Weir quite a big hit ’03 Masters champion fondly remembers Canadian Tour during stop in Saskatoon
The 2003 Masters champion, in Saskatoon for this week’s Mike Weir Miracle Golf Drive for Kids, made the prairie trek between Canadian Tour stops during his formative years. But he never stopped for a round — not with Saskatchewan serving as an obstacle to be crossed rather than a destination point.
“We’d be in Alberta and work our way over to Manitoba by driving right through here,” said Weir, who adds he was happy to hear the Tour added Saskatoon to its stable starting this summer.
“(Adding a Saskatoon stop) makes a lot of sense. You can tell there’s big golf fans here and a good golf community. It’s a great stop.”
The Canadian Tour touches down at Dakota Dunes with a full-fledged event next week, bringing in golfers from across the world who would love to trace Weir’s career path.
He played the Canadian Tour from 1993 to 1997 and says it’s the route to go for aspiring Canadian professionals.
Weir was named rookie of the year in 1993.
“The Canadian Tour was huge for me,” Weir said. “There’s good international flavour on the Tour, and the idea of having to make a cut was important. A lot of guys chase these mini-tours around, these one and two-day events. But I always preferred playing a full tour and having to get used to making a cut and what that entails.
“You’ve got to play the Canadian Tour. But you need to play overseas, too — that’s a big thing. Instead of settling for making this the whole route, then going to Q school, going overseas was a big thing for me. You learn how to handle yourself in travel. That’s important.”
Weir is in Saskatoon on a fundraising effort for the planned Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan. Tuesday, he played 18 holes of golf at the Riverside with a rotating group of foursome partners who paid for the privilege. He later donned a microphone and conducted a joint clinic and question-and-answer session at Griffiths Stadium.
Weir, who paid his own costs for the trek to Saskatoon, was also involved with a gala dinner in the evening.
Organizers hope to raise more than $1 million this week, with all of it going to the yet-to-be-built Children’s Hospital.
Weir’s reception from Saskatoon fans showed the impact he’s had on the Canadian golf scene — one he credits to hard work rather than raw talent
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/sports/story.html?id=5513ecee-6f19-4a1e-bf64-207ac1d8a832
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