Tee 2 Green with Barry Sharpe - - February 6/09

In any golf tournament with a field of a 156 players there are 156 human-interest stories, some more compelling than others. However, here's one with the potential to develop into the first Cinderella story of the season.

Tony Smith of Clovis, California, used to play on the Canadian Tour. He gave it up in 2003 because he didn't have enough game and after four tough tour seasons had barely earned $7,000.

Over the last few seasons Smith has become a househusband, helping to raise his two daughters while his wife teaches high school. But lately he's taken a serious interest in his game. This week, from out of obscurity, Smith has suddenly emerged as a rookie on the PGA TOUR at the age of 44.

A week ago Smith entered into a pre-qualifying event, shot a 68 and won a chance to play in Monday's qualifying tournament in hopes of winning one of four spots in the $5.3 million Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines in San Diego. Monday Smith shot 67 in the field of 60 and won the right to tee off in his first ever PGA TOUR event.

In Thursday's opening round Smith fired five birdies and four bogeys for a one-under par 70 and is tied for 33rd. Camilo Villegas is the leader by three shots after posting a 9-under 63.

No Canadians are entered, nor is Tiger Woods, the defending champion.

If Smith, who has played on a number of mini-tours in his career---including one in the U.S. known as the Zero Tour---plays it cool today and makes it through to the weekend, finishing dead last could possibly earn him more than he's made in 18-years as professional player.

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The eminent sale of Len Barrie's Bear Mountain Golf Resort in Victoria continues to serve as the source of great rumours and speculation but ownership of Western Canada's largest resort development continues to remain in the hands of the co-owner of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightening and his 15 ex and current NHL investors, like Mike Vernon, Ray Whitney, Rob Niedermayer, Ryan Smyth, Greg Adams and Rob Blake.

"We've had a couple of interested groups at the table for a while now and one legitimate offer we've had to take a long hard look at, " said Barrie this week from New York. "I mean I've heard that it was off yesterday, it was on today. It's kind of funny, I dunno, the rummour mills . . . It's kind of entertaining anyway."

But does Len Barrie really want to sell the mamouth Bear Mountain development he started from scratch?

"I think you'd have to see what the parameters of the sale is, right? You might just sell the development to developers, who knows. One thing, when you have partners you have to look at what's best for everybody. That's what we're evaluating right now."

Barrie thinks that Bear Mountain is worth in the neighborhood of $500 million.

"It's a big development, we've got 10 years left to go. It's such a big deal. It's not an easy deal for anyone to do. You need to have a good group to be able to do it,"

"Let's put it this way," said the retired member of five NHL clubs, "if I was to sell I'm sure I would still be involved."

Because of his involvement as a part owner of Tampa Bay, and persistent rumours of the NHL club's alleged insolvency, is this forcing Barrie to sell Bear Mountain?

"No, not at all. One has northing to do with the other. I heard that one myself. I laughed. 'You're selling Bear Mountain 'cause Tampa Bay is broke.' Tampa Bay is probably making more money than Bear Mountain," laughed Barrie. "We own the rink. We get all the revenue from the concerts and different things. We've got a good business going in both areas."

The second 18-hole Jack and Steve Nicklaus-designed golf course---Canada's only dual 36-hole Nicklaus layout---is scheduled to open for play in April .

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Two of Canada's most popular sports names---Wayne Gretzky and Mike Weir--- are now facing off against each other, not on the ice or on a golf course, but in restaurants and wine stores throughout the nation.

Weir, who Thursday was inducted into Canada's Golf Hall of Fame, has signed a five year partnership with International distributor Diageo Canada in an effort to help further promote awareness for his four-year-old Mike Weir Estate Winery. This should help get his wines onto the shelves of BC liquor stores. Although Weir wines may be available throughout Canada not all Canadian stores stock the wines.

Gretzky, the legendary Sports and Hockey Hall of Fame icon, is just getting his feet wet in the industry. No. 99 Estates Winery,
produces two wines that are reportedly going to be to available in BC for the first time this week or next.

"I have always considered myself an Ambassador for Niagara wines and have proudly served my wines all over the world", says Weir. "Partnering with Diageo Canada will allow us to grow brand awareness and value, gain greater access for Ontario wineries and also benefit my Foundation".

All proceeds from the sale of Mike Weir Wine go to the Mike Weir Foundation, which was started in 2004 by Mike and his wife Bricia.

Weir Estate Wines unveiled plans in November for the building of a new Winery and Hospitality Centre in Niagara-on-the-Lake in conjunction with the Niagara Parks Commission adjacent to Whirlpool Golf Course near Niagara Falls.

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During his conference call with the national media Thursday Weir admitted he has yet to determine exactly where his first golf course will be built and who the architect will be who will partner with him. There has been a lot of speculation that a Weir designed 18-hole minimalist links style course would be created in the Okanagan, in the vicinity of the 36-hole Predator Ridge Resort at Vernon.

"We are meeting later today to talk about just that subject," said Weir, who is not one to share a lot about himself or his future plans.

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Executive Director Brian Butters has added two new members to his staff at PGA of BC headquarters in Richmond.

Effective Jan. 16, Grant Gray is the Association's new Sales & Marketing Coordinator. A Class "A" Member of the CPGA, Grant has more than 18 years of experience in the golf industry. He was Head Professional at Mayfair Lakes G&CC after having worked at Beach Grove GC, Shuswap Lake Estates G&CC and Quilchena G&CC. More recently he has been an Affiliate Member as Western Canadian Sales Manager for GPS Industries.

Grant's network of contacts in the industry and long-term experience equips him well to help meet the Association's financial targets through sponsorships, business partnerships and sourcing of benefits for members.

Also joining the PGA of BC office team will be Stacy Reykdal as the new Communications and Member Services Coordinator. Beginning Jan. 26, Stacy will be responsible for E-News, the Pro-Talk newsletter and maintaining and updating the PGA of BC website as well as all aspects of Member Services and office administration.

Stacy has a strong background in golf, having placed 12th in the World Junior Golf Championship at Torrey Pines, San Diego, and winning the Western Canadian Golf Championship while a teenager. Stacy also excelled at basketball at Douglas College and UBC, winning honors as a Canada West all-star as well as Canada West defensive player of the year.

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RCGA national men's team coach Henry Brunton, a Canadian PGA Master Professional, has named to the Top 50 Kids Teachers list by U.S. Kids Golf. Previously named to the Top 100 Teachers list by Golf Magazine on four occasions, Brunton's latest accolade came during the PGA Show in Orlando last week.

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Don't forget the Vancouver Golf and Travel Show at BC Place Stadium February 14 & 15.