Canada’s top invitational golf tournament, the Barrett Amateur Championship just took a giant leap forward. Being played for the 9th time in 2009, the Barrett Amateur will move to a 72-hole championship for the first time this year. The Barrett is scheduled for July 29th – August 1st, 2009 at the Fairmont Algonquin Golf Course in picturesque St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, New Brunswick.

Played for the 1st time in 2001, the Barrett Amateur began primarily as a regional championship attracting the best players in Atlantic Canada along with top players from Maine, Quebec and Ontario. Gradually, Amateurs from across Canada and into the U.S. started playing in the Barrett. In 2007, the Barrett was included in the R&A’s World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) and for the first time, an international contingent with several very strong players from South Africa took part. South African Cameron Johnston was ranked 4th in the WAGR rankings at the time he played in last year’s Barrett Amateur and he has since turned pro.

Last year’s field included players from 6 different countries (Canada, United States, South Africa, Argentina, Uruguay and Honduras) and showcased 4 players ranked in the Top 100 in the world and 6 players in the top 200. Notably, the 2008 champion, South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli is a freshman standout at the University of Texas and is a former World Junior Champion. The field for the Barrett Amateur has strengthened to the point where the Barrett now ranks 83rd among all counting events for the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

“Our vision is to be ranked within the top 25 Amateur tournaments worldwide within 5 years. With the help of our many supporters including Scotiabank and Xplornet, we believe we can get there,” says Managing Director Erin Barrett.

“We have seen the championship grow to the point where we are one of the elite championships in Canada,” suggests NBGA Executive Director Pierre Arsenault. “To become an elite championship recognized around the world, the move to 72 holes is a necessary step.”

The Barrett Amateur began as a 36-hole championship and remained that way until 2003 when it moved to a 54-hole championship. Traditionally played on the New Brunswick Day long-weekend, the Barrett now moves back into the week and will start Wednesday with a Saturday finish.

“The level of player we are attracting now is accustomed to competing in a traditional 72-hole format and we are pleased that the Barrett now fits this profile,” offered Barrett Amateur Event Chair John Townsend. “We are looking forward to this summer having the strongest field the Barrett has ever seen.”

For more information on the Barrett Amateur Championship, please visit our Media Information.