I started volunteering at the 'Canadian Open" in 1985, taking a week's holiday and driving with my late brother Rodney to and from Glen Abbey everyday to work with the "Transportation" division, driving the players/ officials where ever they needed to go.
That started my love affair with our National Championship that continued when I began producing/ hosting the "Fairways" show on #theFan590 in 1993 right up until 2011, attending everyone, broadcasting from our spot in the media tent with Bob Weeks, and later with Scott Metcalfe.
So, and not unexpectedly, I was saddened by news this morning that for the second year in a row it's been cancelled due to COVID.
The City of Toronto has already cancelled all major permit events up to July 1, with more to follow until the country all gets vaccinated, and quite rightly so, we've come this far and can't dare stop and allow wave 3 to swarm over us.
Since the border is closed, another replacement event will take place somewhere in the USA..
Here is an edited version of the official announcement.. Bryan Angus..
Due to logistical challenges related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the PGA TOUR, title sponsor Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and Golf Canada announced today that the 2021 RBC Canadian Open, scheduled for June 7-13 at St. George’s Golf & Country Club in Etobicoke, Ontario, has been cancelled.
“Even with an extensive health and safety plan in place, we faced a number of significant logistical challenges that led us to this decision,” said PGA TOUR President Tyler Dennis. “While we are disappointed to cancel Canada’s National Championship, we are thankful to our partners RBC and Golf Canada – along with our Canadian fans — for their unwavering support and cooperation throughout this process. We look forward to the RBC Canadian Open returning to our schedule next year.”
“Together with RBC and the PGA TOUR, we set a decision timeline based on the most up to date travel and quarantine restrictions in effect along with consideration for the TOUR’s ability to pivot and successfully fill a significant date on the schedule,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “It was also important to be respectful partners to the health leaders and government officials who have helped inform our operation protocols and provided great direction on this journey. The timing simply did not align for us and we are deeply disappointed that the celebrated return of the RBC Canadian Open will have to wait another year.”
Established in 1904, the RBC Canadian Open — the third-oldest national championship in golf behind The Open Championship and the United States Open — had been previously conducted every year since 1904, with the exception of wartime cancellations from 1915-18 and 1943-44, and as the result of complications related to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The RBC Canadian Open was last played in June 2019 at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Ontario, with Rory McIlroy winning in his debut appearance.
To fill the week left open on the calendar, the PGA TOUR will secure an alternative venue in the United States to host an official FedExCup event for one year only. Details on the replacement event are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Similarly - I began volunteering in 1992, as a Standard Bearer, and have had many repeat volunteer experiences on a variety of committees. Now that I work at RBC, I have been involved in helping recruit volunteers from our staff. Sad, but looking forward to whatever 2022 brings.
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