Most often in golf, we find players competing in tournaments for themselves. It’s an individual sport, but it doesn’t have to be. Team events are among the most enjoyable in the game. It adds a more social element, and you also get to play for a teammate as well.
It’s why events like the PING Challenge Cup and the Pro-Pro Championship sponsored by Club EG are among the most talked about and popular on the Flagstick.com PGA of Ottawa Tour.
As we look ahead to the 2024 edition of the tournament, it can already judge as a success with a neraly full field of 36 teams set to play at The Meadows Golf & Country Club in the south end of Ottawa, Ontario on Monday, June 17.
Competing in both the Main and Senior divisions, players will face off this year on an expanded format that will see them play 27 holes. In the past the event used an 18-hole format but now the two-person teams will play nine holes each of better-ball, scramble, and modified Chapman play to determine champions.
PGA of Ottawa Zone Captain Andy Rajhathy explains the change from an eighteen-hole competition to a twenty-seven-hole competition. “The idea of playing 27 holes (9,9,9) was presented over the winter to the zone board and was very well-received. The professionals who take part in the ClubEG Pro-Pro thoroughly enjoy the experience of a partner event so we decided to add to the event with more holes for the competition. The Meadows is a perfect venue for this experience with four options so we can strategically place the various formats on a nine that would be best suited for it. We were happy the zone was supportive of the change and expect the teams to have a great, full day experience”
The defending champions from 2023 in the Main Division are Prescott’s Bill Minkhorst with Brockville Country Club’s Adam Miller, and in the Senior Division, GUNNGOLF’s Graham Gunn and ClubLink’s Dany Lacombe. Both teams will be back to defend their titles.
In addition to the Pro-Pro, on the same day six Candidates for Membership in the PGA of Canada are scheduled to attempt to complete their Play Ability test over 18 holes.
