Canadian Tour Returning to Vancouver

VANCOUVER, BC -- Building on a relationship started with the BC Childrens Hospital Foundation in 2005, the Canadian Tour will return to Vancouver this summer with a full-field event to benefit Canadas largest full-service childrens hospital.

The Greater Vancouver Charity Classic will be held June 15-18 at Hazelmere Golf Club in White Rock, BC. Players will compete for a $100,000 purse with proceeds from the tournament going directly to the BC Childrens Hospital Foundation.

The inaugural one-day pro-am last year featured several top Canadian Tour players and raised $10,000 for the hospital, a figure that is expected to more than double in 2006.

BC Childrens Hospital, with 17 specialized treatment areas, serves more than 400 children and their families daily. With funds raised providing equipment, research and special programs for children, BC Childrens Hospital Foundation and its donors are united in one simple passion: to improve the health and the lives of these children.

BC Childrens Hospital receives more than 170,000 visits by patients each year from sick and injured children from across the province of British Columbia.

The Canadian Tour could not be more proud to return to Vancouver in support of the BC Childrens Hospital Foundation, said Canadian Tour Commissioner Richard Janes. This is a significant expansion upon our involvement with the Hospital in 2005 and we hope to build upon that momentum to make this one of the most important fundraising events on our schedule for years to come.

The Greater Vancouver Charity Classic is the sixth confirmed event in Canada for the 2006 season.

‘We are thrilled to have the support again this year from the Canadian Tour and Hazelmere Golf Club,’ says Joanna Newman of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. ‘Having the continued commitment of this annual event helps us to ensure Children’s Hospital has their urgent funding needs met.’

Children are our most valuable asset and professional golf is a wonderful catalyst for raising funds in support of important charitable causes. The world-class treatment the Hospital provides is something many of these children need just to have a chance in life, added Janes. They deserve nothing less than our full support.

Hazelmere, which also played host to the Bell Canadian Open regional qualifier last summer, has undergone extensive renovations in the past year, including lengthening the course and reconstructing several greens.

‘Hazelmere Golf Course is extremely happy and proud to partner with the Canadian Tour on the Greater Vancouver Charity Classic in support of B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation, said Mike Stuart, General Manager of Hazelmere. Our joint commitment to this event not only ensures the presence of world-class professional golf in Vancouver, it guarantees success for a most deserving and worthwhile charity.’

This year will also mark the first time since 2004 that the Tour returns to Vancouver for a full-field event. Two summers ago, Ryan Miller won his first Tour championship at the Greater Vancouver Classic.

The Greater Vancouver Charity Classic will launch the Tours Canadian summer swing and begins a four-event stretch through Western Canada including stops in Victoria, Edmonton and Winnipeg.