BMW drives excitement at RBC Canadian Open.

Whitby, Ont. – BMW Canada is proud to once again be the Official Vehicle of the RBC Canadian Open, taking place this year from July 20 to 26 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario. The partnership with the Royal Canadian Golf Association, announced in 2006, has BMW supporting Canada’s only PGA Tour event in the automobile and motorcycle category.

BMW Canada has chosen to activate the company’s sponsorship in a variety of ways that will benefit spectators, players and BMW customers.

“Our goal is to power excitement for BMW and the RBC Canadian Open through our on site activation and online communications,” said Kevin Marcotte, Director, Marketing, BMW Canada. “We have developed multiple opportunities to surprise and delight customers, spectators and players throughout the championship, adding value to the overall championship experience.”

Players won’t only be driving golf balls - BMW Vehicles for Players.
As the Official Vehicle of the RBC Canadian Open, BMW will allow players to experience the Ultimate Driving Experience personally. Upon arrival, PGA pros will receive a BMW vehicle to drive for the duration of the RBC Canadian Open. Player feedback indicates that the cars are a highly valued perk of tournament participation. The range of professional vehicles includes the BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW 7 Series, BMW X3s, BMW X5s and BMW X6s.

Playing for keeps - BMW Z4 up for grabs as RBC Canadian Open hole-in-one vehicle.
BMW Canada is taking over the 15th hole of Glen Abbey during the RBC Canadian Open. PGA Tour players will have the opportunity to not only to play for the championship, but also for a brand new 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster. The 15th hole is renowned as the pivotal hole where the championship is routinely won or lost. The steep rise from tee to green is deceptively shorter than it seems and the hole ends with one of the most difficult putting surfaces at Glen Abbey. Players who manage to avoid this challenge by sinking a hole-in-one on the 15th will be rewarded with a 2009 BMW Z4.

The newly redesigned BMW Z4 features a retractable hard-top roof which offers drivers the benefits of both a coupe and a sleek convertible. The Roadster is available in two variants, the BMW Z4 sDrive30i and the BMW Z4 sDrive35i. The power and dynamic performance from the BMW Z4 sDrive35i’s in-line six-cylinder Twin Turbo gasoline engine is 300 horsepower, 300 lb-ft of torque and acceleration from 0–100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds. The Z4 sDrive35i that the PGA pros are playing for retails with a base MSRP of $61,900.

BMW gives a free ride - BMW offers X5 Advanced Diesel shuttles.
Once again RBC Canadian Open spectators can be chauffeured to the action in style courtesy of BMW Canada. Complimentary BMW X5 Advanced Diesel shuttles are available to any RBC Canadian Open attendee from the public parking lot right to the front gates of Glen Abbey and back. The BMW Advanced Diesel decaled BMW X5s will run on a continuous schedule all day from Thursday to Sunday on a first come, first serve basis.

The BMW X5 xDrive 35d Sports Activity Vehicles are powered by BMW’s two-time International Engine of the Year Award winning 3.0 litre Twin Turbo in-line six-cylinder Advanced Diesel engine, the cleanest diesel engine BMW has ever produced. During the ride, individuals will learn how BMW's Advanced Diesels are 25% more fuel efficient and produce significantly less CO2 emissions than a comparable gasoline engine.

BMW customers get the VIP treatment - VIP parking available to BMW drivers.
BMW drivers will be treated to complimentary VIP parking throughout the RBC Canadian Open. Those driving a BMW can park in the paved lot at Sheridan College on Trafalgar Road, just south of Upper Middle Drive (marked Lot C). There BMW drivers can take advantage of upgraded shuttles at no charge. The shuttles will offer continuous service from the Sheridan lot right to the front gate of Glen Abbey and back all day during the tournament.

BMW provides the eye candy – BMW vehicles on display.
BMW will excite enthusiasts of all kinds as the company showcases its best to players and fans. Glen Abbey Golf Club will be decked out with many exciting displays of BMW cars and motorcycles during the championship. BMW will also explain how EfficientDynamics, the company’s strategy to reduce emissions and optimize driving pleasure, plays into the development of every vehicle.

BMW gives online spectators an insider look.
BMW will produce detailed coverage of the RBC Canadian Open experience through the lens of consumers at the Open. The insider look provides unique behind the scenes coverage, combined with exciting spectator tips and experiences surrounding the week long event. Visitors to BMW.ca will be able to view daily updated coverage beginning on Thursday, July 23rd. The online content creatively ties in BMW’s golf involvement to BMW’s commitment to the environment. Visitor will have the opportunity to learn how BMW is targeting a future with less emissions and more driving pleasure.

Spectators get the chance to win a trip to the BMW Championship in Chicago.
As a part of the onsite activation, BMW will provide all visitors to the Canadian Open with the opportunity to win a trip for two to the BMW Championship in Chicago Ill., in September. Visitors can register at the BMW Advanced Diesel shuttle service or onsite at any of the vehicle displays throughout the course. This is a unique opportunity for participants to receive a VIP experience at the BMW Championship, which is the exciting third leg of the Fed-Ex Championship.

BMW’s commitment to Golf.
As the third oldest national Open championship in the world and the premier golf event in Canada, the RBC Canadian Open is a key component of BMW Canada’s sport sponsorship strategy and adds another chapter to the brand’s significant involvement in professional golf worldwide. In addition to golf, this strategy includes motor sports, supporting the BMW Sauber F1 Team, amongst others. BMW is honoured to be the Official Vehicle of the RBC Canadian Open.

BMW’s international commitment of excellence to golf has spanned more than 20 years. In June 2006, a new six-year partnership agreement with the PGA TOUR and the Western Golf Association was announced, creating the BMW Championship – the third of four PGA Tour Playoff tournaments that culminate with the FedEx Cup competition that debuted in 2007.

BMW’s premium reputation for hosting and partnering in golf initiatives also extends to the prestigious BMW PGA Championship (Surrey, England), the BMW International Open (Munich, Germany), and the BMW Italian Open (Torino, Italy), all of which are among the most recognized professional tournaments on the European Tour.

BMW Group Canada, based in Whitby, Ontario, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG and is responsible for the distribution of BMW luxury performance automobiles, Sports Activity Vehicles, Motorcycles, and MINI. BMW Group Financial Services Canada is a division of BMW Group Canada and offers retail financing and leasing programs and protection products on new and pre-owned BMW and MINI automobiles, as well as retail financing for new and pre-owned BMW Motorcycles. A total network of 40 BMW automobile retail centres, 19 BMW motorcycle retailers, and 25 MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across the country.