Glen Abbey grabs 100th Canadian Open

Jack Nicklaus' first solo design gets world's third-oldest national championship for 23rd time

The Royal Canadian Golf Association announced Tuesday that the 2004 Canadian Open will be played at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

The selection marks the 23rd time and first since Tiger Woods' thrilling victory in 2000 that Glen Abbey has played host to Canada's premier golf championship. Glen Abbey opened in 1976 and holds the distinction of being the Golden Bear's first solo golf course design.

"We are very excited to be heading back to Glen Abbey for the 100th anniversary of the Bell Canadian Open," said Stephen Ross, RCGA Executive Director, said in a statement.

"The Bell Canadian Open and this golf course share a long and storied history in Canadian golf and we are just thrilled to celebrate that history together in 2004. The RCGA looks forward to working with the town of Oakville, Glen Abbey and the ClubLink Corporation to continue the tradition of excellence that has come to be associated with the Bell Canadian Open."

Established in 1904, the Bell Canadian Open is the third-oldest national championship in the world, behind the British Open and the US Open. The Bell Canadian Open is also the second-oldest tournament on the PGA Tour, following the Advil Western Open.

The staging of the 2004 event will also serve as its 100th anniversary. The Western Open is celebrating its 100th birthday this year.

Confirmation is subject to approval from the PGA Tour Policy Board, but given the tournament's long history of being played at the Abbey, that would seem to be a rubber stamp.

London Hunt was considered to be the other legitimate contender to get the Open.

The tournament will be played Sept 9-12, the week before the Ryder Cup takes place at Oakland Hills in suburban Detroit. The timing of the two events would suggest that most of the world's top players are expected to play.

This year's tournament is slated for Sept. 4-7 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster, Ont.