JEFF PATERSON - - - Golfing My Way

The wind gusted (and howled on a few occasions) throughout the afternoon making club selection a challenge. But golf's not supposed to be easy and the wind is a big part of links golf so I think I saw the course the way it was intended to be played. By the way, is it just me or do three-quarters of all golf holes play into the wind? It certainly seems like I'm always battling the wind more than I'm benefiting from it.

Anyhow, at $40 for a round of golf on a weekend afternoon in Greater Vancouver, Kings Links By The Sea was full value for the money and definitely a course I'll play again.

If you haven't had the opportunity, I'd like to suggest you get out and take your best shot, but when you go heed this advice: take a few layers. That can be a cold wind that blows off Boundary Bay and across the property -- even in the middle of summer.
 
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Congratulations to Riley Wheeldon on his win at the BC Junior Boys' Championship at Pitt Meadows last week. He was 18-under for the tournament and sealed the deal with an 8-under 64. That's impressive golf for anyone,at any age. But to shoot 64 as a teenager in the final round of a provincial championship . . . and with the reigning BC Amateur champ, Eugene Wong, trying to reel you in . . . that's solid stuff. No one can ever accuse Riley of backing into that title.

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I may be in the minority, but I was glad to see the RCGA offer John Daly an exemption into next week's RBC Canadian Open. Pro golf is entertainment and few at that level are more entertaining than 'JD' -- if he can keep it together. He's as explosive off the golf course as he is off the tee. But deep down I find myself pulling for the guy to get his life in order, play good golf and find a way to do more than be a weekly side-show on tour (when he gets the chance to play on tour).  The guy has been through a lot -- most of it self-inflicted -- but man, can he still put a club on the golf ball.

It's hard to believe that next month will mark the 18th anniversary of John Daley's stunning PGA Championship victory at Crooked Stick.
 
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As a 'morning person' I love the British Open. I love the fact that no matter how early I get up, there is live golf on TV on Thursday and Friday. Among so many other things, I've always liked that about the British Open -- get up, watch golf, get on with the rest of the day. And that's exactly what I plan to do this week. 

JEFF PATERSON is a popular sports talk host on Vancouver's TEAM 1040 SPORTS RADIO, can be seen from time-to-time on Rogers Sports Net TV and is a freelance writer with columns appearing in the Georgia Straight.