Hamilton, St. George’s, and now Oakdale.
The 2023 and 2026 RBC Canadian Open will be played at Oakdale Golf and Country Club becoming the latest classic Canadian course to be selected to hold the country’s only PGA Tour event.
The property is situated in the heart of the GTA and presents both a competitive challenge and an operational capacity to stage an incredible tournament. This is a special moment for Oakdale Golf and Country Club as it is a classic venue with a storied history that will challenge the world’s best golfers.
“We are proud to be opening our doors to the world’s best golfers so they can test themselves against our recently renovated composite golf course designed by Stanley Thompson and Robbie Robinson, two Canadian Golf Hall of Fame members,” said Oakdale President Mark Sadowski.
Oakdale becomes the 37th course to host the tournament, and the 2026 event coincides with the club’s 100th anniversary. St. George’s will host the tournament, which has been canceled in 2020 and this year because of Covid-19, next year. The last time the tournament was played was 2019 when Rory McIlroy won at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster, Ont.
Oakdale has been a Toronto institution since it opened in 1926 as a club with a predominately Jewish membership at a time when people of that faith couldn’t access most golf clubs in the city. The club’s Jewish roots are an important factor to this day, and the club also holds a unique connection to eight-time PGA Tour winner George Knudson. Knudson, who died in 1989, moved to Toronto from Winnipeg and worked at Oakdale while he pursued his dream of playing professional golf. As well, Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Wilf Homenuik has taught at the club for more than 30 years.
Oakdale has 27 holes on the property, but the Canadian Open course will consist of a composite routing, using nine holes designed by Robbie Robinson, and nine holes from the 18 Stanley Thompson designed. The entire course has been renovated by Canadian golf architect Ian Andrew.