THUNDER BAY – The Staal Foundation Open will not return to Thunder Bay in 2019.
Organizers on Tuesday announced the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada stop at Whitewater Golf Club has been cancelled.
“Events like the Staal Foundation Open require a huge amount of work and dedication on the part of the organizers, sponsors and volunteers,” said Walter Flasza, board chair of the Thunder Bay Golf Classic, in a release issued to media.
“After five very successful years and over $1 million raised for local charities, it is clear to the board and our partners that the event has accomplished a lot for the region for which we are all proud.”
Launched in 2014, the tournament quickly became one of the top stops on tour, a favourite with players who got to mix and mingle with hockey legends like Bobby Orr and Grant Fuhr, not to mention the title sponsor Staals, whose family foundation was the event’s title sponsor.
Staal family patriarch Henry Staal said it was a great five-year run.
“We are extremely proud of what the event has meant to the city of Thunder Bay and the region,” Staal said.
“Our family has enjoyed being involved with the Mackenzie Tour and helping kids across the region for the last five years, and even though the tournament is ending we will continue to support youth and cancer initiatives in the area.”
The tournament routinely drew crowds of 14,000 to the tournament, first won by Wes Homan in 2014. J.J. Spaun, who captured the championship in 2015, has gone onto a stellar career on the PGA Tour, winning nearly $2 million.
Tour officials, who expect to release their 2019 schedule in the new year, expressed appreciation for the five-year run.
“We would like to thank the Staal Family, all the volunteers, sponsors and the entire community of Thunder Bay for everything they have done for our players over the last five years,” said tour president Jeff Monday.
“The Staal Foundation Open was an annual highlight for our players, and we truly appreciate the privilege it was to conduct such a great tournament in the area.”
