Now the National Hockey League club has officially branched out into the sport, partnering with the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour sa国际传媒 in playing host to a stop on the Canadian tour for at least the next five years.
The Oil Country Championship will play its inaugural event July 25-31 at the Glendale Golf and Country Club, a private course in the northwest quadrant of the Alberta capital.
The tournament will enhance the Oilers Entertainment Group鈥檚 portfolio of properties, which includes the Oilers, Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL, Bakersfield Condors of the AHL, Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL and Silver Pictures Entertainment.
鈥淲e are delighted to partner with the PGA Tour on the new Oil Country Championship to bring amazing golf and unparalleled hospitality to Edmonton this summer,鈥� OEG chief executive officer and vice-chairman Bob Nicholson said in a statement.
鈥淎dding golf to OEG鈥檚 expanding roster of sports and entertainment assets makes a lot of sense, given Canadians鈥� passion for the sport. The opportunity to raise funds for charity through the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation makes this a clear win-win for the community.鈥�
The announcement was made Thursday.
鈥淲e鈥檙e absolutely thrilled to be partnering with OEG and teaming together two great sports organizations. This is an exciting addition to our schedule, and we鈥檙e confident we can create a marquee event in the Canadian golf landscape,鈥� said Mackenzie Tour president Jeff Monday.
鈥淥ur aim is to make this event a week-long celebration and we look forward to bringing some great golf to Edmonton this summer while making a positive impact in the community.鈥�
The tournament rotates course locations. The Windermere Golf and Country Club will play host in 2017, before shifting to the Edmonton Petroleum Golf and Country Club in 2018 and the Edmonton Country Club in 2019. The location for 2020 is yet to be determined.
Edmonton last held a Canadian tour stop in 2012 when Burlington, Ont.鈥檚 Michael Gligic claimed victory at the ATB Financial Classic.
The 2016 Mackenzie Tour kicks off with the Freedom 55 Financial Open from May 26-29 at Point Grey Golf Club in Vancouver. That鈥檚 followed by the Bayview Place Island Savings Open presented by the sa国际传媒 from June 2-5 at Uplands Golf Club.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great news,鈥� said Keith Dagg, director of the Vancouver Island Open Golf Society which oversees marketing and sponsorships for the local tournament.
鈥淣ow there鈥檚 another western stop and to see Bob Nicholson of Canadian hockey fame stepping up, along with the Oilers, sends a big message to where this tour is going now that it is part of the PGA.鈥�
