10 Interesting Things You May or May Not Know About The Canadian Open

As we get set for the 100th playing of The Canadian Open we thought we’d compile a few interesting facts and trivia answers to better arm our readers for questions around the water cooler.

A special thanks to the RCGA and Karen Hewson for their book – Century of Champions | The Open Golf Championship of Canada – which was used in compiling the information and images.

JH Oke - The first ever winner of The Canadian Open

1. The original event was held in 1904, included 10 pros and 7 amateurs. The champion was John Oke, the club professional from Royal Ottawa who had recently migrated from England.

Oke shot rounds of 76 and 80 to win the 36 hole event. His prize money was $60 – less than what a single day price of admission is this year once you include taxes.

Lee Trevino holds 3 Canadian Open titles

2. In 1971 the first to capture the TRIPLE CROWN (British, US & Canadian Open) was none other than the affable merry mex, Lee Trevino. It marked Trevino’s 3rd title, a record he holds with 3 other players.

You probably already know who was the next and only other to accomplish the feat (see 6).

3. There are some serious names engraved on The Canadian Open trophy as well as one very interesting in its absence.

Winners include: Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Tommy Armour (the original), Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, Nick Price, & Tiger Woods to name only a few.

The notable name without a championship is none other than 7 time runner up and Glen Abbey designer Jack Nicklaus.

Pat Fletcher is the last Canadian to win (1954)

4. Born in Tottenham, Ontario Karl Keffer remains the only Canadian born winner (1909 & 1914) to date.

The last Canadian to win the event is England born Pat Fletcher who accomplished the feat in 1954. That’s an unlucky 13 years more than the Toronto Maple Leaf Stanley Cup drought beginning in 1967.

5. The youngest player to ever make a PGA Tour cut was at the tender age of 15. Bob Panasik of Windsor holds that honour recorded in the 1957 tournament at Kitchener’s Westmount Country Club.

Tiger's bunker shot in 2000

6. 216 yards is the length that Tiger hit his 6 iron from a fairway bunker to capture the championship and triple crown (British, US, and Canadian Opens) in 2000. A feat duplicated earlier by Lee Trevino in 1971. Many refer to it as the greatest shot in the history of the game.

There is a plaque in the bunker from where Tiger’s ball was played for any of those daring enough
to pull out a six and probably make a number much higher.

A young Arnold Palmer accepts his first of 62 PGA Tour Championships.

7. The ‘King’ Arnold Palmer’s first ever PGA victory came right here on Canadian soil in 1955 when he captured the the championship at the Weston Country Club. It also marked the first time that the event was televised nationally.

8. The youngest champion of the championship was Toronto raised Albert Murray who at the age of 16 played in his first Open at the Royal Montreal Golf Club. By the time the championship returned in 1908 he would make the second go around a charm and, at the age of 20, take home the trophy.

9. It seems that in 1983 Andy Bean seemingly had a ‘handle’ on things as he shot a blistering 62 on the greens of Glen Abbey. What Bean didn’t know was that by tapping in a 2 inch putt with the handles of his putter would violate Rule 19 and he would miss out on a play-off by 2 strokes, the exact number of the penalty incurred.

The rule if you are wondering – ‘The ball shall be fairly struck at with the head of the club’.

Glen Abbey is generally regarded as the home of the Championship having hosted 24 Championships.

10. Glen Abbey has been home to 24 Opens, including 23 consecutive from 1977-2000.

It has boasted many great storylines and finishes and will, hopefully, do so once gain in 2009. The routing is slightly different and the 16th will once gain play as a par 5 making for an exciting finishing stretch.