THUNDER BAY – SPORTS – Scott Smith, Executive Director of the Staal Foundation Open presented by Tbaytel, has announced that Alan Mclean and Matt Hill have been given exemptions to participate in the Thunder Bay event July 14-21.
Alan Mclean had his first success in 132 PGA TOUR Canada starts in 2012 at the Jamieson WFCU Windsor Roseland Charity Classic and finished 16th in the order of merit that same year.
His best result in 2010 was a T-23 at the Dakota Dunes Casino Open and in 2009 a T-3 at the Tour Championship. Alan’s first year on the European Tour in 2008 was sporadic due to an early season ankle injury however he won several Great Lakes events that same year. Alan earned more than $260,000 in just six European Tour starts and earned web.com tour status for 2005. Mclean was born in Scotland and grew up in South Africa before moving to Canada. His career dream is to play for the European Ryder Cup team.
Matt Hill attended North Carolina State University before turning pro in 2010. He won the NCAA individual title along with 7 other victories that matched Tiger Wood’s record for most wins by a college golfer in one season. That same season he was named the Haskins Award Winner for the most outstanding collegiate golfer of the year, ACC male athlete of the year and second ranked collegiate player. Since turning pro he has played in the last 4 RBC Canadian Open tournaments. Matt had a strong 2012 season on PGA TOUR Canada, recording 4 top 10
finishes and earned conditional status on the web.com tour for 2013.
“It was extremely difficult to choose from an abundance of outstanding individuals,” said Smith. “Both of these individuals are deserving of the exemption and will be positive additions to the Staal Foundation Open.”Jamie Depiero also earned a spot this past weekend at the Staal Foundation Open Qualifier presented by Keating Inc. at Strathcona Golf Course winning with a score of 71.
