Vancouver's Bryn Parry
Interesting to see the Canadian PGA has released its first ranking of its pros as players. Though admittedly I don’t think any of them are truly full-time players, it is an interesting list to see and the CPGA has apparently gone to some effort to get it together. Perhaps not surprisingly, former Nationwide Tour pro Bryn Parry, a well-known teacher who almost won on the minor-league circuit in 2007, was at the top of the list followed by Dave Levesque and Danny King.
Bryn Parry of North Vancouver, BC has been considered one of the best Canadian PGA playing professionals in the country for nearly a decade but as of today there is no disputing it. Parry has the distinct honour of being #1 rin the Canadian PGA Player Rankings heading into the 2011 season. A two-time National Assistant’s Champion, Parry’s point accumulation since 2008 includes two runner-up finishes in the Canadian PGA Assistant’s Championship and 1st, 2nd & 4th place finishes in the BC Zone Championship. In 2007, Parry parlayed his incredible run in his home province all the way to PGA Tour Qualifying School that resulted in full status on the Nationwide Tour after missing his PGA Tour card by a single shot.
“I’m absolutely pumped to be recognized as the number one ranked player in the entire Canadian PGA,” said an elated Parry, Teaching Professional at the Seymour Creek Golf Centre. “I want to thank the Canadian PGA for creating something that we can all strive for and I’ll do my best to remain at the top of this list for as long as I can.”
Anyone have the suspicion that there’s a reason behind this sudden player ranking that is apparently the first of its kind? Doesn’t seem like a standalone kind of undertaking. The entire ratings can be found here.
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A G4G spy tells me that York Downs, the private club north of Toronto, has finally sorted out its share situation and has an potential offer from a developer to purchase some of the club’s land. There has long been discussion that York Downs might sell its current location — which is now surrounded by the real estate that sprung out of Angus Glen — and move the course somewhere north. York Downs has 27 average holes and a nice practice facility. Before it moved to its current Geoff Cornish/Bill Robinson design, it had a great course in Toronto. Perhaps the club can upgrade if it moves?
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Interesting to see former British Open champ Paul Lawrie win for the first time in nine years on the European Tour. Remember when he backed his way into a win at the horrrific 1999 British Open at Carnoustie? “It’s been a long time – 2002 seems a hell of a time ago,” he said of his last win. “I’ve had a few second places in there but all of a sudden we’re there again. It was going pear‑shaped a little bit but you’ve just got to keep going – that’s all you can do. I played lovely and the putter behaved better. I got on a nice run at the right time.” Lawrie was one of two Scottish players to win, with Martin Laird somehow hanging on to win at Bay Hill. I watched most of Bay Hill yesterday. Seemed like to one really wanted to win that one — except maybe Justin Rose, but he started too far back.
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It is a little late to point out, but last week I wrote a column for Sympatio on Arnold Palmer. Interestingly (or at least it is to me) I finally had the chance to write about an old Golf Digest list of the Top 25 things a golfer should do in their lifetime. I’ve had the good fortune to do many of them now — play the Old Course, make a hole-in-one. Damn I wish I could find that list. Anyway, shaking Arnold Palmer’s hand is one of the things on the list….
“Shake the hand of The King.”
Years ago I read an out-of-date copy of a golf magazine that listed the Top 25 things every golfer should do. High up that list, which included playing the Old Course at St. Andrews and making a hole-in-one, was having the opportunity to shake hands with Arnold Palmer. For whatever reason, that concept really stuck with me. The magazine made it clear that golfers everywhere should acknowledge Palmer’s role in bringing attention to the sport. I had just turned 30 the year I had my first opportunity to meet and interview Palmer – and I was sure to shake his huge mitt as soon as I had the chance to introduce myself.
That was nearly a decade ago, and I’ve met and interviewed Palmer on a couple of occasions since. He’s a remarkable man, though not without his failings. Regardless, at the age of 81, Palmer remains The King, the athlete who almost single-handedly created the modern athlete, replete with endorsement deals, personal jets and their own clothing lines. His magnetism is such that Canadian clothing company Quagmire announced this week that it will reintroduce clothing with Palmer’s name attached aimed at golfers who weren’t even born when Palmer last played the senior circuit.
A bestselling author and award-winning columnist, Robert Thompson has been writing about business and sports, and particularly golf, for almost two decades. His reporting and commentary on golf has appeared in 
Robert,
Not sure if there is a main reason behind the player rankings but they’ve created a buzz already and I think it’s a pretty cool idea. I just like the forward thinking of the CPGA. Off to the range…
York Downs for the “unplayed” Stollery Course and cash? hmmmm.
York Downs for sale! that would be a great thing as it is perhaps second only to Lionhead as the worst course (and clubhouse) built in Ontario in 50 years. The old York Downs was great. I wish them luck, I wonder how many original Bathurst Street members there are? Was Marlene a member?
I think Ian is right, Goodwood here they come.