VICTORIA, B.C., Canada ' David Mathis holds down the top spot on the money list as the Canadian Tour kicks off its Western Canada swing this week with the Times Colonist Open.
An international field of 156 golfers will tee it up at Uplands Golf Club. The Times Colonist Open is the first event on Canadian soil this season. Venues in Texas, California and Mexico have played host to six Tour events on the Canadian Tour schedule so far in 2005.
One year ago, David Hearn of Brantford, Ont. nailed down his first tour championship in Victoria. Weeks later, playing on a sponsors exemption, Hearn would win the Nationwide Tours Alberta Classic before going on to earn his first PGA Tour card in December.
Four of the six event winners so far this season will be in Victoria this week’Mathis, Stuart Anderson, Jaime Gomez, Mathis and Jim Seki. Californian Scott Gibson will join five other Canadian Tour players at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, N.C.
The Times Colonist Open will also give fans a chance to get a look at some of Canadas blue-chip prospects, including Anderson, Derek Gillespie, Chris Baryla, Lee Curry, Brad Fritsch, Rob McMillan, Craig Taylor and Dan Swanson. Former amateur stars Mike Mezei and Dan Roberts will make their tour debuts, less than a week after earning playing cards at Spring Qualifying School.
Other players to keep an eye on include Chris Wall, Peter Tomasulo, Alex Rocha, Ben Pettitt, Stephen Woodard, Michael Beard, Mike Grob, Stephen Gangluff, Craig Kanada, Ryan Miller and Robert Hamilton.
The Tournament Players Association is the governing body of the Canadian Professional Golf Tour with tournament operations in Canada, the United States and Mexico. A not-for-profit association with over 250 members, Canadian Tour alumni includes Mike Weir, Chris DiMarco, reigning British Open champion Todd Hamilton, Stuart Appleby, Kirk Triplett and Hank Kuehne. The top 25 Canadian Tour grads have combined to win more than $150 million on the PGA Tour.
Related Links: