(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
This story of mine first ran in the May/June '09 issue of Good Life in the City
Tin Cup Anniversary
In 1999, on a drizzly Sunday at Northview in Surrey B.C., after birdying the 10th and 12th holes, Mike Weir remained in a three-way race with Fred Funk and Carlos Franco for the Air Canada Championship. Stuck in the first cut of rough on 14 after his tee shot, Weir unleashed a parabolic stunner that would vault his career to the next level. He sailed a 147-yarder pin-seeker to the green that proceeded to make a few hops before bee lining it for the flagstick and plunking down in the cup.
When Weir’s approach shot landed safely on the green at 18, crooners in the crowd started into a patriotic rendition of O Canada, sensing that Weir was moments away from making history.
The last Canadian golfer to win a tour event was Richard Zokol in 1992.
From 60 feet away, Weir sealed the deal with a smooth putt that stopped rolling mere inches away from the lip of the hole. Weir clinched a two-shot victory with a tap-in and the gallery went wild. He closed out with a seven-under-par 64 for the second successive day.
“That was pretty special. It came off perfect. I couldn’t have imagined it or visualized it any better. For it to go in, it was unbelievable,” said Weir afterwards of the breathtaking eagle that proved to be the tournament turning point.
No Bogeys in These Barrels
Golf and wine have long been complementary pillars holding up the edifice of the good life. After all, nothing says living it up in the Muskokas like swinging irons and sipping Shiraz at the 19th hole.
When the first bottles of Mike Weir Wine were uncorked in 2005, Weir joined a list of illustrious golf greats including Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, and Nick Faldo in branching out from fruitful fairways to lush vineyards.
Today 30,000 cases ship annually in a wide variety of delectable reds and whites including Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc as well as the Niagara specialty, ice wine.
In an effort to step up his wine game, in November of 2008, Weir announced a partnership with Chateau des Charmes, run by the Bosc family, who has been making wines for more than 170 year's and holds the distinction as the first Canadian winery to be awarded a gold medal at VinExpo in France.
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