CANADIAN TOUR STORYLINES – SYNCRUDE BOREAL OPEN PRESENTED BY AECON

TALE OF THE TAPE

Fort McMurray Golf Club
Fort McMurray, Alberta
Par 72 – 36/36 – 6,858 Yards 
Designed: Bill Newis - 1988
Course Record: Roger Sloan, Brett Kanda, Alex Coe - 63
Website: www.fortmcmurraygolfclub.com 

ALBERTA SWING CONTINUES 

The Canadian Tour stays in Alberta for the second straight week, heading to Fort McMurray for the Syncrude Boreal Open presented by AECON. Known as Fort Mac to the locals, Fort McMurray lies along the Athabasca River and is home to over 60,000 people and a thriving business community. The Fort McMurray Golf Club is a narrow, demanding track that will demand a well thought-out game plan and solid execution from the players this week. 

The club's Director of Golf, Blair McDowell, and Head Professional, Jason Vaughan, join the field this week, along with other Fort Mac players Kyle Pardy, Brennan Kearney, Shane Williams and Justin Herman. 

HILL LOOKING TO LOCK UP STATUS

Matt Hill received a sponsor's exemption into last week's ATB Financial Classic presented by TELUS and proved he deserved it, shooting rounds of 68-71-65-70 to finish tied for eighth. The top-10 not only gives Hill a spot in this week's Syncrude Boreal Open presented by AECON, it gives the 23-year old from Sarnia, ON a unique opportunity to earn full status for the Canadian Tour. If Hill can earn the equivalent of 50th on last year's Order of Merit - $11,715 - he can earn a full exemption for the remainder of the Canadian Tour season. His earnings of $4,900 last week put him $6,815 short of that goal. A finish of solo fourth or better this week would put him over the top.

SADLOWSKI READY TO BOMB AWAY IN FORT MAC

There's no ceremonial cannon shot at this week's tournament, but spectators can be forgiven for thinking so when Jamie Sadlowski tees off. Sadlowski, a two-time RE/MAX World Long Drive Champion, has been given an exemption into this week's Syncrude Boreal Open presented by AECON, and is looking to prove there's more to his game that the tee ball. Sadlowski plays to a +1.1 handicap at Whisper Rock Golf Club in Scottsdale, AZ and made the cut at the Nationwide Tour's Albertson's Boise Open in 2011. 

2012 CANTOUR DEBUTS

15-year old Kota Kagasaki will make his CANTOUR debut at the Syncrude Boreal Open presented by AECON. The Japanese-born Kagasaki, who grew up in Australia, is believed to be the youngest member of any professional tour in the world. Kagasaki is well-known is Australia from 2009, when he took on Tiger Woods in a nine-hole exhibition match. 

2007 BC Amateur Champion Mitch Gillis is also making his season debut this week. Gillis finished second at the 2010 Canadian Tour Championship and has conditional status on the Nationwide Tour this season.

TAYLOR OVERTAKES RENFREW IN ROOKIE RACE

Two solid tournaments to open the season for Nick Taylor have thrust the Abbotsford, BC native atop the standings for Canadian Rookie of the Year presented by the Great Waterway Tourism Region. The former world no. 1-ranked amateur posted his second top-10 of the season in Edmonton to post $12,850.00 in earnings on the season and leapfrog Victoria's Cory Renfrew by $510.37. Also making a jump in the standings was 18-year old Wilson Bateman, who finished tied for eighth and earned $4,900 to jump to third place. The top Canadian rookie on the Order of Merit after the Tour Championship will receive a cash bonus and a stay and play package in the Great Waterway Region.

Q-SCHOOL SUCCESS TRANSLATES

Want to predict a Canadian Tour winner? Apparently, it's easy - just look at players who have won a qualifying school.  Michael's Gligic's win at the ATB Financial Classic presented by TELUS marks the second straight victory by a Q-School medalist to start the CANTOUR season. Gligic won the 2011 Fall Qualifying School at Hidden Lake Golf Club, his home course in Burlington, ON, following Andrew Roque, who won the Times Colonist Island Savings Open after topping this year's California Q-School. Dodge Kemmer, the 2011 California Q-School medalist, had a solid week in Edmonton as well, finishing tied for third and sharing the lead for much of the final round. Clint Rice, who won the 2008 Spring Q-School, is also in the field this week. 

BIRDIES FOR KIDS

The Birdies for Kids initiative, which sees players donate $1 per birdie and $2 per eagle to a selected charity each year, received a boost at this week's pro-am. Player Director Yohann Benson, who was asked to speak at the pro am, challenged the amateur participants to match the player contributions and donate, resulting in a significant amount being raised at this week's event. 

BIRTHDAYS

Robbie Greenwell (26) - June 27
Mitch Evanecz (26) - June 28
Dan Buchner (39) - June 30
Paul Peterson (24) - July 1

FIELD BREAKDOWN

This week’s field includes 60 Canadians, 70 Americans and 33 players from 13 other countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland, Brazil, Chile, South Korea, Thailand, Mexico and more.

For more information contact: 

Brian Decker

Communications Officer
communications@cantour.com
905-220-9590