So a lot has been written in the Canadian press about the lack of star power playing in the Canadian Open which starts tomorrow in Hamilton. The press blames anything from the lack of a title sponsor, to questionable dates and poor courses for the lack of star power. 

The RCGA is blaming anything from the tax situation for the players, to the lack of a title sponsor, to the time on the schedule.

Personally I think that everyone is missing the boat. The Open has lots of money, one of the larger purses on Tour, so it really is not a sponsorship issue. I understand that next year they will need a new sponsor...but in the past the RCGA has focused so much on the sponsor.

They have lost focus on what the great players care about, great courses and history. The greats want to win on the greatest courses and put their names next to the names on the same trophies as history's greats have done. 

Canada has great courses (if only the RCGA would use some of them), so that is not the problem.

It is the presentation of the Open's History. The 102nd Canadian Open is teeing off this week, and the Canadian Open has been won by most of golf's greatest players but that history is not celebrated, it is brushed off as an afterthought.

If it were up to me, I would change the whole presentation of the Canadian Open. I would make it a small select field and rotate it among three great golf courses one in the GTA one in the West and one in Quebec.  I would also invite the past champions to celebrate the history of the event. Hmmm past champions, consistent courses, small select fields, and a celebration of the history, sounds like Augusta meets the US Open. Which player would not want to play in that...and which mega corporation would not want to put down a few dollars to advertise during that event?

Do either of these events need a title sponsor? Do they worry about their dates on the schedule? Of course not, all that they do is present their events in the best possible light.

Maybe the RCGA should just call me up for some marketing advice.

Scott