THUNDER BAY – SPORTS – 2015 Masters Tournament participant, Corey Conners, and well-known local golfer, Walter Keating Jr. will be teeing it up at this year’s Staal Foundation Open presented by Tbaytel after receiving the final two Sponsor’s Exemptions to play in the event.
Listowel, Ontario resident and 2014 graduate of Kent State University Corey Conners will be travelling to Thunder Bay this year to participate in the second annual Staal Foundation Open presented by Tbaytel. He was ranked number one in Golfweek’s Amateur rankings and 8th in the R&A Amateur rankings before turning professional.
He has had tremendous success at the highest level of amateur golf over the last few years. Corey played in the 2014 U.S. Amateur Championship where he was the runner up to Gunn Yang that earned him an invitation to Augusta, Ga. to participate in the 2015 Masters.
The second final Sponsor’s Exemption has been awarded to local golfer Walter Keating Jr.. Keating
is the 2014 PGA of Manitoba CPC Champion and finished T-5th at the PGA Championship of Canada. Keating is the highest ranked PGA of Canada member in our region (35th out of over 3000 members nationally). Walter also competed in the European Tour Q-school earning associate member 1 status on the Challenge Tour.
Scott Smith, Executive Director of the Staal Foundation Open presented by Tbaytel, said “It is a great pleasure to announce these two individuals as they are both deserving of this opportunity. Walter will join two other local golfers, Robbie Untinen and Jeff Hunter, who both recently earned their exemptions. Corey Conners is an up and coming Canadian golfer who has been turning heads in the golf world as of late and should be fun to watch.”
Opening round of this year’s Staal Foundation Open official tournament play begins on Thursday, July 16th at Whitewater Golf Club. Opening Ceremonies are scheduled for Monday, followed by the Porter Celebrity Pro-Am. A full schedule of activities is available online at staalopen.ca.
