Spent the better part of Monday down at St George’s for the opening day of the tournament week and what is now (in its second year) the annual Mike Weir Charity Classic. It was a great weather day – perhaps a little humid at times – but not all that interesting. Equipped with a camera and a hand held recording device – which, in hindsight, I could have left behind (more on that later) I retained a few mental notes (and added pictures) as I made my way through the seemingly logistical chaos that is this year’s Canadian Open. Actually, it’s not that bad.
Here we go:
Toronto traffic is just that. And as I slowly made my to the Old Mill (media parking) I could only come up with one way to avoid it – stay away from it. Simple. Once there I shared a shuttle over to the course, once again, with The Wine Ladies. I guess applying for credentials means that you’re still hoping Kevin Costner might return. Clearly a photo op or perhaps a chance to brush with fame I suppose – guess I’ve really never understood that live vicarious through someone else mentality, the kind that asks the generic question to the shuttle driver? “Do you know if any more celebrities have been added?”
Enough about that. Arrived at St Georges. Traded my temporary credentials for the laminated variety and headed for yet another shuttle. After all I was trying to get to the Islington Golf Course to be on the temporary range for 9am sharp as per my media guidelines. The ride was quick (and quieter) though we did pass through a radar trap that made me immediately think of the what ifs? Primarily, what if a player were to miss a tee time due to the fact that his shuttle driver did 65 in a 50?
Arrived on time at Islington, only to realize that there was nobody (well, save a few patient autograph seekers) there. Was it Monday? Anyway, much (too much actually) has been written about this temporary range so while it was empty, and I was waiting for something to do, I snapped a picture. It was a little smaller than I might have imagined. Let’s hope there are no weather delays. And yes, while in mid-shutter was immediately asked by PGA security where my credentials were. Could have asked him where his players were.
First celebrity on-site was newly anointed Leafs Captain Dion Phaneuf who was probably, by and large, the biggest draw for the spectators fans who had made the traverse over to Islington. He took his time and signed just about anything and everything while carrying on that perpetual conversation that the blue and white will in fact be better this year – at least the boys are going to work hard is the stock answer. Good guy and ambassador – he probably ended his day with about 5x as many thank-you(s) as golf shots.
Stephen Ames was next to appear and the rest of the players soon followed as the shuttle vans arrived. Paul Casey was there fresh off his stellar play at the British Open. Retief Goosen was once again on hand as was world #7 Luke Donald and Sean O’Hair. All made the long trip overnight and overseas to be in town to support Mike and his charitable work. Who you didn’t see (and won’t see all of this week) was Rickie Fowler who has chosen to withdraw from the tournament and instead play in a European event where it is suspected he’ll receive a guaranteed appearance fee (ouch). We also won’t be watching Anthony Kim this week who has withdrawn due to injury problems – seems he is still not ready to return. Maybe the RBC night want to pull his likeness from all of the their advertising – oops too late. Jim Furyk has also decided to remove his name from the tournament tee sheet.
Perhaps the biggest ovation to note on the day was reserved for actor Kevin Dillon from the HBO hit series Entourage. The yells of ‘Victory!’ were enough to get a chuckle from most, including Kevin who took a whole lot more time chatting with the fans than hitting balls. And if you have not watched Entourage, well you probably should, it’s a great show in it’s 7th season and often references golf in the episodes seeing as its creator and exec producer Mark Wahlberg is an avid golfer. I’m pretty sure his production company is even named Closest to the Hole Productions. And, oh-no, Kevin’s shirt was not tucked in. This made me wonder whether they’d even let him on the grounds up the street. After all, my media day guidelines specifically outlined that even shirts made to be worn untucked were not permitted on the course nor were any non-golf logos which would should have disqualified Dion Phaneuf’s Red Bull hat?
After a short stint on the range it was back into the vans and north to St Georges where the shot-gun event got underway. I was hoping to chat (if only for few minutes) with some of the attendees but that was not permitted (as per circulated memo) on the range and once on the course, outside of a controlled scrum, unfortunately, outside of the controlled scrum at the first tee there really was zero opportunity. So much for the voice recorder or notepad. I’m not really a scrum style media person – what’s the point? Hold up your recorder or microphone and get the same answer as everybody else? or even better have to wait and listen to responses from some of the most idiotically redundant questions. Either make an event media friendly or don’t. I’m cool with a closed event for the wealthy and their fetishes – just give it a name and lock the gates.
Did notice Mike Weir testing out one of the new Forza Ghost putters on the putting green. Perhaps he’s ready to make the switch. Also noticed a tensor (the tennis elbow type) on his arm throughout the day. For you stats guys (and gals), it is also notable that Mike is actually third with respect to Canadians on this years PGA Tour money list. First is Stephen Ames while second belongs to Graham DeLaet who I sort of thought might participate in this event.
The golf course looks good. The rough is long (4 inches and laying down in places) and the green speeds didn’t seem to be too bad though I overheard a few people say that they are only running at 10 on the stimp meter right now. I watched a few groups on number 3 and none of the amateurs seemed to be having much trouble with pace. There will probably be a few spectator bottlenecks in places as far foot traffic goes but only time will tell if that becomes an issue as I’m really not sure how the attendance will be. Due to the required decrease in ticket allotment one would have thought (hoped) perhaps they’d be sold out by now.
The charity event raised about $350,000 for the Mike Weir foundation and in turn a local hospital so the results and efforts of all of those involved should be commended. This really is a great event and has the potential to be even better – increased attendance – improved media access – a clinic or some larger scale interaction with the spectators etc – but it needs a little more (media?) because nothing survives very long in a vacuum and most wells eventually dry up.
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