A total of 10 Monday qualifying spots — up from the normal four — are available for the Times Colonist Island Savings Open, the first stop on the new PGA Tour Canada (formerly the Canadian Tour) circuit.
“That’s the big change. In years past we’ve had four spots and now we have 10, so we’re really hoping that guys who are playing well, whether they’re from B.C. or Washington state or anywhere else, come up and give it a try because there are a lot better odds,” said Murray Thomas, tournament director.
The move to Gorge Vale comes at the request of PGA Tour Canada to free up Monday for practice times at Uplands Golf Club, where the tournament will be played, and it allows a capacity of 156 players to attempt Monday qualifying.
“We don’t see that happening, but we do see an increase from the 30 to 40 players we usually get to upwards of 70 to 80,” said Thomas.
The deadline for entries is May 29 for non-members of PGA Tour Canada at a tab of $250, and members have until May 31 to register at a cost of $100.
Thomas says sponsor’s exemptions have already been distributed with Royal Colwood’s Kevin Carrigan attracting one of eight being awarded for the June 6-9 tournament at Uplands.
“I found out last Wednesday that I got in. I’m really pumped about that,” said Carrigan, who will also be playing in the RBC Canadian Open on the PGA Tour later this year. “No Monday qualifying for me, which I’m happy about.”
Carrigan — who recently helped Golf B.C. to a PNGA Cup championship in Oregon — did Monday qualify at the Times Colonist Open a few years ago and missed the cut in his one and only appearance.
The Zone 5 Amateur winner at the end of the month will also receive an exemption, as will the Vancouver Island Pro Tour order of merit leader by month’s end. Past champion Mike Grob will be back thanks to an exemption; American Matthew Broome; and Dave Tuttle of host Uplands, will get the others. Two will be filled by the PGA Tour Canada through its relationship with Golf Canada.
CHIP SHOTS: PGA Tour Canada announced Monday that it has added a ninth event to its 2013 schedule with the Wildfire Invitational taking place Aug. 26 to Sept. 1 at Wildfire Golf Club outside Peterborough, Ont.
