Freedom 55 Financial Open Kicks Off Mackenzie Tour Season On June 1st At Point Grey Golf & Country Club, Vancouver
Freedom 55 Financial Open Tournament Director David Lee Fay Addressed The Assembled Media At Point Grey Golf Club Prior To The Upcoming Web.com Event - Image Credit British Columbia Golf
Season-Opening Freedom 55 Financial Open Tournament Announces Canucks For Kids Fund Charity Ball Hockey Classic And Sponsor Exemptions
(May 25, 2017 – Vancouver, B.C.) – The Freedom 55 Financial Open is set to open the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada season next week at Point Grey Golf & Country Club in Vancouver.
In addition to the 72-hole tournament, the first of 12 Mackenzie Tour events this season that will see players compete to earn status on the Web.com Tour, the Freedom 55 Financial Open has incorporated a Canucks for Kids Fund Charity Ball Hockey event to raise both awareness and donations for the charity, along with the second annual Freedom 55 Financial Open Charity Walk.
Children between the ages of 8 – 12 will have the opportunity to participate in a ball hockey game, which will be coached by Canucks stars Daniel and Henrik Sedin, on the Sunday of tournament week, leading into the golf tournament’s exciting Sunday finish.
The tournament also announced six sponsor exemptions, adding to a field of 156 players from nearly 20 countries for the $175,000 event.
“We’re thrilled to be getting underway with the Freedom 55 Financial Open and kicking off what promises to be another exciting season on the Mackenzie Tour, and look forward to seeing these six players add to what is already an outstanding field,” said Tournament Director David Lee-Fay.
The following six players were granted exemptions into the event:
Devin Carrey (Surrey, B.C.) – The 29-year old played collegiate golf at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and owns 13 top 25 finishes in 43 Mackenzie Tour starts.
Matt Hill (Sarnia, Ont.) – The 29-year old, who recently Monday Qualified for the RBC Canadian Open, was the 2009 NCAA Individual Champion and won the Jack Nicklaus Award as the top player in college golf. He was the 2012 Mackenzie Tour Player of the Year and Order of Merit winner.
Dave Zibrik, (North Vancouver, B.C.) – The 33-year old is currently the Head Golf Professional at Point Grey Golf and Country Club. The winner of the 2016 PGA of BC Club Professional Championship and currently the 19th ranked player in the PGA of Canada Player Rankings. Runner up in the 2015 PGA of BC Championship, 2013 Canada Cup and 2010 PGA of Canada Club Professional Championship.
Diego San Pedro (Richmond, BC.) – The 18 year old, who will play his university golf with the UBC Thunderbirds starting in Fall of 2017, was the 2016 winner of the BC AAA Secondary Schools Golf Championship. While a senior at Steveston-London Secondary School, San Pedro was the number one ranked player in British Columbia by the Junior Golf Scoreboard.
Jay Snyder (Vancouver, B.C.) – The 32 year old, recently won his third Club Championship at Shaughnessy G&CC, and was also the 2016 Sunshine Coast amateur champion. Jay is a former Canadian National team player, past BC Willingdon cup team member and proud graduate of the University of Oregon Ducks men’s golf team. His other professional playing experience was up the street in the 2005 Canadian Open.
Kevin Stinson (Mission, BC) The 31-year old, who back in 2014 qualified for the RBC Canadian Open, recently earned the distinction as first golfer to be inducted into the Wayland Baptist University Hall of Honor. During his WBU career, Stinson was a part of nine tournament-winning teams, which at the time was the most successful run in school history. In 2015 Stinson won 4 times to top of the Vancouver Golf Tour Order of Merit. Earning three wins in just five events this spring on the VGT to top the Order of Merit, Stinson earned the exemption into the 2017 Freedom 55 Financial Open at Point Grey.
“This is an exciting event for us,” says Reid McGruer, Regional Vice-President, Freedom 55 Financial. “We’re pleased to kick-off this season-opening tournament with a field of exceptional talent. These young individuals are chasing their dreams and as a company that helps Canadians achieve their goals, we’re proud to be here to support them.”
The Freedom 55 Financial Open is pleased to support the Canucks for Kids Fund. Included in this year’s event is a 3-kilometre Charity Walk that will take place on the Sunday afternoon. All proceeds raised from the walk will be donated to the Canucks for Kids Fund.
“We are so grateful for the support we are receiving from the Freedom 55 Financial Open,” said Paolo Aquilini, President of the Canucks for Kids Fund. “The funds we receive from this tournament will make a big difference to our community. On behalf of our Board, we wish all the players good luck and thank everyone for helping us help children and families all across BC.”
Freedom 55 Financial is also the title sponsor of the season-ending Freedom 55 Financial Championship held in London, ON, September 14 to 17. In addition to sponsorship of these two events, Freedom 55 Financial also recognizes the top Canadian at each tour stop with the Canadian Player of the Week award and presents the Canadian Player of the Year award along with a $25,000 prize at the end of the season.
About the Freedom 55 Financial Open
The Freedom 55 Financial Open brings the excitement of The Mackenzie Tour–PGA TOUR Canada to majestic Point Grey Golf & Country Club in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. The first stop on the Tour, this unmistakably West Coast tournament draws the strongest field and onsite attendance of the season. Past competitors include Graham DeLaet, Steve Stricker, David Hearn, Mike Weir and Nick Taylor.
About the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada
The Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada is a series of tournaments played across Canada each summer, where tomorrow’s stars begin the path to the PGA TOUR. The leading five money winners at the end of each season earn status on the Web.com Tour for the following season. The Mackenzie Tour’s mission is to deliver a PGA TOUR experience for our members, fans, volunteers and our partners in order to develop the future stars of professional golf & enrich the communities we visit.
Twitter: Mackenzie Tour - @PGATOURCanada
Facebook: Facebook.com/MackenzieTour
About Freedom 55 Financial
Freedom 55 Financial, a division of London Life Insurance Company, offers financial security advice and planning to Canadians through its 3,700 financial security advisors across Canada. Freedom 55 Financial offers London Life’s own brand of life insurance, savings and investments, retirement income, annuities, and mortgage products to Canadians.
Twitter: Freedom 55 Financial @F55F
Facebook: Facebook.com/Freedom55Financial
David Lee-Fay, MBA
Linx Marketing Inc.
604-916-8117
www.linxmarketing.ca