The Canadian Professional Golf Tour Returns To Fort McMurray

7/5/2010

Syncrude signs on as title sponsor of Boreal Open.

Professional golf returns to Fort McMurray in 2011 with the launch of the Syncrude Boreal Open supported by the Canadian Tour and Linx Marketing. Golf fans and local charities will both win when 156 of the top PGA TOUR prospects in the world compete for a minimum prize purse of $150,000. The inaugural event will be played at the Fort McMurray Golf Club and dates will be announced in September for either late June or early July 2011.

Fort McMurray last hosted the Canadian Tour in 1988 and 1989 at the Fort McMurray Rotary Classic. With Kirk Triplett of Pullman, Washington being crowned champion in 1988 and Jeff Lewis of Miami in 1989 on the third playoff hole at the Miskanaw Golf and Country Club.

“This is an excellent tourism opportunity for Fort McMurray and the Wood Buffalo region,” said Syncrude President and CEO Tom Katinas. “This event will give the community an opportunity to showcase the warmth and friendliness found here and show off all the features that make this a great place to live and raise a family.”

“A local non-profit organization, which will be announced at a later date, will enjoy financial benefit from the various venues,” Katinas added. “Syncrude employees are also supporting the tournament by volunteering their time in various positions throughout the week.”

The Canadian Tour has produced some of the best golfers in the world including Mike Weir, Chris DiMarco, Steve Stricker, Stuart Appleby, Arron Oberholser, Michael Campbell, Stephen Ames, Nick Watney, Tim Clark, Spencer Levin and in 2010 Graham DeLaet.  Canadian Tour alumni collectively have won 98 PGA TOUR events including four (4) Major Championships and over $400 million in career earnings.

"One of the things that the Canadian Tour does very well is bring world-class golf into communities that might not otherwise have the chance to see golf played at this level. The other thing that we do very well, and better than any other sport, is raise awareness and funds for important local causes and charity, stated Canadian Tour Commissioner Richard Janes. "We are very excited about returning to Fort McMurray in 2011 and we hope that the entire community will embrace the event."