Canada’s pro golf tour is returning to Saskatchewan after a four-year absence.

The Mackenzie Tour – PGA Tour Canada announced an eight-year deal to bring an event Elk Ridge Resort near Waskesiu in Prince Albert National Park. The 2021 event will be played the week of September 6. A “sneak preview” as Hugh Vassos, President of the host organization describes.

“This isn’t going to be the full-blown event that we’re going to start with next year. But it’s going to be a good taste of what people can expect to see in terms of professional golf,” he says.

Vassos’ company, VMC Sports & Entertainment, formerly ran the Dakota Dunes Open, so they know what a big tournament like this requires.

“There’s going to be qualifiers, pro-ams,” says Vassos. “We’re going to do a lot of things that you’re going to see in the big leagues. We try to make this look and feel as close to a PGA tournament as you can.”

The 2021 event will feature only players from Canada, due to pandemic restrictions. It’s expected that the 2022 event will be full field, played from June 20-26.

PGA Tour player, and Saskatchewan native, Graham DeLaet is the Honorary Chair of the tournament.

“September is such a great time in Saskatchewan,” says DeLaet, “with the leaves turning and they might get a little bit of that bite of Saskatchewan cold weather, especially in the northern part of the province. But that’ll toughen them up and show them what we’re all about as prairie boys.”