Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club to Host 2011 RBC Canadian Open

-Canada’s national Open championship marks return to western Canada -

Vancouver, B.C. (RCGA) – The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) and RBC confirmed today that the historic Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver will host the 2011 RBC Canadian Open.

The renowned Vancouver layout – consistently ranked among Canada’s best – had previously hosted Canada’s national Open championship in 2005. The course drew rave reviews from PGA TOUR competitors, ultimately being selected by the players as one of the top courses played on TOUR that season.

“We are thrilled to bring the 2011 RBC Canadian Open back to the Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club,” said Scott Simmons, RCGA Executive Director and CEO. “The quality of the golf course is of utmost importance to PGA TOUR players and the response to Shaughnessy from players in 2005 was overwhelmingly positive. The course is among the premier venues in all of Canada and we are delighted that the membership has agreed to host the championship in 2011.”

The decision to bring the 2011 event back to Shaughnessy ties in with RBC and the RCGA’s shared vision of conducting the championship at the finest golf courses in the country.

“RBC is committed to helping bring the RBC Canadian Open to the best courses in Canada and Shaughnessy certainly fits our vision,” said Jim Little, RBC Chief Brand and Communications Officer. “Staging the championship at one of Canada’s finest historic courses adds to the event’s prestige and we are thrilled to showcase this best in class championship to our clients, customers and golf enthusiasts in Western Canada.”

For the club, the opportunity to once again host the stars of the PGA TOUR became less a matter of if, but rather when.

“On behalf of the Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club, I am very proud to welcome the PGA TOUR and the RBC Canadian Open back to Vancouver,” said Shaughnessy Club President Peter Birks. “The 2005 Canadian Open was a truly special event and our members are deeply honoured to help write the next chapter in the Canadian Open’s storied history.”

The 2005 Canadian Open at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club was won by PGA TOUR veteran Mark Calcavecchia who shot 5-under 275 to outlast Ryan Moore and Ben Crane by a single stroke. The 2005 event marked the return of Canada’s national Open championship to western Canada for the first time in nearly 40 years dating back to Don Massengale’s victory at Shaughnessy in 1966. The club also played host to C.W. Congdon’s Canadian Open victory in 1948.

“Shaughnessy is the type of old-style traditional golf course that players on TOUR absolutely love to play,” said Calcavecchia, whose winning score in 2005 was 5-under for the tournament. “I remember back in 2005, the players couldn’t say enough about how great the golf course was and a lot of us have wondered when the event might get back out there. I think the players would agree that it’s going to be one of the best golf courses we play in 2011.”

Calcavecchia is one of several PGA TOUR stars already confirmed for the 2009 RBC Canadian Open, July 20-26 at Glen Abbey Golf Club. 2009 will mark both the 100th playing of Canada’s national Open championship as well as the 25th time Glen Abbey has played host to the event.The 2009 RBC Canadian Open welcomes the inaugural Mike Weir Charity Classic to Monday, July 20th of tournament week. Players already confirming their participation in the celebrity Pro-Am include host Mike Weir, Calcavecchia, Anthony Kim, Camilo Villegas, Luke Donald, Stephen Ames, Fred Couples and defending champion Chez Reavie as well as two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash. All net proceeds from the Mike Weir Charity Classic will go to the Mike Weir Foundation which was recently named the national charity partner for the RBC Canadian Open.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE ANNOUNCEMENTABOUT THE 2009 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 $5.1 million (US) at the RBC Canadian Open, July 20-26 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario. 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, Pengrowth and BMW Group Canada. For updated corporate hospitality, tickets, volunteer and sponsorship information please visit http://www.thecanadianopen.ca/www.rbccanadianopen.ca or call 1-800-571-OPEN.

RBC AND THE RBC CANADIAN OPEN
In partnership with the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), 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.ABOUT

THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION
The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA 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 showcase the best in Canadian golf.

For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit http://www.thecanadianopen.ca/.