Alta.) and Maddie Szeryk (London, Ont.). Golf Canada is also pleased to welcome back Rebecca Lee-Bentham (Scarborough, Ont.) who rejoins the Young Pro Squad after a brief hiatus from her professional golf career. The selection criteria for 2022 was expanded on the women’s side to recognize the more significant impact of COVID-19 on professional playing opportunities in the women’s game.

Comprising the 2022 Men’s Young Pro Squad are returnees Chris Crisologo (Richmond, B.C.), Hugo Bernard (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que.), Jared du Toit (Kimberley, B.C.), Stuart Macdonald (Vancouver, B.C.) and Joey Savoie (La Prairie, Que.). Blair Bursey (Gander, N.L), and Myles Creighton (Digby, N.S.) will also join the Young Pro Squad program as new members.

“Expanding the roster of Canadian athletes and revising the Young Pro Squad selection criteria to support more players in their path to the LPGA and PGA Tour is an extension of the enhancements introduced to our High-Performance program and the continued support we are grateful to receive from Golf Canada Foundation trustees and our Team Canada supporting partners,” said Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer, Kevin Blue.

Derek Ingram of Winnipeg, Man. will continue as Head Coach of the Men’s Young Pro Squad. Golf Canada is undertaking a search for a new Women’s Head Coach with gradual transition of  Tristan Mullally of Dundas, Ont. to the newly created position of National Talent Identification Director to support Golf Canada’s enhanced High-Performance Program.

Now in its ninth year, the Team Canada Young Pro Squad supports aspiring professional golfers move up the ranks on the developmental tours with the ultimate goal of putting more players on the LPGA and PGA TOUR. Since the inception of the Young Pro Squad in 2014, current and former team members have accounted for 50 wins across various professional golf tours including PGA TOUR wins by Mackenzie Hughes and Corey Conners, as well as a record 10 LPGA Tour wins by Brooke Henderson.

Funding for the program comes in large part from the Golf Canada Foundation and Trustees who are generously supporting through major gifts. In addition, robust support is provided by founding partners RBC and Canadian Pacific, as well as supporting partners Citi Canada and Bear Mountain Resort – the Official Training Centre of Golf Canada’s National Team program.

Click here to read the 2022 Team Canada Young Pro Squad player and coaching staff bios.

EMERGING PROFESSIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Golf Canada Foundation is also proud to announce Maude-Aimée LeBlanc and Stuart Macdonald as the recipients of the Emerging Professional Player of the Year Award, presented by Andrew Cook. In recognition of their notable results and improvement in 2021, each received $10,000 towards their continued development in professional golf.

In 2020 Andrew Cook, a proud Trustee of the Golf Canada Foundation, and past President with Golf Canada, established the $20,000 annual fund to recognize a top male and top female emerging Canadian professional golfer. Previous recipients include Taylor Pendrith, who graduated from the Young Pro Squad program after securing his PGA TOUR card in April 2021, and Maddie Szeryk who earned her LPGA Tour card in December 2021.

“We are very pleased to name Maude-Aimée LeBlanc and Stuart Macdonald as the Emerging Professional Players of the Year,” said Martin Barnard, CEO of the Golf Canada Foundation. “We are incredibly grateful to Andrew Cook for his continued support in impacting the lives of young professional athletes as they pursue their goals.”

LeBlanc, a former member of the Team Canada Amateur Squad who came out of retirement in 2021 and earned her LPGA Tour card through strong results on the Epson Tour, notched nine top-10 results with two runner-up finishes on the season. With a renewed passion for the game, she finished sixth on the Epson Tour money list to successfully secure her 2022 LPGA Tour.

Stuart Macdonald began 2021 without Korn Ferry Tour status but progressed from conditional status to playing a near-full calendar of Korn Ferry Tour events. Macdonald earned seven top-20 finishes on the Korn Ferry Tour including a T3 showing at the REX Hospital Open to earn full status on the Korn Ferry Tour for 2022.