The Rink was a hare-brained idea that debuted seven years ago and is now part of the fabric of the RBC Canadian Open.
—
Oneyearago,duringthethirdroundoftheRBCCanadianOpen,CanadiangolferMackenzieHughesarrivedatthepar-313th holeatHamiltonGolf&CountryClub anddescribedthesceneaspandemonium.
Beforehecouldhithisteeshot,thefansatTheRink,thehockey-themedholewrappedinboardsonbothsidesofthetee,goaliehelmetsasteemarkers,agoalonthetee,andaZamboniice-resurfacingmachinenearby,serenadedhimwithCanada’snationalanthem.
“Thehaironthebackofmyneckstoodup,”Hughessaid.
Theysang“Hey,Baby!”beforeTraceCroweteedoffandJohnDenver’s“TakeMeHome,CountryRoads,”inbetweengroups,whileRoryMcIlroywastreatedtoaRyderCup-esque“Ole!Ole!Ole!Ole!”Whenthepoundingofhandsslappingtheboardsslowsdown,there’sorganmusicjustliketheyusedtoplayattheoldMapleLeafGardens(nowScotiabankArena)andDJSummerKnocks,theofficialDJoftheNHL’sTorontoMapleLeafsaddedsomeauthenticitythisyear.
TheRink,borneightyearsago,mightseeitsfirsthole-in-one
