Latest news with #SeanVanKesteren
Edmonton Journal
7 days ago
- Climate
- Edmonton Journal
Rainy summer makes for thick rough at 'juicy' Rogers Charity Classic
The rain, rain went away. Article content Just in time for the 2025 Rogers Charity Classic at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club. Article content And much to the delight of tournament boss Sean Van Kesteren, for many reasons. Article content 'The course is still a little moist, but it's in the best shape it's ever been, and we're getting lots of great comments from the golfers,' said Rogers Charity Classic executive director Van Kesteren. 'The greens are always the best here at Canyon Meadows. But the rough and everything around the golf course is looking like Augusta right now. Article content Article content Sounds exactly what golf fans want to hear ahead of the Calgary-hosted PGA Tour Champions event — the 13th of its kind for the world's best golfers age 50-plus — which begins Friday and runs through Sunday. Article content 'Juicy means it takes a lot more effort to get the ball out of the rough and you don't have a lot more accuracy and control,' Van Kesteren said. 'And that's fun. That's what golf should be. Article content 'You should be penalized if you don't hit the fairway.' Article content Article content Indeed, the golf stars aiming to cash in at the US$2.5-million event are already feeling the aftermath of Calgary's rainy summer during practice rounds and prep sessions at Canyon Meadows. Article content Word is the rough has risen to a height seen only in the first year of the event back in 2013. Article content But even moreso is grab of the growth under their feet when they're a few feet off the fairways. Article content Article content 'It's not much taller than it normally would be, but it's way thicker,' said Canyon Meadows head golf pro Matt Freeman. 'Like it is really thick. Article content 'In member play last week, people were looking for golf balls in the rough for upwards of three minutes. In our club championships, the scores were a little higher than normal and the ball searches were drastic. Article content Article content 'You never know, because when the greens are perfect, it's all about putting,' Van Kesteren said. 'When the greens are perfect, low scores happen no matter what. Like when Rocco Mediate won the first year (with a Rogers record 19-under score), we had really tough rough then, too. Article content 'But he didn't miss any fairways or miss any greens, really.'
Calgary Herald
7 days ago
- Climate
- Calgary Herald
Rainy summer makes for thick rough at 'juicy' Rogers Charity Classic
The rain, rain went away. Article content Just in time for the 2025 Rogers Charity Classic at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club. Article content And much to the delight of tournament boss Sean Van Kesteren, for many reasons. Article content 'The course is still a little moist, but it's in the best shape it's ever been, and we're getting lots of great comments from the golfers,' said Rogers Charity Classic executive director Van Kesteren. 'The greens are always the best here at Canyon Meadows. But the rough and everything around the golf course is looking like Augusta right now. Article content Sounds exactly what golf fans want to hear ahead of the Calgary-hosted PGA Tour Champions event — the 13th of its kind for the world's best golfers age 50-plus — which begins Friday and runs through Sunday. Article content 'Juicy means it takes a lot more effort to get the ball out of the rough and you don't have a lot more accuracy and control,' Van Kesteren said. 'And that's fun. That's what golf should be. Article content 'You should be penalized if you don't hit the fairway.' Article content Article content Indeed, the golf stars aiming to cash in at the US$2.5-million event are already feeling the aftermath of Calgary's rainy summer during practice rounds and prep sessions at Canyon Meadows. Article content Word is the rough has risen to a height seen only in the first year of the event back in 2013. Article content But even moreso is grab of the growth under their feet when they're a few feet off the fairways. Article content Article content 'It's not much taller than it normally would be, but it's way thicker,' said Canyon Meadows head golf pro Matt Freeman. 'Like it is really thick. Article content 'In member play last week, people were looking for golf balls in the rough for upwards of three minutes. In our club championships, the scores were a little higher than normal and the ball searches were drastic. Article content 'It's a much different year than others.' Article content Article content 'You never know, because when the greens are perfect, it's all about putting,' Van Kesteren said. 'When the greens are perfect, low scores happen no matter what. Like when Rocco Mediate won the first year (with a Rogers record 19-under score), we had really tough rough then, too. Article content 'But he didn't miss any fairways or miss any greens, really.'
Calgary Herald
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Fan-Favourite John Daly Commits to Playing 2025 Rogers Charity Classic
Article content Long John Daly is ready to 'Grip it and Rip It' in Calgary this summer, confirming he will play once again in the 2025 Rogers Charity Classic, August 11-17. Article content Golf's bad boy from Arkansas will make his fifth appearance at Canada's lone PGA TOUR Champions stop. Article content Article content One of the most colourful characters in professional sports, the two-time major champion and winner of five PGA TOUR titles is one of the most adored by golf fans around the globe, which has helped spike galleries over the last seven seasons since he began competing on the senior circuit. Article content Article content 'John Daly is one of a handful of players in professional golf who continues to be a needle mover,' said Sean Van Kesteren, executive director, Rogers Charity Classic. 'John is exactly who fans of any sporting event want to come out and see. He is a colourful character that is very entertaining while interacting with his loyal fan base and still hits the ball a mile. Having John Daly commit to playing in Calgary once again takes our tournament to a new level.' Article content Article content The story of how golf's 'Wild Thing' burst onto the international scene more than three decades ago never gets old. The ninth and final alternate of the 1991 PGA Championship, the 25-year-old rookie drove halfway across the country the night before his first round at Crooked Stick Golf Club where he eventually went out and won the golf tournament – not to mention legions of fans around the world with his booming drives, deft short game and fearless approach to the game. He backed that up by winning the 1995 British Open at the Home of Golf in St. Andrews. Article content Article content 'I've always said I've got the greatest fans in the world, and Calgary is no different. No matter what, through thick and thin, they've always stuck by me,' said Daly, whose lone victory on the 50 and over swing came at the 2017 Insperity Invitational. 'This tournament always has huge galleries. There is nothing better than getting it going and having the fans get loud and crazy. That's just the way I like them so I'm looking forward to getting up to Canada, and hopefully give the fans something to get loud about.' Article content Earlier this spring, the Rogers Charity Classic announced six other major winners will have their names on the 2025 tee sheet including: Ernie Els (2012, 2002 British Open and 1997, 1994 U.S. Open); Darren Clarke (2011 British Open), David Duval (2001 British Open), three-time major titleholder, Vijay Singh (2000 Masters, 2004 and 1998 PGA Championship) and David Toms (2001 PGA Championship) will join previously announced Team Rogers athlete, Canada's Mike Weir (2003 Masters). World Golf Hall of Famer, Colin Montgomerie and Stephen Ames will also be in the 78-man field at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club this summer.
Ottawa Citizen
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Fan-Favourite John Daly Commits to Playing 2025 Rogers Charity Classic
Article content Long John Daly is ready to 'Grip it and Rip It' in Calgary this summer, confirming he will play once again in the 2025 Rogers Charity Classic, August 11-17. Article content Golf's bad boy from Arkansas will make his fifth appearance at Canada's lone PGA TOUR Champions stop. Article content Article content One of the most colourful characters in professional sports, the two-time major champion and winner of five PGA TOUR titles is one of the most adored by golf fans around the globe, which has helped spike galleries over the last seven seasons since he began competing on the senior circuit. Article content Article content 'John Daly is one of a handful of players in professional golf who continues to be a needle mover,' said Sean Van Kesteren, executive director, Rogers Charity Classic. 'John is exactly who fans of any sporting event want to come out and see. He is a colourful character that is very entertaining while interacting with his loyal fan base and still hits the ball a mile. Having John Daly commit to playing in Calgary once again takes our tournament to a new level.' Article content Article content The story of how golf's 'Wild Thing' burst onto the international scene more than three decades ago never gets old. The ninth and final alternate of the 1991 PGA Championship, the 25-year-old rookie drove halfway across the country the night before his first round at Crooked Stick Golf Club where he eventually went out and won the golf tournament – not to mention legions of fans around the world with his booming drives, deft short game and fearless approach to the game. He backed that up by winning the 1995 British Open at the Home of Golf in St. Andrews. Article content Article content 'I've always said I've got the greatest fans in the world, and Calgary is no different. No matter what, through thick and thin, they've always stuck by me,' said Daly, whose lone victory on the 50 and over swing came at the 2017 Insperity Invitational. 'This tournament always has huge galleries. There is nothing better than getting it going and having the fans get loud and crazy. That's just the way I like them so I'm looking forward to getting up to Canada, and hopefully give the fans something to get loud about.' Article content Earlier this spring, the Rogers Charity Classic announced six other major winners will have their names on the 2025 tee sheet including: Ernie Els (2012, 2002 British Open and 1997, 1994 U.S. Open); Darren Clarke (2011 British Open), David Duval (2001 British Open), three-time major titleholder, Vijay Singh (2000 Masters, 2004 and 1998 PGA Championship) and David Toms (2001 PGA Championship) will join previously announced Team Rogers athlete, Canada's Mike Weir (2003 Masters). World Golf Hall of Famer, Colin Montgomerie and Stephen Ames will also be in the 78-man field at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club this summer.
CTV News
11-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
More big names confirm they'll tee it up at Rogers Charity Classic
The Rogers Charity Classic is one of the best events on the PGA Champions tour, and once again, there's going to be a great field. The Rogers Charity Classic continues to do all the right things as it heads into its 13th year. The best from the PGA Tour Champions will tee it up in the middle of August at the Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club. On Monday, two more golf hall of famers confirmed they'll be teeing it up in Calgary. Ernie Els is back for a second year and Colin Montgomerie will play in his eighth charity classic. Montgomerie says he loves coming back to play in this event. 'It's amazing, isn't it?' said the 61-year-old. 'It's great. Never mind the golf course and the facilities and the hospitality that they show you; I think the crowd is fantastic and I get a huge welcome being Scottish.' Other reasons for coming back The Rogers Charity Classic is one of the best-attended events on the champions tour but Sean Van Kesteren, executive director of the charity classic, says that's not the only reason why the players keep coming back. 'They love it here; it's great,' he said. 'It's not too hot and it's a good golf course. You know they love the greens; that's something you always hear about. They love it when you have the purest greens, I think we do, on tour.' The Rogers Charity Classic is one of the best events on the PGA Champions tour, and once again, there's going to be a great field. The Rogers Charity Classic is one of the best events on the PGA Champions tour, and once again, there's going to be a great field. According to Van Kesteren, the players also like the fact that so much money goes to charities. The tournament has raised a staggering $137.7 million since its inception. 'The Rogers Birdies for Kids is a matching program, which is an incentive program,' said Van Kesteren. 'Once we got all of the charities involved, they push out and we match up to 50 per cent. 'It's very successful, and it works very well for them because it's very hands-off. We manage all of the dollars getting in and out and all of the accounting and everything for them, so it's really a great tool to help them raise money.' More big names expected Van Kesteren expects more big-name players to announce their commitment to playing in the tournament in the coming weeks. 'We've already announced some big names, and there's a few more to come,' he said. 'We're working on them right now and seeing how their schedule works out. I anticipate this year to be just as good, if not better, in terms of field strength. There's a bunch of new guys too that haven't played here for the first time and just turned 50, so we're waiting for them as well.' The title sponsor also announced a $1 million donation to kickstart the tournament's annual fundraising efforts to support children's charities across Alberta.
