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PGA checking out tour stop at Pine Ridge Golf Course

By: Geoff Kirbyson

Posted: 06/9/2012 8:23 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 06/11/2012 5:43 PM | Updates

From left, Chicago Blackhawks' captain Jonathan Toews, Players Cup executive director Ryan Hart, and Shane Hnidy, colour analyst for TSN Radio 1290 at the Free Press News Café this morning. (WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

If you want to see the next Mike Weir before he's Mike Weir, you might want to check out Pine Ridge Golf Club next month.

From July 12-15 it will host the Canadian Tour Players Cup, a tournament boasting some of the best up-and-coming players the world has to offer.

The Canadian Tour has become one of the best proving grounds in the world of golf, according to Richard Janes, commissioner and CEO of the Canadian Professional Golf Tour.

Last December, The Canadian Tour struck a deal with the PGA that provides marketing and operational support and may ultimately lead to a much closer relationship under the PGA Tour umbrella.

"The vision is that the Canadian tour will become the equivalent of AA baseball for the Nationwide Tour," he said, noting the PGA has a similar arrangement in Latin America.

PGA Tour officials will take in the Players Cup to examine how it runs, talk to officials at Pine Ridge and evaluate the golf course, he said.

"It's still somewhat speculative but early indications are the operations on the Canadian Tour are as good as any in the world. The exercise now is to determine whether we have the support of the communities, government and corporate Canada to make sure these events are viable and sustainable," he said.

"If we do align directly with the PGA Tour, we would have the backing of the pre-eminent brand in the game of golf, which will only increase the value of each franchise on our tour as well as the value that accrues to sponsors."

A press conference to promote the tournament was held this morning at the Free Press News Café.

Ryan Hart, executive director of the Players Cup, said he's optimistic last year's attendance of 7,000 will be surpassed, in no small part thanks to the participation of homegrown hockey superstar Jonathan Toews. The captain of the Chicago Blackhawks will host "Jonathan Toews Fore Kids" on July 9, an event that will enable youngsters to experience a golf tournament just like the pros.

Two adults and two kids will make up each foursome and Toews will drive around the course in a cart and chat with all of them.

"He's not behind a table, he'll walk the fairway or spend time with them at the tee box," Hart said.

Toews will also participate in the "Rumble at the Ridge" celebrity pro-am on July 10, which will feature teams led by him and former Boston Bruin and current Winnipeg Jets colour commentator, Shane Hnidy.

Make no mistake, however, there will be no sightings of Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson on a golf course in Winnipeg any time soon. But in 10 years, you might look back on this year's tournament as the coming out party for a particular player, Janes said.

"This is a development tour and it always has been. This is where Canada's best young players started throughout the last 40 years. Over the last 20 years, we've had a strong influx of international players, such as Steve Stricker from the U.S. We've started to get a lot of players from 20 other countries around the world, too," he said.

Last year's champion was Tom Hoge from Fargo, ND.

geoff.kirbyson@freepress.mb.ca

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History

Updated on Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 7:34 PM CDT: changes time

June 11, 2012 at 2:15 PM: Updates with details from the news conference.

5:43 PM: corrects dates of events

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