Sport Slices

There were a few cancellations on the PGA Champions Tour, earlier this year. It is the tour for “Seniors” who wish to continue to play competitive golf. The tour offers great opportunities for fans to see their favourite players, once they turn 50.

Last weekend, the golfers played the Dominion Energy Charity Classic. There were no fans lining the fairways. That will come, in good time. When the final round took place on Sunday, there was a little extra excitement for Canadian golf fans. Mike Weir was in first place, and playing well.

Following his opening round of 68, Weir had a score of 63 in the second round to give himself a three stroke lead going into the final 18 holes. Another left-handed golfer was playing with him on the final round. Phil Mickelson. He also had his 50^th birthday this year, entitling him to play on this tour.

Mickelson had earlier won his first tournament as a senior, and has done well thus far. He has pocketed $ 750 000 with his two tournament victories.

Weir has played in 8 tournaments as a senior. He has finished in the top ten 3 times, and has won $ 475 000.

Last Sunday, Phil capped off a fine weekend with a score of 65 to win the tournament. Weir finished second, with three birdies and one bogey on the final 18 holes. They were tied for the lead at the 11^th hole, but Weir needed three putts on the 14^th hole. Mickelson cruised to victory at that point.

Weir hails from Bright's Grove, in western Ontario. He won several amateur tournaments in Canada before attending Brigham Young University in Utah. His greatest win on the PGA circuit was The Masters. The date has been changed for that tournament this year, and the golfers will head there in November. As a former winner, Weir will be there.

There is a big prize at the end of the Champions Tour season called the Schwab Cup. Ernie Els is the current leader in that race, followed by Bernard Langer, Scott Pareil, Miguel Angel Jiminez, and Jerry Kelly. Most of those chaps have already picked up a million dollars in prize money this year.

Mike Weir has won more than 28 million dollars in his career. He is not one of those big guys who cranks out 400 yard drives. He is 5' 9'', and is listed at 175 pounds. But his average driving distance this year is 286 yards, which is more than suitable for this tour.

When he was 13 years old, he wrote a letter to Jack Nicklaus. He wanted to know whether or not he should switch to playing right-handed. Nicklaus responded by telling Weir to go with his natural swing, as a lefty.

Among his many other awards, Weir was named to the Order of Canada in 2009.

A golfer named Jason Kokrak won the regular PGA event last week. While on a holiday, to visit family members several years ago, his mother gave birth to Jason in North Bay, Ontario. I believe he lived there for two weeks! I could be mistaken, but I think he falls into the category as having “dual citizenship”. Jason will also attend The Masters, one of the perks for winning last weekend.

The World Series opened last night with the Los Angeles Dodgers representing the National League, and the Tampa Bay Rays, the American League. Both teams survived a best-of-seven series to get to the final. Don't be surprised if this turns out to be a long affair. They will be playing in better weather than the Bills had last Monday night. If you wish to learn about Buffalo football woes, tune in to WGR 550 on the AM dial. Most of the time, the dialogue is hilarious.

Stay safe. Less than three weeks from now, our neighbours to the south will finish counting ballots!

James Hurst

October 21, 2020