Michael Jordan commits to play inaugural Mike Weir Charity Classic kicking off week of 2009 RBC Canadian Open

    -   NBA megastar to join field of international sports and entertainment
        celebrities, including NHL Superstars Martin Brodeur, Joe Thornton,
        Rick Nash and Paul Coffey, along with entertainers Kevin Costner and
        George Lopez

    -   LPGA legend and Order of Canada recipient Lorie Kane also added to
        stellar field for inaugural charity event

    -   All proceeds from Mike Weir Charity Classic benefit the Mike Weir
        Foundation in support of children's wellness initiatives

    OAKVILLE, ON, July 10 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA)
in partnership with title sponsor RBC, announced today that retired NBA
megastar Michael Jordan has joined the field for the inaugural Mike Weir
Charity Classic being held on July 20, to kick off the 100th playing of the
RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.
    "I'm thrilled Michael has agreed to play. He's become a good buddy and
has always gone out of his way to support community and charitable activities.
He'll be a tremendously popular draw for the fans," said event host Mike Weir.
"RBC Canadian Open has turned into a world class affair and the support I've
personally received from the celebrities committed to my Charity day has been
fantastic."
    The RCGA and RBC also announced that Canadian born LPGA Tour legend Lorie
Kane has also joined the marquee field of the charity pro-am, which features
celebrities from the music, sports and entertainment industries, as well as
top stars of the PGA TOUR.
    Jordan and Kane will join a field of fellow sporting legends, including
Martin Brodeur, Joe Thornton, Rick Nash, Paul Coffey, entertainers Kevin
Costner, George Lopez, Tom Cochrane and Thomas Gibson, as well as a host of
veterans and emerging stars of the PGA TOUR.
    With all of the net proceeds from the Mike Weir Charity Classic
benefiting children's charities, the event will assist in achieving the RBC
Canadian Open's philanthropic objectives.
    The list of participating celebrities includes:

    Kevin Costner
    -   Two-time Oscar winner and Golden Globe Award winner

    George Lopez
    -   Comedian, Actor, and Producer and star of sitcom 'George Lopez'

    Tom Cochrane
    -   Legendary Canadian singer, songwriter and Canadian Music Hall of Fame
        Inductee

    Thomas Gibson
    -   Star of television hit drama Criminal Minds and sitcom Dharma & Greg

    Lorie Kane
    -   Four-time LPGA TOUR winner
    -   Fourteenth on the LPGA's Career Money List
    -   Order of Canada Recipient

    Martin Brodeur
    -   Most All-time Wins By an NHL Goalie
    -   Vezina Trophy winner

    Joe Thornton
    -   Five-time NHL All-Star
    -   Art Ross Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy winner

    Rick Nash
    -   4 time NHL All-Star and Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner
    -   Captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets

    Paul Coffey
    -   14 time NHL All-Star, 4 time Stanley Cup Winner, Hockey Hall of Fame
        inductee

    Michael Jordan
    -   6 time NBA Champion
    -   5 time NBA MVP
    -   Assistant Captain, 2009 US President's Cup Team

    EVENT NOTES:

        -  Amateurs that have purchased a team will play 9 holes with a
           Celebrity and 9 holes with a TOUR player as part of their once in
           a lifetime experience.

        -  Regrettably, Steve Nash has been forced to withdraw from the field
           of the Mike Weir Charity Classic due to a personal commitment.
           Steve has already committed to participating in the 2010 event.

        -  Tickets to the event are only $15, with children admitted FREE
           with a paying adult.

    KIDS UNDER 15 GET IN FREE

    As in past years, the RBC Canadian Open is committed to providing
affordable family entertainment with the playing of Canada's national Open
golf championship. Any child 15 years of age or younger will gain free
admission onto the grounds of the RBC Canadian Open provided they are
accompanied by a ticketed adult. Juniors will also have the opportunity to
take part in golf clinics and activities on site as part of CN Future Links,
Canada's national junior golf program.

    ABOUT THE 2009 RBC CANADIAN OPEN

    An exciting new era has arrived for Canada's national championship. Part
of the FedEx Cup, stars of the PGA TOUR will compete for $5.1 million (US) at
the RBC Canadian Open, July 20-26 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville,
Ontario. Established in 1904, the tournament is the third-oldest national open
golf championship worldwide next to the British Open and the U.S. Open. The
RBC Canadian Open is proudly sponsored by RBC, Bell, Pengrowth and BMW Group
Canada. For updated corporate hospitality, tickets, volunteer and sponsorship
information please visit www.rbccanadianopen.ca or call 1-800-571-OPEN.

    RBC AND THE RBC CANADIAN OPEN

    In partnership with the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), RBC is
the title sponsor of the RBC Canadian Open, the third oldest national golf
championship worldwide, next only to the British Open and the U.S. Open. With
a history of great players and premier fields, the RBC Canadian Open provides
golf fans with the opportunity to experience the excitement of a world class
event on Canadian soil. RBC also sponsors all levels of amateur sport, from
grassroots programs in local communities to national sport organizations and
elite-level athletes.

    ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION

    The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf
in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country.
Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf
in this country, the RCGA's mission is to grow participation in and passion
for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The
RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in
Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada's
national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the
Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status,
handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the
association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada's
most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian
Women's Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while
regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in
Canadian golf.
    For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your
community please visit www.rcga.org.

For further information: Dan Pino, Director, Media and Public Relations,
Royal Canadian Golf Association, Office: 1-800-263-0009 ext. 406, Mobile:
(416) 434-5525, Email: dpino@rcga.org