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Mackenzie Tour, Image from 2019

Paradise Canyon Open cancelled for 2nd straight year

Jun 8, 2021 | 3:05 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – As part of the MacKenzie Tour and PGA TOUR Canada, the Paradise Canyon Open in Lethbridge is being cancelled for the second year in a row.

Its 2021 tournament was set to go soon but with schedule conflicts on the tour, the tourney had to be shut down.

After the event was postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Owner Ron Sakamoto and the Paradise Canyon crew had to go back to the drawing board to get the $250,000 in funding approved from Lethbridge City Council.

Previous Story: Council approves funding for 2021 Paradise Canyon Open

The process of getting money from council is not an easy task, not to mention the fact that Sakamoto had to do it twice.

Tournament Chair Doug McLaughlin, says this year has been tough on setting a date and that was a factor in the decision of cancelling the event.

“The effects of Covid on the scheduling, staffing, player involvement, and overall organizational planning have made it too difficult to continue for this year and beyond.”

In a normal year, young up-and-coming golfers would get the chance to make a name for themselves through the Mackenzie Tour as it’s a chance at making a professional tournament.

READ MORE: Lethbridge Paradise Canyon Open golf tournament postponed

McLaughlin says hosting an event this size is especially tough with funding resources limited.

“It’s a lot of factors that all come into play and you gotta be able to juggle a lot of balls all at the same time in order for the whole program to work.”

McLaughlin says there are no future plans on the slate under the current committee leadership.

After two successful years of the tournament, the future for the Paradise Canyon Open is uncertain.

For more information visit lethbridgepcopen.ca.

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