Golf Canada announces qualifying format for RBC Canadian Open

Golf Canada announces qualifying format for RBC Canadian Open

Golf Canada, in partnership with title sponsor RBC, is pleased to announce the qualifying format for the 2012 RBC Canadian Open, scheduled for July 23-29 at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Hamilton, Ont.

A two-stage qualifying procedure for Canada’s National Open Championship will feature three regional qualifying competitions (in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec), followed by a final qualifying event on Monday, July 23.

The first regional qualifier will take place Tuesday, June 12 at Bearspaw Country Club in Calgary. On Monday, June 18, a second regional qualifying event will be held at King’s Forest Golf Course in Hamilton, Ont. The third regional qualifying event will be staged at Club de golf de l’Épiphanie in Épiphanie, Que. on Tuesday, July 3.

“Our three qualifying events this year mark the most Canadian Open regional qualifiers we’ve conducted since 1995,” said Bill Paul, Tournament Director of the RBC Canadian Open.  “We are thrilled to be able to offer competitors, especially Canadian golfers across the country, more opportunities to play their way into our National Men’s Open Championship.”

Each of the three regional qualifiers will feature 18 holes of stroke play with the low competitor at each site receiving an exemption directly into the 2012 RBC Canadian Open field (provided a minimum of 100 competitors participate at each site).  Up to the next top 15 per cent of finishers at each event are eligible to compete at final qualifying.

The entry deadline for the Alberta regional qualifier at Bearspaw Country Club in Calgary is Tuesday, June 5, while all entries for the Ontario regional qualifier at King’s Forest Golf Course in Hamilton, Ont. are due Monday, June 11. The entry deadline for the Quebec regional qualifier at Club de golf de l’Épiphanie in Épiphanie, Que. is Tuesday, June 26.

Final qualifying is scheduled for Monday, July 23 at Heron Point Golf Links in Alberton, Ont. (near Hamilton). Participation is limited to those competitors receiving requisite exemptions, or individuals who have qualified through regional qualifying. The event will feature 18 holes of stroke play, with a minimum of four (4) spots directly into the 2012 RBC Canadian Open field. The entry deadline is Monday, July 16.

The qualifying competition is open to members in good standing of the PGA of Canada or other PGA affiliates, amateur golfers (with a current Handicap Factor not to exceed 0) who are members of clubs belonging to Golf Canada or clubs in other countries in good standing with their respective associations, and other golf professionals. 

In all, a total of 24 exemptions, including the seven (7) awarded through regional and Monday qualifiers are available for the 2012 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf & Country Club.

The 2012 RBC Canadian Open field is limited to 156 participants including both professional and amateur golfers.

For more information about complete qualifying criteria, visit www.rbccanadianopen.com.