The 2022 RBC Canadian Open

Sunset on the beautiful 10th hole.

By Marco China, Assistant Superintendent, and Caleb Evans, Assistant in Training, St. George’s G&CC. Photos provided by Marco China.

The time had finally come, the long awaited and much anticipated return to professional golf in Canada! The stage was set and the best players in the world descended upon St. George’s Golf and Country Club. Who would be the one to take home the trophy? The players were excited and the buzz around the event grew as the date came closer. The team at St. George’s, led by Ian McQueen, had never been more prepared and excited for this event. Getting to this point had been a test of patience and determination to finally see this tournament through and put on the best show in golf that Canada had not seen in many years.

When Ian assumed the role of golf course and property manager at St. George’s G&CC in 2017, there were rumors about potentially hosting the RBC Canadian Open. His mission since day one has been to consistently bring playing conditions to St. George’s that rivaled the best clubs in the world. The daily practice of delivering these conditions prepared Ian and his team for the challenge when it came time to finally host the RBC Canadian Open. Preparation began in the spring of 2019 after completing a full bunker renovation and re-grassing around all green surrounds in 2018. The goal was to fine tune and improve all agronomic programs to a level that would make an already-difficult golf course even more so when the pros arrived.

Each year, the team faces spring not knowing what the effects of the past winter has done to the golf course. The winter of 2018/2019 was a test to see what a more extensive winter plant protectant program would look like; this gave the team a chance to see what areas may need more attention for the next winter. The early June start for the RBC Canadian Open meant that if major damage occurred from the overwintering process, there was very little time to get the course back to standard before the tournament was set to arrive. It was through a successful season in 2019 with positive member feedback and a “thumbs up” from PJ Ringenberger, the PGA Tour agronomist in charge of the RBC Canadian Open,

Ian McQueen, Superintendent, St. George’s G&CC and OGSA Director.