(May 14, 2013 – Peterborough, ON) – PGA TOUR Canada has added a ninth tournament to its 2013 schedule, it was announced Tuesday. The Wildfire Invitational, a new event featuring 128 professionals and 64 amateurs, will take place August 26th to September 1st at Wildfire Golf Club in Peterborough, Ont.

 

The three-year agreement will see the tournament take place at Wildfire, an exclusive club outside of Peterborough which has been ranked in the Score Golf Top 100 courses in Canada, through the 2015 season. The unique pro-am format features amateurs playing in teams with two different PGA TOUR Canada players on Thursday and Friday, with the final 36 holes reserved for professional competition.

 

SDI Marketing, a Toronto-based marketing firm and operator of the Cape Breton Celtic Classic, will also operate The Wildfire Invitational. 

 

“We’re extremely pleased to be adding The Wildfire Invitational as our ninth event this season. We look forward to working with the Wildfire Golf Club team and SDI marketing to make this a truly great event,” said PGA TOUR Canada President Jeff Monday. “This unique event will be a great experience for amateurs and PGA TOUR Canada players alike.”

 

Designed by Tom McBroom and opened in 2000, Wildfire’s 6,745-yard, par-72 layout is highlighted by pristine wetlands and creeks, naturally rolling terrain, unique glacial boulders and stunning natural vistas. 

 

Camp Maple Leaf, a summer camp tucked away in the Kawarthas for economically disadvantaged children and children of military families, will be the official charity of the Wildfire Invitational.

 

“The PGA TOUR Canada pros and amateurs will get a first-class experience at Wildfire,” said Wildfire Golf Club President and Owner Glenn Stonehouse. “The golf course will be both challenging for the pros and enjoyable for the amateurs. We look forward to an outstanding week and are pleased to contribute to the Kawartha Region. I am personally gratified to be a part of giving a great camp and life experience to a deserving child through Camp Maple Leaf.”

 

“With a fantastic golf course and a strong surrounding community, operating The Wildfire Invitational is a tremendous opportunity,” said Geoff Conant, Senior Vice President of SDI Marketing. “We believe all the elements for success are here for a great event and we are excited to work with Glenn and his team at Wildfire.”

 

Eligibility for the 128-player professional field will be based off the 2013 Order of Merit, sponsor's exemptins and players finishing in the top-20 the week prior at The Great Waterway Classic. The event will see the 64 amateurs team up with two different professionals on each of the first two competition days, getting to play with four different PGA TOUR Canada players in total. 

 

The PGA TOUR Canada season will kick off June 3-9 at the Times Colonist Island Savings Open in Victoria, BC, heading coast-to-coast and concluding at the TOUR Championship of Canada presented by Freedom 55 Financial September 9-15 at Sunningdale Golf and Country Club in London, Ont.