Royal Montreal Golf Club

The RBC Canadian Open Golf Championship is heading into the fourth day. Jim Furyk is holding a 3 stroke lead over Tim Clarke and seems near impossible to beat. Graham DeLaet shot even par on moving day and will take a miracle to win his national title. The Royal Montreal Golf Club is living up to its hype and today’s final round should be exciting and fun to watch.

For the first three days, the weather was normal for the Montreal area with plenty of sunshine. The grass and trees are very green and when the sun shines an aura of brilliant colors surrounds the players and gallery alike. Interestingly, many players wear sunglasses either all the time, or at least during some aspect of their round. Personally, I do not wear sunglasses while playing, but wonder if it provides an advantage.

Sunglasses when fitted properly are very comfortable. According to my research, it is also important that they have the proper UV protection. It is only recently that professional golfers started wearing sunglasses and according to Robert Allenby are a must.

“Australian-born professional golfer Robert Allenby, one of the first pros on the PGA tour to wear sport sunglasses during tournament play, has said that he prefers polarized copper-colored lenses with a 50 percent transmittance rating for golfing.

“Polarized lenses help take glare and shine off the green so I can see the line better . . . The color helps me see the definition of the grass and covers all climates and light scenarios,” Allenby said in the February 2008 issue of Eyecare Business magazine.

Allenby mentioned that wearing sunglasses has helped him perform better on the links by relieving the need to squint, which keeps him more relaxed.

Following Allenby’s lead, many young players on the PGA tour are starting to wear sunglasses during tournament play, including Zach Johnson, winner of the 2007 Masters Tournament.

Also, Annika Sorenstam, perhaps the best woman golfer to play the game, with 72 career LPGA victories, has worn sports sunglasses during most of her tour wins. (AllAboutVision.com)

Sunglasses are definitely here to stay. The fact that many players sign endorsements to wear a particular brand has helped cement their place as must-have golfing equipment. I definitely see the benefits of wearing sunglasses, but I find it difficult to read the greens with them on. Now, it might help if I paid more that 10 dollars for a pair, but I am not really sure.

So Grateful Golfers, it is time to help me out:

Do you wear sunglasses?
If so, what brand?
Do you have a special lens colour?
What style do you like?
Would your recommend wearing sunglasses while playing golf?

Sunglasses are here to stay and if an advantage can be gained from wearing them, we all would like to know.

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

The RBC Canadian Open Trophy!

The RBC Canadian Open Golf Championship starts tomorrow at the Royal Montreal Golf Club. Founded in 1873, it is one of only 66 golf courses in the world that hold the official “Royal” designation. The course will play as a par 70 at 7135 yards with six holes snaking around the large picturesque ponds. A Canadian has won this championship seven times since its inception in 1904; however, no Canadian has raised the trophy in 60 years! This is the year it will change.

Throughout its history, the RBC Canadian Open has shaped the face of professional golf in Canada. Many of golf’s greatest names have claimed the Canadian Open Championship title including Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, Greg Norman, Nick Price, Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Jim Furyk.

As the National Sports Organization (NSO) and governing body for golf in this country, Golf Canada’s mission is to promote participation in and a passion for the game while protecting its traditions and integrity. We hope you enjoy this great championship and leave with an increased affection for the unique spirit of integrity, sportsmanship and fellowship that make golf the greatest game on earth. (RBC Canadian Open)

The defending champion Brandt Snedeker will be teeing it up with Dustin Johnson and Hunter Mahan at 8 am. There are many notables playing this year who are vying for the win. Of note, Matt Kuchar, Graeme McDowell, Ernie Els, Luke Donald and Jim Furyk. More importantly, there are 18 Canadians in the field with Grahame DeLaet, David Hearn, and Mike Weir leading the way. This is a strong field and the winner will have to stay focused for 72 holes to claim the RBC Canadian Open Trophy!

The pressure is on all the Canadians to perform. After 60 years, Canadian golfers are anxious to crown a locally grown hero and claim the title – “king of golf” – in Canada. This year, unlike years past, there are some players in the field that could bring the trophy back home. Grahame DeLaet and David Hearn are having great seasons. They are young, eager and skilled! Both are having great careers and this year they have jumped out to a strong start.

Normally, I would analyse more data before making a prediction, but this weekend I am going with my heart. Grahame DeLaet is the man who will be standing on the podium on Sunday! My dark horse favorite is Mike Weir! Having walked way out on a limb, any Canadian will do! It is time the Canadian Open Trophy is brought home!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!