There are few better ways to spend a summer day than at a golf course surrounded by gorgeous scenery and watching the pros take a shot at conquering the course, making shots most of us only wish we could pull off.
The opportunity to do just that comes this week at the 2nd annual Jane Rogers Championship, teeing off at the historic Lakeview Golf Course.
The hottest young players on the Canadian Tour will be at Lakeview battling for the title. This is a chance to see the PGA Tour stars of tomorrow in your own backyard. Some of the most recognizable names in golf have competed on the Canadian Tour, including 2003 Masters Champion Mike Weir, Chris Dimarco, Stuart Appleby, Steve Stricker and Todd Hamilton, to name a few.
Last year's inaugural tournament was a nail-biter until the very end as California native Byron Smith came from behind to beat Oshawa’s Derek Gillespie by one stroke, finishing the tournament with a four-day total of 16-under-par. Smith returns this year to defend his title. This year’s competition should be just as exciting, as a host of the best of the best on the Canadian Tour are determined to take the title from Smith.
Players to look out for include three-time Canadian Amateur champion Richard Scott, and other Canadians including Graham DeLaet, Andrew Parr and Wes Heffernan, as well as American John Ellis. The field also includes Manny Villegas, brother of Camillo, who just turned professional, as well as two young amateur stars, Graham Baillargeon of Mississauga and Mathieu Rivard from Granby, Quebec.
The tournament is named and presented in honour of Jane Rogers, a courageous and generous woman who, while battling cancer herself, raised funds for her cancer clinic, the Trillium Health Centre in Mississauga. Sadly, Jane lost her battle in March 2007, but her spirit lives on through her four children and the people whose lives she touched. Throughout her life, Jane gave without question and supported many charitable initiatives. She was a lover of golf and enjoyed following Canadian Tour professionals as they developed their careers. This Canadian Tour event is a tribute to her and her spirit of giving.
All net proceeds from the event will go to the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada and Trillium Health Centre Mississauga’s Oncology Clinic. These two charities were close to Jane’s heart and will continue to benefit from her legacy of charitable giving.
Volunteer and caddie positions are still available. To register, visit www.janerogerschampionship.ca.
Tickets cost $10 and are available through ticketweb.ca or at Lakeview Golf Course during tournament week. Children, students and seniors receive free admission.
Jennifer Hogg is event coordinator for the Jane Rogers Championship of Mississauga.
