Welcome

We are delighted to invite you to the 45th World Championship of IGFR Niagara Falls Canada, one of the Wonders of the World, famed as the "Honeymoon City“.

Niagara offers history and heritage, Canadian culture, recreation and entertainment in a variety of natural and man-made attractions that can combine the finest of city life with the most beautiful in nature, all within minutes of each other. Non-golfing visitors have an amazing array of options. Whether it is the natural wonders of Niagara Falls and the surrounding area or the man-made wonders, such as the Maid of the Mist, helicopter tours, jet boat trips or the Skylon tower with its rotating dining room overlooking the majestic sights below.

Minutes outside of Niagara are more than 120 wineries, historic Niagara-on-the-Lake with the Shaw Festival theatre, the Welland Canal and its step locks. A few minutes further away are wonderful full day excursions to such places are charming St, Jacobs in Mennonite country, historic Stratford and Stratford Festival Theatre and Toronto, a world within a city.

We are lucky to have Rotarian, Ethel White-Ashby as a member of our organizing committee. Ethel along with her husband Jim, owns a premier tour company in our area. White Glove Tour & Reception Ltd. Their only problem with our guest is always so much to see and so lack time.

With this in mind. Thursday will be an unscheduled day with a host of possibilities. Avid golfers may choose to access some of the best private courses in Canada. Those who are getting tired may opt for some R & R. Others may choose to the some touring in Niagara or take in a show at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-lake. If the Toronto Blue Jays are in town we will organize a block of tickets at the world famous stadium in Toronto.

We will provide a number of outstanding options.

General Information

Golf Courses

The golfers will be playing four best courses in Niagara, all situated within twelve minutes of the host hotel. The fabulous Legends of Niagara created by two outstanding Canadian designers: Tom McBroom and Doug Carrick, who have won awards for their work in an around the world. In only its fifth year of existence Legends has already hosted the Ladies' Canadian Open, a major on the LPGA tour The Rees Jones course at Grand Niagara bears the name of its legendary designers and has received rave reviews from both players and press Thundering Waters, created by another Wonder of the world, John Daly, is an outstanding course set in a lovely area just three minutes form the host hotel. Mist from Niagara Falls can be seen most days from several parts of the course.

Air Travel

Just 75 minutes away, Pearson International Airport in Toronto offers regularly scheduled direct services from over 35 major Canadian, American and Internationals airlines. American visitors and those arriving North America through gateways like New York. Chicago and Los Angeles may choose to fly into Buffalo International Airport. Only 45 minutes from Niagara Falls, Buffalo international offers direct flights from many US destinations. If you require airport transfers the application provides an area to indicate this.

Entry to Canada

Whether coming to Toronto International Airport or crossing the Niagara River at Buffalo, you will find Canada Border Services personnell to be very efficient and pleasant. Entry requires Passport with a minimum of three months until expiry. You should check with a travel agents at home to ascertain whether there are many other requirements from your country of origin.

Transportation

Luxury Coaches will provide transportation to the golf courses and the tours. The hotel are within easy walking distance all or a short cab ride for most major Niagara Attraction.

Car Rentals

If you require information of car rentals we will be obtaining a special Rotary price with one of the major agencies.

Accommodations

Rooms have been reserved at the Sheraton Fallsview, a four diamond hotel, which offers outstanding amenities and comfort and has hosted, as last count, nine districts. The alternative hotel is the Radisson, a three diamond hotel, which provides slightly fewer amenities. Each hotel could be easily worthy of an additional diamond.

Currency

Prices for the event have been set in US Dollars. Additional expenses will be incurred in Canadian currency which are at the time of printing $1.00 US = $1.17 Canadian.1 Euro = $1.53 Canadian

Dress

Casual attire is recommended for all events. Jacket and tie, elegant dresses of national attire are suggested for the Sunday opening and Friday banquets.

Climate

Late June is an ideal time to visit Niagara, just before the summer holidays begin and the flowers and golf courses are at their peak. We expect comfortable evening in the upper 50´s and 60´s daytime highs.

Program:

 

Saturday, June 21

Registration begins at the Sheraton Fallsview. Optional practice round  is available. Tee times can be arranged at the Organiser’s desk.

Sunday, June 22

Registration continues at the Sheraton Fallsview. Optional practice round is available. Tee times can be arranged at the Organiser’s desk. Flag raising ceremony. Players´ meeting. Cocktail reception and light buffet style dinner with entertainment.

Monday, June 23

Rotarians: 4 ball-better-ball competition with team partner. Partners: Stableford
Non-Golfers: Full-day excursion
Evening: First Timers’ Reception
Evening free

Tuesday, June24

Rotarians: First round of 34-hole Championship
Partners: Day at leisure or option to join full day excursion (not included)
Non-golfers: Half day excursion
Evening: Home entertainment - limited registration based on order of registration.

Wednesday, June 25

Rotarians: Second round of 54-hole Championship
Partners: First round of 34-hole individual Stableford Competition
Non-golfers: Half day excursion
Evening: Lobsterfest and Down East music. Bring your dancing shoes and casual dress.

Thursday, June 26

Day of leisure. Tour options include golfing theatre, Toronto sporting event or speciality tours. For keen golfers there is an option to play several great Southern Ontario courses

Friday, June 27

Rotarians: Last round 54-hole Championship
Partners: Final round of 36-hole individual Stableford Competition
Non-Golfers: Day of leisure
Evening: Cocktail reception and prize giving banquet

Registration

The entry fee for the Niagara Programme includes:

Rotarians: Green fees for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday with lunches on course each day

Partners: Green fees for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday with lunches on course each day

Non-golfers: Full day excursion for Monday, Tuesday and half day excursion on Wednesday with lunches   included on Monday and Tuesday

Cocktails on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday

Dinners on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday

Transfers between hotel, courses and event
Practice range on Sunday at the Legends and Grand Niagara

Deadline for registration deposits is April 1st, 2008, However we expect to fill the tournament prior to that date. Early registration will assure your involvement and also greatly help the committee.      

Pre-Registration deposits are fully refundable up to 31st December, 2007, One-Half of the registration will be due 1st January, 2008 with the balance due 1st April, 2008. For the additional information, see the entry form.

Tournament Guidelines:

The IGFR World Championship has the following competition format:

4 ball-better-ball team competition will be divided into three groups on Monday:

Group 1: Team of players from Division I and II

Group 2: Team of players from Fellowship Division

Group 3: Team of Partners Players Division I and II and it’s fine to play nine

Three rounds 54 hole Championship play Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday:

Rotarians:

Division I.: Stroke play and Stableford

Division II. and Fellowship Division: Stableford

Partner Division I and II: Stableford and it’s fine to play nine (Wednesday and Friday)

All Rotarians born before June 24 1912 are eligible for the seniors´ cup (lowest net Stableford score for 54 holes.

And optional practice round is possible on Saturday or Sunday but is not included in the registration fee.
Tee-times can be arranged only at the organiser´s desk.

 

All contestants must be a current member of  a Rotary Club or partnered with Rotarian and all Rotarians must be current members of IGFR. Current dues must have been paid to Secretary Jack Bushong 2622 Gerol Court, Galveston Texas 77551.