NEWSLETTER – April 5, 2011

RBC Canadian Open Trip

As mentioned in a previous email, Hal Quinn has organized a FAM trip immediately before the RBC Canadian Open at Shaughnessy that covers Predator Ridge, Sagebrush and Tobiano starting on July 16 and running through to the 18th. The plan is to have members fly into Kelowna where they will be met with a bus that will take them to Predator. We'll play the first of SCOREGolf's Best New Courses when we tip it up that afternoon at Doug Carrick's new creation there. The following day we'll be heading to Tobiano and staying in Kamloops, closing with a Monday morning round at Sagebrush. For the trip, all meals, accommodations and transportation are being handled by one of the region's tourism agencies, as well as the courses themselves. We have room for up to 24 members.

There are a couple of additional notes:

We have a limited number of tickets to offer to paid-up GJAC members from WestJet/RBC that allow writers or photographers to fly into Kelowna and out of Vancouver. These tickets are free, however, they come with some commitments. Those accepting the tickets are expected to:

1) Attend the FAM trip and do their best to provide editorial coverage.
2) Cover $160 in taxes relating to the tickets. These tickets have a $700 value at the moment.
3) Attend the Canadian Open GJAC Tournament and Writing/Photography Awards at Marine Drive on July 19 (time to be determined).
4) Attend an RBC/WestJet charity "putting" challenge on Tuesday, July 19 in the AM. Since WestJet have provided us with the tickets, it would be expected that anyone accepting would attend this function. The powers that be have told me they'll get Vancouver representatives there to talk about how the city is involved with the tournament and RBC have discussed bringing one of their "Team RBC" golfers down. RBC has graciously supported our writing/photography awards for both years it has run and is doing so again this year.

Please note priority will be given to those entering the writing/photography awards or working at the Canadian Open.

In our initial correspondence on the trip we had 13 people interested in attending the FAM Trip. I'll let you know right now we don't have that many free flights. After some discussion, it has been decided the fairest way to deal with this is to have a random draw of those interested in attending. IF YOU WANT TO ATTEND THE FAM TRIP/GJAC AWARDS in British Columbia, please send Robert Thompson an email (to robertthompson8@sympatico.ca) no later than April 11 with the email subject reading "GJAC Fam Trip." There's a rush on this since WestJet are providing us with vouchers and those receiving tickets will need to book right away or potentially be faced with full flights. We'll notify everyone about the results on April 12.

Also note that you're still more than welcome to come along – using air miles or whatever means you have – even if you're not among those that receive free airfare.

Robert Thompson

Writing Awards Reminder

Just a reminder that the deadline for entering the GJAC writing/photography awards is April 15 and that is rapidly approaching. For information on the award categories go to our website, www.gjac.ca and click on the March, 2011 newsletter.

If you are planning on remaining a member of the GJAC and haven't paid your 2011 dues please do it now. To pay your dues you can go to www.gjac.ca/payment.html and pay with Paypal. Or you can mail a cheque to Grant Fraser, secretary treasurer GJAC, Glen Abbey Golf Club, 1333 Dorval Drive, Oakville, Ontario, L6J 4X3.

If you have any questions, contact Grant Fraser at gfraser@golf-management.org or (905) 844-7666.