RBC Canadian Open: Adam Hadwin and the Future of Canadian Golf
With Mike Weir virtually MIA in the golfing world, many people can argue the future of Canadian golf is pretty bleak.
This is not true.
It is true that the futures of Mike Weir and to a lesser extent Stephen Ames' careers are very much in doubt.
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But there is a strong crop of young Canadians up and coming.
Adam Hadwin, a Canadian Tour member, put on a show at the 2011 RBC Canadian Open finishing tied for fourth and earning the Rivermead Cup as low Canadian for the second straight season.
Hadwin's performance this week is good enough to get him into the Greenbrier classic next week, which will be only his fourth PGA TOUR event.
Hadwin also played in the US Open at Congressional, where he impressed many with a 39th place finish. He finished ahead of notables Phil Mickelson and Luke Donald.
Matt McQuillan of Kingston, On, is another young Canadian with a bright future. He finished tied for third at the John Deere Classic and finished tied for 31st at this week's Canadian Open.
David Hearn is the third Canadian golfer with a bright future. Hearn has one top 10 in his second full season on the PGA TOUR. His top 10 came at the Shell Houston Open where he finished tied for sixth.
Hearn was in contention at the Canadian Open after two rounds, but struggled with two rounds of 74 to close out his tournament in a tie for 39th position.
Matt Hill has not made his name on the PGA Tour, but he is a star on the NCAA circuit.
Hill was named 2009 NCAA player of the year and looks primed to follow in the footsteps of hometown idol Mike Weir.
Hill did turn pro only a year ago and hopes to qualify for events through sponsors exemptions.
It is unusual as to why Canada has been able to produce so few quality players. Canada is in the top of the world as far as golfers per capita. Canada also has more courses per capita than any other country in the world.
Despite the inability of Canada to produce PGA professionals, the future does look bright for a foursome of Canadians.
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