2010 Canadian Open

	story Terry Lenyk, Golf Canada After a 42 year hiatus, Canada’s national Open golf championship will return to Toronto. This July 19-25, the stars of the PGA Tour will head to the renowned St. George’s Golf and Country Club to vie for their share of the $5.1 million (all figures U.S.) purse and the distinct honour of winning a national golf title. The last time the RBC Canadian Open was held in Toronto was 1968. It was a much different time for the Canadian Open - the third-oldest national Open golf championship worldwide next to the British Open and the U.S. Open. Equally as notable, 1968 was a special year for Mississauga. Like the Canadian Open and professional golf, much has changed in Mississauga since 1968. That year, the township of Mississauga became the town of Mississauga. Bob Speck was the Mayor and Hazel McCallion had just begun her political career in the Streetsville municipality. The 1968 Canadian Open was won by New Zealand’s Bob Charles, who shot a 6-under par 274 to edge Jack Nicklaus by two strokes to become the first lefty to win the title. Charles won $25,000, his share of the event’s $125,000 purse. In addition to prize money, Charles won the Seagram Gold Cup. The trophy was named after the event’s title sponsor - Montreal based Seagram Company Ltd., which at the time was the largest distributor of alcoholic beverages in the world. That trophy would be used until 1970, the year the Du Maurier tobacco company assumed title sponsorship of the event. The winner of the 2010 championship will hoist the RBC Canadian Open trophy. Much more than just prize money and winner’s trophy has changed for the Canadian Open. Today’s golf stars hit the ball much farther than pros did 40 years ago. As well, the game has exploded in popularity, with much thanks to 2000 Canadian Open champion Tiger Woods. The 2010 RBC Canadian Open will be held at the historic St. George’s Golf and Country Club, as it was in 1968. Originally called The Royal York Golf Club until 1956, the club has hosted four Canadian Open Championships: 1933, 1949, 1960 and 1968. Consistently ranked among the country’s top five best tests of golf, even it too must change with the times. The course, which regularly plays as a par-71 for members, will transform into a 7,100-yard par-70 for the pros. The 474-yard fourth hole will be played as a par-4 for this year’s Open. Competitors challenging for Canada’s national Open championship will use neighbouring Islington Golf Club’s first and second holes as a practice facility. Islington Golf Club is a private Stanley Thompson designed course located slightly more than two kilometres south of St. George’s along Islington Avenue in west-end Toronto. Off-site practice facilities were considered a significant logistical hurdle in conducting the 2010 RBC Canadian Open as the current practice range at St. George’s lacks the space and length to accommodate the practice needs of PGA Tour players. Initially, Golf Canada – formerly known as the Royal Canadian Golf Association- considered a plan to construct a practice facility at Eglinton Flats, a community park located approximately seven kilometres from St. George’s. Hosting the practice facility at Islington Golf Club not only offers a closer solution for the tournament, but also extends a unique opportunity for the Islington golf community to play an important role in the Canadian Open’s return to Toronto. While many things have changed over time, one thing that hasn’t changed is the community involvement necessary to run a successful golf championship of this magnitude. Almost 1,700 volunteers have signed on to assist with operation of the 2010 RBC Canadian Open, setting a modern day record for the earliest time all volunteer positions have been filled for Canada’s only PGA Tour event. Twenty different volunteer committees including marshalls, player transportation, spectator services and many others were completely filled as of March 23. RBC Canadian Open volunteers work a total of 24 hours throughout three or four shifts. Many opt to work more hours, and take a shift each of the seven championship days. Although generous Islington Golf Club members will give up a portion of their golf course for the summer, as well as volunteer their time, to be successful, RBC Canadian Open could still use the support of Mississaugans. Perhaps the best way to support the RBC Canadian Open is by attending the Open as a spectator- either the Open itself or the Mike Weir Charity Classic. The second annual Mike Weir Charity Classic will take place Monday July 19th. This pro-am will feature marquee celebrities from the music, sports and entertainment fields, as well as top stars on the PGA Tour. Some of the notable celebrities from last year’s event included Michael Jordan and Kevin Costner. All of the proceeds from the event will benefit children’s charities through The Mike Weir Foundation. Tickets for the Mike Weir Charity Classic are $20, while tickets for the RBC Canadian Open are $20 for any one day Monday-Wednesday and $70 for any championship days, Thursday-Sunday. Children 15-and-under are free with a ticketed adult. GL	Anthony Kim Mike Weir Camilo Villegas Stephen Ames All compete in the second round of the 100th Canadian Open at Oakville’s Glen Abbey Golf Course. Photography by Bernard Brault, RCGA/ARGC.