$150,000 City Of Surrey Invitational New For Hazelmere

The Latin American leg of the expanded Canadian Tour, a member of the International Federation of PGA Tours, kicks off Thursday, November 27 in Chile, followed by co-sanctioned events in Argentina, December 4 and Costa Rica, December 11.

After a winter break the Canadian Tour resumes in March with a pair of California tournaments followed by five stops in Mexico in April and May before returning to Canada in June.

First event in Canada is the annual Victoria Time Colonist Open, which this season has increased its purse to $200,000.

Then comes the inaugural City of Surrey Invitational, a $150,000 championship scheduled for June 8-14 at popular Hazelmere Golf & Country Club, home for the past three seasons of the former Greater Vancouver Charity Golf Classic.

One of the driving forces behind the former tournament and the new City of Surrey Invitational is Mike Stewart, president of West Coast Golf Group, owners of the outstanding 6,800 yard championship layout.

Audio Interview with Mike Stewart MikeStewartWCGG.mp3

The Canadian Tour has increased to at least 10 the number of full field events on their schedule, not including the RBC Canadian Open in late July, which is a fixture on the PGA TOUR.

"In difficult economic times the Canadian Tour is fortunate to have a business model that will allow us to show some modest growth in 2009," stated Canadian Tour Commissioner Richard Janes.

"With long-term sponsorship agreements supporting events across Canada, the Canadian Tour is in a healthy position."

Highlights of the 2009 draft schedule include the Times Colonist Open, the Players Cup in Winnipeg and the Desjardins Montreal Open as major events with purses of $200,000 or more. The flagship Canadian Tour Championship, which has shown steady growth over the past four years, will increase its purse to $250,000.

"We are still working on two new events in Canada, which may come to fruition in 2009 including stops in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia and Thunder Bay, Ontario," says Bram Cotton, Manager of Marketing & Communications for the Canadian Tour.

"Whether they materialize in 2009 or not, these are important markets for us along with Ottawa and the Atlantic Provinces and would fill any remaining gaps in the Canadian schedule. The fact is, we are running out of available dates."

The Canadian Tour is a non-profit organization and a member of the International Federation of PGA Tours. An international tour that represents the best PGA TOUR prospects from Canada, more than 70% of Canadian Tour members come from another dozen countries around the world including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and the countries of Asia and Latin America.

Canadian Tour alumni have won more than 90 times on the PGA TOUR with over $350 million in career earnings.

2009 CANADIAN TOUR SCHEDULE (DRAFT)

Nov. 24-30 Sport Frances Open, Chile, $160,000 US
Dec. 1-7 Argentina Masters, $150,000 US
Dec. 8-14 Costa Rica Masters, $125,000 US
March 16-22 Florida Qualifying School
March 23-29 California Qualifying School
April 6-12 Spring International, Modesto, Calif. $125,000 US
April 13-19 Mexican PGA Championship, Mazatlan, $125,000 US
April 20-26 Ixtapa, Mexico, $125,000, USD
April 27-May 3 La Loma, San Louis Potosi, $125,000, USD
May 4-10 US OPEN LOCAL QUALIFYING
May 11-17 IBEROSTAR, Cancun, Mexico, $125,000, USD
May 18-24 Merida, Mexico, $125,000, USD
May 25-31 SPRING QUALIFYING SCHOOL,
June 1-7 Times Colonist Open, Victoria, $200,000
June 8-14 Vancouver Charity Classic, $150,000
June 15-21 NEW Event to be Announced, British Columbia
June 22-28 ATB Financial Classic, Calgary, $150,000
June 29-July 5 TELUS Edmonton Open, $150,000
July 6-12 Saskatchewan Open, Saskatoon, Sask. $150
July 13-19 Players Cup, Winnipeg, Man. $200,000
July 20-26 RBC Canadian Open, Oakville, Ont.
August TBA Desjardins Montreal Open, $200,000
August TBA Jane Rogers Championship $150,000
Aug 24-30 Seaforth Country Classic, Seaforth, Ont. $150,000
Aug 31-Sept 6 Canadian Tour Championship, Ontario, $250,000
Sept 7-9 International Team Matches, Toronto, Ont.

Final additions or changes to the draft schedule will be made January 1, 2009.