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Jon Kuiperij Sports Editor sports@oakvillebeaver.com Sports 17 | Wednesday, July 24, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "Connected to your Community" Former National Hockey League stars Dale Hawerchuk (left) and Marcel Dionne (right) joined current Tampa Bay Lightning sniper Steven Stamkos at Glen Abbey Golf Club Monday for the RBC Canadian Open's Golf Canada Foundation Pro-Am. Long-time LPGA player Lorie Kane (bottom left) was one of the professional golfers who also participated. | photos by Eric Riehl -- Oakville Beaver -- @Halton_Photog Recent weather no issue for Canadian Open organizers by Jon Kuiperij Beaver Sports Editor Friday's massive storm might have ripped large trees out of the ground and left many without power for extended periods, but it didn't have much of an impact on preparation for this week's RBC Canadian Open. In fact, the recent heat wave might have been the best thing for the tournament, which begins com- petitive play tomorrow (Thursday) at Glen Abbey Golf Club. "The heat's been good. Humidity means moisture, so there's been no problems with the greens," tournament director Bill Paul said Monday afternoon during the Golf Canada Foundation Pro-Am. "In many respects, it probably helped." Debris from the storm left maintenance workers with some cleaning up to do on Saturday, but those involved with the Canadian Open over the years have seen much worse. Torrential downpours forced the cancellations of the Monday Pro-Am and practice rounds prior to the 2008 tournament, when high water in Sixteen Mile Creek broke a bank at one hole and the players' walking bridge at another. A year later, heavy rains forced tournament play to be delayed for more than seven hours in the opening round and also caused delays the following day, forcing the competition to conclude on a Monday for the first time in 20 years. "We all have too many memories of '08 and '09," said Paul, a former student at Sheridan College. "It's easy to think that it's happening again." Recognizable names The champion of the last Canadian Open contested at Glen Abbey is part of this year's field. Nathan Green, who won the 2009 tournament in a two-hole playoff over Retief Goosen, joins fellow former Glen Abbey winners Chez Reavie (2008), Vijay Singh (2004) and Billy Andrade (1998). Other former Canadian Open champions in attendance this week include defending champ Scott Piercy (who won at Hamilton Golf & Country Club), Sean O'Hair (2011), Jim Furyk (2006-07), John Rollins (2002) and Scott Verplank (2001). Nine other players currently ranked in the top 25 in the world are also teeing it up tomorrow (No 6 Matt Kuchar, No. 7 Graeme McDowell, No. 8 Brandt Snedeker, No. 9 Luke Conald, No. 13 Ernie Els, No. 14 Charl Schwartzel, No. 16 Bubba Watson, No. 23 Hunter Mahan and No. 24 Dustin Johnson). Furyk is currently ranked No. 32 in the world. Kuchar, Snedeker, Johnson and McDowell have already won at least one PGA Tour event this season. Other in-season winners at Glen Abbey this week are SangMoon Bae, Billy Horschel, Derek Ernst, Brian Gay, John Merrick, Boo Weekley and Scott Brown. In all, 156 players will compete for the $5.6 million (U.S.) purse. Fifteen countries will be represented, including 18 from Canada (Graham DeLaet, David Hearn, Brad Fritsch, Stephen Ames, Mike Weir, Kevin Carrigan, Bryn Parry, Brian Hadley, Adam Hadwin, Roger Sloan, Eugene Wong, Albin Choi, Mackenzie Hughes, Corey Conners, Adam Svensson, Peter Laws, Jesse Smith and Eric Banks). Laws is a resident of Milton and Hughes lives in Dundas. Mobile devices permitted Banned in the past, the use of mobile devices is now welcome at the Canadian Open. All mobile devices must be on silent at all times; audio and video is prohibited at all times, and cameras are permitted for use from Monday to Wednesday only. Spectators are encouraged to be respectful of the policies to avoid distracting players or compromising the integrity of the competition. Concerts return Once again, spectators at the Canadian Open will be treated to live music following the conclusion of the first three rounds. "The Fab FORE!" will perform at the Molson Canadian 67 Beer Garden after the end of play tomorrow, Friday and Saturday. Shuttles will continue running until 30 minutes after the music stops.