RBC Canadian Open : It's our event!

Nathan - one of the promising Juniors with PGA Tour player Tony Finau today.

Coach Franz had the immense pleasure, through a special direct invitation from Golf Canada, to have Juniors at the RBC Canadian Open 2017. Unfortunately, slots were very limited and so highly coveted.

The Juniors from all over Ontario as part of the Future Links program were able to walk with a PGA Tour pro, carry the golf bag and in some cases the Tour Pro extended the offer of the Junior taking the putt on hole 7.

Playing today, the list of Pros was simply a who is who in the world of Professional Golf. Some of them?- Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, KJ Choi, VJ Singh, Boo Weekly, Sung-Yol Noh, Jim Furyk, Mat Kuchar and the list goes on!

On a personal note for me I should add, Coach Anthony, who was here to see the grand-kids was at the event, and he had quite kindly, no arm twisting necessary, done a little work for me with some of my students!

Having played at the venerable Pebble Beach, and been to several PGA Tour courses over the years, he viewed Glen Abbey as very worthy of hosting OUR National Open.

He saw Darien take and make a double breaking 8 footer with a "hockey stick" (really a putter in side a hockey stick) for Jason Kokrak. Darien had the pleasure of hearing the grandstand applaud enthusiastically when the ball went in the hole!

And to make the event event even sweeter, Jason Kokrak signed the ball and gave to Darien! What an experience for a 14 year old.

data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==

Kudos too to the staff of Golf Canada for the seamless way the Juniors were integrated into the event.

Darien putting at the RBC Canadian Open 2017

Jason and Darien before tee off

KOKRAK was such a gentleman, giving Darien advice on the speed of the green and showing him how the other player was coming out of the sand bunker. A true Arnold Palmer type, always having time for the fans, such a stellar example, that golf is a sport with high standards for behavior, conduct and professionalism!

An indelible impression was made on all the Juniors with the graciousness of some of these multi-million dollar athletes who took the time to speak to the juniors, answer questions, pose with the kids and fans.

I think Nathan scored the most signatures of all present to go along with his previously signed Bubba Watson visor! And Nathan's enthusiastically sprinting alongside the practice area to coral Dustin Johnson was a site to behold!

Just a side note, Nathan and Darien both drove BMW i8 cars. Granted it was virtual reality, but they did sit in the actual car to end a great day.

I have already contacted Golf Canada requesting 10 invites for next year!

My hope is that everyone support our National Open. It is the 3rd longest running in history, starting in 1904 and has been held at the historic Glen Abbey in Oakville for 26 years!

Get out this weekend and enjoy the wonderful weather and play well!

SNAP SHOTS - Be there next year!