This year’s 114th Canadian Open Golf Championship will once again be played at Glen Abbey in Oakville. This will be the thirtieth time that Glen Abbey has hosted our National Championship; the first was in 1977.
Some of the marquee players competing in this year’s event include Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Tommy Fleetwood, Bubba Watson, and two-time U.S. Open Champion Brooks Koepka. Jhonattan Vegas will be back to defend his 2017 Canadian Open Championship win. He is looking to become the first player in history to win three consecutive Canadian Open championships. Also in the field will be Canadians Adam Hadwin, David Hearn, Mackenzie Hughes, Nick Taylor, and of course Mike Weir, who won the Masters back in 2003.
This year could very well be the last time that Glen Abbey will host the Canadian Open. ClubLink, which owns the Abbey, has plans to redevelop the course and turn it into a residential housing development.
It will be a shame to lose such a beautiful course which has hosted our national championship for over five decades.
The Canadian Open begins on Wednesday, July 25 and runs through until July 29. Single day passes for Wednesday are $30 and tickets for Thursday through Sunday are $85 each. All-access passes for the entire tournament are $160. To purchase tickets call 1-800-571 OPEN or for more information on the event log onto www.thecanadianopen.ca.
Next year’s Canadian Open will be moving back to Hamilton Golf & Country Club, which last hosted our national championship in 2012. The date is also being changed from July to early June next year, so that the event can attract more players from the PGA tour.
My article last week listed my own personal favorite courses to play in and around Georgian Bay. Thanks to everyone that emailed me last week with their comments on my ten top favorites. One of my favourite courses to play which was not listed in last week’s paper is Batteaux Creek. The beautiful links-style course was designed by golf course designer and longtime Collingwood resident Steve Young. Batteaux Creek is located south of Collingwood on Highway 124 and is a great course to play or host a tournament.
Next Week: Swing Thoughts in Golf
Cameron Burechails (Teaching Professional), The Georgian Bay Golf Academy at Meaford Golf Club (705)441-0865, baygolfacademy@bell.net or www.baygolfacademy.com.
