RBC and RCGA name Mike Weir Foundation as national charity
partner for RBC Canadian Open
Mike Weir Charity Classic to be held Monday of RBC Canadian
Open tournament week; RBC expands relationship with Canadian
golf icon; PGA TOUR stars confirm their intent to compete
for Canada's national Open championship
March 9, 2009
Toronto, Ont. (RCGA) — RBC and the Royal Canadian
Golf Association (RCGA) today announced the Mike Weir Foundation
as a national charity partner for the RBC Canadian Open, welcoming
the inaugural Mike Weir Charity Classic to the lineup of tournament
week activities for the RBC Canadian Open, July 20-26 at Glen
Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.
The Mike Weir Charity Classic will take place on Monday,
July 20 at Glen Abbey Golf Club. The high-profile charity
fundraiser will feature marquee celebrities from the music,
sports and entertainment industries including two-time NBA
MVP Steve Nash as well as several notable players on the PGA
TOUR. This star-studded event will be a true highlight of
event week.
"A critical component of our being title sponsor of
the RBC Canadian Open is to ensure we are generating charitable
legacies in our communities," said Gordon M. Nixon, RBC
president and CEO. "Creating the Mike Weir Charity Classic
during tournament week is an important step towards this objective
and will help improve children's wellness across Canada."
The Mike Weir Foundation supports numerous worthwhile causes
in support of the physical, emotional and educational welfare
of children. All net proceeds from the Mike Weir Charity Classic
will benefit children's charities through the Foundation.
"Supporting children's wellness is the main goal of
the Mike Weir Foundation and I am pleased to have RBC and
the RCGA as partners in realizing this vision," said
Mike Weir. "I'm looking forward to the RBC Canadian Open
and hosting the Charity Classic. It's for a great cause and
part of the RBC Canadian Open's commitment to the community.
It'll be a lot of fun."
The opportunity to add a philanthropic component to the RBC
Canadian Open aligns with the RCGA's and RBC's long term strategic
plan for the event.
"We are extremely proud to partner with the Mike Weir
Foundation and welcome the Mike Weir Charity Classic to tournament
week of the RBC Canadian Open," said Scott Simmons, RCGA
Executive Director and CEO. "Adding a significant charitable
element to Canada's national Open championship is a major
focus of our strategic vision for the event and together with
RBC, we feel that aligning our philanthropic efforts with
the Mike Weir Foundation is an ideal fit and to be in a position
to announce the type of talent we have secured is very fulfilling
for everyone involved."
As part of today's announcement, RBC also announced it is
expanding its marketing relationship with Mike Weir to include
all of its financial service categories. Last week, RBC announced
it had established a relationship with Stephen Ames and his
foundation's work with youth in Canada and Trinidad and Tobago.
"Building partnerships with some of the most recognizable
players on the PGA TOUR helps us enhance the RBC Canadian
Open and drives our business objectives," said Jim Little,
RBC Chief Brand and Communications Officer. "We want
to leverage our deepening role in golf to build brand experiences
for our clients and golf fans in Canada as well as enhance
brand awareness for RBC in the U.S. and internationally. In
partnership with the RCGA, the PGA TOUR and other sponsors,
we are revitalizing the RBC Canadian Open and restoring it
to its rightful place as one of the premier stops on the PGA
TOUR."
Following the conclusion of the 2008 RBC Canadian Open, officials
from RBC and the RCGA sat down as part of its ongoing dialogue
with Team Weir to discuss the concept of adding a new event
that would address two key objectives. Beyond simply raising
charity dollars, the intent was to formalize the role Weir
could play in helping to engage fellow PGA TOUR players to
support the philanthropic mission of The Mike Weir Foundation,
while helping to enhance the Field of the RBC Canadian Open.
Led in part by Weir's input, rapport and dialogue with his
peers, the RBC Canadian Open is thrilled to announce that
marquee names have already committed to play in the Mike Weir
Charity Classic and challenge for the 100th playing of Canada's
national Open championship, July 20-26 at Glen Abbey Golf
Club. The following collection of emerging PGA TOUR superstars,
world-class international players and proven veterans will
be in attendance:
Anthony Kim
- Two-time PGA TOUR winner
- 2008 Ryder Cup hero
Trevor Immelman
- 2008 Masters champion
- Two-time PGA TOUR winner
Camilo Villegas
- 2008 TOUR Championship winner
- Two-time PGA TOUR winner
Luke Donald
- Two-time PGA TOUR winner
- Two-time Ryder Cup team member
Fred Couples
- 15-time PGA TOUR winner, 5-time Ryder Cup team member
- 4-time President's Cup team member, 2009 President's Cup
Captain
Mark Calcavecchia
- 13-time PGA TOUR winner
- 2005 RBC Canadian Open champion
- 4-time Ryder Cup team member
Stephen Ames
- Three-time PGA TOUR winner
- 2006 The PLAYERS Championship winner
Chez Reavie
- 2008 RBC Canadian Open champion
Mike Weir
- Eight-time PGA TOUR winner
- 2003 Masters champion
- 4-time President's Cup team member
- 2009 inductee into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame
Additional PGA TOUR players and notable celebrities taking
part in the Mike Weir Charity Classic will be announced in
coming months as the 2009 RBC Canadian Open shapes up to be
one of the highest profile events in recent history.
ABOUT 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 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 www.rcga.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dan Pino
Director, Media and Public Relations Manager,
Royal Canadian Golf Association
t: 905-849-9700 ext. 406
c: 416-434-5525 (cell)
e: dpino@rcga.org
Jackie Braden
Media Relations, RBC
t: 416-974-2124
c: 416-318-7950 (cell)
e: Jackie.braden@rbc.com
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