by Tara Jeffrey for the Sarnia Observer
(2013) It seems like just yesterday that Sarnia native Mike Weir made history at Augusta National.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years – it was a thrill of my golfing career,” Weir said during a media teleconference held Wednesday to discuss the 10 year anniversary of his 2003 Masters win. The eight-time PGA Tour winner – whose historic victory marked the first Canadian-born player to win a major and the first left-handed golfer to win the tournament – reflected on the memorable win, his hometown, how life has changed, and his hopes for the future.
“I was a little taken aback by the attention, at the start,” recalled 42-year-old Weir. “But other than that, I don’t think my lifestyle really changed a whole lot. There were more people after my time … But I didn’t’ go around the world playing everywhere I was invited to for money. I wanted to stay focused on the tour and keep trying to improve my game.”
Now living in Sandy, Utah with his wife and two children, Weir said the support from his hometown has been tremendous over the years.
“I’ve said this all along – Sarnia is a great sports town. We’re supportive of all our athletes that have come from Sarnia – it’s just the kind of way our community is,” said Weir, who grew up in Bright’s Grove and attended St. Clair Secondary, where he became a promising member of the school’s golf team.
In 2009, he was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame during a ceremony at Huron Oaks Golf Club, where he grew up honing his craft, alongside former coach and longtime friend Steve Bennett.
“Seems like it happened yesterday,” he said of Weir’s Masters win, for which he was on hand.
“Watching hole by hole, shot by shot… it was so intense. Then, seeing him presented with the green jacket from Tiger.”
Now managing the Thames Valley Golf Course, Bennett still heads down to Augusta each year with a crew of Weir’s close friends and family – including brothers Jim and Craig. Weir rents a house for the group and Bennett takes care of the meals. Weir told reporters during Wednesday’s teleconference that it’s one of the highlights of returning to the tournament every year.
“We have dinners every night, and my old pro Steve Bennett is the chef for the week. He cooks up great meals every night, and I just catch up with all my friends.”
In celebration of the 10th anniversary, TSN and Global will broadcast the original documentary “4 days in April: The Mike Weir Story,” premiering April 10 at 9:30 p.m. (TSN) and Saturday, April 13 at 2 p.m. (Global).
Looking ahead, Weir said his most recent setback – a rib injury – won’t stop him from making a comeback, with his sights set on the 2013 Masters next month.
“There’s really no evidence on paper that shows I can be in contention there, except that I believe that I can, in my own mind, and I think that’s been the strongest asset of my career – that I believe in myself,” he said. “I just feel like I’m going to find a way to get it done.”
Bennett echoed his friends comments, saying he knows there’s more drive in Weir yet.
“It’s sort of the underdog story – the guy growing up in a small community, making it to the PGA tour, then winning golf’s biggest tournament,” said Bennett. “But through the whole process, Mike has never changed. Mike is Mike; he’s one of us.”
“And whether he’s going to play on one leg – he’ll play.”