Canadian Open To Hold Post-Round Concerts, Stage Pro-Am Party

RBC Canadian Open This Year To  Hold Concerts After First Three Rounds

The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) Monday said that "concerts will be held after the first three rounds" of the July 24-27 RBC Canadian Open, according to Jeff Brooke of the GLOBE & MAIL. Canadian acts Blue Rodeo, 54/40 and Tom Cochrane will play on a stage in the spectators village at Glen Abbey Golf Club. RBC Chief Brand & Communications Officer Jim Little: "The idea behind it was to make the week much more of a festival." The RCGA also July 22 will "stage a soiree in downtown Toronto" for corporate sponsors and those playing in the event's pro-am. RCGA Exec Dir Scott Simmons said that he is "responding to the wishes of RBC." Brooke noted adding more social activities to a golf tournament is "part of a growing trend across all of sport, as organizers try to ramp up interest and buzz for their events in an increasingly competitive entertainment environment." Tournament Dir Bill Paul said that he has had "early success in attracting a better field to the tournament, which has had a hard time getting the game's top players in recent years because of its spot on the PGA Tour schedule." Paul said this year he is "certainly ahead of the ball game" in player commitments. Meanwhile, the RCGA again this year will offer a charter flight for British Open competitors "who'd like to fly directly to Toronto in time for the Canadian Open." Players, their families and caddies also are being offered an "array of goodies as an incentive" to play in the tournament, including "BMW courtesy cars and tickets for events in the Toronto area that week, including the Rogers Cup tennis tournament" and an Eagles concert (GLOBE & MAIL, 5/27). Little said of the tournament's new entertainment options, "The momentum and the feeling in the room is palpably better (and more) positive. This thing feels like we're on the right trajectory" (CP, 5/26).