Golf Business News – Royal Bank of Canada extends title sponsorship for long-standing PGA Tour
PGA Tour and RBC, in partnership with Heritage Classic Foundation and Golf Canada, announced the multi-year extension of the bank’s champion sponsorship of RBC Heritage and RBC Canadian Open.
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is a long-time supporter of professional and amateur-level golf courses, and has been the title sponsor of the Royal Bank of Canada Heritage and the RBC Canadian Open since 2012 and 2008, respectively.
The 2026 RBC Legacy is a PGA Tour signature event, which begins on April 16 at the Harbour Town Golf Connection in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and the 2026 Canadian Canadian Open at the 2026 Canadian National Open will return to TPC Toronto, Osprey Valley, Wallio, Ontario on June 11.
“As a title sponsor of two events in the PGA Tour program, RBC plays a significant role in golf, providing important developments on the amateur level for the world’s greatest players, and can also change moments in life,” said Brian Rolapp, CEO of the PGA Tour. “We are excited to expand our relationship with the Canadian National Championships at the RCMP Open and the Royal Canadian Open and the RBC Legacy, a signature event that ultimately crosses the dock from the iconic beacon of Harbour Town.”
Since joining the championship sponsor of RBC Heritage and RBC Open, RBC has contributed to the U.S. and Canada communities by increasing opportunities for gaming and supporting charities in youth, education, art and more. RBC also supports the roster of RBC ambassador teams in the PGA and LPGA Tour.
“We are excited to expand our long-term relationship with the PGA Tour and continue to work with our partners to enhance the RBC legacy and Royal Canadian Canada open to players and fans,” said Mary DePaoli, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “The memorable moments created by these events bring together our communities, from grassroots to our team of RBC professionals, these levels of golfers are also becoming the driver of powerful drivers of economic and social impact, raising over $56 million for local charities across North America, charities across North America, and nearly $250 million in the economy that we will all generate in mid-2024 courses.”
The legacy of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) debuted in 1969 and occupies the most attractive professional sports event in Carolinas every year. The Heritage Classic Foundation is the host organization for the Royal Bank of Canada heritage and has donated the tournament to make donations to Lowcountry’s charity. Recent champions include Justin Thomas, Scottie Scheffler, Matt Fitzpatrick and Jordan Spieth.
“We are delighted that RBC has expanded our partnership as their ongoing commitment strengthens our world-class PGA Tour events on Hilton Head Island and has had a profound impact in South Carolina,” said Steve Wilmot, president of Heritage Classic Foundation and director of the RBC Heritage Tour. “RBC’s legacy is a major economic driver for our country and a powerful force for goodness. Having a firm partner like RBC allows us to grow our mission and deepen our reach, we look forward to this exciting next chapter.”
The RCMP Open dates back to 1904 and is the third largest national champion. Previous champions include RBC Ambassadors Nick Taylor and Rory McIlroy. Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has partnered with Golf Canada to develop competitions through the RBC Community Junior Golf, and Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Gunior Golf has introduced over 55,000 young people across Canada through its first T-shirt – Canada – Canada and young people in course programming. Royal Bank of Canada is also the Golf Canada National Team Program, the Golf Canada Foundation, the CPKC Women’s Open and She attends Golf Festival.
“Canadian Golf Canada is very proud to celebrate a huge partnership with our friends at Royal Bank of Canada and with the PGA Tour,” said Laurence Applebaum, CEO of Golf Canada. “From investing in the visits of the next generation of young golfers to supporting professionals, RBC is the most determined, investing and dedicated partner of Canada’s golf and the driving force behind the incredible growth of Canada’s historic national open champion.”
