CCAA alumnus Bernard to play in first RBC Canadian Open

Golf Canada and RBC are proud to announce that Web.com Tour player Brad Fritsch of Manotick, ON, along with a trio of National Amateur Squad members are among the Canadians receiving tournament exemptions to compete in the 2016 RBC Canadian Open taking place at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, ON, from July 18-24.

Among the Golf Canada National Amateur Squad members who will compete is former Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association standout Hugo Bernard, a two-time CCAA All-Canadian.

Bernard, who earned a silver medal for the Boomerand d'André-Laurendeau at the 2014 PING CCAA Golf National Championships, is currently ranked No. 255 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Tournament exemptions have also been given to Team Canada National Amateur Squad members Jared du Toit of Calgary and Burlington, ON, native Blair Hamilton.

As well, this will be the second consecutive year in which Garrett Rank of Elmira, ON, has earned his place in the RBC Canadian Open by claiming victory in the previous year's Canadian Men's Mid-Amateur Championship.

PGA of Canada professional Dave Levesque of Montréal earned his way into the 2016 RBC Canadian Open by claiming the No. 1 position on the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC. Branson Ferrier of Barrie, ON, shot 4-under 68 at King's Forest Golf Course to top the 144-player field to earn an exemption through the RBC Canadian Open Ontario Regional Qualifier.

Fritsch, Bernard, du Toit, Hamilton, Rank, Levesque and Ferrier will be among 12 Canadians who will challenge for the 107th playing of Canada's National Men's Open Championship.

Leading the Canadian contingent at Glen Abbey will be Brantford, ON, native David Hearn, whose 2016 season includes six Top-20 finishes, including a T9 result at The RSM Classic in Sea Island, Ga. Hearn, who held the 54-hole lead before finishing third in the 2015 RBC Canadian Open, is the No. 127-ranked player on the World Golf Ranking.

Joining Hearn will be fellow Canadian PGA Tour players Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, SK, Abbotsford, B.C., natives Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mike Weir of Brights Grove, ON, who will be playing in Canada's National Men's Open Championship for a 25th time.

"We are excited to have these 12 deserving Canadians compete in the 107th playing of Canada's National Men's Open Championship," said RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. "The passion that these talented players have shown in representing Canada is a true inspiration to the country's young golfers and we are proud to welcome them to the field for the RBC Canadian Open."

The 12 Canadian players will look to become the first Canadian to capture the national title since Pat Fletcher accomplished the feat in 1954.

The Canadians confirmed for Glen Abbey will join a field of PGA Tour and international stars that includes defending champion and World No. 1 Jason Day, U.S. Open champion and World No. 2 Dustin Johnson, World No. 15 Matt Kuchar as well as 2006-2007 RBC Canadian Open champion and World No. 20 Jim Furyk.                                                                               

-With files from Golf Canada / Photos courtesy of Graig Abel/Golf Canada