Drone Prevention: Preventing Airspace Risks at RBC Canadian Open

The 110th playing of Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship was underway this summer, with elite athletes competing and spectators cheering on the grand prize winner, Rory McIlroy. Thousands filtered in and out of Hamilton Golf & Country Club over the course of the four-day event, and while moving on the ground was monitored, event organizers had an automatic airspace security system installed to ensure their operations were uninterrupted from drone activity.

Dedrone Drone Prevention at the Hamilton Golf & Country Club

Hamilton Police Service established a drone prevention strategy to ensure drones did not threaten spectators, distract play or record unauthorized footage of the televised event. Watch more from Mohawk College, Hamilton PD, and Dedrone how our RF sensors were deployed at the event and collected data for the security team.

The RBC Canadian Open airspace security system deployed four of Dedrone’s radio frequency sensors to detect and classify drones up to one mile away, feeding information into its DroneTracker software platform. Hamilton Police invited staff and students from Mohawk College to install and operate the system. Data from DroneTracker provided all parties involved with situational awareness and enabled law enforcement and security personnel to monitor the airspace and protect against any unwanted drone threats.

Immediate Drone Prevention and Pilot Tracking

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On installation day, Dedrone and Mohawk College immediately detected drones in the airspace. Hamilton Police Service was able to deploy resources to confront a drone pilot. The pilot was then educated about the risks of flying in a no-fly zone during tournament play and let off with a warning. This community outreach and education proved effective as there were no additional unauthorized drone flights throughout the four-day event.

Drone detection programs may be a single, fixed installation, or can be deployed as a part of a temporary event. “This partnership enhanced security at the event for all spectators, professional athletes, volunteers, and staff,” shared Inspector David Hennick, the Incident Commander for the event and representative from the Hamilton Police Service.

It’s up to drone pilots to exercise responsibility and follow laws and regulations. However, even with proper authorization, pilot error occurs, which could interrupt event operations and cause physical harm. For event organizers, drone use needs to be discussed at the onset of planning, to ensure drone security measures are implemented all the way from setting up the event to when the last golfer leaves the course. Dedrone has worked with the PGA Tour in the past, along with many other open-air events, parades and stadiums, and continues to protect against all drone threats.

Dedrone’s drone detection technology can be quickly integrated and deployed at events and provides actionable information for security teams to instantly diagnose airspace activity and address any threats.  Hamilton Police Service, GardaWorld Security, Golf Canada, and PGA Canada have demonstrated how Dedrone technology can be applied to the benefit of all partners in the execution of a safe and secure event.

For more information on Dedrone at open-air events, visit our page about Public Safety.

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