DeLaet Teams Up With Provincial Government

While Graham DeLaet focuses on his game at the 2013 RBC Canadian Open this week, he wants PGA fans to “think Saskatchewan” as they watch the biggest golf event in Canada at the Glen Abbey Golf Club outside of Toronto.

DeLaet has signed on as an ambassador for his home province in a project launched today by the Saskatchewan Ambassador Alliance – a group of private-sector companies that have come together to promote Saskatchewan outside its borders as a good place to live, work and do business.  As the Alliance’s first ambassador, he will sport the thinksask.ca logo on his golf shirt to promote the province on the greens and TV screens, helping to drive visitors to the provincial government’s promotional website of that name.

“Saskatchewan is experiencing unprecedented growth but we cannot be complacent,” Premier Brad Wall said at a news conference at Glen Abbey today.  “We should be pursuing innovative new ways to promote our province.  I want to thank the Saskatchewan companies for piloting the Ambassador initiative with Graham.  He has been getting a lot of TV time lately as a one of the world's top ranked golfers and now he with his branding will have some wondering: What is thinksask.ca?”

The Alliance, formed as a non-profit, includes five Saskatchewan companies to cover the costs associated with the pilot project.  Brandt Group of Companies, Cameco Corporation, Magna Electric Corporation (MEC), PotashCorp, and Viterra Inc. have come onboard as the first corporate donors.  Through an agreement funded by these five corporate partners, DeLaet will wear the thinksask.ca logo on his shirt for the next year.

“We are very pleased that these great Saskatchewan corporate citizens  will be supporting our first Ambassador,” Alliance Corporate Secretary Foster Weisgerber said.  “With his tremendous performance on the PGA tour this year, capped off by the invitation to play at the British Open last week, and Graham’s love for Saskatchewan, he is a natural choice to be our first Saskatchewan ambassador.  We are piloting this project with Graham and anticipate expanding it to other ambassadors who are at the top of their games at national and international levels.”

The 31-year-old DeLaet, who was born and raised in Weyburn, a small city of about 10,500 in southern Saskatchewan, credits his Saskatchewan roots for helping to shape the golfer he is today.

“Saskatchewan people are tough, determined and resilient,” DeLaet said.  “These are all qualities that I have tapped into to be successful in one of the world’s most competitive sports.  I am proud to represent Saskatchewan on the PGA Tour and thrilled to be associated with a program that aims to raise awareness for the Province.” 
 

Although DeLaet is now based in Boise, Idaho, where he went to college on a golf scholarship.  He continues to maintain close ties to Saskatchewan.  As of July 22, he was 25th in the PGA’s FedEx Cup standings and 67th in the World Golf rankings.

“I can’t think of a better ambassador to represent Saskatchewan on the world stage,” Wall added.  “Yes, Graham is a top PGA professional but he is also a great guy.  He always makes time to come home to support local charities.  Anyone who meets Graham meets Saskatchewan: successful but humble, hard working and generous.”

The provincial government launched thinksask.ca in November 2010 as part of the Real Growth. Real Opportunity campaign encouraging people across Canada to live, work or do business in Saskatchewan.