April 19, 2006

Canadian Tour Announces Flagship Event

GOLF HOUSE, Oakville, Ont. ---Commissioner Richard Janes today announced the launch of The Canadian Tour Championship, a season-ending tournament to be held August 28th to September 3rd in Barrie, Ont.

Janes confirmed that Highlands Golf Club at Horseshoe Resort will play host to the Tour's newest major championship the week before the Canadian Open, which will be held in nearby Hamilton, Ont.

Opened four years ago, the 7050-yard Highlands Golf Club was designed by renowned architect Rene Muylaert.

“Every tour in the world has its flagship events which are in their own right major championships,” said Janes. “Along with The Players' Championship in Montreal, the Canadian Tour Championship will be one of our cornerstone events and over time one of our biggest purses”.

The 2006 event will have a minimum purse of $150,000.

“It is with great pleasure that Horseshoe Resort and the entire community of Oro-Medonte welcomes the Canadian Tour Championship,” said Rowley Ramey, President of Horseshoe Resort. “The Highlands Golf Club at Horseshoe Resort has been ranked among the top resort courses in the country and, combined with our award winning hotel and restaurants will enable the Canadian Tour to celebrate their Championship in unique festive style.

“With our base of community volunteers and charitable endeavours in support of our community hospital, we are looking forward in joining the Canadian Tour in hosting a memorable event.”


The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company was also announced as the presenting sponsor of the Canadian Tour Championship. Founded in 1887, The Dominion of Canada is still fully Canadian-owned. One of the largest property and casualty insurance companies in Canada, Dominion's first president was Canada's first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald.

The Canadian Tour Championship will raise $100,000 for a charity to be named by The Dominion of Canada. The event will also include a two-day pro am, the RVH Corporate Challenge presented by Wallwin Electric. The pro am is expected to generate $50,000 for the Royal Victoria Hospital Cancer Care Centre in Barrie.

“Our strategy is to create a national footprint that brings world-class professional golf to communities across the country,” added Janes. “Major golf championships are beacons that stimulate fan interest and help grow the game of golf. They are also a major catalyst for charity fundraising.

“Both of these are cornerstone objectives of the Tour.”