Minister of State Bal Gosal Announces Support for the RBC Canadian Open

OAKVILLE, ON, July 23, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), today announced funding for the RBC Canadian Open, which is being held at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville from July 22 to 28, 2013.

"Our Government is proud to support Golf Canada in hosting the 2013 RBC Canadian Open," said Minister of State Gosal. "With golf now added to the Olympic and Pan Am sport programs, the RBC Canadian Open is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our Canadian golfers and for them to compete against some of the best players in the world."

"On behalf of Golf Canada and everyone involved with RBC Canadian Open, we are very honoured to have the support of Sport Canada behind Canada's National Open Golf Championship," said Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons. "For more than a century, The RBC Canadian Open has been a rallying point for Canadian golf, giving our top athletes the opportunity to compete against the world's best golfers while leaving a significant charitable legacy in our host communities."

The RBC Canadian Open, established in 1904, is the third oldest national open golf championship after the British Open and the U.S. Open. It is Canada's only PGA Tour event.

A contribution of $200,000 to support the hosting of this event was provided to Golf Canada through Sport Canada's Hosting Program. The Government of Canada also committed $783,000 in 2013-2014 to Golf Canada through the Sport Support Program. Sport Canada's Athlete Assistance Program also provided over $111,000 to support 17 Canadian golfers with living and training expenses in 2012-2013.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage