In the News

[Jeffrey Reed]

PGA TOUR PROS READY TO TAKE ON SHAUGHNESSY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB



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 at www.rbccanadianopen.com and www.pgatour.com.



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.

http://www.pgatour.com/2011/tournaments/r032/07/16/inside_the_field/index.html



RBC CANADIAN OPEN – MEDIA GUIDE AND PAST PLAYER PERFORMANCES

First conducted in 1904, this year will mark the 102nd playing of Canada’s National Open Championship. Download the official RBC Canadian Open Media Guide and the 1904-2010 Player Performance Book to access 102 years of scores, history and notable championship records.



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.



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

[Jeffrey Reed]

Adam Hadwin Makes Big Move at RBC Canadian Open

- Fritsch & Risdon Join Hadwin on Weekend -





2011 RBC Canadian Open - Canadian Tour Player Notes

Vancouver, BC July 21-24, 2011
Purse: $5,200,000 (918,000)
Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club
Par/Yards: 35-35-70/7,010

A total of 42 Canadian Tour alumni are playing in the RBC Canadian Open this week in Vancouver as well as 13 current members. David Hearn is the low Canadian Tour Alumnus at 2-under-par for the tournament as well as the low Canadian with Adam Hadwin at T5 for the tournament.


Active Players - Canadian Tour Leaderboard
T5 Adam Hadwin (Abbottsford, BC) 72-66
T28 Brad Fritsch (Ottawa,ON) 71-70
T66 Dustin Risdon (Strathmore, AB) 75-69
MC Nick Taylor (Abbottsford, BC) 71-74
MC Darren Wallace (Langley, BC) 73-73
MC Joe Panzeri (Meridian, ID) 71-75
MC Benjamin Alvarado (Chile) 76-71
MC Tom Hoge (Fargo, ND) 78-70
MC Hugo Leon (Chile) 75-74
MC Roger Sloan (Merritt, BC) 73-76
MC Jose Rodriguez (Mexico) 76-76
MC Matt Hill (Bright's Grove) 72-78
MC Josh Habig (San Diego, CA) 73-79

Canadian Tour Player Notes

Adam Hadwin (Abbottsford, BC) - 72-66 (T5)

Adam Hadwin is three for three when it comes to making the cut on the PGA TOUR. The bigger question now becomes can he become the low Canadian in his third straight PGA TOUR event. Hadwin finished as both the low Canadian at the 2010 RBC Canadian Open and most recently at the U.S. Open earlier this season. The 23-year-old Abbottsford, BC native shot 4-under-par 66 today to grab a share fifth place vaulting him up 45 spots on the leaderboard to tie Canadian Tour Alumnus David Hearn as the low Canadian's thus far.

"I think me and David are not trying to get low Canadian, but trying to win the thing," said Hadwin in a large media scrum following round two. "We both have a job to do this weekend and we're both going to prepare like we're going to win a championship," added Hadwin who won a co-sanctioned Canadian Tour / TLA event earlier this year.

Hadwin is a two-time winner on the Canadian Tour and will be looking to cash the biggest cheque of his young career come Sunday at the RBC Canadian Open. Hadwin's biggest cheque to date came at the U.S. Open where he finished T39 and picked up just over $40,000 for his efforts. Hadwin came into this week after a final round 64 moved him into a tie for seventh alone at The Players Cup hosted by Jonathan Toews. Hadwin attributed his solid play this week to the momentum gained from playing so well in Winnipeg on the Canadian Tour last week.

"Coming off Winnipeg was great for me, the greens were fast and the rough was up, it was a great test," said Hadwin, who was five-under on his round today until a bogey on the final hole. "The Canadian Tour is probably third best Tour in North America in my opinion and I've learned a lot out there," added Hadwin who sits in eighth spot on the Canadian Tour Order of Merit.

Hadwin tees off tomorrow at 9:25am on the first hole with fellow Canadian David Hearn and American Scott McCarron. It will be an all Canadian pairing of sorts as the American born McCarron's mother (Gloria) is Canadian. All three players have also plied their trade on the Canadian Tour.

Brad Fritsch (Ottawa, Ont.) - 71-70 (T28)

Playing in his fourth RBC Canadian Open and first since 2008, the 33-year-old posted an even par round of 70 on the venerable Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club. This is sixth PGA TOUR event for Fritsch and the first time he has made the cut. With the help of Canadian Tour member Darren Griff as his caddy Fritsch maneuvered around Shaughnessy posting two birdies and two bogeys.

"It's a relief to finally make the cut, I played really solid these last two days and I'm really happy about that," said the former Nationwide Tour member. "I haven't had any mental mistakes, the putter is really hot and I'm driving it really well. I'm looking forward to the weekend," added Fritsch who saved par draining a six-footer on the final hole.

Fritsch was pegged as a player to watch by a number of experts who follow the Canadian Tour. The Ottawa native posted back-to-back 65's in Winnipeg last week and followed it up with a 65 in the Monday Qualifier to get into the RBC field. Fritsch was the only Monday Qualifier to make the cut after follow Canadian Tour members Josh Habig and Darren Wallace failed to advance to the weekend.

Fritsch tees off at 8:05am on the first tee tomorrow with friend and fellow Canadian Matt McQuillan.

Dustin Risdon - 75 (T144)

Risdon fired a second round 1-under-par 69 to sneak into the weekend at the RBC Canadian Open. Known as a grinder, Risdon got off to a good start making the turn at 2-under-par. An untimely bogey on his penultimate hole could have derailed his chances to make his second cut on the PGA TOUR but the former Nationwide Tour player stuck to his game plan.

"I was able to hold it together really good today except for a bad thought that creeped in on my 17th hole," said Risdon who would post his only bogey of the day on the second last hole. "I thought I needed birdie coming in on the final hole but it turned out I only needed a par so I was excited to make it through to the weekend," added Risdon who also made the cut in the 2008 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey.

Risdon is currently ranked fifth on the Canadian Tour Order of Merit with just over $42,000 in earnings. The Strathmore, AB native has made the cut in every event so far this year and is gunning for the number one spot on the Canadian Tour money list. Risdon plays in the final pairing going off the back nine tomorrow with Canadian Tour Alumnus Alex Rocha. Their tee time is 9:55am local time in Vancouver.

[Jeffrey Reed]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 22, 2011





MICHAEL THOMPSON AND CHAD CAMPBELL SHARE LEAD AT RBC CANADIAN OPEN



David Hearn and Adam Hadwin sit as low Canadians heading into weekend action;

News and notes from Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club



Vancouver (Golf Canada) – Michael Thompson and Chad Campbell sit tied atop the leaderboard at 4-under par through 36 holes at the 2011 RBC Canadian Open at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver.



Thompson carded a 4-under par 66 on Friday that included five birdies, three of which came on the back-nine at No. 15, No. 16, and again at No. 18. The 26-year-old native of Tuscon, Ariz., who turned pro in 2008, earned his top finish of the season thus far in June, placing 4th at the 2011 Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn.



“[I’m] having a great tournament. I’ve been working hard on the range this week and really trying to be confident with the swings that I make because this is a tight golf course,” said Thompson. “I’ve been playing really well, putting well. Excited to have the opportunity to be in one of the last groups tomorrow. I’m just going to have fun.”



Campbell, meanwhile, who is coming off a T5 finish at the British Open Championship last week at Royal St. George’s Golf Club, carded a 3-under par 67 on Friday, that included 5 birdies and only 2 bogeys.



Five Canadians made the cut, including David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., and Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., both of whom sit locked in a seven-player tie for fifth at 2-under par heading into Saturday’s third round.



Hadwin, who earned low Canadian honours at last year’s RBC Canadian Open in Toronto, fired a 4-under par 66 in round two, converting five birdies before making bogey at No. 18 to end the day. The 23-year-old Canadian Tour member earned a seventh place finish at the Tour’s Players Cup in Winnipeg heading into the 102nd playing of Canada’s Open Golf Championship.



“Feels great. I kind of proved it today,” said Hadwin. “I felt really good out there, felt really calm, especially the putter with the short game. Those two things held me in there a little bit. Just got to continue what I’m doing.”



Also advancing to weekend play are Canadians Brad Fritsch of Manotick, Ont., and Matt McQuillan of Kingston, Ont., both of whom are T28 at 1-over par and Dustin Risdon of Calgary, who sits T66 at 4-over par.



Canadian Golf Hall of Famer, Mike Weir, was forced to withdraw early in his round Friday, citing soreness in an elbow.



The following are second-round scores for the 17 Canadians in the 2011 RBC Canadian Open field. (7,010 yards, Par 70)



T5 – Hadwin, Adam, Abbotsford, B.C. 72-66 – 138 (-2)

T5 – Hearn, David, Brantford, Ont. 70-68 – 138 (-2)

T28 – Fritsch, Brad, Manotick, Ont. 71-70 – 141 (+1)

T28 – McQuillan, Matt, Kingston, Ont. 68-73 – 141 (+1)

T66 – Risdon, Dustin, Calgary, Alta. 75-69 – 144 (+4)

--- CUT ---

CUT – Taylor, Nick, Abbotsford, B.C. 71-74 – 145 (+5)

CUT – Wallace, Darren, Langley, B.C. 73 – 73 – 146 (+6)

CUT – Baryla, Chris, Vernon, B.C. 74-72 – 146 (+6)

CUT – Choi, Albin (a), Toronto, Ont. 74-72 – 146 (+6)

CUT – Ames, Stephen, Calgary, Alta. 72-75 – 147 (+7)

CUT – Sloan, Roger, Merritt, B.C. 73-76 – 149 (+9)

CUT – Wong, Eugene (a), North Vancouver, B.C. 74-76 – 150 (+10)

CUT – Hill, Matt, Bright’s Grove, Ont. 72-78 – 150 (+10)

CUT – Bunker, Dave (a), Woodbridge, Ont. 79-75 – 154 (+14)

CUT – Evanecz, Mitchell (a), Red Deer, Alta. 79-77 – 156 (+16)

CUT – Hutton, Brian, Burlington, Ont. 79-77 – 156 (+16)

WD – Weir, Mike, Bright’s Grove, Ont. 74-WD



(a) – denotes amateur



THIRD-ROUND PAIRINGS

Third-round parings can be found online at www.rbccanadianopen.com or www.pgatour.com.



The television broadcast schedule for the 2011 RBC Canadian Open is as follows:



Saturday, July 23 12:00 – 3:00 pm Global / CBS

Sunday, July 24 12:00 – 3:00 pm Global / CBS






TICKETS FOR THE 2011 RBC CANADIAN OPEN

RBC Canadian Open tickets can be purchased onsite at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club. For more information call 1-800-571-6736 or visit www.rbcanadianopen.com.

RBC CANADIAN OPEN – MEDIA GUIDE AND PAST PLAYER PERFORMANCES

First conducted in 1904, this year will mark the 102nd playing of Canada’s National Open Championship. Download the official RBC Canadian Open Media Guide and the 1904-2010 Player Performance Book to access 102 years of scores, history and notable championship records.



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.



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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