More big names confirm they’ll tee it up at Rogers Charity Classic

The Rogers Charity Classic is one of the best events on the PGA Champions tour, and once again, there's going to be a great field.

The Rogers Charity Classic continues to do all the right things as it heads into its 13th year.

The best from the PGA Tour Champions will tee it up in the middle of August at the Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club.

On Monday, two more golf hall of famers confirmed they’ll be teeing it up in Calgary.

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Ernie Els is back for a second year and Colin Montgomerie will play in his eighth charity classic.

Montgomerie says he loves coming back to play in this event.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” said the 61-year-old.

“It’s great. Never mind the golf course and the facilities and the hospitality that they show you; I think the crowd is fantastic and I get a huge welcome being Scottish.”

Other reasons for coming back

The Rogers Charity Classic is one of the best-attended events on the champions tour but Sean Van Kesteren, executive director of the charity classic, says that’s not the only reason why the players keep coming back.

“They love it here; it’s great,” he said.

“It’s not too hot and it’s a good golf course. You know they love the greens; that’s something you always hear about. They love it when you have the purest greens, I think we do, on tour.”

According to Van Kesteren, the players also like the fact that so much money goes to charities. The tournament has raised a staggering $137.7 million since its inception.

“The Rogers Birdies for Kids is a matching program, which is an incentive program,” said Van Kesteren.

“Once we got all of the charities involved, they push out and we match up to 50 per cent.

“It’s very successful, and it works very well for them because it’s very hands-off. We manage all of the dollars getting in and out and all of the accounting and everything for them, so it’s really a great tool to help them raise money.”

More big names expected

Van Kesteren expects more big-name players to announce their commitment to playing in the tournament in the coming weeks.

“We’ve already announced some big names, and there’s a few more to come,” he said.

“We’re working on them right now and seeing how their schedule works out. I anticipate this year to be just as good, if not better, in terms of field strength. There’s a bunch of new guys too that haven’t played here for the first time and just turned 50, so we’re waiting for them as well.”

The title sponsor also announced a $1 million donation to kickstart the tournament’s annual fundraising efforts to support children’s charities across Alberta.