BC Golf News and Canadians On Tour

PGA TOUR – WEIR MASTERS AUGUSTA

For the first time in the 67-year history of the Masters Golf Championship a Canadian has won the coveted Green Jacket. In fact, Mike Weirs's victory Sunday, April 13, 2003 on the first extra hole of a sudden death playoff at Augusta National marks the first time a Canadian has won any of golf's four major championships. Weir also becomes the first lefthanded golfer to win the Masters title and only the second lefty to ever win one of the majors. Allthough he now lives in Utah, Weir is a native of Bright's Grove, ON and went into the Masters Championship as one of the co-favorites after claiming PGA TOUR victories earlier this season at the Bob Hope and Los Angeles tournaments. This is his 6th career PGA TOUR win and 3rd in a playoff.

With the first day of the Masters washed away because of rain, Weir posted rounds of 70-68 Friday to go 5-under par and claim the lead through 36 holes but, a 3-over 75 Saturday saw him go from a 6-stroke lead to two off the pace heading into Sunday's final. A masterful bogey-free 4-under 68 brought him to 7-under 281 for the tournament. Before Weir had finished his round Len Mattiace (73-74-69-65) had caught fire and finished with a final round 65, at one point holding a 3-shot lead. However, Weir closed with a series of clutch birdie putts on the par 5's at 13 and 15 and on the 72nd hole sank a nail-biting 6-footer for par to send the pair to the par-4 10th hole for a playoff.

At 10 Mattiace's second shot found the left rough behind trees while Weir landed safely on the front of the green and although he three putted for the win it was all he needed to put his name into the record books forever, ensuring his induction into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and any other Hall of Fame we can find for him. This may even win Weir Canadian Male Athlete of the Year honors despite the eight months remaining.

Weir's Masters payday was worth $1,000,000 and he's back on top of the PGA TOUR'S money winner list with $3,286,625. Mattiace picked up $680,000. Another lefthander, Phil Mickelson also closed with a 68, finished 3rd at (73-70-72-68) 283 and won $408,000.

CHAMPIONS TOUR

The $1.45 million Emerald Coast Classic is the next stop for the seniors this week. Dave Eichelberger is scheduled to defend his title at the Moores Golf Club at Milton, near Pensacola, Florida. Kelowna's Dave Barr, with one victory this season ($335,540), is alone in 9th spot on the money-winning list while Gil Morgan leads the race with $462,000.

LPGA TOUR

Annika Sorenstam has chosen not to defend her title or renew her rivalry in the desert with PEI's Lorie Kane this week when the LPGA swings back into action at Las Vegas Country Club for the $1.1 million Takefuji Classic. Sorenstam defeated Kane with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff last year when the event was staged in Hawaii and Kane was defending the title she'd won in 2001. After gaining her first victory of the season two weeks ago Sorenstam has a comfortable lead in the money race with $423,552. Lorie Kane is in 11th with $100,419.

FUTURES TOUR

With over 250 national and international players from 26 different countries competing it's no wonder the LPGA TOUR decided to increased from three to five the number of exemptions to be awarded this year to the top players on the FUTURES Tour, now operating in its 23rd season. "In providing more (Tour) cards, we are rewarding players with the opportunity to compete on the LPGA Tour who have demonstrated outstanding yearlong performances on one of the most demanding developmental tours in the world," says LPGA TOUR Commissioner Ty Votaw. Current FUTURES Tour money leader Soo Young Moon of Keumsan, Korea ($10,843) and Liz Earley of St. Catharines, ON (12th, 5.064) will be back in action April 25-27 when the tour tees off in the $70,000 Frye Chevrolet Classic in Wichita, Kansas.

ASIAN PGA TOUR

Rick Gibson and the Asian Tour are off for the rest of this month, returning to action May 1-4 with the playing of the $400,000 Maekyung LG Fashion Open at Nam Seoul Country Club. In four tournaments so far this season Gibson, a Victoria, BC native, has managed to win $73,245 and is 4th in the Asian Order of Merit, well behind leader Arjun Atwal of India who has won $218,243.

EUROPEAN SENIOR PGA TOUR

Members of the European Senior PGA Tour are taking a six week break. Next event for Money leader Terry Gale of Australia and Canadians Bill Hardwick (52) and John Irwin (61) will be the Wallonia Open May 23-25 at Pierpoint GC in Belgium. JAPAN GOLF TOUR The Sports Shinko Country Club in Hyohgo plays host to the Tsuruya Open when the Japan Tour starts up again April 24-27. Australian Andre Stolz, victorious a week ago in Mie, won 20,000,000 yen in the only event he's played in and is the leading money winner after the first two tournaments on the calendar. Rick Gibson earned 365,500 yen in his one tournament appearance and is 70th.

CANADIAN PRO TOUR

When the Canadian Tour starts up again May 8-11 it will be in Guadalajara, Mexico, then a week later in Ixtapa, Mexico. The fragmented tour eventually winds its way back to Canada for another of its three Tour Schools, this one May 26-30 at the Dunes in Kamloops. It won't be until July 24-27 before the Tour returns to BC for a visit to Royal Colwood for the Victoria Open, then the following week in Pitt Meadows at Swan-e-set Bay for the Greater Vancouver Classic. Leading money winner is Terre Haute, IN's Rob Johnson with $25,050.

MASTERS TRIVIA: . . . . George Knudson of Winnipeg came closest to winning a Green Jacket, tying for 2nd in 1969. Next closest to a Major was Barr who T2nd at the 85 US Open . . . . Bill Mawhinney of Chiliwack was the first Canadian to play in the Masters, finishing T55 in 1951 at 27-over par; Stan Leonard has the most Top 10 finishes among Canadians (4) with a T3 in 1958 his best effort; prior to Weir, Leonard had been the only Canadian to ever lead the Masters at any stage. In '59 he was the first round leader and led again after 54 holes, but wound up 4th . . . . former Canadian and US Amateur Champion Gary Cowan of Kitchener is the only Canadian Amateur invited to the Masters. He T25 in 1964 and T45 in 1968.

A TIME TO REMEMBER: . . . . When the LPGA comes to Vancouver in July for the BMO Canadian Ladies' Open at Point Grey G&CC one of the first functions to take place will be the induction of Dawn Co-Jones Monday, July 7 into the 56-member Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. The award was announced months ago but the native of Campbell River, BC wanted to hold off the ceremony so it could take place at the course where she captured her first of two BC Ladies' Amateur championships in 1982 . . . . the selection committee for the Golf Hall of Fame of BC meets April 23 and nominations can still be forwarded in any form to Dorothy Brown at the BC Golf Museum, 2545 Blanca Street, Vancouver, Fax 604-222-4654 and via email to mashie@intergate.ca. Unofficially, Doug Roxburgh is likely to be one unanimous choice among the 4-5 to be inducted at the October banquet . . . . incidentally, the Museum Is presenting a special RCGA/BMO tribute to Women's Golf April 24 which will be open to the public between 7-9 PM . . . . BC Golf News wishes to express sincere condolences to the family of Don Gardner, longtime member at Capilano Golf & Country Club and a respected former Executive Director of the BCGA, who passed away April 3.

ROYAL APPROVAL: . . . . The obvious sign that Point Grey's is an excellent test of golf is when an executive from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews calls from Scotland to inquire about getting tee times while visiting western Canada. Head pro Doug Riome was only too happy to oblige some weeks ago. In fact, says Riome, "I get voice and emails regularly from all over the world from folks planning to visit BC who want to come here and play the Point, especially since it was announced we're hosting the LPGA." In Point Grey's 81 year history this venerable course has been the national choice to host the Canadian Open (1954); Canadian Women's Open (2003); Canadian Senior Men's Amateur (1978) Canadian Ladies' Amateur (1961); Canadian Senior Ladies' (2001) Canadian Junior Ladies' (1983); two Canadian PGA Championships (1948-69) and the PGA TOUR's BC Centennial (1958) when Jim Feree set the course record of 61. The only two nationals yet to tee off at Point Grey are the Canadian Men's and Junior Men's Amateurs. In 2005 the Canadian Senior Men's Amateur Championship returns.

VOLUNTEERS WELCOME: . . . . Club Tournament Chairman Jim Findlay is pleased with the quality of volunteers available for Point Grey in July. About 1,500 will be needed and already some with experience gained while working the late Air Canada Championship have come forward. Application forms and details are readily available at the club at 3350 SW Marine Drive; (604) 267-4305 or rhttp://www.pointgreygolf.com/ Additional caddies are also required.




	CANADIANS ON TOUR by Barry Sharpe 14-4-03 PGA TOUR – WEIR MASTERS AUGUSTA For the first time in the 67-year history of the Masters Golf Championship a Canadian has won the coveted Green Jacket. In fact, Mike Weirs's victory Sunday, April 13, 2003 on the first extra hole of a sudden death playoff at Augusta National marks the first time a Canadian has won any of golf's four major championships. Weir also becomes the first lefthanded golfer to win the Masters title and only the second lefty to ever win one of the majors. Allthough he now lives in Utah, Weir is a native of Bright's Grove, ON and went into the Masters Championship as one of the co-favorites after claiming PGA TOUR victories earlier this season at the Bob Hope and Los Angeles tournaments. This is his 6th career PGA TOUR win and 3rd in a playoff. With the first day of the Masters washed away because of rain, Weir posted rounds of 70-68 Friday to go 5-under par and claim the lead through 36 holes but, a 3-over 75 Saturday saw him go from a 6-stroke lead to two off the pace heading into Sunday's final. A masterful bogey-free 4-under 68 brought him to 7-under 281 for the tournament. Before Weir had finished his round Len Mattiace (73-74-69-65) had caught fire and finished with a final round 65, at one point holding a 3-shot lead. However, Weir closed with a series of clutch birdie putts on the par 5's at 13 and 15 and on the 72nd hole sank a nail-biting 6-footer for par to send the pair to the par-4 10th hole for a playoff. At 10 Mattiace's second shot found the left rough behind trees while Weir landed safely on the front of the green and although he three putted for the win it was all he needed to put his name into the record books forever, ensuring his induction into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and any other Hall of Fame we can find for him. This may even win Weir Canadian Male Athlete of the Year honors despite the eight months remaining. Weir's Masters payday was worth $1,000,000 and he's back on top of the PGA TOUR'S money winner list with $3,286,625. Mattiace picked up $680,000. Another lefthander, Phil Mickelson also closed with a 68, finished 3rd at (73-70-72-68) 283 and won $408,000. CHAMPIONS TOUR The $1.45 million Emerald Coast Classic is the next stop for the seniors this week. Dave Eichelberger is scheduled to defend his title at the Moores Golf Club at Milton, near Pensacola, Florida. Kelowna's Dave Barr, with one victory this season ($335,540), is alone in 9th spot on the money-winning list while Gil Morgan leads the race with $462,000. LPGA TOUR Annika Sorenstam has chosen not to defend her title or renew her rivalry in the desert with PEI's Lorie Kane this week when the LPGA swings back into action at Las Vegas Country Club for the $1.1 million Takefuji Classic. Sorenstam defeated Kane with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff last year when the event was staged in Hawaii and Kane was defending the title she'd won in 2001. After gaining her first victory of the season two weeks ago Sorenstam has a comfortable lead in the money race with $423,552. Lorie Kane is in 11th with $100,419. FUTURES TOUR With over 250 national and international players from 26 different countries competing it's no wonder the LPGA TOUR decided to increased from three to five the number of exemptions to be awarded this year to the top players on the FUTURES Tour, now operating in its 23rd season. "In providing more (Tour) cards, we are rewarding players with the opportunity to compete on the LPGA Tour who have demonstrated outstanding yearlong performances on one of the most demanding developmental tours in the world," says LPGA TOUR Commissioner Ty Votaw. Current FUTURES Tour money leader Soo Young Moon of Keumsan, Korea ($10,843) and Liz Earley of St. Catharines, ON (12th, 5.064) will be back in action April 25-27 when the tour tees off in the $70,000 Frye Chevrolet Classic in Wichita, Kansas. ASIAN PGA TOUR Rick Gibson and the Asian Tour are off for the rest of this month, returning to action May 1-4 with the playing of the $400,000 Maekyung LG Fashion Open at Nam Seoul Country Club. In four tournaments so far this season Gibson, a Victoria, BC native, has managed to win $73,245 and is 4th in the Asian Order of Merit, well behind leader Arjun Atwal of India who has won $218,243. EUROPEAN SENIOR PGA TOUR Members of the European Senior PGA Tour are taking a six week break. Next event for Money leader Terry Gale of Australia and Canadians Bill Hardwick (52) and John Irwin (61) will be the Wallonia Open May 23-25 at Pierpoint GC in Belgium. JAPAN GOLF TOUR The Sports Shinko Country Club in Hyohgo plays host to the Tsuruya Open when the Japan Tour starts up again April 24-27. Australian Andre Stolz, victorious a week ago in Mie, won 20,000,000 yen in the only event he's played in and is the leading money winner after the first two tournaments on the calendar. Rick Gibson earned 365,500 yen in his one tournament appearance and is 70th. CANADIAN PRO TOUR When the Canadian Tour starts up again May 8-11 it will be in Guadalajara, Mexico, then a week later in Ixtapa, Mexico. The fragmented tour eventually winds its way back to Canada for another of its three Tour Schools, this one May 26-30 at the Dunes in Kamloops. It won't be until July 24-27 before the Tour returns to BC for a visit to Royal Colwood for the Victoria Open, then the following week in Pitt Meadows at Swan-e-set Bay for the Greater Vancouver Classic. Leading money winner is Terre Haute, IN's Rob Johnson with $25,050. MASTERS TRIVIA: . . . . George Knudson of Winnipeg came closest to winning a Green Jacket, tying for 2nd in 1969. Next closest to a Major was Barr who T2nd at the 85 US Open . . . . Bill Mawhinney of Chiliwack was the first Canadian to play in the Masters, finishing T55 in 1951 at 27-over par; Stan Leonard has the most Top 10 finishes among Canadians (4) with a T3 in 1958 his best effort; prior to Weir, Leonard had been the only Canadian to ever lead the Masters at any stage. In '59 he was the first round leader and led again after 54 holes, but wound up 4th . . . . former Canadian and US Amateur Champion Gary Cowan of Kitchener is the only Canadian Amateur invited to the Masters. He T25 in 1964 and T45 in 1968. A TIME TO REMEMBER: . . . . When the LPGA comes to Vancouver in July for the BMO Canadian Ladies' Open at Point Grey G&CC one of the first functions to take place will be the induction of Dawn Co-Jones Monday, July 7 into the 56-member Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. The award was announced months ago but the native of Campbell River, BC wanted to hold off the ceremony so it could take place at the course where she captured her first of two BC Ladies' Amateur championships in 1982 . . . . the selection committee for the Golf Hall of Fame of BC meets April 23 and nominations can still be forwarded in any form to Dorothy Brown at the BC Golf Museum, 2545 Blanca Street, Vancouver, Fax 604-222-4654 and via email to mashie@intergate.ca. Unofficially, Doug Roxburgh is likely to be one unanimous choice among the 4-5 to be inducted at the October banquet . . . . incidentally, the Museum Is presenting a special RCGA/BMO tribute to Women's Golf April 24 which will be open to the public between 7-9 PM . . . . BC Golf News wishes to express sincere condolences to the family of Don Gardner, longtime member at Capilano Golf & Country Club and a respected former Executive Director of the BCGA, who passed away April 3. ROYAL APPROVAL: . . . . The obvious sign that Point Grey's is an excellent test of golf is when an executive from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews calls from Scotland to inquire about getting tee times while visiting western Canada. Head pro Doug Riome was only too happy to oblige some weeks ago. In fact, says Riome, "I get voice and emails regularly from all over the world from folks planning to visit BC who want to come here and play the Point, especially since it was announced we're hosting the LPGA." In Point Grey's 81 year history this venerable course has been the national choice to host the Canadian Open (1954); Canadian Women's Open (2003); Canadian Senior Men's Amateur (1978) Canadian Ladies' Amateur (1961); Canadian Senior Ladies' (2001) Canadian Junior Ladies' (1983); two Canadian PGA Championships (1948-69) and the PGA TOUR's BC Centennial (1958) when Jim Feree set the course record of 61. The only two nationals yet to tee off at Point Grey are the Canadian Men's and Junior Men's Amateurs. In 2005 the Canadian Senior Men's Amateur Championship returns. VOLUNTEERS WELCOME: . . . . Club Tournament Chairman Jim Findlay is pleased with the quality of volunteers available for Point Grey in July. About 1,500 will be needed and already some with experience gained while working the late Air Canada Championship have come forward. Application forms and details are readily available at the club at 3350 SW Marine Drive; (604) 267-4305 or rhttp://www.pointgreygolf.com/ Additional caddies are also required.