THUNDER BAY – SPORTS – The Staal Foundation Open is hoping to drive it home for the third consecutive year with world-class golf and a host of activities. Hundreds of golf and hockey fans came out to the Whitewater Golf Club today to celebrate the PGA Tour Canada event’s official opening.
Liquid sunshine didn’t dampen the enthusiasm, and fortunately the rain held off for the majority of the Pandora Intercity Classic. NHL Referee Kerry Fraser warned the audience that if it started to rain, he was going to call the event so that his famous hairdo wouldn’t be impacted by the rain.
Today, the Staal family joined by Staal Foundation Open representatives, officials from the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada, community dignitaries and supporters came together for the official opening ceremonies of the 2016 Staal Foundation Open. Over the past two years, the event has raised $320,000 benefiting Camp Quality Northwestern Ontario, The Northwestern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer and The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.
“It’s an incredible day to be in Thunder Bay. This year’s event is shaping up to be the best yet with the community coming together once again to bring this event to life. We look forward to the week and invite the entire community to come check out what is happening here at Whitewater Golf Club,” says Staal Foundation Open, Executive Director, Scott Smith.
Following the opening ceremonies, the Staal brothers joined by present and former NHL players, Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada players and local and national media personalities, faced off for the first ever Pandora Intercity Summer Classic. The epic road hockey game also featured six local kids from across Northwestern Ontario who all competed for a spot on #TEAMSTAAL2016. “It was pretty neat to see all of the kids out there today. Our family continues to be overwhelmed with how the community continues to step up and support the event. This year it was taken to a whole new level with this road hockey game, kids raising dollars for kids in need, and not to mention all of the people coming out to take in the event and really help us with our main goal; to raise dollars for regional children’s charities,” says Eric Staal. “It’s always nice to be back in Thunder Bay; I’m always proud to call it home and this is another great reason why.”
Celebrities also played in the Porter Celebrity Pro-Am, trading in hockey sticks for clubs as they played the first round of the event. Official play for the Staal Foundation Open commences on Thursday with 156 players from around the world competing for a total of $175,000.
“We’re incredibly impressed with how the community has embraced our TOUR. We thought that Thunder Bay would be a great host city, but we’ve been incredibly impressed by the community support from day one. As a Tour, our goal is to celebrate the community and support local charities, and the Staal Foundation Open presented by Tbaytel is a perfect example of how a tournament can make a difference in a community. All of this is possible when you have record crowds along with outstanding support from the business community,” said Jeff Monday, President of the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada.
There was lots more for the entire family to do. The Canadian Arm Forces are on site, from Thursday to Sunday allowing youth to try out the obstacle course. The Royal Canadian Navy is on site as well with their simulators.